family neighborhoods vs stuff to do (Houston, Baytown: rentals, crime rates, daycare)

[averysmommy]

I've read a lot of the forums about houston and where to go, where not to go, where's expensive. I still am not quite finding what I'm looking for. From all the searching I've been doing I'm noticing that there are rentals in most areas. I am moving down from Michigan because the job market up here is aweful. I have a three year old so she's not in school yet, but she will be in preschool/daycare. We are a young couple, meaning we still like to get out and have fun, but we also like a quieter neighborhood and a more country feel rather than the suburbs. Our price range for a rental is around 1000/mth or transverely a house in the range of 150 or less. Square footage is important as we have a TON of stuff too. So we don't want to pay a lot for a little (more than 1200 sq ft is ideal). We would like to be within 30 minutes of a more downtown type area and also somewhat close to water/beaches. Also since my fiance works from home he needs high speed internet and I have no idea how to figure out what areas will work for us. People have suggested Sugarland and Katy but I'm getting the feeling that they are going to be suburbish for us (one of the reasons we're getting out of michigan, too many burbs). I am concerned about crime rates and such, too, but coming from just outside of detroit, michigan I'm guessing that's not going to be too much of an issue. I know this is long and a lot of requirements but if any of you can suggest several areas that will be good and let me know what areas are considered "less than nice" parts of Houston. Thanks
for taking the time to read this whole thing. Sheesh, I'm picky :O)
P.S. Also I am worried about the hurricane issue and flooding and such. I am hoping to find an area that doesn't flood "when you spit on it" as I've heard it put and also to try to stick to a cat 4/5 area. Thanks again.

[Topaz]

Well, definitely rule out Sugar Land because it is extremely culturally diverse and very suburbish.

And it does sound racist to me to say you want to live in a neighborhood that is almost purely Caucasian but to each her own...

[EasilyAmused]

Well, the price range won't buy them that either. Especially not 30 minutes from downtown.

Most of the suburbs are much cheaper, but they are also diverse.

[arbucle]

Well this town is majority minority now so if someone told you that its a town of cowpokes anymore they gave bad info.$150,000 thousand wont buy much in a decent school area.There are some white areas but you would need to move up to the 250 range.This entire state will soon have more Hispanics than whites so if its a problem I would not come here.

[Mr. Football]

In general, you'll find that that the areas with heaviest anglo majority is North, Northwest and West. Places like The Woodlands, Klein, Cypress, South Katy. Kingwood, Friendswood and much of Clear Lake as well.

[baggiegenes]

Look at spring area just north of 1960. Prices are reasonable, 1960 and woodlands are both nearby which have some night life. Lots of places to eat and hang out. Plus further north so you won't get the worst of a hurricane if it comes through. Though that isn't really much of a concern for those of us born and raised here. Our city wasn't built below sea level.

[Poltracker]

Sounds like you are headed for somewhere like Crosby. More the country feel you want, price range you indicated. Stay north of Hwy 90. Now, I think it is actually a little more 30 minutes to downtown (not by much) but that will shorten when Hwy 90 is completed from Beltway 8 to I-10 in the next few years. Really probably the only non-suburban area left in Harris County. The other non-suburban feel communities are going to be further away. From Crosby you can shop in Baytown or Humble whichever you decide you like.

[MxL]

Originally Posted by Topaz

Well, definitely rule out Sugar Land because it is extremely culturally diverse and very suburbish.

And it does sound racist to me to say you want to live in a neighborhood that is almost purely Caucasian but to each her own...

Did I miss something? Where did the original poster say the neighborhood had to be almost purely white?

[Topaz]

She went back and edited out her original statement.

[niknak]

Sounds like you need to move to an xburb. But remember - you can run but you can't hide. You might want to reconsider you're move to Houston may be too diverse for you.