Please help re: where to live (Houston, Katy: military, apartments, lease)

[tanisandtobysmom]

I may be moving from out-of-state to Houston for a job, which is located just north of the inner loop (I think that's what you call it!). I need help figuring out the best place to buy a house. At first after reading on this forum, it seemed Katy was the best way to go, but then I read about the commute and decided that may not be ideal.

Basically, I would like to buy a relatively inexpensive home in a relatively safe, nice area (i.e. nice school district) where the commute isn't too horrible. I am in my late 20s, divorced, and have no children, but I'd like to have a family one day. Please recommend any and all suburbs/areas of Houston you think fit this description. Thanks!!

[Poltracker]

What is your price range?

[tanisandtobysmom]

Less than $150,000. The job I would take is a rather large paycut over what I'm making now, but since the cost of living is much lower I figured that everything would even out in the end.

[jimboburnsy]

I think that as a single late twentysomething I would seriously consider renting for an extended period before you commit to buying anything here. That will give you an opportunity to get to know this town before you do something rash like buy a house based on the recommendations of the yahoos on this forum. A lot of people make the mistake of not doing enough homework before they buy and I'm not sure that the best move for a young, single transplant is to purchase a house. You'll have a pretty serious commute to find much of anything in that price range.

[Poltracker]

Jim is absolutely correct. You might want to rent something in the Timbergrove area, there are some nice apartments along TC Jester. You also might consider the Rice Military area as well. Get to know the area before buying. The area just north of the loop can be pretty trickey as far as neighborhoods go and it would be well worth it to scope the area out first.

[EasilyAmused]

Agree with Jim.
Also, all the criteria you have given with the price tag is going to equal one hell of a commute.
However, if you rent a while you might find a little spot close in, in a transitional neighborhood, that you like.

[Beto]

I agree as well.

[Redrover]

I agree with all the others. You might take a look at Houston Apartment Locators | Houston, Texas Apartments | Apartments in Houston which is an apartment locator service that can often negotiate a perferred rate for a place you might be interested in. Perhaps you might find a townhouse to lease which would give you more of a "house" feel. But buying before you know the lay of the land is just not a good idea.

[Kandy]

I wanted to offer a suggestion. Try Lake shore or Summerwood. Here is a sample home:
12822 Pecan Shores Ln, Houston, TX 77044

Good luck!

[tanisandtobysmom]

I don't think an apartment will work. I have two dogs, one of which is large (nearly 100 lbs.). I can't see cooping them up in an apartment all day and not having a yard to run in at night. Also, I already have a house where I live now, so I have a lot of furniture and just stuff in general. And I just can't see going back to apartment living.