Suggestions on great places to live within easy commute of Downtown (Houston: 2009, attorney)

[will4444]

Hi, I am currently living in Midtown Houston and my wife and I are looking to buy our first house and start having a family. I just started working as an attorney in downtown Houston and have only been here for a couple of months so we are not that familiar with areas outside of the loop. Any advice would be appreciated.

A little bit about ourselves. We are both 25 years old and are looking to spend between $375K and $450K on our home. It's just the two of us right now (and our dog) but we are hoping to have a kid on the way soon. Preferably somewhere within a 30 to 40 minute commute of downtown Houston would be preferable. Also, I usually work till about 6:30 or later (if that matters for traffic reasons). Some of the areas that we have been looking at are Sugar Land, Katy, Kingwood, and Fall Creek. Also, I love golf so any golf courses nearby would be a plus.

Thanks a bunch for any advice you provide. We really appreciate it. Hope you have a terrific evening.

[txguy2009]

You could try the heights, which is like still in the loop and not far at all from downtown. Dont' know if it's "family friendly" though since it's still a big city neighborhood.

I'd look at Pearland or the Woodlands if I were you. Woodlands might be a bit far and pricier though.

What firm are you working for BTW???

[will4444]

Originally Posted by txguy2009

You could try the heights, which is like still in the loop and not far at all from downtown. Dont' know if it's "family friendly" though since it's still a big city neighborhood.

What firm are you working for BTW???

Sorry should have made myself more clear. We are currently inside the loop but definitely want to live outside of the loop. Oh and I am currently working at V&E.

[texas7]

Woodlands would be a bit long commute. I work downtown and have 2 bosses who commute from the Woodlands and are absolutely miserable with their commute. One guy (no kids) gave it up finally and he and his wife moved to the Heights recently. The other has a family in school, etc. so stays in the Woodlands but is absolutely miserable with his commute. Pearland. You said you've looked at Kingwood - not sure what you thought of it but with recent improvements to 59N - the commute is pretty easy compared to some of the other areas.

[westhou]

Kingwood would be your best commute. It is the only suburb on your list that has a commute under an hour. Pearland is a good choice for people working in The Medical Center, Sugarland is good for those working Uptown, The Woodlands is best for those working in The Woodlands, and I have no idea why someone would want to live in Katy. It's probably the furthest suburb from Houston. If you want to live west of the loop you should probably look at the villages in the Memorial Area (Piney Point, Hunter's Creek, etc).

[ZeroTX]

Sugar Land to DT is under an hour even during rush hour, unless there's a wreck. Typically you hear "45 minutes" on the radio in the mornings as the Williams Trace -> Downtown time. Fall Creek is flat in the middle of nothing, so I'd cross that off your list (IMO). The Woodlands and Kingwood are both well established, but Sugar Land is much closer to downtown than either.

[HTownNearNative]

Of the Houston subdivisions (Houston proper, not suburbia/Houston ISD), Briargrove Park Briargrove Park is a fine subdivision with homes in this price range, just inside Beltway 8 within 30 minutes of downtown via Briar Forest Dr to Memorial Drive (very nice, pleasant drive). Many of these have been remodeled (homes date back from the 1960's). North of Briar Forest is preferable (priciest), the closer to Westheimer - the least expensive. The one "con" is that you'll want private schools for your children, but as a subdivision close to town (15 minutes from the loop) it is pretty good when homes range from under $300K with lots of fine, updated homes for less than $500K.

[will4444]

What about Sienna Plantation to Downtown Houston? Is that pretty easy to do?

[westres1]

Sienna's commute is pretty congested.
What about Garden Oaks....fantastic neighborhood

[Oildog]

Would you consider a townhome in River Oaks, I lived in one under 300k, there are pricier ones. Not a bad place to start off and save a few $$.