Schooling, Diversity, Commute for Houston Relocation from MPLS (Meadows Place, West: rentals, low crime)

[jbhawkeye]

My husband and I are looking at moving to Houston towards summer. We come from Minneapolis. I love the city, hate the winters! Anyhow, my husband is black and I am white, have two boys 6 and 9, so will be 1st grade and 4th next school year. Education is awesome here, and I am seeking the best schools possible, somewhere in the suburbs. We will probably be renting a home somewhere between $12-1300 monthly. My husband is looking at transferring in which his job is located near 610 and Shepherd Dr. I have family that lives in the West and Northwest areas. I am just wondering what areas may offer great schooling, decent commute, low crime, and yet have alot of nearby stores, cinemas, parks, and trails? Do the neighborhoods in Houston have trails? How about neighborhood pools? What are some common things we can expect? Also, I have heard it is diverse, but just curious how neighborhoods are etc. For example, we lived in Kansas City and it seems a lot of the races are split among areas, Minneapolis can be similar, but it is very diverse within the city.

I am open to where I work as I am a mortgage loan officer.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by jbhawkeye

My husband and I are looking at moving to Houston towards summer. We come from Minneapolis. I love the city, hate the winters! Anyhow, my husband is black and I am white, have two boys 6 and 9, so will be 1st grade and 4th next school year. Education is awesome here, and I am seeking the best schools possible, somewhere in the suburbs. We will probably be renting a home somewhere between $12-1300 monthly. My husband is looking at transferring in which his job is located near 610 and Shepherd Dr. I have family that lives in the West and Northwest areas. I am just wondering what areas may offer great schooling, decent commute, low crime, and yet have alot of nearby stores, cinemas, parks, and trails? Do the neighborhoods in Houston have trails? How about neighborhood pools? What are some common things we can expect? Also, I have heard it is diverse, but just curious how neighborhoods are etc. For example, we lived in Kansas City and it seems a lot of the races are split among areas, Minneapolis can be similar, but it is very diverse within the city.

I am open to where I work as I am a mortgage loan officer.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

One suggestion I have is a little town called Meadows Place. It has everything you are looking for. There is a community pool. There are stores, a cinema (and an even nicer cinema the next town over with even more shopping) a park with a decent track, houses that rent from 1,100 to 1,500 and it's very diverse. The school Meadows Elementary is about 20 percent black, 20 percent hispanic, 10 percent Asian and the rest white. The middle and high school it feeds into (both called Dulles) are also outstanding. The ONLY issue might be the commute. It'd probably take you 45 minutes each way. Houston overall is diverse. It is generally divided by class as opposed to race. I am white and my wife is Mexican-American. Quite frankly, the only ones that look at us dirty are men that wonder how the hell I am with such a pretty lady.

My mom just moved back to St. Paul to take care of my grandfather's house over in Como Park. If not for the winters, the cities really would be one the best places to live in North America. She's dealing with it, but is thinking about buying a place in Houston for the winters.

[jbhawkeye]

Thanks for your input on everything. Sounds like a great area. 45 minutes is not too bad. In the snow and ice here, 2 hours is not uncommon!! I will research that area and add it to my list. Minneapolis-St.Paul is wonderful, if not for the weather!!

[Poltracker]

Meadows Place is on the wrong side of town for where her husband would be working. Getting past the Galleria area would be complete torture. She would be better off joining her family in the NW section of town around CyFair or Copperfield (Both CyFair Schools). Ideally, she could live in Garden Oaks, Shepherd Forest, Timbergrove, or Heights budget withstanding. The only problem with that is they are in HISD and the community pool would be the new Y located in that area (has great kids programs).

[EasilyAmused]

Shepards Forest would be a good choice. I thought the Elem. school was good there.

[jbhawkeye]

It was mentioned to me that Cypress was a nice area. How far out is that, and can anyone give me the run down on that area. I saw some great affordable rentals as well.

[Poltracker]

Cypress-Fairbanks area is about 15 to 20 mi NW and covers a fairly large area. From where your husband would be working, it would almost be a straight shot out Hwy 290. 290 does have considerable traffic so keep that in mind. Various sections of the Cypress- Fairbanks area would have easy access to all the amenities you have listed. It just depends on where you plant yourself.

I personally agree with EA on neighborhood choices (still kick myself over the house in Shepherd Forest). Not all the same amenities are there (i.e. neighborhood pool) but the short commute and access to town trumps those for me personally. Might not for you.

Do you have a budget that you are working within? We might be better able to point out specific neighborhoods.

[jbhawkeye]

I am looking at rentals, probably $1200-1300, maybe up to $1500. I am still researching cost of living difference, so not for sure yet, but obviously a nice 3-4 bedroom home with atleast 2000 sq feet is my goal.

[Hayato]

Cypress Mills is just off 290 and near the park and ride/stores etc. houses vary in style, builder. there are rentals, my sisters neighbors rented their place out. the community and schools are great

[EasilyAmused]

I didn't think Cypress was "Diverse." The whole NW side for that matter.