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Old 01-31-2009, 02:23 PM
 
Location: LA
10 posts, read 38,753 times
Reputation: 14

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Hi, All!

I'm relocating to Houston, TX from Los Angeles, CA this year . I visited Houston in 2003 and I fell in love with the place and have been wanting to move ever since. I have a good friend who is also a recent transplant and she loves it. We've been trying to gather information, but she being thre less than 1 year is still learning about the place. She doesn't have any of the issues that I have (she's single, no kids and doesn't want to own a house). I would just like a more realistic view of Houston, not the general view that most realtor sites give.

Some background:
-I will be transferring my position with the Government, making about $60k per year. My expenses are negotible, with the exception of housing, I'm paying $1375 for a 2 bedroom/1 bath apartment in LA, not including utilities/phone. I would like to keep that about the same.
-I have 1 minor child at home and a 19 year on her own & in college.
-I can and will work from home 3-4 days per week, commuting would only be about 1-2 days per week to visit the main office during the week.
-I'm aware of the traffic, plentiful housing, diverse population, weather, and I still want to move here. I've lived in LA and other cities in California, but I would like a blend of city/small town- without the outrageous price tag! Shopping and entertainment are important, so I would like to be in an area that offers good selection.

If someone could give me some details on the following, I would really appreciate it:

-Commute. I'm interested in several areas near and around the Downtown area. I want to know what the commute would be like from either Sugar Land, Humble, Springs, or Katy to Downtown? Being from Los Angeles traffic isn't really a concern, I'm just looking for the best route or possible issues that I'm obviously not aware of. I have spent up to 1 hour in LA traffic just going 20 miles away from home, so I'm not worried about a 45 min ride anywhere!

-Housing/Taxes (I have already looked at HAR.com and realtor.com )
What are some of the issues when purchasing a home in Houston or surrounding areas? Who are the builders/communities to avoid? Do I need to/ have to go through the builder to get into a community or subdivision? I'm currently renting in LA, but I don't want to pay more than $3000-$4000 per year in property taxes on top of the Principal and Interest for a home. What is a Patio home?

-Schools/Colleges (Do I look for the middle school first or the community?)
My 19 year old daughter is currently in college for Nursing, so I think Houston would be prefect for her to continue her education. If anyone has any suggestions for good Nursing programs, schools, or colleges, I would appreciate it.

-Recreation (sports teams for kids, pools, amusement parks, etc)
I would like a family-oriented area with activities for my 10 year old daughter.

-Weather (i.e., Hurricanes and flooding issues). Are some areas more prone to flooding than others after a storm? I was in Missouri City, near the Galleria Mall in 2003 during a quick summer thunderstorm and didn't notice a great deal of flooding, but of course, I would like to hear from those in Sugar Land, Humble, Spring and Katy.

Because I have been researching this site for some time, I know that most of you are excellent in your assessments of Houston/Surrounding areas. Sorry it's so long, but "Thanks" to those that reply!

P.S. If you have any great links, please send those as well!
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Old 01-31-2009, 03:44 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX
4,760 posts, read 13,828,505 times
Reputation: 3280
Welcome to Texas! I'm originally from Los Angeles and while I enjoyed Los Angeles, I like living in Houston better...Houston has a higher quality of life for average income (not rich) people.

I can only speak about a few of your questions as I live in Sugar Land.

My commute from New Territory to downtown can take up to 1 hour and 20 minutes during rush hour. For that reason, I carpool and take the HOV lane whenever I can, which cuts my commute down to 35-45 minutes.

Sugar Land is a terrific family friendly place for families with children your daughter's age. There are tons of things to do.

I don't think Sugar Land has much of a problem with flooding.
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Old 01-31-2009, 04:00 PM
 
Location: Houston
657 posts, read 2,545,568 times
Reputation: 240
In your price range Kingwood would probably be a better choice than Spring or Humble, on the northeast side. Park and ride's a good option for working downtown, where you park your car and a bus takes you. For nursing school, maybe one of U of H's 3 branches or HBU.
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Old 01-31-2009, 04:38 PM
 
Location: Texas
447 posts, read 1,766,187 times
Reputation: 201
Nursing programs in Houston- BSN- UT; TWU 2 year ADN's - San Jacinto (a very good program) Alvin Community College, LoneStar College (Cy-Fair); Houston Community College (would probably be my last choice)

In Galveston there is UTMB- a very good program also (the oldest nursing program in the Southwest)
In Prarie View- there is Prarie View A & M

Is your daughter in a 2 year or 4 year program?
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Old 01-31-2009, 05:28 PM
 
Location: LA
10 posts, read 38,753 times
Reputation: 14
Thanks, Topaz! I was hoping to hear from a Sugar Land resident! I think that will work as far as a commute.
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Old 01-31-2009, 05:30 PM
 
Location: LA
10 posts, read 38,753 times
Reputation: 14
Premont, Kingswood's sounds like a place I will check out. I do park and ride here in LA. I forgot to ask about that in Houston.

I'll pass on the Nursing school info to my daughter! Thx!
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Old 01-31-2009, 05:33 PM
 
Location: LA
10 posts, read 38,753 times
Reputation: 14
EM1956-

In Galveston there is UTMB- a very good program also (the oldest nursing program in the Southwest)
In Prarie View- there is Prarie View A & M

- Galveston wasn't on her list, but I'll pass that on. I don't think she minds a bit of a drive home !
- I think Praire View was on her list.

Thanks for the reply.
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Old 01-31-2009, 05:45 PM
 
Location: Houston, Tx
1,507 posts, read 3,412,662 times
Reputation: 1527
Smile I recommend Katy also

You will have to come out and look around. There are too many areas out here. My personal favorite would be South Katy to Sugar Land with South Katy being a better deal. That area is absolutely beautiful and has some of the best schools in the state. Now that the Katy freeway is finished the commute to the loop is much better. Plus ther are two huge hospitals under construction in the area.

This is also the only part of Houston that is a continuous strech of good areas all the way to downtown. I am talking about the areas south of the I-10.
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Old 01-31-2009, 06:10 PM
 
Location: Charleston Sc and Western NC
9,273 posts, read 26,498,768 times
Reputation: 4741
Quote:
Originally Posted by jd433 View Post

This is also the only part of Houston that is a continuous strech of good areas all the way to downtown. I am talking about the areas south of the I-10.
this is very true. In no other direction can you find this in Houston. Westside schools and prices reflect it as well.

Ps= for 1300 you could rent a nice townhouse and be IN Houston, or 20 minutes to work.
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Old 01-31-2009, 08:12 PM
 
2,639 posts, read 8,289,966 times
Reputation: 1366
from UTMB to Katy would take two hours. If you choose this area or Sugar Land she should stick with in town nursing schools. Clear Lake,League City or possibly Pearland would be better if she chooses UTMB
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