New Job in West University, but need to live in a MUCH cheaper area (Houston: homes, good schools)

[lanewidick]

still would like to know what someone thought about the commute from Katy to West U. I talked with a realtor today and she told me that the commute from Katy to West U would not be bad at all, especially with the tollway, but even without the tollway, she said that the construction finished on I-10 helped tremendously as well.

I would be leaving around 8:30-9 am, and leaving to come home around 4ish.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by lanewidick

Can anyone give me feedback on whether a commute from Katy to West U would be horrible? I wouldn't have to be at the office till around 9, and my afternoon hours are flexible as well.

Commuting from Katy to West U will be pretty horrible, how horrible depends on what part of Katy. Even with the I-10 completion you're probably looking at 45 minutes each way. A lot of people make the drive every day and it isn't the end of the world, but I can't stand spending 470 hours in the car every year. You're getting a lot of fine recommendations about the suburbs, but there are affordable options much closer to your work. I'm not sure about your price range, but you may want to take a peek at Knollwood Village. It's zoned to good public schools and a great little league and there are still some bargains to be had.

Westbury is generally a safe neighborhood. I live across S. Post Oak from there and, aside from a questionable high school zoning, the neighborhood is sound and your dollar goes a pretty long way. Commute into West U. would be about 15-20 minutes with traffic. By the way, don't forget to look at Willowbend, Willowbrook and Willow Meadows (East of S. Post Oak, West of the RR tracks, South of 610).

Is renting for a period of six months a possibility? You're going to learn a lot about this city, its traffic and its neighborhoods in the first six months and you may not want to drop anchor before the learning curve starts to level out. If you can delay committment for a while, do it. Nothing will replace putting your boots on the ground and kicking the dirt here.

[Texas Mack]

Morning commutes on the Katy Freeway, from Fry Road to the West Loop will take, on average, about 25 minutes. From The West Loop to West U., you're looking at another 15-20 minutes.

[dv1033]

Originally Posted by lanewidick

still would like to know what someone thought about the commute from Katy to West U. I talked with a realtor today and she told me that the commute from Katy to West U would not be bad at all, especially with the tollway, but even without the tollway, she said that the construction finished on I-10 helped tremendously as well.

I would be leaving around 8:30-9 am, and leaving to come home around 4ish.

You would be putting at least 40 miles a day on your car by commuting from the Katy area. It's all about compromising.

[lanewidick]

I just talked with a friend in Houston who lives in Sharpstown. He swears that it is a lovely place, as he lives no where near the apartments. He said he knows of a home for sale there, and that it is a place that a lot of people avoid, but that's because of the mall/apartments.

Does anyone have anything good to say about Sharpstown? I know it would be a lot quicker of a commute to West University. Let me hear it, good and bad.

[modster]

I am one with a higher tolerance for transitional neighborhoods and I like to think that I can see potential in areas that may not be readily apparent to some. But IMO I don't see Sharpstown being a match for you.

I do think at some point Sharpstown will turn around, but I just don't think it is its turn at bat yet. In an area like Sharpstown you have to have a tolerance for transitional neighborhoods. Based upon some of your posts, I don't see you having much of a (sub?)urban pioneering spirit, so to speak.

That is not to say Sharpstown doesn't have some things going for it, but it would definitely be a long term proposition for the area to turn, IMO.

Basically if the area around your old school in Maplewood spooked you, Sharpstown certainly would then. Whatever positives or attributes Sharpstown may possess, I would still put it a ways behind Westbury & Parkwest on the gentrification bandwagon. Those areas are getting the buyers priced out of the inner loop instead of Sharpstown. I also think moving forward Sharpstown will have to compete with the east end neighborhoods for creative class buyers. It is closer to the Galleria obviously, but a lot farther from downtown than points east like Houston Country Club Place, Idylwood, Glenbrook Valley, Meadowcreek Village, Eastwood, Lindale Park, Garden Villas, etc.

All that said, I do think Sharpstown is probably a lot more livable than most people give it credit for. Personally, if I went that direction I would probably go to Robindell instead. I think its position on Braeswood gives it a boost.

As for the commute to Katy, I know they have widened the Katy freeway and all, but getting past the Galleria has always, and continues to be, a complete nightmare. That commute would be nothing short of brutal any way you cut it.

[lanewidick]

I have a realtor now who is sending me homes in the west area, just west of Highway 6, just south of Westpark.

These homes look like a steal, with great prices. What gives? Is the area not good? Seems like the commute to West U (according to the skewed Google Maps) would be around 30 minutes.

[dv1033]

Originally Posted by lanewidick

I just talked with a friend in Houston who lives in Sharpstown. He swears that it is a lovely place, as he lives no where near the apartments. He said he knows of a home for sale there, and that it is a place that a lot of people avoid, but that's because of the mall/apartments.

Does anyone have anything good to say about Sharpstown? I know it would be a lot quicker of a commute to West University. Let me hear it, good and bad.

Originally Posted by lanewidick

I have a realtor now who is sending me homes in the west area, just west of Highway 6, just south of Westpark.

These homes look like a steal, with great prices. What gives? Is the area not good? Seems like the commute to West U (according to the skewed Google Maps) would be around 30 minutes.

You've really been searching all around town. Sharpstown got a reputation for being lower income and higher crime. I personally think people tend to overblow the crime and low income issue but it is definitely not a great area.

Also the area you mentioned (around Hwy 6 and Westpark) is not really going to be too much better than Sharpstown when you factor in the commute.

Honestly, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Pearland are your best bet for suburbs. Meyerland, Westbury, and the Braeswood area are your best bet for Houston living.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by dv1033

Honestly, Sugar Land, Missouri City, and Pearland are your best bet for suburbs. Meyerland, Westbury, and the Braeswood area are your best bet for Houston living.

Speaking as someone who recently house hunted in Meyerland and Braeswood, I don't think he will like what he finds in those areas with his budget of $140K or less.

lanewidick, if no one has mentioned this yet, some resources to investigate local schools are here:

Great Schools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community - best site for parent reviews

TEA 2008 Accountability Ratings - good site for raw data

SchoolMatters.com - another review site

[lanewidick]

What's wrong with the Westpark/Highway 6 area? Is it laden with crime? Why would I not care for it?