Just took a job in Galveston... (Houston, League City: sales, insurance, big house)

[carrie04]

I just accepted a teaching position in Galveston and I would appreciate any information about the area. My husband and I are moving from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this June. We will be down to visit in the next few weeks to look at homes in Clear Lake and League City.
I am really excited about the move and the job--what else is there to look forward to?? What do I need to know?? Any tips and/or advice about the area (good or bad) would be greatly appreciated.

Texas is a BIG change from Pennsylvania!

[Poltracker]

How the heck did you get a teaching position when they are laying teachers off? Not to be mean, just really curious. Will you be working for Galveston ISD?

Anyway, I would stick to the League City side as the commute will be shorter. Buy flood insurance. Even if you are not in a flood zone, you will be in a surge and evacuation zone (most of League City). You will also be required to have windstorm insurance. All of this can add up, so make sure you take it into consideration when buying. League City/Clear Lake are nice areas with plenty of shopping and activities for folks.

[Topaz]

Check out Magnolia Creek in League City. We almost bought a house there and it was a very nice area.

Congratulations on the new job and welcome to Texas!

[tstone]

You'll have a nice commute there from G-town to the Clear Lake area in the afternoon. Morning should be ok, 40 minutes since it's about 30-35 miles from Clear Lake to Galveston. An easy hour coming home, and about 1.5 hours during the month of December during Xmas shopping season. I-45 in Clear Lake is a giant strip of shopping and new stores seem to be popping up every day all the way down to Dickinson. Also, if you work on the east end of Galveston, it'll take you 15 minutes just to get to the freeway so factor that in. Coming home it'll be a little slow over the causeway, but then it's pretty wide open until League City. Between League City and Clear Lake there is a lot of construction on I-45 (with ridiculous afternoon rush-hour traffic) but it will be finished around the end of the year. I'd say if your husband worked Downtown and you in Galveston, then look at League City as a halfway point. If he works in the Galleria, then look in the northern parts of Clear Lake, near Clear Lake City Blvd.

[westres1]

They are building alot in Santa Fe and that commute would be even shorter than League City. There are numerous new neighborhoods,shopping etc.

[CherryMagic]

Originally Posted by carrie04

Texas is a BIG change from Pennsylvania!

You aren't kidding there!

Why not live in Galveston?

[danieloneil01]

Originally Posted by westres1

They are building alot in Santa Fe and that commute would be even shorter than League City. There are numerous new neighborhoods,shopping etc.

Sante Fe is right next to League City. So the commute will almost be the same. And to the OP, might want to look at Texas City unless you like a long commute.

[tstone]

Texas City ('toxicity') = refinery town, if you don't mind that sort of thing. You can get a pretty big house for almost nothing down there, though. La Marque and Hitchcock are down that way to but again - yuck. There isn't a whole lot of anything in Galveston County I'd recommend outside of League City. I guess it depends on your personal tolerance levels and if you have a family, too.

[lonestarwvu]

We move here from Pittsburgh almost five years ago. Things we miss about that city are the Strip District, the hills, Italian bakeries, tailgating for any and every sporting even, baseball outdoors, fall, character and history of the city, drinks on Mt. Washington, Fat Heads on the South Side (Pittsburgh is a great sandwich town). Things we like about Clear Lake/Houston; sunny climate, neighborhood parks/pools and schools, sidewalks, salt water fishing, the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay (some people in Houston hate both), wine sales not controlled by the state, buying beer in any numeration I please (single, six pack, twelve pack) good prices on seafood. You'll find good and bad. Good luck!

[danieloneil01]

Originally Posted by tstone

Texas City ('toxicity') = refinery town, if you don't mind that sort of thing. You can get a pretty big house for almost nothing down there, though. La Marque and Hitchcock are down that way to but again - yuck. There isn't a whole lot of anything in Galveston County I'd recommend outside of League City. I guess it depends on your personal tolerance levels and if you have a family, too.

LOL, all of the Houston/Galveston area is Toxic City. But it's still large enough to live in any area away from them including Texas City.

If the person doesn't mind driving 30+mins to work everyday then League City/Dickinson/Sante Fe is a nice area away from the plants. But still in vapor cloud radius.