Possibly moving to Houston, looking for area in North-NE Houston (Longview: for sale, house)

[atcnick]

Hi,

Wife and I are contemplating moving to Houston. I would be working at IAH airport so we're looking for an area north or northeast of Houston. I would like to avoid northwest Houston, my family lives in that area and we dont want to be too close to them. I love my family and all, but I dont want to have an "Everybody Loves Raymond" show in my house either.

This may be asking too much but I'm looking for an area that has relatively good schools, relatively lower propery taxes than surrounding areas.

I was thinking maybe Conroe. Anything else out there? What about New Caney? I wouldnt mind something semi-rural also. Just not really more than an hour drive from IAH.

I guess I woudlnt totally rule out NW houston as long as we're not too close to hwy 6 /290 area.

I appreciate y'alls help.

We're coming from Longview.

Nick

[chris_ut]

Kingwood

[lhafer]

My neighborhood has some of the lowest property taxes in the area (that I know of) - right around 2.5 or 2.9. Less than 3%. I lived about 15 minutes from the airport, coming from my driveway, to a terminal. I live in Walden on Lake Houston. Close to shopping, decent schools, nice community.

[Jamesww]

Originally Posted by lhafer

My neighborhood has some of the lowest property taxes in the area (that I know of) - right around 2.5 or 2.9. Less than 3%. I lived about 15 minutes from the airport, coming from my driveway, to a terminal. I live in Walden on Lake Houston. Close to shopping, decent schools, nice community.

In my opinion this is a great suggestion as Walden on Lake Houston is a often overlooked master planned community because it was first started during the 80s oil bust and the developers have not done a great job in promoting it. It has a very wide variety of homes that do not all look alike. Furthermore it has a gorgeous mature golf course and is on the only section of water in the Houston area that an outsider would call a lake.

I would say that 15 minutes to the airport in traffic would be very kind but it should not take much more than a half hour. I pasted a link to a youtube video below it might help give you a idea of what it looks like there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzzKSdWRxwQ

Another nice neighborhood with similar features but a more custom look of the homes would be Atascocita Shores. I rarely hear anyone discussing this neighborhood as well. It is a golf course community that boarders on Lake Houston with decent tax rate as well. And last I checked there is still two lots left on the water front if you are looking at wanting to build and like that sort of thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iasiEjZ1HNc

[atcnick]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. All of those places look great.

What do y'all think of places a little further out like New Caney? Porter? We're thinking maybe we want something a little more rural. Would like a lot bigger than the standard city lot. Maybe 1/3 acre or more.

[chris_ut]

The areas of Porter that are not in Kingwood are fairly ugly and trailer trashy. New Caney is not much better. If your idea of a fun Saturday night is to go hang out at the Super Walmart then these are the towns for you. Otherwise your going to be driving to Kingwood or Humble to do anything anyway so may as well live there if you can afford it. If you wan a house on acreage I would look at either Forest Cove in Kingwood or Bender's Landing Estates in Spring. Both are an easy commute to IAH.

[Kimberly1234]

We currently have a house for sale. We are looking to move out of state, so need to sell. It's in the 1960 and I-45 area....probably about 15-20 minutes from IAH. In the Spring ISD. Here is a link:
710 N Rock Dr, Houston, TX 77073 - HAR.com N Rock Dr

[Texas Mack]

Originally Posted by atcnick

Thanks for the suggestions guys. All of those places look great.

What do y'all think of places a little further out like New Caney? Porter? We're thinking maybe we want something a little more rural. Would like a lot bigger than the standard city lot. Maybe 1/3 acre or more.

Infrastructure isn't quite as good (storm drainage and such) but it's starting to fill in over there slowly but surely. The expansion of the Eastex Freeway (US 59) through that area is likely to usher in a lot more development.

OTOH, access to Houston is a lot more forgiving than on I-45 or US 290, so that's a plus.

[Poltracker]

Depending on your budget, Riverwalk in Porter is a very nice neighborhood w/ large lots.

[chris_ut]

What is your price range?