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Old 04-16-2007, 11:20 PM
 
15 posts, read 86,913 times
Reputation: 11

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The closer I get to moving my 4 children there, the more anxiety I feel over all the horror stories people insist on telling me about Houston. So...tell me, people who live there, how bad is it? Are the northwest suburbs full of gangs? Is there any school district I can feel relatively good about choosing? I am leaning heavily towards Tomball/Spring (Klein)/Woodlands. Is random crime an issue there? Will I be safe going to the mall? Will my kids be safe at school? I know these sound like crazy questions, but everytime I tell someone I'm moving, I get bombarded with "you're really going to hate it because..." comments. Surely its not that bad, is it?
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Old 04-16-2007, 11:47 PM
 
Location: Houston
657 posts, read 2,534,293 times
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Generally it's very safe. Not just in the suburbs but in the city itself. Do some research on the specific schools for the neighborhood you're thinking of.
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Old 04-17-2007, 08:37 AM
 
Location: Fly-over country.
1,765 posts, read 7,302,128 times
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Cy-Fair is probably the best area out that way, maybe Katy (due west on I-10). It's suburban sprawl at it's best with huge schools (bigger than where I went to college) and cookie-cutter homes from high 90s to 500K+.

I only lived there 3 years (military assignment).

Safe? For a city as large and as diverse as Houston, yes, I'd say it's safe. Any city of that size has the gangs and thugs.

I didn't live there post-Katrina. I've heard the rumors there was a bump in crime and school violence in some areas of Houston, but I've not seen the hard data.
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Old 04-17-2007, 09:16 AM
 
76 posts, read 387,003 times
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There has indeed been an increase in crime, but that's almost all in the SW area and general south side. I'd stay in northwest above 1960 off of 290, in Katy, Woodlands, or north Spring. Pearland is also nice. Don't move to the ghettos and you'll be fine.
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Old 04-17-2007, 09:46 AM
 
28 posts, read 172,479 times
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How Safe is Life ???
What Planet are you moving from??
What is your definition of safe ??

Sorry for being so glib, but really no matter where you live in Houston or anywhere for that matter is completely safe. The areas you are leaning toward have their share of problems - gangs, drugs, random crime, teenage pregnancy, teenage suicides just like every other area.
Best thing is;to do your homework, Pray, teach your kids tolerance and repect for different people. Sheltering kids is a mistake, segregating your family is an even bigger mistake. Houston is a great place to live, just got to find your place......
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Old 04-17-2007, 10:13 AM
 
Location: Naperville, IL
12 posts, read 56,450 times
Reputation: 15
I've had a lot of people tell me random horror stories about Houston i.e. drive by's and crazy episodes of road rage... however none of these people have ever lived in Houston, I think they are just averse to big cities in general, and use anecdotal stories to stereotype the whole city.

Everyone I've met who has lived in Houston loves it, espeacially the Woodlands or Spring areas.
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Old 04-17-2007, 10:14 AM
 
Location: Buda, Texas
799 posts, read 3,677,874 times
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I live in precisely the area you mentioned and it is very nice. I prefer The Woodlands Mall over Willowbrook but find them both to be safe. My children are in the Klein School District (77379) and have all done well. There are gorgeous neighborhoods with all kinds of shopping and restauraunts. Tomball zip code 77375 is right up the street and part of it is Klein Schools and part is Tomball schools, both good districts. Stay north of 1960 would be my advice.
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Old 04-17-2007, 12:07 PM
 
Location: The land of sugar... previously Houston and Austin
5,429 posts, read 14,773,562 times
Reputation: 3672
Quote:
Originally Posted by 4xmom View Post
The closer I get to moving my 4 children there, the more anxiety I feel over all the horror stories people insist on telling me about Houston. So...tell me, people who live there, how bad is it? ........ I know these sound like crazy questions, but everytime I tell someone I'm moving, I get bombarded with "you're really going to hate it because..." comments. Surely its not that bad, is it?
Where in the world are you moving from?? Do the people who tell you that live in Houston? Sounds hugely exaggerated...
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Old 04-17-2007, 01:10 PM
 
6 posts, read 23,696 times
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Why would anyone in their right mind, especialy with children, move to Houston??
I lived there and eperienced the nightmare first hand. It does not matter if you are N, S, E, or W!
check out the DPS site for sex offenders for starters. Then just browse the news. Channel 13, 2, or 11. I am headed for the hills. Currently looking into Kentucky, probably Louisville.
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Old 04-18-2007, 08:11 AM
 
Location: SW Houston, TX
15 posts, read 66,927 times
Reputation: 13
I've lived in Houston for a little over 7 years. I own two businesses here and I'm a volunteer firefighter in Alief (SW Houston). Yes, there are problems but that can be said of any city. I live in the zip code that sheltered most of the Katrina refugees and yes, it was difficult. We saw a huge increase in call volume at the fire station and the sheriff's office could barely keep up. However, most of that has passed and things are back to normal now. Acts of random violence will not happen to 99% of the people that live in most neighborhoods, I see them only because we are 911...

That being said, I would agree with the others that recommend the NW area around 1960 & Hwy 290. As an insurance agent I see the most growth of new homes in that direction. We insure many of them Don't believe the hype, you and your family will be fine here!
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