Where would you live? (Houston, Dallas: apartment, new house, landscaping)

[TheStupid]

Originally Posted by inwood dreams

So, I'm curious what folks have to say. With a young daughter, we are thinking of moving to the suburbs. All things considered, what do you think is the best suburb?

Under 300K?
Best commute?
Best lifestyle?

It is impossible to answer this question.

Under 300k for what? House, condo or townhouse or rent?
Best commute to what place? central, south, north, east or west? what's your tolerance? 1 hour each way is considered good?
Best lifestyle, what kind of lifestyle? Outdoor or city? country or urban?
Young daughter, how young? 0-40 is all considered young. private or public school?

[inwood dreams]

Originally Posted by TheStupid

It is impossible to answer this question.

Under 300k for what? House, condo or townhouse or rent?
Best commute to what place? central, south, north, east or west? what's your tolerance? 1 hour each way is considered good?
Best lifestyle, what kind of lifestyle? Outdoor or city? country or urban?
Young daughter, how young? 0-40 is all considered young. private or public school?

Under $300k for a house with decent sized yard
Best communte to inner loop/downtown (45 minute - 1 hour commute)
Family life style and urban living
Private school
Toddler daughter

Did I miss anything?

[modster]

Originally Posted by inwood dreams

Under $300k for a house with decent sized yard
Best communte to inner loop/downtown (45 minute - 1 hour commute)
Family life style and urban living
Private school
Toddler daughter

Did I miss anything?

To me if you are going to do private school, then personally I don't see the point of doing an hour commute. Possibly if you have your heart set on a newer home, or really large or all of the above for the under $300k price range. I especially don't see it if you are seeking some level of urban living.

The near north side options like Shepherd Park Plaza and Candlelight Plaza will probably be above $300k for the most part. You should be able to find something in Candlelight Estates, over there off of Bethlehem.

The other option is the near SW. Maplewood, possibly Braesmont, Westbury, Parkwest, Willowbend, etc. Some of those areas are zoned to Kolter and Parker, which are both good. These are good sort of "in-between" areas that aren't urban particularly, but don't have the detached from the city feel of the far flung suburbs. They are older areas but are seeing an influx of young families.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by modster

To me if you are going to do private school, then personally I don't see the point of doing an hour commute. Possibly if you have your heart set on a newer home, or really large or all of the above for the under $300k price range. I especially don't see it if you are seeking some level of urban living.

The near north side options like Shepherd Park Plaza and Candlelight Plaza will probably be above $300k for the most part. You should be able to find something in Candlelight Estates, over there off of Bethlehem.

The other option is the near SW. Maplewood, possibly Braesmont, Westbury, Parkwest, Willowbend, etc. Some of those areas are zoned to Kolter and Parker, which are both good. These are good sort of "in-between" areas that aren't urban particularly, but don't have the detached from the city feel of the far flung suburbs. They are older areas but are seeing an influx of young families.

Agreed. There's no reason to haul you butt 45 minutes to one hour if your kid is in private. Besides, all the good private schools are IN town. So the child gets sick, then you are commuting again to get them home or to a doctor.
Stay where you are or go to the above neighborhoods, but adding Walnut Bend, Lakeside Forest, Ashford Forest/Ashford Village or places just North of I-10. You would be AMAZED at what's going on over there. 300k next to million dollar tear downs.

Like look at this one. You pay for private through Jr. High (most Memorial folks do that anyway) then go to Memorial High School. The number one rated High School in Houston (that's not specialty). It has lot size, location, school zoning...it's just needs love. http://search.har.com/engine/dispSea...Y&Address=1622 Hillendahl Bl. It's almost 4000 sf, and with paint, a powerwash, some floors you are on your way. Do a little every year, in 10 years you are gold.

Edit: actually you would only need private for Middle school. Valley Oaks is becoming pretty well respected.

[westres1]

No reason to move to burbs and spend your life in the car if you are going private. Garden Oaks,Timbergrove, Walnut Bend, Briargrove Park,Spring Valley area zoned to Valley Oaks as mentioned above. Great area to get into now. Only good things to come over there as far as property values are concerned. With people being priced out of the South side more and more are moving North of 10 and loving it.

[modster]

If all else fails you could move to my hood. We could hook you up in a heavy-duty crib for that price.

8007 Erie St, Houston, TX 77061 - HAR.com

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by modster

If all else fails you could move to my hood. We could hook you up in a heavy-duty crib for that price.

8007 Erie St, Houston, TX 77061 - HAR.com

Jeez, it's crazy the houses and locations Houston has abandoned for the new burbs.

[AK123]

Truthfully, I don't know many people in the suburbs using private schools.

If you're not concerned about the public schools because you'll be using private, I agree with the others, and say look inside the Beltway especially.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by modster

If all else fails you could move to my hood. We could hook you up in a heavy-duty crib for that price.
8007 Erie St, Houston, TX 77061 - HAR.com

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Jeez, it's crazy the houses and locations Houston has abandoned for the new burbs.

Probably had to do with the schools and area amenities (or lack of).

But that place is even too big for our family of five! It's huge!

[modster]

I was in that monster, just to check it out, and it looks like JR and Sue Ellen should be popping out of the very ornate woodwork at any moment. The people that owned it were very wealthy and moved to Bay Oaks in Clear Lake, never did anything with the house, just let it sit there for like 2 years and had the landscapers go by, the maids go clean it, the pool people keep up the pool. They finally gave it away er I mean donated it to one of the universities. The university is now the seller. The house is dated, (looks like Laura Ashley & acres of Sunnyroad circa 1992 polished cotton explosion), but doesn't really need anything.