Moving from uk to houston - neighbourhood help! (Sugar Land, The Woodlands: houses, buying)

[GILLIAN WALES]

Hi,
Potentially moving to Houston. Our 'must haves' are:
- great schools
- 4 bed house, c. $500-600 budget - prefer good sized garden with pool
- excellent amenities
- not too far from city centre
- would like somewhere that it not TOO purpose built!
We understand that the suburbs tend to be gated and planned communities, which is fine but looking for something that has a bit of a soul. On the web it looks like Bellaire gives us all this but that Pearland, Katy and Friendswood will def give us more for our $ home-wise. Are all these three very purpose built? Can you find independant stores, deli's and cafe's there or is that only nearer the city? Help!
Thanks, G

[City Love]

What part of town will you or your spouse be working in?

All those suburbs mentioned would work great for you. They all have many stores and amenities. Pearland would be the youngest out of all of them, so they would have the least. But it's still growing!

I'm assuming you meant 500-600k. You could try Bellaire, West U, Upper Kirby. You would get a lot more bang for your money in the Suburbs though. Have you visited Houston to compare the 2 styles of living?

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by GILLIAN WALES

Hi,
Potentially moving to Houston. Our 'must haves' are:
- great schools
- 4 bed house, c. $500-600 budget - prefer good sized garden with pool
- excellent amenities
- not too far from city centre
- would like somewhere that it not TOO purpose built!
We understand that the suburbs tend to be gated and planned communities, which is fine but looking for something that has a bit of a soul. On the web it looks like Bellaire gives us all this but that Pearland, Katy and Friendswood will def give us more for our $ home-wise. Are all these three very purpose built? Can you find independant stores, deli's and cafe's there or is that only nearer the city? Help!
Thanks, G

Western Memorial. zip Code of 77079. It's in the Energy Corridor/CityCentre/Memorial City location... and tons of Expats live here. It is an older, urban-suburb that isn't "planned," and it's mostly "independantly" owned stores and restaurants in the area. There are chains retail and food along the freeway and major roads though. Some of the best schools in the Metroplex.


HAR.COM is a great source for looking at property.

[modster]

I am not sure what you mean when you say purpose built.

The suburbs like Katy, Pearland, Spring, Sugarland etc. offer a lot of things, bigger houses for the money, great schools, etc. "Soul" and close to the city center would not be on the list however. Anyone that tells you otherwise, and some will, will have a very loose definition of what constitutes not too far from the city center & will often times also quote unrealistic commute times.

The suburbs are more chain restaurants, although you can find independent ones in the various strip centers. The best restaurants are still in town but there are also a lot of retail options in the suburbs. The truly upscale retail is concentrated in the Galleria area.

You can get a lot more home for your money in the suburbs but that is because the commute is a lot farther. Good schools are easier to find out there though.

For closer in options there is Bellaire, Meyerland, some parts of Memorial, although the closer in sections of Memorial will exceed your price range. I don't know that I would describe Bellaire as having a lot of character either though. Just depends on what is really important and how you prioritize them. You may not get all your must haves in a 4 bedroom.

[Houston321]

NO PEARLAND!!! Your money will be better served in Sugar Land, The Woodlands, or Katy. Those are the three best places to live. So....a lot depends on where you will be working. Be sure whichever place you choose....it's as close as possible to work, otherwise......welcome to Hell!!!

If you are looking for more of a independent/city vibe..etc. Try Montrose, Memorial, Rice village area.

[City Love]

I agree. At that price range, I would personally move inside the loop into a nice appreciating area. But it really just depends on the individual.

Some would rather have a really nice house and others would rather have a really nice location. You can have both, but at a cost!

[Mom2Feebs]

Memorial, Bellaire, West University, parts of Spring Branch. 77079, 77024, 77055, 77005, 77401.

[karuna95]

Originally Posted by Bayou City Homes

I'm assuming you meant 500-600k. You could try Bellaire, West U, Upper Kirby.

You can cross West U off your list. There's not much options for houses in this price range in West U. Where will your husband be working? And how does he feel with driving in heavy traffic every day?

[AlexTx]

I don't think any area inside the 610 loop has "great" schools past elementary (5th grade). But, if private schools are an option, inside the loop is a fun place to be.

[LizzySWW]

My thoughts on buying inside the city of Houston at your price point:

West U is out of this price range (except for some homes on the main CRAZY TRAFFIC roads). The schools zoned to West U are great at the elementary level and not great for middle & high.

Bellaire is kind of mish mash at this price range, you couldn't get into a newer home at this price point. You'd end up in a 1950's bungalow. And the schools are pretty good but not great.

For the best elementary, middle & high school schools inside the city of Houston, West Memorial is the top rated area. (Memorial homes East of the Beltway have the same great schools, but most homes are out of your range.) This is important, you have to look East of Kirkwood Road at Memorial Drive because the schools are the best in this part of 77079. The homes are nice & in your price range. They were built in the late 60's -70's and are brick with an average sq ft of around 3000 on larger than suburban lots. (Tons of huge old trees here too.) And there are lots of independant deli's/cafe's/bistro's & shops in 77079.

So if the best schools & a larger home is your top priority look at Memorial. If the closest distance to the Arts is your priority, look at Bellaire.

The suburbs are a completely different story. The biggest complaint about them is the commute. You get a huge newer house for a steal, good/great schools, more culturally diverse, and they're completely family friendly, but with the longest commute of all your choices. They don't really have "soul" like you wanted but are very pretty. And the burbs are very "purpose built".

Good luck & ask plenty of questions.