Possible Relocation: Tell me 5 Positive and 5 Negative Things About Houston, TX (San Antonio: apartments, condos)

[Felixmp]

Your best bet on an apartment is probably to call one of the many free apartment locator services in houston. Do a google search on "Houston apartment locator". Thats how I found my first apartment in Houston and they knew which parts of town are good and which apartments meet your budget.

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by rigas

nearly every major city in every other state makes a point to keep the vegetation as natural as possible but not houston (and parts of DFW). "take them all down, we can always plant more."

This is true of all cities in Texas...large, medium, & small. Even here in Tyler most of our beloved trees have been cut down & replaced by apartment complexes & strip malls.

To say Houston is not a green city though is not an accurate assessment.

[jfre81]

In fact, I think we have enough trees that I can deal with the fact we'll lose some mature oaks on Richmond for rail. And I like trees as much as the next guy.

[texas7]

Originally Posted by kittyhawk

Unfortunately, it would be a much shorter to list the good sides of town. Inside the 610 loop, you pretty much want to stay west of I-45. Outside 610, you pretty much want to stay west. Anything north of Westheimer and South of I-10 is desirable with a few nice areas just north of I-10 in Spring Branch. There's a few areas just north of I-610 that are decent like Oak Forest. The Bellaire and Meyerland areas just outside of 610 south are OK as well.

I wouldn't call this accurate. Outside 610 - your options are much more than West. There are good (and bad) areas on all sides of town. The most helpful posts are the ones that list specific neighborhoods and areas to stay away from. What is your budget for housing per month and what amenities would you like to be near in terms of driving?

[texas7]

$500-$600 - that is a bit low for some of the nicer areas. You might find some in Deer Park or Pasadena for that price range. If you look in that area - stay away from the Hwy 225 area - very industrial - plants, etc. plus older area, more crime, etc. You'd want to look in the area between Fairmont Pkwy & Spencer for apts. Clear Lake has some apartment style condos on Bay Area Blvd. between Gemini and Space Center that often rent that low because they are rented by individuals. Some of those can be fairly nice for the price. You might find similar type condos in the other suburbs and perhaps people living on those sides can tell you where similar housing might be in good areas.

In the center of town - This would be first choice - I would look in the Montrose/West Gray/West University or Heights area for a GARAGE APT. That would be the best area to live in a 1 BR and be close to everything but budget-wise - it would be a garage apt.

[ApostolicFlightAttendant]

Originally Posted by texas7

I wouldn't call this accurate. Outside 610 - your options are much more than West. There are good (and bad) areas on all sides of town. The most helpful posts are the ones that list specific neighborhoods and areas to stay away from. What is your budget for housing per month and what amenities would you like to be near in terms of driving?

I would prefer a somewhat multi-cultural neighborhood (mixed) staying in the range of 500-600 a month for a 1 bedroom, easy access to the highway, I love superwalmart and super targets for my basic needs, a mall would be nice but I can drive to that. I am such a simple fella. I know crime is everywhere but it be nice to be in a low crime area.

[Oildog]

I think TX7 is right. I knew a couple women who got small garage apts for under $600 in Montrose which would fit your needs. The main crimes are petty theft from street kids and (gay) prostitution if your near Pacific Ave.

[rigas]

yeah you guys are right, i was completely wrong, houston is the tree capitol of texas.

these are google screen shots of each city, just look at all that green. dallas and houston are pretty darn close but there are more areas out and around the dfw area with more lake/nature/green/trees. houston has patches but as a whole it is the least tree covered city in texas.

and nobody ever said these other cities didnt have master planned anything, i said they take the environment and vegetation into account more then houston does. being in construction (new construction) to many places (75% of all new construction in houston) just come in and take everything down, bring in some dirt to fill the wholes and start over. these things are fewer and farther between in other cities. and i have worked in all 4 of these cities and seen it 1st hand.

[jfre81]

Nope, no trees anywhere over a massive part of the Inner Loop.

[ApostolicFlightAttendant]

Forgive my ignorance but what is a garage apartment? I assume it is an garage from someone's private home that was converted into an apartment (hmmm but then what about a kitchen and bathroom)?? Oh well, perhaps someone can post and or describe what it looks like.

I am kinda suprised that me coming from the east coast and wanting to pay 500 to 600 that would not be that great of an apartment. Living in atlanta currently you could get that and still be in a low crime area. I lived in charlotte for 3 years in a brand new apartment that was 710 square feet for 495 a month. Never any problems. Just wonder why no one seems that hopeful for my price range. Humph. I guess I better pull out the apartment guide for Houston and pray I choose a good neighborhood.