Young couple with doggie moving to Houston (Allen: apartments, renters)

[bit_herder]

Hi,

Just looking for some advice. My girl and my dog and I have the opportunity to move to Houston soon. We are originally from NOLA but by way of San Francisco. She works for big oil and I am an IT person (well we are both IT people actually). I have a large dog (catahoula).

We figure we will probably rent for a year, then buy. So what we are looking for is something reasonably convenient to downtown and 610 by bellaire. I would also like to not be too far from the universities, as I may go back to school while there. Also colleges usually have a decent bar scene, but dunno about these. We don't mind living near college kids.

We would like to live somewhere that has something to offer culturally, a nice older neighborhood with access to stuff to do, maybe a little more going on than just normal suburbia. From what I have seen online Montrose looks pretty cool. The "gay area" thing is not an issue for us.

We can spend up to say, $1500/mo but something in the $1000-$1300 range would be awesome... I really have no basis for what that might rent in the area. Transitional neigborhoods are OK, but we want to be reasonably safe as well.

Anyway, any thoughts or ideas are welcome. Thanks for reading.

[jfre81]

Lots of renters own dogs and other pets.

For $1500/mo you can rent a place almost anywhere in this city, and (relative) safety is very obtainable for what you're capable of getting. But the doggie is going to require a deposit which might be a bit steep depending on where - check first. Some places are simply no pets, some may only allow one pet, some may not allow dogs and some may only ban large dogs (usually there will be a weight cutoff). We grudgingly parted with $800 upfront for two cats, $400 of which is refundable. You might be able to do better than that.

[bit_herder]

Well thats good news, considering we are paying $1875/mo right now about 30 mins outside SF by BART. Be great to live for less and be able to buy a house eventually..

[mjewell]

If you like Montrose be sure to check out the Heights just a bit further north.

[bit_herder]

The Heights and Montrose both look interesting, but Montrose is a little closer to my girl's job I think. What would be a good way of going about looking for rentals in this area from way out here in cali? Any ideas about what we should pay? Any houses in this area with a pool? Would love a pool....

[jfre81]

You are not going to need nearly as much money as you are around San Francisco so you might even find it worth your while to fly down here and visit for a few days with the purpose of scoping out potential rent properties.

Houston Apartments for rent Houston apartment rentals, Houston furnished apartments to rent.

Houston Home Rentals, Homes for Rent in Houston TX, Apartments, Houses for Rent, and Rental Homes in Houston, Texas

Houston Apartments - Rent an apartment in Houston, Texas

Here are a few links. Google is your friend. And Google Maps is your friend too, especially when it comes to learning how to get around Houston.

[houstoner]

Also try houston apts/housing for rent classifieds - craigslist

houston apartments for rent classifieds - backpage.com

http://www.thegreensheet.com/houston...-rent/c365/p1/

[carolineb]

There are quite a few dog parks here (Millie Bush is large) and there's a web site that lists all the dog parks and the rules. If you end up in Montrose, there's an informal dog park area at Allen Pkwy & Montrose Blvd. where lots of people let there dogs mingle and run. The Bel Air apt. is just across the street but on opposite side of Montrose Blvd. Check out apartment raters web site for info. on what people have to say about apartments. PM me if you want specific info. about Bel Air. Bel Air allows dogs/cats and has a small fenced dog area to let your dog walk around off leash. Bel Air provides poop bags and containers to deposit the poop around the property and in the dog park.

[jcrent1]

You may want to stay near the Galleria Area. You can find a good 2 bedroom home or townhome. You may also try Montrose. Moderator cut: soliciting

[thirdfloorview]

I suggest you use an apartment locator. Not many apartment communities accept large dogs. The community that I live at allows dogs up to 50 lbs. Would some names of apartment locator companies be helpful to you?