Done with MA - where should I move in Houston? (Spring: to rent, crime)

[DarinsMom]

Hi All

Lifelong MA resident ready to leave the winters BEHIND. I won't be moving for at least a year but wanted to start narrowing down areas to think about moving to.

Here's what I'm looking for:

Good Schools (have an elementary school child)
Housing budget - would love to come under $100k if possible
I don't want a new home, something older that needs work is fine.

Safe neighborhood - I realize crime happens everywhere and I've lived in bad areas in and around Boston so I'm pretty savvy - but now that I'm a mom, I'd prefer a *safer* neighborhood.

Since I have no job lined up, I know this is kind of a wide open request but I was hoping someone could at least point me to areas that they recommend to start looking or areas to avoid at all costs.

Thanks!
Ann

[Poltracker]

1. Texas is not a job mecca, thigns are pretty bad around here too. Remember we have bunches of illegal aliens to take the jobs that do not require degrees, so you pretty much need a degree to get a job. You will absolutely need a job before you come here.
2. Houston is a huge city, it can take Boston and its burbs and swallow it whole at least 3 times. Houston does not have the best public transit system in the world (far from it). You will need to have a job and a car before deciding where to live or it could make life quite difficult when you find you must commute 1+ hrs a day to get to work (without leaving Houston or its suburbs).
3. It will be very hard to find a house under $100K in a nice neighborhood w/ access to good schools. Even decent houses in Aldine (undesirable area) are going for that much. You might find one in the way out burbs if you get lucky but then we are back to a job and the commute. Keep in mind most burbs don't have access to easy public transport.

I'm not trying to be rude or mean, just trying to interject a little reality into the scene. If you really want to come to Texas and particularly Houston, come and be welcomed. Just know that the going will not necessarily be easy and hard times have hit everyone.

[SoHoVe]

It is really hard to give advice without knowing the general area you would be working...Houston is really spread out. At that price point you if you want reasonably good schools you will most likely be looking at the burbs and a fixer or at least outdated home. What were your expectations regarding square footage?

[rbchamps2]

I moved from Haverhill Ma a little over a year ago, really like it down here. What are you currently doing for work, and what field would you be looking to work in. In Houston you really need to live near were you work. 100k would probally get you a fixer upper in the burgs, but usually better schools in the burbs.

[JustCinco]

Much will depend on where you get a job, but one area that seems to fit your criteria is the Williamsburg subdivisions in Katy, it's close to old Katy, and assigned to good schools.

[DarinsMom]

Thanks everyone. I am just pipe dreaming right now. I do not want a huge house, something less than 1400 sq feet. The bigger it is, the more expensive it is to keep it cool.

I'm planning a visit to the area early next year to see what it's like. I may just come at the height of summer to really experience it. We have humidity here in MA but I bet it's nothing like the Houston area...

[rbchamps2]

Yes the heat and humidity is bad, but not too horrible. Katy would be nice and Spring would not be bad either.

[DRob4JC]

Here's a website to begin pricing homes.

Houston Area Realtors

Click on find a home - then click on Single Family, or whatever you are looking for.

Fort Bend ISD is good - but watch your drive times to work if you are not in SW section.

[EasilyAmused]

100k will put you way the heck out, on the fringes of way the heck out.

Or..somewhere you really don't want to be.

Now you could get a older townhouse in some of the better area IN town, IN the good school districts but you will be giving up a lot of square footage.

You may want to rent a moderate townhouse in a good district in the city to start. Just so you get a feel for the place. But I agree, you better have a job lined up before you come. Things are only going to get worse everywhere for a while.

You can pick up over qualified people for very little pay these days.

[houstoner]

Originally Posted by DarinsMom

Thanks everyone. I am just pipe dreaming right now. I do not want a huge house, something less than 1400 sq feet. The bigger it is, the more expensive it is to keep it cool.

I'm planning a visit to the area early next year to see what it's like. I may just come at the height of summer to really experience it. We have humidity here in MA but I bet it's nothing like the Houston area...

I just moved to Boston from Houston last summer. I've found the humidity here is like the humidity there, only there's more of it. Houston humidity begins much earlier in the day and there's more heat to go with it. It doesn't cool off in the evening like it does in MA either. And you have about five months or so of it there instead of two or so like here. If you think July and August in MA are uncomfortable, you will DIE in Houston until you acclimate, if ever. On the bright side, there's plenty of sun and days are longer year-round in Houston! It doesn't get dark at 4 pm in the fall like here.