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Old 12-29-2009, 09:25 PM
 
10 posts, read 35,779 times
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My husband and I (and our two kids) are looking for a safe, child friendly neighborhood in Houston. My husband works off 610 and San Felipe and I am a SAHM. Are there any neighborhoods that are affordable (under 300K for at least 3-4 br) and have good schools and are close to the Galleria? We have looked in the suburbs, Katy, The Woodlands and the commute seems to be terrible. Also, what Vanguard programs are good to apply to? Our oldest will start kindergarten next year.
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Old 12-29-2009, 09:50 PM
 
Location: The Greater Houston Metro Area
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What about Spring Branch?
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Old 12-29-2009, 10:21 PM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
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Agree with Spring Branch. You might be able to find a few fixers in the far West Memorial neighborhoods (West of Krikwood) for around 300k. I'd look at Nottingham Forest. 300k gets you into the lower end of their market. But you can find a cute 2500 sq ft home in need of some TLC...... The elementary is exemplary (Meadowood Elem), the high school is Stratford & rates very well. Honestly, I'd go with the Exemplary schools in Spring Branch ISD over HISD Vanguard schools. The neighborhoods here are are safe, the schools are the best line up in the city, families are everywhere, home values increase every year, and your hubby will be at work in ten minutes! I can't think of a better set up for your situation.

Good luck!
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Old 12-29-2009, 11:05 PM
 
Location: Austin & Houston, TX
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I agree with Spring Branch as an option.
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Old 12-30-2009, 07:09 AM
 
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The Westbury/Maplewood/Willowbend/Meyerland neighborhoods are about 10 minutes from the Galleria. Nice, family friendly neighborhoods with houses under 300K. Schools are hit or miss, but there are great Vanguard and Magnet schools nearby, so while you can't usually hit on three good schools (meaning elementary, middle, and high) you can get two out of three, and find a vanguard, magnet, or private for the other.

You can't beat this area for commuting. And beware the Spring Branch districting... most affordable homes are not zoned to good schools. Not all Spring Branch schools are desirable.
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Old 12-30-2009, 07:17 AM
 
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What about the neighborhoods north of 610. Oak Forest, Garden Oaks & Shepherd Park? I was told Oak Forest is getting better and lots of young families are moving over there. Also was told the houses aren't as "cute" as West U but the neighborhood is the next "West U" in like 5 years? Are people really moving in and updating the homes? What are the neighborhoods like? Schools?
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Old 12-30-2009, 07:24 AM
 
Location: Charleston Sc and Western NC
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As to Spring Branch for a 3-4 Bedroom under 300k that isn't a total tear down or backing to the freeway/commerical buildings, I think you'll have to move very far west to the point you may as well buy in East Katy.Also, you get into HISD and KISD in places west of Eldridge anyway. Places under 300k over on the north side are often serviced by Landrum...you don't want to send a kid there.

Walnut Bend and some areas in 77077, north of Briar Forest, might hit your needs.

People from Sugarland swear the commute isn't bad, you may want to look there.
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Old 12-30-2009, 07:27 AM
 
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How hard is it to get into one of the Vanguard programs?
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Old 12-30-2009, 08:02 AM
 
Location: Houston
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The 2 most challenging and rigorous elementary vanguard schools are T. H. Rogers and River Oaks. Last I heard, a lot of people apply, and a lot more kids tested within the acceptable range than there are available spaces. So there is a lottery system for qualifying kids. Call the schools and ask how many applicants they had, how many were eligible, and how many slots they have. The best time to get in is in kindergarten, as that has the most number of slots. Not a lot of movement out of these schools, so getting in during later years is even tougher.

If you want to go for it, make sure your child get tested on time, for consideration.
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Old 12-30-2009, 08:08 AM
 
Location: Charleston Sc and Western NC
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If you aren't opposed to a townhouse, there are some good ones on Bering and Augusta. There's a great park on Bering and Woodway and the playground at Briargrove Elem is used all the time on the weekends and after school. It's a wonderful Elem. Grady is the middle, and it was just rezoned back to the neighborhood and is improving. Lamar and Westside are the HS choices and are both Tier one. But for a single family, good school combo in the Galleria you are looking at 500k plus and starting at 1900 sf.
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