Apartment Recommendations - Fresno or Richmond area? (Houston, Stafford: apartment complex, for rent)

[Dewailer]

My family and I will be moving to the Houston area the end of the summer from the Caribbean. We've been back and forth debating on FL or TX but our love for TX is by far greater. We are looking to rent in the Fresno or Richmond area as that is where we intend to buy our home sooner or later. Can anyone recommend any good and safe apartments in these areas? We are seeking a 2-3BR - apartment for 2 adults & 1 child - an 8th grader - so good schools are super important. I've been playing around with different apartment websites and I'm not certain what's a fair price for renting an apartment but we are trying to keep it under $1,000. Our main goal is to buy a home so the least amount we can pay in rent - the better for us as we'll be able to save more that way.

My hubby lived in Stafford with his sister years ago and we go back every few years for vacation - we were last there in 2008 for 2 weeks. So he is definitely still a little familar with this area. His sister still lives in Stafford but we prefer to move straight into an apartment if we can. We'll probably stay in a hotel for a week or two IF needed then into an apartment if this can be done.

What are the qualifications for renting an apartment in these areas? We'll be moving with no jobs - we'll be depending on our savings until we find jobs. Will it be hard for us to get an apartment? Our credit is pretty ok - not great but ok. I'll be pulling our FICO reports this weekend. We've been renting a house for the past 6.5 years and we've never been late on our rent. Our landlord will give us a over the moon recommendation letter if needed. There are basically no qualifications for renting an apartment here on St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands and I know its a lot different in Houston and I'm seeking some feedback and recommendations. Thanks in advance.

[donly1]

Here, you will have to show proof of income, and have a clean background to get approved. Richmond is a quiet area, so any apartment complex will do. And you ask is it hard to find an a apartment, its the job that will be hard to find.

[Dewailer]

Thanks so much, I appreciate the reply.