Moving to Houston...desperately need advice on neighborhoods!! (The Woodlands, Mission: apartments, rental)

[lmlamb1]

I need some advice on moving to Houston. I just recently was in town searching for rent houses and found a place I like but I’m still not sure of the area. It is in the Mission Bend area . Specifically at the corner of Mission Bend South and Mission Oaks at FM1464 and Beechnut. I looked at crime report data but it seemed like it was safe but I have been reading this forum and some comments about Mission Bend and West Oaks have me concerned. If there are better areas that meet my qualifications I would really like to know from people who know Houston. My agent hasn’t been saying much about the area so I am worried she might not be telling me everything. Here is what I am looking for and my reasons why:

Don’t want more than a 25 mile commute into downtown - can't afford to deal with a long drive
Have college student living with me so we need a college campus near by
Rental range is 900-950 per month
Have concerns regarding safety because I am a recent widow so we would be 2 females on our own but I have 2 dogs.

Have been unemployed for 7 months so I am moving to Houston in the hopes that there are more job opportunities thus the commute to downtown. I am aware I may have to wait but as I said I’m not working and my current location has an awful job market and its getting worse.
Is Pearland a good area? Can I afford the Heights and is it safe to live? I know The Woodlands is good but I would have to find a job and live there too because I just made the commute on 45 during lunch and 5:00 traffic and it was absolutely insane. I know there are a lot of choices in where to live but since I’m moving without a job I need to be within a decent commute area to the Galleria/Downtown area. My work experience is in office administration and finance and several job recruiters told me my best opportunities for work would be downtown. Any advice is appreciated!!

[Oildog]

I met a woman who was let go as an office assistant over a year ago. Few of those jobs are available, and the many who weere let go are already competing for them. I wouldn't move here w/o a job first. Oh and send a note to your congressmen to lift the gulf drilling ban because that will help spur some job growth as other projects will get greenlighted. More projects=more jobs.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by Oildog

Oh and send a note to your congressmen to lift the gulf drilling ban because that will help spur some job growth as other projects will get greenlighted. More projects=more jobs.

You mean capitalism creates jobs???

[lmlamb1]

Originally Posted by Oildog

I met a woman who was let go as an office assistant over a year ago. Few of those jobs are available, and the many who weere let go are already competing for them. I wouldn't move here w/o a job first. Oh and send a note to your congressmen to lift the gulf drilling ban because that will help spur some job growth as other projects will get greenlighted. More projects=more jobs.

Jobs all over are scarce but I do have specialized skills in finance as well as office administration. I can also work temp for awhile. I do have a cushion for about a year so finances are ok. Its just where I am currently located has nothing. I have been laid off twice in the last year and now that I am on my own without my husbands support I really need to move some place with options and where family is at.
How about the Briarforest area - I have located a rental there. I also found one off West Little York and Addicks Satsuma Rd - I know nothing of this area.

[EasilyAmused]

eeeeh, BriarForest can be iffy. Eldridge would be better if you can find something in your range. Also some of the apartments around Memorial and Country Place, or on NOttingham Oaks, can be ok. Probably moderately high on the saftey, but still has general apartment issues. The biggest bonus there is that the schools are incredible (not that you care, but it makes nice neighbors). Other bonus is that the single family homes in the area are extemely nice.

PS- There is an express bus to downtown that runs along Memorial

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by lmlamb1

Jobs all over are scarce but I do have specialized skills in finance as well as office administration. I can also work temp for awhile. I do have a cushion for about a year so finances are ok. Its just where I am currently located has nothing. I have been laid off twice in the last year and now that I am on my own without my husbands support I really need to move some place with options and where family is at.
How about the Briarforest area - I have located a rental there. I also found one off West Little York and Addicks Satsuma Rd - I know nothing of this area.

Sounds like Bear Creek Village - which is fine as to safety. A lot of retirees live there. I would pick it over the Mission Bend area. Not too bad for commuting, either.