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Old 08-19-2010, 12:57 PM
tvt tvt started this thread
 
15 posts, read 38,989 times
Reputation: 13

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Hello! I am moving to Houston with my partner for work. She will be teaching close to The University of Houston. We do not need to live right in the area but would like to be within a half hour commute. We are looking to rent for now and have been doing quite a bit of research and it seems pretty overwhelming. A LOT of places in our price range (@$800 month - large 1 bedroom or small 2 bedroom) are coming up as red flags on apartmentratings.com and we are starting to worry. We are flexible with neighborhoods and our criteria are, in order of importance:
1. CLEAN (i.e. NO ROACHES)
2. SAFE
3. QUIET with neighbors who are similar

We are hoping to move in Sept. 1st. Thank you for any input you can provide.
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Old 08-19-2010, 01:03 PM
 
Location: Pearland, TX
3,333 posts, read 9,170,918 times
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Sage is great on pork and poultry!

Check out Pearland and the surrounding areas. There are loads of new apartments, townhomes and condos. All within a 30 minute drive and away from questionable neighborhoods.

Just my $.02.

Ronnie
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Old 08-19-2010, 02:56 PM
tvt tvt started this thread
 
15 posts, read 38,989 times
Reputation: 13
Default thanks!

I'm a vegetarian Ronnie, but thanks for the advice! What is there to "do" in Pearland? We are a 30something gay couple who like outdoor activities (i.e. biking), funky shops, dining out, movies and do not have kids, so I'm pretty sure the burbs wouldn't be for us.
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Old 08-19-2010, 03:06 PM
 
Location: The Greater Houston Metro Area
9,053 posts, read 17,191,612 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tvt View Post
I'm a vegetarian Ronnie, but thanks for the advice! What is there to "do" in Pearland? We are a 30something gay couple who like outdoor activities (i.e. biking), funky shops, dining out, movies and do not have kids, so I'm pretty sure the burbs wouldn't be for us.
Get away from the apartments and look on har.com for rentals from an individual owning a small house or townhome. If you would go up $50 your choices get better.
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Old 08-19-2010, 03:15 PM
tvt tvt started this thread
 
15 posts, read 38,989 times
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Default lease?

Is the "lease" option the same as renting? Sorry... I am unfamiliar with the verbiage. Thank you for your reply.
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Old 08-19-2010, 03:17 PM
 
2,628 posts, read 8,829,835 times
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Yes, go on HAR and check out rentals in Montrose area,77005, 77006 and Eastwood, 77023 and Heights 77007,77008.
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Old 08-19-2010, 03:19 PM
 
Location: The Greater Houston Metro Area
9,053 posts, read 17,191,612 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tvt View Post
Is the "lease" option the same as renting? Sorry... I am unfamiliar with the verbiage. Thank you for your reply.
No, there is a separate category for rentals. Go to where you are choosing condos or single family or etc.
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Old 08-19-2010, 03:30 PM
 
1,416 posts, read 4,437,184 times
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Lease/rent, same thing in the sense that there is going to usually be a minimum term you are committing to. There is HAR.com for those who use MLS and Craigslist for the rest. I wouldn't put a lot of faith in apartment rating sites.

Question: Are you looking for an apartment complex, complete with amenities like pool, theater, etc. (typical of Camden, Post, and Alexan), or are you looking for something more unique, like a duplex/triplex, or smaller complex? Do you want to be in a neighborhood where you can meet and get to know your neighbors, or do you like the relative anonymity that comes from a large complex?

Many of the best older units in established neighborhoods are in high demand and can be difficult to find (the owners need to do very little advertising). So unfortunately you can end up spending lots of timing driving and looking for For Rent signs. if that isn't an option, then Craigslist and HAR.com are going to be your best bet.

Since UH is your target employment area, I recommend you focus anywhere from the west 610 loop on the western edge, south 610 loop on the southern edge, I-10 on the northern edge, and just east of downtown on the eastern edge. You'll hear general names like Galleria area, Highland Village/River Oaks area, Upper Kirby, Montrose (generally know as the gayest part of town), Midtown, EaDo, Eastwood, Medical Center, Museum District (Montrose adjacent), and Rice Village). Lots of areas to throw out there, but you are at least now starting to narrow your search.

Since you don't have kids, and nightlife, restaurants, etc., are going to be important to you, there is no reason to look at the suburbs at this point.
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Old 08-19-2010, 03:34 PM
tvt tvt started this thread
 
15 posts, read 38,989 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cheryjohns View Post
No, there is a separate category for rentals. Go to where you are choosing condos or single family or etc.
O.K. Cheryjohns... I must be blind, but I don't see a "rental" option anywhere on the HAR site - only for sale or lease.... sigh.
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Old 08-19-2010, 03:37 PM
 
Location: The Greater Houston Metro Area
9,053 posts, read 17,191,612 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tvt View Post
O.K. Cheryjohns... I must be blind, but I don't see a "rental" option anywhere on the HAR site - only for sale or lease.... sigh.
I PM'ed you a list
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