Where to Move - Houston Experts (Spring, Katy: renting, HOA, houses)

[kittyhawk]

My job has me moving to Houston early next year. I will be working in the vicinity of the I-10 Katy @ I-610 interchange. I will also be able to work from home one or two days per week. My wife will stay at home with our two young children but I am very interested in moving to an area with good public schools as my oldest will start kindergarten in the fall of 2008. My housing budget is ~$250K.

I've visted your city a few times and enjoyed the feel of some of the areas off of US-290. I believe some of the neighborhoods were Coles Crossing and Longwood. One thing that concerns me is the commute on US-290 though.

Tell me Houston experts, are there other areas that will have a "relatively" painless commute (~30 min), with good public schools and homes in my price range. Am I asking the impossible?

[Poltracker]

Try Timbergrove, it is just inside the loop near TC Jester. Very painless commute to the area you need. It is in HISD but feeds to good schools. The neighborhood HOA is pretty dedicated to keeping the area nice without being overbearing, it works pretty good too. Also has access to a lot of shopping and activities. Also some good neighborhood home schooling and parenting/play groups for the younger kids.

Folks think of the suburbs alot but this is a very nice innerloop community with houses constructed in the late 1950's into the late 60's. Houses range from about 1800 sq ft. on up with an average of 2100 - 2300 sq ft. and have nice, mature landscaping.

[DJboutit]

Try Willow Meadows, Willow Bend, Meyerland, Maplewood areas
there located on the south west side right outside the loop nice houses that fit right in your price range. Plus the area is nice & safe with lots of things to do near by.

[Mr. Football]

My Cypress Photos Site on Flickr

[AK123]

West Memorial area and Spring Branch come to mind....

[Mr. Football]

Ditto. Love the neighborhoods in the West Memorial area! Older, but nice character, big trees. Good schools.

[Historian/Traveler]

Bear in mind that 290 is about to get torn up and made larger (like I-10 right now), if I am not mistaken. All the aforementioned posts have mentioned some great places. Mr. Football always dominates with pics to help people out too. Think of the long-run and choose wisely, kittyhawk. Cheers!