Single male looking to buy in Houston (Spring, Katy: rent, condos)

[gunth3r]

Hello everyone, here is a quick run down of my situation. I have roamed these threads looking for information and have found quite a bit but I have some other questions that some of you might be able to answer.

I grew up in Katy, went to college and have now returned to Houston to work. I have been living in Katy for the last few months getting my feet on the ground, but I am financially stable now and looking to buy my own place. I am a single 24 year old male and will be living alone. I work at the beltway and 45 north and I'd like to keep the commute to less than half an hour. I have been looking pretty heavily in midtown, montrose, washington ave areas for townhomes and condos and have come close to putting contracts on a few places but now I am thinking I might want to go ahead and buy a real house outside of the beltway. My budget tops out at $200k.

My question is, are there any other places that might be a good fit for me in a place such as Spring? I want to be close to bars and restaurants but I also like open spaces to walk the dog and just relax. Am I crazy to think that places like this exist in the suburbs? Should I just stick to my original plan inside the loop?

I am looking for a good low crime area but at the same time I don't want to be a single guy surrounded 100% by families and children. I know I'm kind of describing Utopia. Anyway if anyone has any suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated!

[westhou]

My question is, are there any other places that might be a good fit for me in a place such as Spring? No

I want to be close to bars and restaurants but I also like open spaces to walk the dog and just relax. Am I crazy to think that places like this exist in the suburbs? Yes

Should I just stick to my original plan inside the loop? Yes

Try to find a condo/town home in The Heights. There are young people in the Spring area but they will mostly be young married couples who hang out in tight knit groups. It will be kind of hard to meet people in the area unless you already know people living there. There are plenty of open space areas to walk dogs and relax within the loop. I take my dog to Memorial Park just about every weekend. Good luck on whatever you decide on.

[Lost_In_Translation]

Don't buy. Rent and save up. Stay in the loop. I grew uP in Spring. You will not be happy in Spring. Once you've got a budget to afford what you want ITL then buy. Moving outward just to buy a house will not make you happy.

[jtothemak]

Why being single do you want to buy? Houston has overall a very level housing market. 5 years from now you will not have much equity and being single things in your situation can change, why do you want to be tied down to a home you are stuck in.

[Oildog]

Rent until you can afford a townhouse in the Heights or in the Loop somewhere

[gunth3r]

Thanks for everyone's opinions. I'll keep looking until I find the right one.

[cheryjohns]

Why not get a small house in Oak Forest for between $200K - $220K? At that price it will not have granite, but you can add that when you can - sell later and actually make a profit. Close to Inner Loop - reverse commute to work - good appreciation. Neighborhood is made up of older retirees/young professionals that get along very well. Stay east of TC Jester - it makes a difference.