Starting first job in Houston, TX. Where to live for a 21 y/o? (Austin: apartments, neighborhoods)

[lebesgueintegral]

Hey guys,

I'm going to be starting my first job after college in Houston and am wondering if you guys could recommend a place to live. I'm graduating school in Austin, TX in May and plan on moving to Houston in the June (If I could get a place to live in May it would be great!).

I'm looking for an area that's relatively safe, walkable (I know it's a commodity in Houston), has a young crowd (Young professionals or college students), and within a reasonable driving distance to Downtown Houston (Which is where I will work). I also may room with another person that's going to UT Houston, so anywhere within a reasonable proximity of the UT Houston Medical School and Downtown Houston would be optimal.

So far, I've been considering Midtown and Montrose as well as the area around Rice University. I'm not totally familiar with the area though, just the names of a few neighborhoods so I would definitely appreciate it if someone could show me the ropes as to which areas to look in and which areas to avoid. I would like to try to keep proximity from Downtown within 610.

For a one bedroom, I want to keep the price under $1000. For a Two Bedroom, I would like to keep the price under $2000.

Also, not sure if it will be helpful, but my potential roommate and I are both single straight males.

Thank you all so much!

[lebesgueintegral]

Shameless Bump.

Thanks again!

[War Beagle]

Might want to add the Washington area to your list. Keep in mind that Montrose is the traditional gay part of town, though it is by no means uniformly gay. I have a straight friend that lives there.

[newlymarried]

I think you've hit the logical areas, although you could also add the Med Center area to your list. A longer (but still reasonable) commute for you, short commute for your friend.

If you plan carefully, you could even take the light rail into downtown. I don't know if your parking is subsidized, but that's an expense if it's not -- at least $6/day for cheap lots, $150 for contract monthly parking.

There are a glut of apartments catering to med students and residents in the med center, so finding one that works for you should be easy. You can probably find a nice 2 bedroom for that budget.

[lebesgueintegral]

Great! I will check out all of those places next time I go to visit. If possible could anyone recommend for me places I should try to avoid?

Thanks!

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by lebesgueintegral

Great! I will check out all of those places next time I go to visit. If possible could anyone recommend for me places I should try to avoid?

Thanks!

Any number followed by "ward". Greens(guns)point. Sharpstown.

[newton22]

I second West U/Med Center. Great area for young professionals.

Montrose and the Heights area are also good, but they are more characteristic and feature more hole-in-the-wall establishments if that's your thing.

[philopower]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

Any number followed by "ward". Greens(guns)point. Sharpstown.

Please don't listen to obviously ignorant posts like these. Considering that midtown, Washington, Montrose, and Eastwood are parts of a ward it proves that war beagle is obviously from a suburb and should thus keep out of the discussion.

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by philopower

Please don't listen to obviously ignorant posts like these. Considering that midtown, Washington, Montrose, and Eastwood are parts of a ward it proves that war beagle is obviously from a suburb and should thus keep out of the discussion.

Those areas aren't generally identified by their ward numbers though. Be offended all you want, but when you hear something about # Ward in the news, it's almost never good news. If it were, they would have said Midtown, Montrose, Washington, etc.

[OducksFTW!]

Originally Posted by txdemo

(There may be gays there too so be careful!)

Ummm, what is there to be careful about exactly?