Friendswood, League City, Clear Lake area- Baybrook Mall area (Houston: extended stay, coupons)

[beachonthebrain]

In 3 weeks I am moving from Oklahoma City to the Houston area for work. I will be at Baybrook Mall in Friendswood. My family will stay behind until the school year is over then rejoin me, so for the next 9 months school districts will not matter. I would like to rent a room in a house (450 max) vs getting an apt as I am still paying for housing in Okc. If possible I want to keep my driving time to 20 min or under.
What are my options? How close am I to the Kemah boardwalk? What areas do I need to avoid for safety?
My family might come down every other month for a day or two, so it needs to be safe for them (wife & 3 small daughters).
Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks
Scott

[Urbannnizer]

Where will you work? Can't say how your drive time will be, but traffic does tend to build around that area at times, especially when everyone wants to go to the mall. Yes you will be close to Kemah (~30 min drive), and as for areas to avoid -- I don't know any unless you go into Texas City/La Marque, two cities just southeast of League City and Clear Lake.


Welcome :-)

[DanielWayne]

Are you working at Baybrook? Clear Lake/League City/Friendswood - there is no real 'bad part of town' here. There are some apt complexes that you might want to avoid such as those along El Dorado near I45. Also some apt complexes along El Camino near Kroger in Clear Lake have gone down hill. And as stated above, Texas City/La Marque are places with an actual 'bad part of town.' The boardwalk is not far from Baybrook Mall.

[beachonthebrain]

Yes-I will be working at Baybrook Mall. Texas City/La Marque would be too far south.

Thanks for the replies so far!

[golferadam]

IIRC there is a status difference whether you live east or west of I-45.

[MNCold]

Check out Friendswood

[txcoast10]

@Golferadam what is the status difference? It seems like there are good and bad areas both east and west of 45, the east side just seems more built up.

[MaryleeII]

Originally Posted by beachonthebrain

In 3 weeks I am moving from Oklahoma City to the Houston area for work. I will be at Baybrook Mall in Friendswood. My family will stay behind until the school year is over then rejoin me, so for the next 9 months school districts will not matter. I would like to rent a room in a house (450 max) vs getting an apt as I am still paying for housing in Okc. If possible I want to keep my driving time to 20 min or under.
What are my options? How close am I to the Kemah boardwalk? What areas do I need to avoid for safety?
My family might come down every other month for a day or two, so it needs to be safe for them (wife & 3 small daughters).
Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks
Scott

If its just you and your stay will be about 3 months, consider an extended stay type place. Hilton has a chain called Homewood, or you can try Extended Stays. Just do a search. They might seem expensive, but they include all utilities, furniture, if you stay longer than 30 days you don't pay the hotel tax, also, hunt around for coupons, etc, you can usually find ~ 20% off.

Another idea, you will be quite close to both Univ of Houston, and Univ of Houston--Clear Lake. You might find some sort of student housing sub-lease arrangement.

I would consider your own apt, in lieu of a room, f you want your family to come visit, The difference in price is more than absorbed by what your family would pay for accomodations.

Congrats on the new job

[MaryleeII]

Originally Posted by txcoast10

@Golferadam what is the status difference? It seems like there are good and bad areas both east and west of 45, the east side just seems more built up.

Stay West of I-45.

[timtemtym]

I grew up in that area and my first job was at Baybrook back in early 90's. My grandmother has a nice house in that area, but I don't know you so I can't recommend she let you crash there. heh.

You might want to contact a church in the area. The big mega one is Grace Bible Church, also Clear Lake Baptist (if you're an evangelical). There are lots of older couples with empty nests who would probably let you rent a room for a month or so for pretty cheap out of the goodness of their hearts.

The Clear Lake area is great and lots of people are quite helpful. If that sounds like your kind of thing, email the pastoral staff on their church website. They would probably have good connections for you.