Family planning a move to Houston summer 2014 (Sugar Land, Missouri City: apartments, leasing)

[Sessions1012]

My family has decided to make a move to the outskirts of Houston next summer and we have a million questions!! Right now we are torn between Cypress, Katy, Sugarland, and Missouri City. My husband will be working in Missouri City, but he says a commute is not an issue for him. So I guess my question is, out of these locations which would be best in the opinions of people who already live there. We are looking to rent originally until we decide this location is really where we want to be and we would like to not spend over $1700 a month. Is that something that would be feasible for a 4 bedroom? We would also want to know about the high schools in the area since we are the guardians of 2 teenagers. We really want to be in a diverse area that is family friendly for the teens as well as the future children we plan to have. Sorry that I am so long winded, but I am very excited about this move. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!

[Weili]

Out of the four places you mentioned, I would recommend Katy based on the background you have provided. However, I could be biased as I live here and absolutely love it. The commute from Katy to Missouri City shouldn't be too bad, especially after they finish with the section of Grand Parkway that connects Katy to Sugar Land. However, keep in mind that it will be a tollroad though. You can also look into Sienna Plantation, which is just south of Sugar Land and Missouri City where they have new houses and schools. The commute for your husband should also be significantly shorter.

If you have any significant questions please feel free to ask, I'm sure many of us here would be eager to help. Good luck!

[Sugar Land Yak]

Why have him commute if he dosen't have to? Lots of people would love to have a work location in MC probably about a half million.

Looks of decent options around MC. Rent amount might be tight but you can probably find it, if you stay in the Elkins High School zoning.

This area is very hot right now with housing of all kinds......friend had one had 4 cash offer for listing price + in less then 24 hours on the market...

Go to Har and customize your search for rents in Missouri City and then Sugar Land, and then research the High School zoning.

[Sessions1012]

Thanks to the both of you for your replies!

Sugar Land ***- We don't want to make a decision on where we decide to live just based on where my husband works. Especially if he accepts a new position with another company which is an option as well. He is okay with a commute if we find what we are looking for in a home and it isn't in Missouri City. But I am going to check out Har. Just found an app for it and hope this helps me out! Thanks again!

[TXbywayof]

I second Sienna Plantation. It's a lovely neighborhood and I think you can get more for your $$ than in Sugar Land. Has your husband been in Houston during commute times? I don't mind distance but distance plus bumper to bumper traffic make a stressful commute. I had a 28 mile commute that at a minimum would take 75 minutes...the worst day was just over 2 hours.

[Sessions1012]

TXbywayof - thanks for your insight. I have been reading a lot of good things about Sienna Plantation. As far as my husband goes, he hasn't had to deal with Houston traffic during commute times. We've only visited during the weekends and personally the traffic wasn't as bad as I expected. But according to him if he can endure Los Angelos traffic he can endure Houston traffic. Being that he is from California he is used to extreme traffic I guess.

[Glorious Houston]

look for the master planned communites- the ones close by that I know about are Telfair, New territory and sienna plantation.. good luck with your search.
also new territory BLVD has a secton of apartments avaliable for rent...its pretty decent andthey do short term leasing

[Nishishei]

Originally Posted by Sessions1012

As far as my husband goes, he hasn't had to deal with Houston traffic during commute times. We've only visited during the weekends and personally the traffic wasn't as bad as I expected. But according to him if he can endure Los Angelos traffic he can endure Houston traffic. Being that he is from California he is used to extreme traffic I guess.

Oh yeah, Houston traffic is nowhere near as bad as traffic in Los Angeles! With that said, I'm sure your husband still would prefer to spend an extra 30 minute to an hour a day at home than on the road, especially during those hot summer months.

There is generally not much traffic on weekends unless there is some kind of special event and you're driving near it. But weekdays are a different story.

As suggested in another thread, the best thing to do is look at Google Maps around rush hour, during both morning and evening, and turn on traffic to get an idea of how bad the traffic is.