Young couple (Galleria? River Oaks?) (renting, budget, property)

[sketteroo]

One of my friends daughters just moved out of this place, she LOVED it. Very upscale, very secure, and only a couple of years old. It's just east of Rice Military.

www.memorial-hills.com

[mab463]

Originally Posted by sketteroo

One of my friends daughters just moved out of this place, she LOVED it. Very upscale, very secure, and only a couple of years old. It's just east of Rice Military.

www.memorial-hills.com

That place looks gorgeous. The only issue is that none of the options have a study! He's very insistent and the 2BR would start a bit too high for where we want to be. Thanks so much for bothering to send that though, and for really being so helpful.

[houstonfan]

My 2cents:
-If you want nice already-there neighborhoods, you'll be much happier with UK, Galleria or upper Montrose (around West Dallas). Southern part of montrose is still too much of a mish-mash for me. Between galleria and uk. they r ver close so u wont be missing out on anything. There are shops along westheier (Highland Village Mall) and down Kirby, many great restaurants there. Youd probably not like east of downtown or midtown either if you had a sheltered upbringing
-Commutewise, North Montrose or heights is better to the woodlands. Regardless where you rent, stay close to the highway. You are going against traffic so that is a plus.
-Traffic in the Galleria is killer only on certain parts like 610, westheimer, Post Oak and usually around rush hours. It is safe. People who live there use back roads to avoid congestion. GW Bush has owned several houses there and I'm pretty sure he could live anywhere he wants, so it can't be that bad. Christmas is the only time I try to avoid galleria.
-I agree with renting an apt with a garage. I don't care how expensive an apt complex is, there are people who are envious of nice cars and will key them or what not, if not by the residents then by their visitors.
-Safety: crime happens everywhere in Houston, although less in the nicer parts of town. When I lived in a decently nice complex, neighbors who got robbed did things like take a shower while leaving their patio doors open (Hello!!) or left laptops in their car. So wherever you live, use street smarts. Rent on 2nd floor.

So did I confuse you even more? As others have suggested, only way to know is visit and test drive the route.

[ttoad4000t]

We live in the upper Kirby/river oaks area and my wife commutes to the woodlands. She leaves pretty early but it takes about 40 minutes each way.

We don't drink a whole lot either and we love this area. Plenty of great restaurants within 5 minutes, a central market down the street, and we are close to rice village or midtown if we do want to go drink some nights.

Safety isn't an issue at all. I've taken the dog for a walk at 1-2am for 1hr+ and have never had any issues. Just check a crime map...

[mab463]

Thanks so much Houstonfan for that break down. I'll definitely be checking out both areas when I visit in March.

Ttoad4000 - Thanks for this firsthand account. I really wanted to hear from someone who does a similar commute. I think I could live with 40 minutes if I do end up securing that job.

[Pairodice25]

Why on earth would you want to drive over an hour with horrible traffic to get to the woodlands. Just move to the woodlands! We are researching the Klien school district area for rental properties as investors and there are some nice places up north that would fit the bill. Apartments everywhere in woodlands... PS I have a nice huge home in League City south of Houston that is now rented out because I did the drive across Htown for many years and hated every minute of it! Love living up North!

[Kiovo]

Originally Posted by Pairodice25

Why on earth would you want to drive over an hour with horrible traffic to get to the woodlands. Just move to the woodlands! We are researching the Klien school district area for rental properties as investors and there are some nice places up north that would fit the bill. Apartments everywhere in woodlands... PS I have a nice huge home in League City south of Houston that is now rented out because I did the drive across Htown for many years and hated every minute of it! Love living up North!

Did you not read? Her bf will be working in the Galleria area. Its better for her to reverse commute than it will be for him to commute into the Galleria everyday.

OP, all the areas listed are great areas, fits what you are looking for. When you come to visit you can narrow it down even more, see what feels similar to what you have in Long Island.

[texas7]

One of them works in the Galleria area the other "may" work in the Woodlands. They are both 22 - so I can totally understand why they would like to live in town.

[14Bricks]

Originally Posted by Kiovo

Did you not read? Her bf will be working in the Galleria area. Its better for her to reverse commute than it will be for him to commute into the Galleria everyday.

OP, all the areas listed are great areas, fits what you are looking for. When you come to visit you can narrow it down even more, see what feels similar to what you have in Long Island.

^^^^^this. Plus everybody doesn't want to live in some cookie cutter suburban hell hole.

[mab463]

Thanks everyone! The advice has been more than helpful. I feel so much better & can't wait to visit in March!