Help! Moving to Houston -- Don't know where to live (Sugar Land: to rent, insurance)

[jperlewitz]

Hello all.

Me, my wife, and newborn baby will be moving to Houston in a few months. I would really appreciate some feedback about where to live. I will most likely be working in Greenway Plaza, but I could also be working in Greenspoint Plaza or Brookhollow area. My wife will be working in downtown, but only 2-3 days a week. I have narrowed the possibilities down to Sugar Land or Houston Heights. The Heights seems like it would be a great commute to downtown, or Greenway Plaza, or Brookhollow. Is it a safe place to live with kids? I have seen some great looking houses that are in our price range. Is there good private schools in the Heights?

SugarLand seems like a great place to live and I know they have great schools. However, the commute is a little worse. But it seems very manageable. There is a park and ride right there and it seems you can get to Greenway Plaza in 25 minutes and downtown in 35 minutes. It also seems like getting to Greenspoint Plaza wouldnt be too bad if you take the 8. Any information would greatly help. Sorry for the long post.

[Kandy]

I'm not familiar with all of those areas, but I do know that Greenspoint from Sugarland would not be a fun commute. Others here could probably give you a better idea of actual time. I would wait until you know for sure where you will be working, then choose a place to live. There are so many great options in the Houston area. Everyone here has their favorites. ~K~

[browniebabie]

The Heights is a great area. They are very civic minded and community minded. It is a diverse area - but I think safe, and Harvard and Travis Elementary's are 2 of the best in the city.

[modster]

Those are two radically different choices. In addition to the Heights you might also check out Oak Forest, Garden Oaks, Timbergrove & Lazybrook.

[jperlewitz]

I am definitely leaning towards Houston Heights, or Timbergrove area. Do you know if it is safe there? Is there a lot of crime? Thanks

[tstone]

There's a decent amount of crime in the Heights:

http://houstoncrimemaps.com/neighbor...eater-heights/

but this is no worse than any other typical place in Houston, inside the beltway. Look at the crime; most of it is petty stuff that will annoy you more than anything else. Cover your bases with proper insurance, and you'll be fine.

The big crime hotspots start in Uptown (Galleria) and go down the southwest side:

http://www.ericcarlson.net/crimestats/blocks2006.html

The first 6 months of 2007 is showing the same trends:

http://www.ericcarlson.net/crimestats/blocks2007.html

[houstoner]

The Heights is as safe or unsafe as you let it be. People are very much into community there, as a previous poster said, and tend to look out for each other. Get to know your neighbors and you'll be fine. I've lived inside the Loop off and on for around 14 years or so and the most crime I've experienced is having my car broken into once while at the dog park late at night with a friend... and watching it happen from afar! The thief only got two dollars in change and a cell phone so no skin off my back, other than a quick trip to the junkyard to replace my broken window. Just be aware you're still in a city and take the proper precautions.

[groovamos]

Originally Posted by jperlewitz

I am definitely leaning towards Houston Heights, or Timbergrove area. Do you know if it is safe there? Is there a lot of crime? Thanks

I live in Timbergrove Manor, 8 minutes from downtown, 8 minutes to the Galleria, 20 minutes to IAH. Crime here is almost non-existent. A handful of daytime breakins a year in an area of 4000 homes. None of the streets near me have had a break-in in the 7 years I've lived in Timbergrove (Queenswood Ln). Less crime here than the Heights, but not nearly as big or as much interesting architecture, admittedly. We have more trees per capita though, by a long shot. Heights maybe 7-8 times the population of Timbergrove.

We have a new city wilderness park in the heart of Timbergrove! Check out the following website which has NOT been updated with the news that the city has now taken over the 21 acre park and saved it from development:

http://www.west11thstreetpark.org/ (3 blocks from my street.)

[jperlewitz]

What about the schools in Timbergrove? Since it is pretty small, are there any schools around? I am looking more into private school rather than puvlic schools. Do you know of any good private schools in the area? Also, what kind of community is Timbergrove? Is it a close knit community or does everyone kind of keeop to themselves? Do you know your neighbors. Thanks

[karuna95]

Greenway, Greenspoint, and Brookhollow are points on a triangle. Best bet is to rent something in the middle until you know where you'll be for sure. Being inner looper, i'm partial to that, of course. We're 1 min from greenway. Love it. Always against traffic, and doesn't take too much time or gas to go to museum, theaters, parks, etc... my child attends Annunciation Orthodox School (www.aoshouston.org) - a wonderful school of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. The school is extremely accepting and welcoming of all faiths (we're neither Greek nor orthodox), with a challenging yet supportive curriculum. Great kids and teachers. Check out www.mdgi.net (http://www.mdgi.net - broken link) for cool modern homes in the area (I'm living in one myself). PS - AOS is in Montrose, by the University of St. Thomas.