Reverse Commute to Sugar Land (Houston, West University Place: apartment, construction, university)

[MountainHeathen]

I was wondering if commuting from Montrose or Rice Military out to Sugar Land would be somewhat reasonable. I'm a 28 year old single and I really don't want to live in Sugar Land near my job but I also dislike spending 2 hours a day in the car. I've checked MapQuest during rush hour and it's saying the drive will take 35-45 minutes to commute from an apartment next to Buffalo Bayou out to Sugar Land. Does that sound somewhat accurate? Am I going to lose my marbles driving that much every day?

One potential route would be taking I-10 West to 610 South to 59 West and exiting Highway 6. Another potential route would be taking Montrose Blvd to 59 West and exiting Highway 6. The first would be better if I were living in Rice Military and the latter would be best for a Montrose location. Any thoughts on that? The first route seems like it would be a nightmare but I have no idea.

Thanks.

[Schumacher713]

30ish minutes. You are making the right decision.

[MountainHeathen]

Thanks. I'm most likely going to move to that area. I guess I'm just looking for reassurance that I'm not crazy to make that drive every day.

[MountainHeathen]

Would it make a big difference picking an apartment near 59 as opposed to something near Buffalo Bayou and Memorial Park? I would prefer to be by the parks since I have a dog.

[ftbend06]

I think something close to 59 in the greenway area would make a huge difference. Taking 610 out of the equation of your commute is a big improvement.

[Schumacher713]

I agree that something near Greenway could cut easily 10 minutes off the commute. It will also save you 200-300 a month in rent. I live in the north part of Montrose. I am guessing the area you are shooting for. It takes about 10min in traffic to get to 59. It will save you a little bit to be at Greenway. It will also save you money. I have five friends that live over there simply because it is just cheaper.

[eylu]

I do that commute as well as a lot of people in my office and once you get on 59 there's never any traffic unless there's an accident. After all of the construction of the feeder roads on 59, I would suggest to just take Shepherd all the way down to 59 or just live off 59 somewhere.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by ftbend06

I think something close to 59 in the greenway area would make a huge difference. Taking 610 out of the equation of your commute is a big improvement.

There's a dog park at WestPark and the 610 feeder. Basically right at 59. Maybe you could find an apartment in that area. Agree that it wouldn't be bad in the morning heading down there. The evenings though I've seen 59 backed up heading into town.

[gwarnecke]

My bro used to commute to SL (59 and Hwy 6) from West University Place (near Greenway Plaza). Was never a bad commute in either direction - 20-25 minutes was the norm. Worst reverse commute is along I-10. I left West U and moved to the Energy Corridor (where I work) after my afternoon commute time nearly doubled in three years.

Greenway Plaza is slightly less walkable than Montrose or Rice Military but is otherwise a very nice area.

[Oildog]

No brainer. In Houston anything under 30 minutes is a good commute. I drive from RM to NASA (35-45 min) in the morning (45-55 min) home. No regrets, love the inner loop amenities/lifestyle.