West U to The Woodlands (Center, Howe: how much, find a job, new construction)

[sb2K14]

Hi

I am considering living in West University but have a job in The Woodlands. I find the area around West U very attractive but am concerned about the commute. My wife works in the Medical Center so it would not be an issue for her -- only for me. We do not have children at the moment but we want to start a family within 2 years. So, I have three questions:

1) What is the (realistic) commute time from West U to The Woodlands? I have the flexibility to start early (6am) and leave early (4pm) so that is probably what I would do.

2) Are there any areas that are comparable to West U that may reduce my commute but not impact my wife too badly?

3) I have heard a lot of talk about a "reverse commute" bus--- anyone have first hand information on when/if this is going to get launched?

thank you

[PedroMartinez]

It will be fairly long, but if you can go into the office between 6 am and 7 am, I think only the distance, and not the traffic, will be the issue in the mornings.

I'm a big fan of living where you want and either finding a job that is in that area or dealing with the commute.

I say that if you like the West U area, and it's a terrific area, I'd stay there and deal with the long drive. I would absolutely go in early and leave early.

The one question I have is whether or not you own your residence. The reason I ask is because if you own and move out, you may not be able to afford to move back.

[N. Buck]

I'm going to through this out there:
Nothing is like West U, however have you considered the Heights? Looks like the Heights is slowly going the way of West U...

[N. Buck]

Might shave a few minutes off your commute, and the Med Center isn't far at all.

[gwarnecke]

That's a tough call. Reverse-commuting to the Woodlands for you would definitely be easier than commuting from the Woodlands for her, but you have to balance this against how much further your money goes in the Woodlands.

I used to live in West U and I loved it, but if commute wasn't an issue I'd take the Woodlands over West U any day. Clean, great amenities, great pine trees, and a feeling of spaciousness that West U can't match, especially now that most new construction in West U is built to within a few feet of each lot boundary.

The Heights or Oak Forest may be a good compromise - not too far from either area, although her commute to the med center still wouldn't be a picnic.

[westres1]

I think there is a reverse commute bus from DT.
I would absolutely HATE that commute just because of the distance and all the construction on 45 lately.
However, I would much rather live in West U than The Woodlands.
tough call

[astrohip]

Originally Posted by sb2K14

Hi

I am considering living in West University but have a job in The Woodlands. I find the area around West U very attractive but am concerned about the commute.

1) What is the (realistic) commute time from West U to The Woodlands? I have the flexibility to start early (6am) and leave early (4pm) so that is probably what I would do.

A couple years ago, my wife drove from Southampton (next door to West U) to north of the Woodlands (FM1488), during non-commute times, 3-4 days a week. She hated it. Traffic wasn't stop & go, but it's still heavy. And I-45 is a tough freeway--lots of trucks, trailers, crazy drivers, etc. The freeway is claustrophobic until north of the Tollway (ie, small lanes, areas with no shoulders, etc). It also had more debris and other crap on the road than any other freeway she drove (she drive a LOT, like 30K+ miles/yr). And the HOV lane is not toll accessible, like I-10.

She did take Hardy on occasion, if 45 had a jam. But one still has to get to it.

It took her about 30-35 minutes to get to the Woodlands exit. That's assuming no unusual traffic, no 59 const. You have to add your intra-Woodlands time to that.

Coming back, add 5-10 minutes. Traffic is always worse in the afternoon.

Oh, and that's at 70+. She likes the go-pedal.

[ftbend06]

I had a friend that was outcommuting to the Woodlands and said it was awful despite being a reverse commute. It was from the same general area too. I wouldn't do it. If you really like your job up there, I'd find a place up there. It's not like it's completely a bedoom community. There's more to do than you think, especially if you're starting to settle down with the family, etc. Or if you're really in love with living in town, see if you can find a gig closer in.

Just remember that, if you're considering having a family, priorities will change drastically. I have been through it. The work times you quoted may no longer be in the cards for you in the future. Maybe you won't like being in a place as busy as West U either. Hard to say. Or you could just ride out what you're doing for a while and make a more final decision later on. Heights is nice, but not really comparable to West U. It doesn't have zoning, so there is still a lot of stuff you don't want in the general area when you're paying those prices for a home. Although there is a lot of good stuff in the area too. It has character.

[Oildog]

I would lean toward the Heights. Commute will wear on you.

[KatieKennedy]

Can your wife find a job at one of the hospitals up in the Woodlands? Some of the ones in the medical center such as St. Luke's have branches up there. It will be a very long commute to the Woodlands from West U. Just getting out of West U and to up to 45 north or the Hardy Toll Road is a nightmare. As some have mentioned, if you live in the north part of the Heights, you could get to the Hardy Toll Road from 610 fairly easily and your wife would not have too bad a commute to get to the med center.