Cannot seem to find an apartment in Clear Lake that isn't overpriced. (Houston: apartments, for rent)

[dajinn]

Hi all,

I'm trying to find a 1 bedroom apartment in the clear lake area(preferably league city, webster, friendswood area) but I just can't find anything with the amenities that I want at an acceptable price range. I don't understand why all these crummy ass apartments are so overpriced. All I want is a washer/drier IN the unit, gated community, an oven with a timer(you'd be surprised how rare this is even amongst apartments labeled as "luxury"), comcast, and a property that is safe and not a freakin' ghetto. All of that sounds basic but you'd be surprised how many places don't have all of that together.

It just seems like most of the properties in the "greater" League City-Clear Lake area either fall into one or the other extreme, being cheap and ghetto or being overpriced and mildly alright. And then if you check apartmentratings.com most of the places barely have good reviews.

I'm really trying to stay under 800 for the rent alone because I only make about 47k a year and am trying to save for a house. I have 450 taken out a month for a 403b and depending on how much extra cash for the month I have I put another 416~ into a roth so that I make sure I meet my yearly contribution limit for it.

Can anyone make some suggestions from maybe like some places they've stayed? I really liked Riverbend in League City but they don't have washer and driers in the units only the connections.

Thanks for any insight and advice.

[hendersj31]

You could always buy or rent some then. Better to have the place you like and deal with the slight hassle of coming up with your own washer and dryer.

Originally Posted by dajinn

Hi all,

Can anyone make some suggestions from maybe like some places they've stayed? I really liked Riverbend in League City but they don't have washer and driers in the units only the connections.

Thanks for any insight and advice.

[dajinn]

Originally Posted by hendersj31

You could always buy or rent some then. Better to have the place you like and deal with the slight hassle of coming up with your own washer and dryer.

Yeah I've considered it. I'm just not sure renting appliances is smart when I'll want to own my own eventually as a homeowner. And also, the place I like forces you into a 25 dollar valet trash fee that they SAY you can't opt out of. I know i'm nitpicking at small things like that but money grubbing tactics and things like that just leave a bad taste in my mouth for some reason. I mean I don't have polio, it's not above me to walk my own trash to the dumpster and I don't mind it anyway since I don't really have much trash on me at any given time.

[texas7]

Well there isn't much ghetto at all in the areas you want. You either have older complexes which are in your range and may lack some of the things you desire or newer, luxury complexes that are higher than you want to pay. Rarely will an apt include your Comcast. Just look at the ones you find in your range and go with the best one you can find.

[DSL_PWR]

So go buy a washer and dryer...

[dajinn]

don't most houses sell with those already included? it just seems redundant to have to buy something i'll inevitably have to sell later and who knows how long i'll be sitting on 2 pairs of washer/dryer... i mean i'm all for the idea i just like to approach things as sensibly as possible.

[DSL_PWR]

No. Unless you buy a lennar home or opt for the appliance pacakge you won't get a washer and dryer.

We had to buy a fridge since most houses don't come with those either.

Easier to sell on craigslist later than gripe and try to find a place that has them now.

[DanielWayne]

$800+ was about middle of the road for Clear Lake apartments 10 years ago. Meaning for about $850 (I used to live in South Shore Lakes apts) got you a nice, non-luxury apartment where you didn't have to watch your back. And that was without Comcast. Fast forward 10 years and I am sure the average price for a decent apartment has gone up considerably. Try renting a room in a house. It can be a lot cheaper and a lot less hassle, but that also has it's own list of potential perils. If you are an employee for JSC or a JSC related company, there used to be a swap shop website where engineers sometimes listed rooms for rent and it was about 1/2 the rate for an apartment. Otherwise there's Craigslist. Just be careful with Craigslist.

[dajinn]

Originally Posted by DanielWayne

$800+ was about middle of the road for Clear Lake apartments 10 years ago. Meaning for about $850 (I used to live in South Shore Lakes apts) got you a nice, non-luxury apartment where you didn't have to watch your back. And that was without Comcast. Fast forward 10 years and I am sure the average price for a decent apartment has gone up considerably. Try renting a room in a house. It can be a lot cheaper and a lot less hassle, but that also has it's own list of potential perils.

Haha yeah, I've rented a room in a house before, and honestly, i'm never having roommates again unless its my best friend who can't seem to get off his ass and find anything that doesn't pay more than 9 dollars an hour. I rented a room from some people in league city at their house and knives were being pointed in one occasion. Never again.

Funny you mention the SS Lakes apartments, I used to live there as well, but 800 is way too much for what they offer. Insanely basic appliances, the oven doesn't even have a time, drier with only one heat setting, no ceiling fans and the bedrooms don't have have lamps all they have are wall switches that control power to a outlet. THAT'S what i'm talking about as being overpriced.

Maybe i'll just use the laundromat until I score a deal on a washer/dryer then. I mean black friday is right around the corner. I don't need anything fancy just something with more than one heat setting so I don't cook my clothes...

[texas7]

It's not overpriced in today's market. For 800, you aren't going to get more than basic. You're looking for modern luxury at an older, basic price. The Houston area is no longer cheap.