Sugar Land - Downtown Commute? (Houston, Lubbock: crime rate, construction, allergies)

[Native_Resident]

We may be moving from Lubbock to Houston before the end of the month for work; using advice from family we have decided that we will most likely move to Sugar Land. I will be working for St. Luke's at 3100 Main; is 90 (which appears to turn into Main street) the best and quickest way to commute? Does anyone drive this route regularly; if so, how long is the normal commute? Also, I drive a F250 4x4 Superduty; what are the average diesel prices in Houston? Overall we are excited about moving; we are concerned about the crime but Lubbock was also hit by Katrina refugees and our crime rate per capita is high just like Houston's; 323.2 is the average crime index in the US and it is 659.2 in Houston (over 2 million residents) and 541.3 in Lubbock (only 212k residents). The weather is not a real concern for us; we have had mild winters for the past several years and our humidity all comes on one day which just happens to be the one day it rains each year. My fiance and I both have asthma and allergies that are horrible here (Lubbock is as flat as flat gets; we have wind all year, and it is very dry) but we normally vacation in Galveston or South Padre Island and actually breathe better with the humidity.
Now, about outdoor activities; other than going to the beach; is it safe to go rollerblading and biking in communities such as Sugar Land? Are Sugar Land and Houston safe places to ride motorcycles (Lubbock drivers do not support motorcycle riders; they get cut off or run over constantly here)? Any insight to these areas would be greatly appreciated.

[Premont]

Probably straight 59 would be your best shot. It gets pretty trafficy around the west loop, but it's a better commute than Katy or Cy-Fair. As for motorcycles, I'd be afraid to take one on the freeways. I don't ride so I can't tell you how Houston compares.

[Mr. Football]

Relatively-speaking, Sugar Land does have a better Downtown/Galleria/Med Center commute than most other suburbs. Kingwood is also supposed to be ok.

[Native_Resident]

Premont, after looking more closely at the map you are correct; 59 is better; Mr. Football; thanks for confirming what I have heard.

[tstone]

Diesel is about $3.50 a gallon now. Gasoline is about $2.95, and both are rising. (At least diesels are more efficient.) I wonder how easy it would be to park where you're going to work? Allow a commute for about 45 mins in the morning and 60 in the evenings.

Hwy 90 straight on in is stoplight after stoplight for the most part, along with construction. Take 90 only if you're going to connect to 59. 59 is the widest, busiest freeway in town. Up to 16 mainlanes + the feeders in certain areas, one of the busiest- if not the busiest in the USA.

As far as motorcycles go, I'd only take them out on evenings and wouldn't drive them on the freeways. Sugar Land doesn't seem real big on them, and IMO riding them on the Houston freeways from about 5am-10pm is a death wish. There are a few crotch-rocket/racer types that take over the freeway. But Galveston county may as well be called Harley county. LOTS of bikers down that way from many different walks of life.

You may have trouble with allergies if you're allergic to grasses, oaks, elms, etc.

[Wysiwyg]

you can use the HOV with your motorcycle

[txstate]

Take Main 90 is the best route from sugar land Mo City into central houston or the galleria area because you can get on 610 or any other place centrally located.

[tstone]

^ ^ To prefer Main from 6 all the way in, you must enjoy dozens of traffic lights mixed with a little construction. The 2-3 mile spur that is an exit-only, miniature freeway (South Post Oak-ish to 610) is the exception, not the rule when we talk about Alt-90. Perhaps later it will be the rule, though.

[carolineb]

I drive into town only a few times a month but when I take 59 south to Westpark toll road, 59 s is always jammed -- if you can find a neighbor or co-worker to carpool so you can take the HOV, this would make your commute more bearable. Good luck on your move and welcome to Houston.

[Texas Mack]

Is Sugar Land set in stone? If not, you might want to take a look at Pearland, which is a straight shot up the South Freeway (SH 288) to the Medical Center. There's traffic in the morning and afternoons just like the other freeways, but it's closer than any of the other major suburbs listed.

Just mentioning it as another option.