Moving to Houston. Neighborhood Advice, Please (Sugar Land, Missouri City: for sale, insurance, house)

[Denise82]

Originally Posted by Dahak

For public transport to downtown, look at the areas served by METRO Park and Ride buses. Since you're not looking for great schools at this point it makes your search easier as well. Even better if you're close to other major employment areas (mostly along 610 West Loop, Beltway 8 West and I-10 West) and have a car.

You should be able to find what you're looking for along 290 in Northwest Houston. The closest Park and Rides are at W. Little York Dr. and West Rd. This corresponds to the area north of 290 outside Beltway 8 in older neighborhoods such as Steeplechase, Winchester, and Harvest Bend. Just your ordinary suburbs, lots of empty nesters as well as young Hispanic families. Those areas tend to have some 2-3 bedroom homes in your budget, if you can snap them up. $1400 will open you up to many more options, or get an apartment in a newer complex along the Beltway for even more options. Do you have pets?

Thanks! It's looking like we will have to up our budget a bit. $1,400 wouldn't be bad, considering the cost of living adjustment and end to state taxes, LOL.

[Denise82]

Originally Posted by Dahak

For public transport to downtown, look at the areas served by METRO Park and Ride buses. Since you're not looking for great schools at this point it makes your search easier as well. Even better if you're close to other major employment areas (mostly along 610 West Loop, Beltway 8 West and I-10 West) and have a car.

You should be able to find what you're looking for along 290 in Northwest Houston. The closest Park and Rides are at W. Little York Dr. and West Rd. This corresponds to the area north of 290 outside Beltway 8 in older neighborhoods such as Steeplechase, Winchester, and Harvest Bend. Just your ordinary suburbs, lots of empty nesters as well as young Hispanic families. Those areas tend to have some 2-3 bedroom homes in your budget, if you can snap them up. $1400 will open you up to many more options, or get an apartment in a newer complex along the Beltway for even more options. Do you have pets?

Ok, great! This is good info. I will definitely look into these locations., And yes, we have 4 cats which is why a single family detached is most desirable.

[cheryjohns]

Commercial real estate - you could be working anywhere in a huge geographical area. Better to get the job lined up first and then the rental, once you see where you will be working.

4 cats is going to be difficult in an apartment. It may have to be a small house. Before we can tell you where to look (on a $1400 budget), we will need to know what area the job is located.

Texdemo is correct in that our public transportation is poor - we are car centric here.

[shortel]

Harris county only allows you to have 3 animals. Good luck renting with 4.

[Denise82]

Originally Posted by shortel

Harris county only allows you to have 3 animals. Good luck renting with 4.

Based on my research, Harris County is to be avoided at all costs. Is that incorrect? Most people say it's the worse county to live in anyway.

[Denise82]

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

Commercial real estate - you could be working anywhere in a huge geographical area. Better to get the job lined up first and then the rental, once you see where you will be working.

4 cats is going to be difficult in an apartment. It may have to be a small house. Before we can tell you where to look (on a $1400 budget), we will need to know what area the job is located.

Texdemo is correct in that our public transportation is poor - we are car centric here.

Most of the jobs I have applied for are in downtown Houston. The major companies are CBRE, Jones Lang LaSalle, etc. and the big ones seem to only have management contracts in Houston. I was doing some more research today and came across areas such as West University Place, Montrose, and Bellaire (Which I think still fall in Harris County?). What's the consensus on these areas? Seems like the commute would be a breeze.

[Denise82]

Also, what about the Missouri City area?

[westres1]

Originally Posted by Denise82

Based on my research, Harris County is to be avoided at all costs. Is that incorrect? Most people say it's the worse county to live in anyway.

Houston is in Harris County. Why should it be avoided? I have lived in Harris county most of my life and I find it very nice. If you are moving to Houston most likely you will live in Harris county.

[westres1]

Originally Posted by Denise82

Most of the jobs I have applied for are in downtown Houston. The major companies are CBRE, Jones Lang LaSalle, etc. and the big ones seem to only have management contracts in Houston. I was doing some more research today and came across areas such as West University Place, Montrose, and Bellaire (Which I think still fall in Harris County?). What's the consensus on these areas? Seems like the commute would be a breeze.

Those areas are very expensive

[crone]

Houston is within Harris County, as are the very small "villages" you mentioned. Harris County unincorporated area would be among the largest cities in the USA were it incorporated. IIRC, the 6th largest. It will be hard to avoid.

The areas you mention are high dollar and do not meet your budget. The commute would be a breeze.

The taxing agencies make up for the no state income tax with property and sales taxes.

Get a job before you move.