Houston, Knoxville, or Wilmington? (The Woodlands, Spring: crime rate, homes, find a job)

[kschoice63]

Hi all,

I have been reading many different posts here, and first I must say how helpful the majority of the comments often are. I am writing because my fiance and I are relocating, based on his job, to one of the following areas: South/Southeast Houston, Texas; Southwest Knoxville, TN; or Southern Wilmington, NC. He already has job offers in each of these places, and I am a teacher, so I should be more likely to find a job in a US area than a more specialized professional might. My concerns are that we are going into this blind, not having visited any of these cities or areas. We are looking for the following:

-to buy a 3-4 bedroom home in a suburban area and set down roots, to later build a family there
-to have decent schools for me to find employment in, and later raise children in (I am a certified elementary teacher, special education teacher, and soon to be middle school mathematics teacher from NJ)
-to have a decent entertainment/social/cultural atmosphere (including festivals, shows, museums, nightlife, community sports/activities)
-a lower crime rate in the suburban areas that we would be living in

I know decent is a vague word, but I also recognize that none of these places is going to have the absolute best of all the things we are looking for. I appreciate any help or suggestions you can provide for any of these areas and our criteria.

Thanks again!

[txgrl75]

I live in Clear Lake and love it! I grew up in more of Central/Southwest Houston and moved down south before I married my husband. He is from the area and insisted on staying south. I have to say I was won over. We live in a great neighborhood full of families. The Clear Creek I.S.D. schools are great. It is far enough away from Houston (25-30miles) to relax and get away from it all but still close enough to commute daily. I drive in every morning for work. But I sure do love my weekends and evenings. Parts of Clear Lake are on the water so if you enjoy the outdoors there is lots to do.
There is a lot of affordable housing also. Look up Clear Lake on the HAR.

[SkyeAnjel]

On my side of town is Klein ISD in Spring, Cypress, Tomball and The Woodlands. Klein High School just made the list of one of the top schools (tier 1) in the area. Nice affordable suburban homes in a safe area. Good luck on your search!

[texas7]

move close to where your employer will be if possible - Houstons big.

[kschoice63]

Moderator cut: referring to a post that is no longer available

Thank you to the many others who have responded with such detail. I am curious more about the Clear Lake area. I have heard many great things about it, such as from txgrl75, and I was wondering how large that is, and if there are particular areas of Clear Lake that are more desirable to live in than others.

Thank you again to everyone who has been so helpful in this search.

[EasilyAmused]

I'd always chose NC over TX if I didn't have family here. Being that close to the Carolina coast would be incredible. Four actual seasons, an outdoor lovers paradise. Not to mention NC schools are outstanding and have several state colleges/universities to chose from that non-residents kill themselves to try to get into.

Houston is big and fast and growing. I think we'll find out in 2010 that we are the 3rd largest city, no longer the 4th.

[texas7]

There really aren't any "bad" areas to live in inside of Clear Lake. Very family oriented area. Good schools. As big as Houston is, if I were forced to pick up and move, I would stay in this area. It just feels good.