Walking Trails, Commute, Schools (Houston, Sugar Land: for sale, rentals, low crime)

[jbhawkeye]

My husband and I are relocating sometime in the next few months from Lakeville, Mn, a southern suburb in Minneapolis. We are in a very low crime area of about 70k people, with excellent schools, lots of parks, and trails for walking, rollerblading, and bike riding!

I love it here except the horrible winter weather. Can you suggest neighborhhods that would provide walking trails, parks, and excellent schools, with a decent commute to 610 and the Galleria area. Sugar Land?? How far are the Woodlands as well, I suppose further drive?

I am also looking for some friendly, laid back neighbors with kids. Do they ever have neighborhhod get togethers? Do people grill & BBQ a lot in Houston? Are peolple active with bike riding, roller blading, etc?

We are going to be renting a home from $1200-$1400, seeking a traditional 2 story 3-4 bedroom home with 2000+ sq ft.

Also, trying to rid my fear of bugs and spiders. Are the roaches as big as dinosaurs and what can you tell me to ease my fear???

[EasilyAmused]

Sugarland for the Galleria Area.

Don't do the Woodlands to there. The drive is horrible. And that's putting it nicely.

[Josci]

I do not know why people think we have spider and roaches all over the place here...I have never had an issue with them. We have bugs like every other place in the world. I have a pest service that comes out and does normal sprays and that is it. No giant roaches with superpowers!

I would say Houston is a very BBQ friendly place!

[Kandy]

LOL! I had a fear of big bugs before we came here and thankfully I haven't seen any in over two years. I did however see a big spider when we were househunting. I loved the house but the spider scared me away. It was seriously huge.

Summerwood is a really beautiful community with lots of walking trails, great schools, duck ponds, trees, nice people, etc. I know people who live there that work in the Galleria area, but it is a bit of a commute. (By my standards). But I think it's worth checking into based on what you are looking for. It reminds me of the beautiful neighborhoods in the suburbs of Minneapolis with the greenbelts and nice homes. Here is a link - check out the pictures: Summerwood by Newland Communities | New Homes For Sale in Houston, TX

Best of luck to you in your move! ~K~

[sbhubbell]

My husband works at 610 and the Galleria and we live in Cinco Ranch, in Katy. Sounds to me like our neighborhood is exactly what you're looking for! We all have little kids, we socialize outside in the street almost every evening, and we regularly plan block party bbqs. I just moved here from Philadelphia in August and I am LOVING it. The commute is not great...usually 35-45 minutes, but it's the same as we had before. We also looked in Sugarland but liked it here better.

[icon7]

Search the posts on the various MPC's areas of Sugar Land.
You can't go wrong with any of these areas:
New Territory
Sugar Creek
Telfair
First Colony

Also take a look at Commonwealth w/in first colony and Avalon right next to it.

[Topaz]

Another vote for Sugar Land. This is the most family friendly place I've ever lived.

[jbhawkeye]

I've narrowed down to Sugar Land but neighborhoods listed start at $1600 on HAR for rentals, and I was hoping for $1500 max per month on a home. I have to be cautious as I will be commissioned in mortgage sales!! Any other suggestions to stay within $1200-1500 rent and find a decent neighborhood with great schools???

[sbhubbell]

I think you can find some great places in Cinco Ranch for less than $1500...