How long did you rent in the area... (Houston, Austin: co-op, buying)

[sevfiv]

...before you purchased a home? I'm curious to find out from homebuyers the amount of time and looking that went in to the area you live in (or lived in) before you made the big decision.

I have lived what feels like a nomadic existence in Houston for the past decade or so and I'm ready to buy. The problem is that I have lived all over, but not in one area very long...

[lhafer]

We rented an apt in the Meyerland area for about 6 mnths while my husband did a co-op at one of the refineries in the ship channel. Loved the area.

When he graduated (we lived in Austin while he was in school, but he co-oped and got a job in houston), we moved to Houston and rented an apt in the Medical Center (228/610 area) for 5 years. Loved the area. If we could afford it, I would live in West U.

During those years of renting I looked around Houston (pretty much keeping east of 45 on the north side, and 59 on the south side due to husband's work location).

Found many areas that were nice, and good locations to live. Liked Clear Lake, but felt it was too expensive for what you got. While living in the med center all those years I could see 288 getting worse by the year, and only to get worse with all the growth Pearland was (and is) experiencing. Felt Sugar Land was just too far for huband's commute.

We ended up choosing NE area - Atascocita. Love the area. Love the trees, you get a lot for your money. Commute is decent for both of us. If I had to choose again, I wouldnt change my mind.

[westres1]

We rented wherever we worked for many years before buying. When we have been relocated say from DT to Galleria we moved to shorten commute. Ended up on West side which was great because work relocated offices to Memorial. We do not want long commutes and would rather move than live in a car.

[lhafer]

Originally Posted by lhafer

We rented an apt in the Meyerland area for about 6 mnths while my husband did a co-op at one of the refineries in the ship channel. Loved the area.

When he graduated (we lived in Austin while he was in school, but he co-oped and got a job in houston), we moved to Houston and rented an apt in the Medical Center (228/610 area) for 5 years. Loved the area. If we could afford it, I would live in West U.

During those years of renting I looked around Houston (pretty much keeping east of 45 on the north side, and 59 on the south side due to husband's work location).

Found many areas that were nice, and good locations to live. Liked Clear Lake, but felt it was too expensive for what you got. While living in the med center all those years I could see 288 getting worse by the year, and only to get worse with all the growth Pearland was (and is) experiencing. Felt Sugar Land was just too far for huband's commute.

We ended up choosing NE area - Atascocita. Love the area. Love the trees, you get a lot for your money. Commute is decent for both of us. If I had to choose again, I wouldnt change my mind.

I forgot to add that I work in the medical center.