Moving From Colorado Springs (Houston, Sugar Land: home, neighborhoods, schools)

[Bob_The_Man]

As pretty as it is in Colorado, we've made the decision to move to Texas. Even though I'm a native Texan my knowledge of the Houston area is limited... but we need to be closer to relatives in they're waning years and to escape the winter snows. We have a couple of elementary age kids, and schools are a big concern. I've been checking out the area neighborhoods online for a while but its becoming a tad overwheming. I will be keeping my job, only now I will be full time work at home (yeah!) no communting... did I say yeah?! Anyway, my wife will need to quit her job as a dental assistant and will need to find work once we arrive - but we don't anticipate any problems there.

I love sailing and swimming, water sports, etc and so we are attracted to the southeast side of Clear Lake, Seabrook, etc.... but concerned about the potential for flooding in those areas.

Here's my question. If you could live anywhere you wanted in the Houston area in the price range of 200k - 275k, where would it be and why? What areas would you steer away from? Any help would really.... REALLY, be appreciated. thanks!

[TGM]

My preference is for the north side of town. The Woodlands has what you are looking for, and if you want a bigger lake you can move further out I-45 toward Conroe.

If you want a good idea of flooding possibilities check out the following website: http://www.hcoem.org/
click on Evac zones and maps for Hurricane info, and check out
http://www.tsarp.org/viewmaps.html (broken link)
for flooding due to other storms or heavy rain.

Good luck,

TG Marrs

[energyjunkie]

Definitely The Woodlands!!! It is very clean and everything you could possibly need or want in terms of retail is right there! The schools are all very good, but do stay away from OakRidge (school in Spring, TX), not nearly as good in my opinion. Everyone is really nice and there are tons of stuff to do and see. Plus if you decide to go to the oprah, art museum, plays, ect...you are only about 30 minutes away! Often The Woodlands is referred to the "Bubble" b/c people that live there never really leave b/c it is so nice and everything is right there!!!

[Topaz]

Welcome, Bob-the-Man! We chose Sugar Land because of the excellent schools, Lifetime Fitness (similar to VillaSport in Colorado Springs), Whole Foods Market, and affordable prices (Inner Loop was out for us). Regardless of which Houston location you choose, you will probably be SO happy this winter when it isn't snowing in Houston. My family lived in Colorado Springs for 14 months and we were there for the blizzards of 2006 - it was awful! I never want to live in that type of weather ever again.