Houston Area

[Tubs14]

Hey, I read a while ago on this board different places to live in Houston, but I can't find the thread. I will be moving to Houston in the near future and was wondering where some good places to live would be. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Bus Driver]

Where will you be working?

 

[SLFLYHI]

Hey, I read a while ago on this board different places to live in Houston, but I can't find the thread. I will be moving to Houston in the near future and was wondering where some good places to live would be. Any advice would be appreciated.

Where you live will depend on your situation in life (married, single, etc), but there are many great areas here. Here's my two cents:

If you have children (or are planning them), look at the Woodlands. I live here and it's a fabulously planned community. It takes about 30 min to the employee lot at IAH.

If you are single and want peace and quiet, look at Kingwood. It's 10 minutes to the employee lot.

If you are single and want to party, look at Rice Village, Galleria area - lots of nightlife and hot women.

If you don't care about a long drive to the airport and want a family environment, Katy is about 1 hr to the employee lot at IAH and HOU and is very popular with easy access to the Galleria and points west of town.

If you're laid back, try Clear Lake/Kemah/Galveston great places with access to Galveston Bay and beach living.

The best part of Houston is IT'S SOOOOO CHEAP. I used to live in Chicago and Houston is about 1/2 as expensive. We have a new house in the Woodlands that we bought in April for $130K - our mortgage is $1,030/mo WITH property taxes.

No state income tax either in Texas puts money in your pocket immediately. The weather is really hot in summer, fantastically great the rest of the year. No snow, ice ever. Lots of rain in spring and summer.

I have lived in Kingwood as well as the Woodlands and like them both equally. Kingwood has more apartment complexes that cater to airline people, so if you're going for an apartment, might be good to start there.

Places I'd avoid: Greenspoint (a.k.a. Gunspoint), south of downtown, and near east side. Also avoid Pasadena - too many oil refineries nearby.

All in all, I think you'll find Houston has everything to offer whether you're single or married, party hard or quiet lover. Come on down to club med! Just make sure the place you move into has a great air conditioner!

Steve
IAH EMB-145 FO

 

[Double Shot]

Greenspoint is to the West of IAH by about 5 miles not south of down town Houston.

 

[SLFLYHI]

Greenspoint is to the West of IAH by about 5 miles not south of down town Houston.

You're right. That sentence I wrote was of poor grammar. What I meant to say was I'd avoid Greenspoint, AND areas directly south of town. Greenspoint is indeed just west of the airport. I apologize for the confusion.

 

[Double Shot]

no worries...I would avoid it too...

 

[Double Shot]

Do not forget the 5th ward...Avoid at all costs...

 

[voteno]

Do not forget the 5th ward...Avoid at all costs...

What about BOODA, west of town?

 

[Tubs14]

Time,

Thanks for your input. It is very apperciated. I am single, but also on a budget (first year FO) so I guess my next question is are the Galleria or Rice Village areas to expensive to live at for the first year? If so what would be more cost friendly. Thanks again for your help.

 

[SuperFLUF]

Stay outside of the 610 loop unless you get the concealed hangun liscense. Living outside of the Beltway is even better.

1st year FO? Find a roomie in your newhire class, if you're single you need to live in the Galleria area.

 

[Double Shot]

What about BOODA, west of town?

Extreemly dangerous avoid it at all costs.

 

[711-24-7]

Little drive but westheimer, richmond area is nice and if you have wife and kids go to sugarland and stafford area.

 

[Prop Trash]

I'll second the thought about living in the Rice Village area if you're single. Also consider the River Oaks, Greenway Plaza, and Upper Kirby areas. These are definitely some of the nicest parts of town, so rent is going to be high. For a decent two bedroom apartment in one of these areas, expect to pay about $1,100 per month. Personally, I'd stay away form the Galleria because the traffic around there is terrible and if you must go there it's only three miles or so from the places I've mentioned.

 

[flipflyr]

midtown

Don't forget to throw Midtown in the mix too... All the "professional" gals that work downtown live right there 'cuz it's a 2 minute drive to their offices. Cool apartment complexes and the rent's not that bad.

If you're a new hire fo definitely grab 1 or 2 roommates to get the cost down. Inside the loop's the place to be if you're single. Good scenery...

I agree w/ prop trash's eval of the Galleria. It's a rat race over there - WAY too many cars for that area.

Pretty much the livin' inside the loop/downtown area consists of the places PT mentioned - plus West University, Midtown, and if you pack a "gat" - the Heights.

PM me if you have any more questions about this stuff. I lived in pilot-wood for over 2 years - as a single dude nothin' beats the downtown scene in H-town.


FF