Moving to Houston?

C

CougarBlue

25+ Posts
I may be moving to Houston in a month or so. I was wondering what the place is like. Where are the nicer areas? Where are the poorer areas? How does the cost of living compare to D/FW? How long does it take to get down to the beach from the Northern part. Any piece or nugget of info you can offer will be greatly appreciated? Also, was this the appropriate board for this or should I have posted this somewhere else.
 
In the actual city of Houston, (not suburbs), there are nicer and poorer areas but they are so closely interspersed that it's hard to be far from one or the other. Cost of living might be slightly less than Dallas... but I'd say it's comparable as far as rent/apartments go. You might spend more eating out since there are so many restaurants you will want to try (the best thing about Houston, IMO). I have only been down to Galveston once or twice since I've lived here and I want to say it takes about an hour from central Houston, of course depending on traffic. If you know what area you want to be near, (like where your job is or where you'll be living) it's a lot easier to answer your questions since Houston is so huge! Hope this helps! Disclaimer: I've only lived here for a little over 2 years so I probably don't know as much as the "H town born and raised" crowd.
 
there are nice areas all over Houston, do you know you will be working? Houston is very spread out so where you work would play a lot into where you should look to live. Are you looking for an apartment or a house?

NORTH - The woodlands is the best location however outside of the woodlands will save you money but can still be right there, with a little more country living. However if you are working in Houston you will sit in traffic for an hour each way. You will be a good hour and half from the beach.

South - Clear Lake or Pearland are really the only options but unless you know people or want to be within 30 minutes of the water I'd say no thank you.

Southwest - Sugar Land there are some great deals on houses and some really nice apartments. If you are working on the West side of Houston (or even Galleria area) this is convenient. Much like the woodlands they have all of the stores and resteraunts so you don't have to come to Houston for anything. 1 hour from beach

West - Unless you can afford to move to Cinco Ranch, the west side is starting to suck and Katy is one of the few areas in Houston where property values are dropping

Central - This really depends on the money you are willing to spend. You can't go wrong with West U, Bellaire, Meyerland, the Heights but all of them will cost you a lot of jack. Rice Millitary is a fairly new area with nice apartments and very close to downtown. Mid-Town is the place to be if young single and wanting to walk to the bars and resteraunts.

I'm sure others can add a lot more and probably disagree with what I've said.

If you know where you are going to work, your price range, and what are your priorities I and others will be able to help a lot more.
 
I'm likely to be lookin for an apartment anywhere between Kingwood and Tomball. I just thought going to the beach would be a nice way to spend a saturday but don't know the travel time.
 
I'm looking for affordability. Teaching doesn't pay very much. I'm moving down there with a friend from BYU to start up a business selling water filtration/purifiers to businesses. I am 27, single and as broke as can be so I don't want to live out of my means. Fortunately I will be attending a Young Single Adult Ward (YSA) with my church (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), so I will be able to network to find roommates to help defray the cost of rent. Folks, I truly appreciate the advice given, whether great or small. I am grealy looking forward to moving to Houston and living the American Dream. Long live Vince Young!
 
Tomball-Kingwood. That's like saying you live Austin when you really live in Bastrop.


I don't travel much in Texas except in the DFW area or if I drive up north and west through Amarillo on my way to Utah (I attended BYU). So forgive me if I'm not sure where all the little towns are.
 
You really don't have to live that far out to find affordable housing, especially if you're going to have roommates.

I don't know much about LDS and whether you plan to go to it, but if you're looking at living on the north side b/c of the big LDS temple out in Champions (off FM 1960), you can find good deals in that area for apartments, and its not as far as Tomball from the city.
 
I'm not living there to be close to the temple but, my business partner is living 10-15 minutes from it. He told me it was towards Tomball, but I'm not sure. I'm going to try to live closer to Houston though.
 
Get out a map of Houston. Draw a line around downtown, the Med Center, the Galleria area, Memorial Park and back to downtown. If you are 27 and single, this is THE ONLY part of Houston you should consider. If your budget is tight, there are plenty of older apartment comlexes, fourplexes, garage apartments, etc. that can rented at low rates. You will need to poke around to find them. Location. Location. Location. If you move anywhere between Kingwood and Tomball, you move away in 5 years and tell everyone that Houston even though you didn't live in or experience Houston.

Good luck with your venture.

Bernard
 
You know whats funny is that I served my Church mission in Ogden. Are you familiar with it? I don't want to live in Tomball, but closer to the city, and if I can afford it, I may check out inner Houston as Bernard said, maybe it won't be that bad. Thanks Guys.
 
Bernard, is that part of Houston reputable for singles because of bars and dance clubs? I don't drink or go clubbing, just curious.
 
Welcome to Houston!

My company (owned by a proud Texas Ex) publishes newcomer and relocation guides for 6 different areas (NW, NE, West, Fort Bend, Clear Lake and Texas 288 South) around town. You can order a free newcomer guide by visitingThe Link

Hook 'em.
 
Its not just bars and dance clubs. Its restaurants, museums, good movie theaters, parks, sports events, etc. etc. Listen to Bernard.

Unrelated question: You did your mission in Ogden? If the goal of a mission is to spread the word about your religion, wouldn't that be like a Catholic trying to convert people in St. Peter's Square? I assume most in Ogden are already LDS, correct? Not trying to be a prick, just wondering.
 
"Unrelated question: You did your mission in Ogden? If the goal of a mission is to spread the word about your religion, wouldn't that be like a Catholic trying to convert people in St. Peter's Square? I assume most in Ogden are already LDS, correct? Not trying to be a prick, just wondering."

Actually Ogden has more non-LDS than LDS. The Church will send missionaries anywhere, even to a place with only a handful of non-LDS (the message is that important). I kind of chuckled too when I got called there. My mission president who was from Newport Beach, CA was kind of surprised at getting called there. I had a wonderful experience.
 
Houston can be done on a budget. Look for small places in the Heights, Rice Village or close in areas. What you spend in extra rent you will save in fuel and time.

Get a copy of the Houston Press, The Thrasher (Rice U paper) The Daily Cougar (UH paper) and look for garage apartments or duplexes. You can get great loactions for bargin prices, but you have to look. If you go to large complexes or new construction you will pay for it.
To sum it up.. listen to Bernard and stay in the city. You don't need to drink to enjoy Houston... but it helps
wink.gif
 
The suggestion of finding a garage apartment or duplex inside the loop in the Rice Village, Heights, Montrose, etc. areas is a good idea. Use Craigslist and The Link to look for such places. Also check out this site: The Link
 
i might have a place in west university that you could rent for $1200. 2/1 bungalow. let me know if you are interested- i might be moving to Tampa real soon.
 
Cougar Blue:

I agree with Bernard. I lived in a garage apartment in the Heights when I was in law school. If you are going to have a roommate, there are plenty of places to live and hang out. Yes, there are bars, but if you live closer in, you have all the theatres(not movie--Alley theatre, hobby center, etc), the sports venues, the museum district, rice university, the medical center. I am not a member of your faith, but I believe there is a church close to the museum district. I really believe you should strontly consider living closer in, even if it means living in an older apt.
 
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