Moving to Houston, TX area in Winter/Spring 2006
Jun 2nd, 2005, 09:24 AM
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Moving to Houston, TX area in Winter/Spring 2006
Hello everyone,
My fiance and I are planning a move from NW Ohio to the Houston area sometime during the winter/spring of 2006. We visited the area for the first time in Sept. 2004. I will be back in the area for a five days in August 2005 for a conference at the Hilton Americas. While we were in Houston we fell in love with the areas west and southwest of Beltway 8 (Katy, Sugar Land, Cinco Ranch, ect). After returning to Ohio and doing some research (including reading posts on this page) I am starting to worry that the commute from those aforementioned areas might be too much to bear. We both work in higher ed. and the majority of the major colleges in the area (U of H, Rice, TSU, Med Center) are located far away from the west suburbs. One bulider that we met with out in Katy told us that you could drive from Katy to downtown Houston in 30 minutes during rush hour. We found that to be very unbelieveable since it took us nearly that long to drive from downtown to Katy on a Sat. morning. I think that we are going to focus on Missouri City however my questions are:
1. What is the average commute time from Katy, Sugar Land and Missouri City to the colleges/med center? I understand that I-10 would serve as the main route from Katy, 59 from Sugar Land, and possibly 90-a (Main St.) from Missouri City. I have heard that I-10 is a monster and so is 59 but I have not heard or read any complaints about 90-a.
2. After reviewing some of the materials that we collected when we were down there I came across an article on Pearland. The article talked about how Pearlanders enjoy the shortest commute time to downtown/colleges/med center from the suburbs via 288. How true is this and since we did not visit this area does anyone have any info on Pearland. I heard that this area was really hard hit during the flooding in the early 2000's.
3. We are young professionals, buying our first home together; what suburban areas would you suggest that have a 1. reasonable commute to downtown/colleges/med ctr, 2.safe/good schools, 3. have new or newer (5 yrs or less)homes in the 150-200k range with 2500 sq ft or more? Does Missouri City fit these parameters?
Thank you in advance for your help.
J.
Toledo, OH
My fiance and I are planning a move from NW Ohio to the Houston area sometime during the winter/spring of 2006. We visited the area for the first time in Sept. 2004. I will be back in the area for a five days in August 2005 for a conference at the Hilton Americas. While we were in Houston we fell in love with the areas west and southwest of Beltway 8 (Katy, Sugar Land, Cinco Ranch, ect). After returning to Ohio and doing some research (including reading posts on this page) I am starting to worry that the commute from those aforementioned areas might be too much to bear. We both work in higher ed. and the majority of the major colleges in the area (U of H, Rice, TSU, Med Center) are located far away from the west suburbs. One bulider that we met with out in Katy told us that you could drive from Katy to downtown Houston in 30 minutes during rush hour. We found that to be very unbelieveable since it took us nearly that long to drive from downtown to Katy on a Sat. morning. I think that we are going to focus on Missouri City however my questions are:
1. What is the average commute time from Katy, Sugar Land and Missouri City to the colleges/med center? I understand that I-10 would serve as the main route from Katy, 59 from Sugar Land, and possibly 90-a (Main St.) from Missouri City. I have heard that I-10 is a monster and so is 59 but I have not heard or read any complaints about 90-a.
2. After reviewing some of the materials that we collected when we were down there I came across an article on Pearland. The article talked about how Pearlanders enjoy the shortest commute time to downtown/colleges/med center from the suburbs via 288. How true is this and since we did not visit this area does anyone have any info on Pearland. I heard that this area was really hard hit during the flooding in the early 2000's.
3. We are young professionals, buying our first home together; what suburban areas would you suggest that have a 1. reasonable commute to downtown/colleges/med ctr, 2.safe/good schools, 3. have new or newer (5 yrs or less)homes in the 150-200k range with 2500 sq ft or more? Does Missouri City fit these parameters?
Thank you in advance for your help.
J.
Toledo, OH
Jun 2nd, 2005, 09:56 AM
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I can give you a little info on the Pearland area since my family is very nearby in the Friendswood area.
I have experienced the short commute on 288 to downtown and yes, it's true. However, Pearland is growing by leaps and bounds and I don't know how long that will last as more and more people migrate to the area. However, I would think that at this time it beats the commute from the Katy area.
I don't know specifics about the flooding in Pearland in recent years, but I am sure it has it's fair share just like Friendswood. However, having been raised in Friendswood and having dealt with major flooding every few years of my youth, I can attest to the fact that the major building going on in the area has really helped in the drainage issues with any tropical storms and/or torrential rains. Houston is flat and flooding will be an issue in many areas, though.
You might want to contact the Pearland Chamber of Commerce for more info on the area, as well.
Good luck with your decision and your move.
I have experienced the short commute on 288 to downtown and yes, it's true. However, Pearland is growing by leaps and bounds and I don't know how long that will last as more and more people migrate to the area. However, I would think that at this time it beats the commute from the Katy area.
I don't know specifics about the flooding in Pearland in recent years, but I am sure it has it's fair share just like Friendswood. However, having been raised in Friendswood and having dealt with major flooding every few years of my youth, I can attest to the fact that the major building going on in the area has really helped in the drainage issues with any tropical storms and/or torrential rains. Houston is flat and flooding will be an issue in many areas, though.
You might want to contact the Pearland Chamber of Commerce for more info on the area, as well.
Good luck with your decision and your move.
Jun 2nd, 2005, 10:16 AM
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I live in Houston, and grew up here. I live inside the loop, so can't give you much details about the commutes, except to say that whoever told you you could get from Katy to downtown during rush hour in 30 minutes was greatly exaggerating. My mom lives in Katy, and like you experienced, making it there in 30 minutes on the weekend is tough - much less during rush hour. They are also currently in the process of expanding the freeway, so that will make the commute even worse over the next few years.
I work downtown, and know folks who live in Katy, Sugarland and Pearland. Pearland is probably going to be the shortest commute of those three, but like Statia said, it is growing a lot! Sugarland/Missouri City should meet your 2nd and 3rd parameters, but the commute time will likely be long. Unfortunately, I can't think of any areas that have good schools and 2,500+ sq ft houses that have short commutes.
The Heights is an area just north of downtown, which has older houses, but they're going to be smaller, and the schools are not as good as in the suburbs. However, if you're young and don't have kids, it's a fun place to live - lots of neat restaurants, shops, etc.
Good luck - Houston is really a great place to live and to raise a family!
I work downtown, and know folks who live in Katy, Sugarland and Pearland. Pearland is probably going to be the shortest commute of those three, but like Statia said, it is growing a lot! Sugarland/Missouri City should meet your 2nd and 3rd parameters, but the commute time will likely be long. Unfortunately, I can't think of any areas that have good schools and 2,500+ sq ft houses that have short commutes.
The Heights is an area just north of downtown, which has older houses, but they're going to be smaller, and the schools are not as good as in the suburbs. However, if you're young and don't have kids, it's a fun place to live - lots of neat restaurants, shops, etc.
Good luck - Houston is really a great place to live and to raise a family!
Jun 2nd, 2005, 01:29 PM
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I work in the Texas Medical Center, and most young couples seem to live in three areas:
- "Condoland" around the Astrodome, er I mean Reliant Stadium, or Kirby. Closest to Rice and TMC, but you may not be looking for a condo.
- Along Braeswood inside the loop, or just outside. The surgical resident that works in our lab just bought an old house near Meyerland for <$200K. It's 15 minutes from TMC, and traffic isn't bad at all. Many other residents also live in that general area SW of TMC.
- Pearland. If you want an affordable new house, that's where you go. Traffic on TX288 is getting worse, but the short distance compensates.
About 90A (South Main). Right now, traffic is pretty bad as there's construction going on between South Post Oak and Fondren. I believe they are making it a mini-freeway, plus building the construction to the Fort Bend Parkway, so there will be significant improvement in not-too-distant future. [Unlike I-10 Katy Freeway, which is still 8-9 years before construction is completed.] However, keep in mind that most of the newer subdivisions in Missouri City or Sugarland may be quite far from US59 and 90A. So, while it may only take 30 minutes to get off the highway, it may be another 10 minutes or more to get to your house.
- "Condoland" around the Astrodome, er I mean Reliant Stadium, or Kirby. Closest to Rice and TMC, but you may not be looking for a condo.
- Along Braeswood inside the loop, or just outside. The surgical resident that works in our lab just bought an old house near Meyerland for <$200K. It's 15 minutes from TMC, and traffic isn't bad at all. Many other residents also live in that general area SW of TMC.
- Pearland. If you want an affordable new house, that's where you go. Traffic on TX288 is getting worse, but the short distance compensates.
About 90A (South Main). Right now, traffic is pretty bad as there's construction going on between South Post Oak and Fondren. I believe they are making it a mini-freeway, plus building the construction to the Fort Bend Parkway, so there will be significant improvement in not-too-distant future. [Unlike I-10 Katy Freeway, which is still 8-9 years before construction is completed.] However, keep in mind that most of the newer subdivisions in Missouri City or Sugarland may be quite far from US59 and 90A. So, while it may only take 30 minutes to get off the highway, it may be another 10 minutes or more to get to your house.
Jun 2nd, 2005, 02:11 PM
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I live in Katy, and cannot imagine why anyone familar with this city would say commuting time to downtown is 30 minutes. Perhaps at midnight, or via helicopter, but not during normal commuting times.
Houston has experienced an interesting circular pattern of development. In the 70's, the growth was to the north, especially around intercontinental airport and northwest of the city. In the 80's it began to shift westward, toward Katy, and now it is building up in the south, the Pearland area and both sides of highway 288.
If I were in your situation, I would investigate the new housing coming up on the northwest, off of U.S. 59. I hear from friends that the widening of that highway several years ago has helped immensely, and they can get into the city rather promptly. It is worth checking out. Kingwood is now an established planned community, but some new construction is continuing, as well as some other areas out that way.
Pearland is booming. Period. You would have to endure the growing pains, but I suspect it would be a good choice if it works out that way.
I love Katy, but I would not build or buy out here for another couple of years. When the I-10 widening is finished, this area would be superb, but not now, especially for the Medical Center areas.
Regardless, I think you will find a much friendlier real estate market here than in Ohio, although they sell you a house cheaper, and make it up on taxes...
Good luck,
Jim
Houston has experienced an interesting circular pattern of development. In the 70's, the growth was to the north, especially around intercontinental airport and northwest of the city. In the 80's it began to shift westward, toward Katy, and now it is building up in the south, the Pearland area and both sides of highway 288.
If I were in your situation, I would investigate the new housing coming up on the northwest, off of U.S. 59. I hear from friends that the widening of that highway several years ago has helped immensely, and they can get into the city rather promptly. It is worth checking out. Kingwood is now an established planned community, but some new construction is continuing, as well as some other areas out that way.
Pearland is booming. Period. You would have to endure the growing pains, but I suspect it would be a good choice if it works out that way.
I love Katy, but I would not build or buy out here for another couple of years. When the I-10 widening is finished, this area would be superb, but not now, especially for the Medical Center areas.
Regardless, I think you will find a much friendlier real estate market here than in Ohio, although they sell you a house cheaper, and make it up on taxes...
Good luck,
Jim
Jun 3rd, 2005, 01:01 PM
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Thanks for your help. I hope to hear from more people in the area. We have talked about renting for the first year so that we can get a feel for the area. That way we are not locked into a house in an area that is inconvenient. I am excited that I will be there again for a conference in August. At least this time I will get to see the weekday/business side of Houston (on the previous trip we came during Labor Day weekend Fri-Tues). I wanted to get up early on that Tues and drive the rush hour to see if it is worse than it was when I lived in the DC area. If it is I would rather live in the dorms of the college that I work at!!
