I'd like to correspond with someone who knows a little about real estate in Houston and the greater Houston area. (anyone should know more than I do!)

If you wouldn't mind corresponding with me off of the Fodor's forum my email address is:
[email protected] (remove nojunkmail from address)

Thanks!

hi there,
We live in north west houston, the subdivision is called lakes on Eldridge. if you are looking to move there, have kids I can recommend it.
Good road links, near to major supermarkets, malls etc, yet peaceful. It is a gated community and is very pleasant indeed.

If you are looking for an up and coming suburban area to the south, I can recommend Pearland.

I'm definitely no real estate agent, but I've been in the Houston area all my life. What type of information are you wishing to receive?

All bets are off. The Today show just had a segment about booming real estate prices post the hurricanes.

Apartment rents have doubled in Houston in the last 2 weeks.

$80,000 houses in Baton Rouge are now selling for $200,000.

Statia, I have to laugh about Pearland. My best friend's parents have lived out there ever sicne I've known her for 30 yrs. There was nothign out there even last time I went about 5 yrs ago, but I guess it has been discovered now. What next, Manville? It is probably booming now too. These were sleepy little semi-rural areas a short time ago.

Nothing to laugh about Pearland these days. Many of my colleague at UT-Houston live there. You can find all imaginable national stores at the 288/518 junction, and it's a lot closer to Texas Medical Center than other communities around Houston like Sugarland or Woodlands.

Yes, the growth of Pearland is amazing. I was raised in the Friendswood area and went thru Pearland quite a bit over the years. When I drive thru that area now I'm in total shock and know many families who are flocking there for various reasons.

emd, no I don't think it'll be Manville. Maybe Santa Fe? Your comment was funny. Actually, there are new subdivisions, grocery stores, etc. popping up at all those formerly empty exits down 45 south past League City now. I wonder just how much growth will end up out there and often think I should have bought property in that area (rather than north) before I left.

Hi aileenw, Lakes on Eldridge is really nice! But a bit out of our price range.
To clarify a bit more, we would like to stay on the South/Southwest side. We have looked at a few communities on Eldridge at West Belfort.
No kids yet, but school districts are still important to us in the future.
Is there any big differences in living in Fort Bend County compared to Harris?

ttt

Also looking at Katy, the Greatwood and Sweetwater areas.

I'm trying to top this again because it was not "topped" the first time I posted this morning and it still showed my last reply on 10/01 as the last reply...weird.

Shamelessly topping my thread again for anyone who can help that hasn't seen it.

Would love to hear some feedback on school districts!

Regarding schools, are you more interested in a particular age (ex: elem vs. high school) or are you looking at the district as a whole?

moldyhotels, (I never thought I would address someone as that!)

We are interested in the whole school district. We don't have any kids yet but it is a major consideration for us before we purchase a home.

I have heard that Houston and Alief ISD's are pretty bad as a whole. I wonder if anyone has experience with Lamar Consolidated?

Speaking in generalities, the best districts are in "suburbia." I don't know the specific district you have questioned. Check the link below for the 2005 accountability ratings. It should not be your sole source of information, but it is a good starting point.

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfrepor...005/index.html

Why are you moving to Houston? My husband and I moved here 3 years ago, and can't wait to leave this area. Traffic is horrendous, heat is unbearable, and you will feel like you're living in a 3rd world country...! To be real honest, be prepared for alot of hispanics... I have seen most neighborhoods that used to be nice go to Crap in a hand basket - Spring Branch, Bellaire, Northern Houston area -

You will pay a premium price to live in nicer neighborhoods - and real estate here is not as cheap as it used to be - UNLESS you live in an area that has alot of hispanics.

ALSO - be warned that if you attempt to run a RED Light, there is someone else hoping to do the same. I have seen more accidents here because to that scenario.

ALSO, if they are on the Cell Phone, they are not watching their driving - this city has the highest incidences of accidents stemming from Cell phones, and running red lights (in the Nation).

Schools - most of them have an average of 65% ethic groups.

It was also recommended that I learn Spanish in order to get a better paying job. (I used to live here over 15 years ago, and had no problem finding work - this is not the case now)

We're from Pennsylvania, and we are leaving by the Spring.

I wish the best in your venture down here.

Jules

Wow...Heart of a Gypsy...strange screen name for someone who seems to resent minorities.

Perhaps I have mis-read your message but it comes across as borderline racist to me.

I ALREADY live in Houston. I am looking to purchase a home here. Living in Houston is not for everyone.
Regarding the weather: I'm from South Louisiana so I'm quite accustomed to the heat and humidity.
Regarding the traffic: Houston is the 4th LARGEST city in the U.S. Of course, traffic will be an issue.
Living in a 3rd world country??? I have no idea how to respond to that. If you are talking about Houston's diverse culture that happens to be one of the things I LIKE about the area. Because my kids will grow up in the area and be exposed to many different ethnicities (Including my Asian husband, I might add), I hope they will be more open-minded than you appear to be.
Again, perhaps I have taken some of your statements in the wrong way...I sincerely hope so.

I don't mind the diversity, but what I do mind is how much this city has been allowed to suffer because people don't think anything about trashing Houston. Like I mentioned, I used to live here, love it alot. And sadly, I can see how the poorer sections of town have been allowed to go downhill - while areas like River Oaks seems to enjoy looking wonderful nice.

I also understand that ethnic groups can bring their bad habits (and good) with them. Since I have lived in foreign countries all my life, I don't understand why being poor should have something to do with being less clean?

I live in a less than nice neighborhood that used to be quiet and clean. Strangely enough, it is also overpopulated by certain groups.

Yes, I have friends who are of different minority backgrounds too.

This is just an opinion of what I have seen, and Had I of known, I would have never come back here...

What Jules descibe is most large cities in US as well as in the world. Go look at Philadelphia, since that's where she's from. Hahaha...

Didn't say I was from Philly - and I know they have a similar problem.

Most cities are as you say.

*J*

Just my observation - and my experience of Houston - that's all.