I called a friend in Houston last night, as I am planning on seeing her in August when I am there. Her son, who I watched grow up and know well, is a Houston police officer and he happened to be visiting her last night. I said hi to him and in the course of coversation about his patrol (which is off of Beltway 8 going towards West Houston, so is in the same corridor of Hosuton), I asked about Greenspoint. He told me that there had been higher crime rates there (theft, some gang activity) in recent years, but that a Greater Greenspoint District Public Safety Center had been set up to deal w/it. He said the center is located in the mall and houses both Houston Poice Officers and Harris County Deputies, as well as three bike patrols who are based out of the mall area. He said due to this that the crime in the whole Greenspoint area has dropped dramatically (he said he thought it was about a 3% drop, compared to overall city of Houston crime of same caliber going up 6% in same time period in the last year). He also said there is a shuttle bus service between Greenspoint and the airport called something like Greenspoint Flyer. He said he would email me today w/the phone number for the shuttle, and he thought there was a website about all of this planned Houston police and sheriff activity that has been set up. He said there have been awards given to many Houston cops who have worked hard to bring down crime in that area, and that it appears the effort has really paid off.
If he emails me the shuttle info, I'll post it.

Houston in early August should be mid 90's. Easily can reach 100. Rain in Texas is scarce in August. However, we (Austin) are working on the wettest June so far ever. Have had 13 inches + so far this month. So who knows. But, you'll only be there for one day, so who knows what you'll get. OF course it will also be hurricane season...

Re hurricaines: I only recall 2 big ones that came in through Galveston and up to Houston in the 30 yrs I lived there- Carla and Alicia. It's pretty rare that they still pack a huge whollup by the time they get inland to Houston.

IMO, Greenspoint is not necessarily seedy, but is perhaps a bit more on the "be aware of your surroundings" side.

I have spent time driving, shopping, eating in that area while waiting for a flight to arrive and have never felt unsafe. However, I have spent time around there mostly during the day and do try to avoid the area after dark.

Here is the info:
http://www.greenspoint.org/security.asp(info on safety and security in the area around Greenspoint Mall and at the Mall itself)
There is apparently info on the airport to mall shuttle on that webpage as well.

Thanks emd, you have been very helpful. Thanks for all the responses. I never thought a simple weather question could spark such a heated discussion!

Regardless of how Houtson turns out, have a great time in Costa Rica. Looking forward to your trip report on the Latin America forum.
I think the discussion on Houston is very healthy and needed. It gets a bad rap on here much of the time. Once you can get past the heat/himidity and deal w/that, it has much to offer. But being the only major city in the US w/NO ZONING is the city's big problem re tourism IMO. It doesn't make for a pretty landscape outside of downtown. Transportation is right up there also.

I thought i recognized you emd from the costa rica forums! What do you mean no zoning. Does that translate into uncontrolled haphazard type development? Sounds like people have a love/hate relationship with Houston.

Are you crazy. I have lived here my whole life and I still can't get used to it. It is the humidity that gets you. Just think of a sauna and that is how it is. You can be outside for 5 minutes and feel like you need a shower. I am never outside in August unless I am near a pool! Good luck and remember to get lots of rest and drink plenty of water.