Relocating to Houston - apartment suggestions?
Oct 9th, 2007, 05:24 AM
#41
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bkluvsNola,
Where exactly do you live? Perhaps Austin? Your comments might be helpful to Erin464 if she were moving to Austin, but she's not. She said her move to Houston is involuntary but that she is looking forward to it.
Let the locals give their honest and real life experiences.
Erin464, I moved to Houston just over two years ago. The major adjustments were getting used to the freeway/toll road system and getting to know the people. I'm happy to live in such a multi-cultural city. You will meet people of nearly all nationalities here and the variety of restaurants offering ethnic cuisine is incredible.
Good luck with your move.
Where exactly do you live? Perhaps Austin? Your comments might be helpful to Erin464 if she were moving to Austin, but she's not. She said her move to Houston is involuntary but that she is looking forward to it.
Let the locals give their honest and real life experiences.
Erin464, I moved to Houston just over two years ago. The major adjustments were getting used to the freeway/toll road system and getting to know the people. I'm happy to live in such a multi-cultural city. You will meet people of nearly all nationalities here and the variety of restaurants offering ethnic cuisine is incredible.
Good luck with your move.
Oct 9th, 2007, 05:57 AM
#43
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Erin,
You know my opinion of Houston, but that's not my opinion of Texas nor of the South. Being is Houston will mean that you will be convenient to San Antonio (lovely), Austin (awesome), and New Orleans (you absolutely must visit New Orleans while you are down there).
Perhaps Houston is not a bad place to live, although I wouldn't choose it personally. However, you will be fairly close to some really nice places to visit.
You will also be able to take advantage of the large restaurant and shopping selection.
You know my opinion of Houston, but that's not my opinion of Texas nor of the South. Being is Houston will mean that you will be convenient to San Antonio (lovely), Austin (awesome), and New Orleans (you absolutely must visit New Orleans while you are down there).
Perhaps Houston is not a bad place to live, although I wouldn't choose it personally. However, you will be fairly close to some really nice places to visit.
You will also be able to take advantage of the large restaurant and shopping selection.
Oct 9th, 2007, 06:22 AM
#44
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Thank you all for your honest replies and advice! I never dreamed I would get this kind of help when I posted my original question 
Binthair - thanks for your response - now I know how to find a little bit of Calgary in Houston! (I keep telling all my friends that Houston needs an NHL team!)
BkluvsNola - Aberdeen is...well, to be honest, I don't think I could live here long-term. It's a great spot for easy access to castles, hiking, and amazing scenery, but the city itself is quite small and I find there is not much going on. When the sun shines its beautiful, but when its grey and cold (as it is today) the whole place looks rather drab. I come from Calgary which is MUCH bigger than Aberdeen, so coming here took a lot of getting used to. That's not to say I don't like it here though, because who can complain about being in Europe?! I've seen a lot of amazing things since I've been here and the people are so friendly. Now its time to move onto my next adventure...
memejw - I can understand how one of your biggest adjustments was the freeway/toll road system - I must confess I'm a bit nervous to drive in Houston! I figure though, that if I can drive on the opposite side on the narrow roads in Scotland then SURELY I have enough courage to handle the multi-lane freeways in Houston!
Thanks again for everything - and don't worry, plans are already in the works to visit New Orleans at some point (a good friend lives there)
Erin
Binthair - thanks for your response - now I know how to find a little bit of Calgary in Houston! (I keep telling all my friends that Houston needs an NHL team!)
BkluvsNola - Aberdeen is...well, to be honest, I don't think I could live here long-term. It's a great spot for easy access to castles, hiking, and amazing scenery, but the city itself is quite small and I find there is not much going on. When the sun shines its beautiful, but when its grey and cold (as it is today) the whole place looks rather drab. I come from Calgary which is MUCH bigger than Aberdeen, so coming here took a lot of getting used to. That's not to say I don't like it here though, because who can complain about being in Europe?! I've seen a lot of amazing things since I've been here and the people are so friendly. Now its time to move onto my next adventure...
memejw - I can understand how one of your biggest adjustments was the freeway/toll road system - I must confess I'm a bit nervous to drive in Houston! I figure though, that if I can drive on the opposite side on the narrow roads in Scotland then SURELY I have enough courage to handle the multi-lane freeways in Houston!
Thanks again for everything - and don't worry, plans are already in the works to visit New Orleans at some point (a good friend lives there)
Erin
Oct 9th, 2007, 06:43 AM
#45
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Glad we could help Erin. I also work for an oil & gas company and can provide more in depth information regarding my move to Houston.
If you have any other questions, feel free to email me at my screen name @sbcglobal.net
If you have any other questions, feel free to email me at my screen name @sbcglobal.net
Oct 9th, 2007, 08:08 AM
#46
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Erin, you definitely should check out the Aeros hockey team; my husband and I go to a lot of the games, and they are so much fun. We also have season tickets to the Texans (our football team) - the stadium is great; it has a retractable roof, so if the weather is rainy, you're protected, but when the weather gets beautiful as it does in October and November, they open it so you can enjoy the sun. We also have a lot of festivals you can check out - Bayou City Arts Festival, Greek Festival, International Festival - I think you'll have a good time.
Oct 9th, 2007, 08:53 AM
#47
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ok. So we've established that bkluvsnola thinks Houston sucks....
Erin, one place you might want to check out for apartments is at the corner of Hazard and North Blvd +/- 1 block. The apartments there are a little older (probably built in the 50s or 60s). I think they have units available because they both have for lease signs out with phone numbers. I don't know if an older apartment is your thing, but I thought it might give you an alternative to the more corporate large new apartment complexes to consider.
As for the Aero's, obviously from my screen name, it is one of my sports of choice, the play is not NHL level, but the games are a blast, very affordable, and because the team only draws a few thousand to each game, you can get really good seats.
Erin, one place you might want to check out for apartments is at the corner of Hazard and North Blvd +/- 1 block. The apartments there are a little older (probably built in the 50s or 60s). I think they have units available because they both have for lease signs out with phone numbers. I don't know if an older apartment is your thing, but I thought it might give you an alternative to the more corporate large new apartment complexes to consider.
As for the Aero's, obviously from my screen name, it is one of my sports of choice, the play is not NHL level, but the games are a blast, very affordable, and because the team only draws a few thousand to each game, you can get really good seats.
Oct 9th, 2007, 10:57 AM
#48
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Erin, you may also want to check out the Museum of Fine Arts and the Natural Science Museum as ways to meet people your own age. When I was still single, the MFA had tons of singles events that were really fun - showings, parties in the sculpture garden, live music, etc. The MNS has started doing something similar.
Oct 9th, 2007, 12:37 PM
#49
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Erin writes "I can understand how one of your biggest adjustments was the freeway/toll road system - I must confess I'm a bit nervous to drive in Houston"
Get a toll tag (TX tag) and its good throughout the state, in Dallas, Austin, and Houston.
Get a toll tag (TX tag) and its good throughout the state, in Dallas, Austin, and Houston.
Oct 9th, 2007, 01:01 PM
#50
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Hockeyfan - do you know if the apartments you mentioned have a name? Or is there a contact phone number? I'm intrigued but don't know how to begin looking into it.
I'm going into meltdown mode a bit right now because my budget is about $1000/month (though less than that would be fabulous!) I can't find a roomie so that means I'm looking for a one bedroom. Obviously there is not a lot in this price range in midtown. I'm not sure where else to look that won't be a horrendous commute to up by the airport (I've also looked in the Heights and off Beltway 8 and the 290 but I can't find anything that looks nice/is in my price range/would not be a massive commute). Sorry, just had to vent!
I'm going into meltdown mode a bit right now because my budget is about $1000/month (though less than that would be fabulous!) I can't find a roomie so that means I'm looking for a one bedroom. Obviously there is not a lot in this price range in midtown. I'm not sure where else to look that won't be a horrendous commute to up by the airport (I've also looked in the Heights and off Beltway 8 and the 290 but I can't find anything that looks nice/is in my price range/would not be a massive commute). Sorry, just had to vent!
Oct 9th, 2007, 01:20 PM
#51
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You should be able to get plenty of choices for $1,000 in mid-town for a small one bed-room or a large studio; even in brand new or very new complexes.
A quick search on a website called www.apartments.com (I have no idea if they're good or not), and I found these ones:
Post Midtown Square ($930 loft studio)
Ventana at Midtown ($951 one bedroom)
Midtown Arbor Place ($1,005 one bedroom)
Camden City ($1,030 efficiency)
And if you don't mind driving a few more miles, many more <$1,000 one-bedroom apartments near the Texas Medical Center that are very new and decent.
A quick search on a website called www.apartments.com (I have no idea if they're good or not), and I found these ones:
Post Midtown Square ($930 loft studio)
Ventana at Midtown ($951 one bedroom)
Midtown Arbor Place ($1,005 one bedroom)
Camden City ($1,030 efficiency)
And if you don't mind driving a few more miles, many more <$1,000 one-bedroom apartments near the Texas Medical Center that are very new and decent.
Oct 10th, 2007, 04:10 AM
#52
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Erin,
From what I've heard, you should be able to find a nice apartment for $1,000 or maybe a little less in the areas you are looking. Houston has a ton of supply of apartments, so I think once you get to town you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a place. I'm traveling today, but will get a number for the apartments I mentioned and post it tomorrow.
From what I've heard, you should be able to find a nice apartment for $1,000 or maybe a little less in the areas you are looking. Houston has a ton of supply of apartments, so I think once you get to town you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a place. I'm traveling today, but will get a number for the apartments I mentioned and post it tomorrow.
Oct 10th, 2007, 04:38 AM
#53
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Hi, Erin - when my husband moved to Houston a few years ago, his company set him up with a realtor to show him apartments for a day; she recommended certain ones to him, and they went and looked at all of them. If you're working for a larger company, they might offer this service - he found it to be really helpful. I think you should be able to find something nice in your price range.
Oct 11th, 2007, 09:33 AM
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Erin,
Here's some stuff that hopefully helps...looks like from several of the websites I list below, they have apartments under $1,000/mo too. Also, all of the places I mention would have really good freeway access for commuting to the airport.
First, the smaller/older apartment I mentioned at Hazard and North Blvd. has a For Rent sign for a 1 BR. The phone is 713-528-0335 or 713-805-0453.
I also saw another small building that had an efficiency For Rent sign at 1215 Banks Street. 713-529-1802.
Also, your previous post of distress got me to thinking about where I see apartment buildings, so here are some other places to consider.
On Studemont between Allen Parkway and Washington, there are a number of new apartment buildings. This is close to Montrose, Midtown and Downtown and has good freeway access. The website one building had posted was AMLI.com and the two properties I'd check out on their site are the AMLI Memorial Heights (1BRs look like they start at ~$1,100) and AMLI Towne Square (1BRs $950-1,050)The other website is http://www.archstoneapartments.com/ go to the Houston Section and checkout Archstone Memorial Heights - they show 1 BRs from $875-935. Another website to try is http://www.windsorcommunities.com/Pr...partments.aspx. I'd check out the Allen House Apartments (a bit older building, but good location too and they show a number of apartments under $1,000/mo) and the Windsor at Siena (a little more expensive, but they show some 1BRs at ~$1,050).
One other website to checkout is http://www.gables.com/gablesliving/r...aspx?Region=30. Check out their apartment buildings "inside the loop" which means inside of the 610 Freeway loop that circles Houston. Their Citywalk and Upper Kirby developments both had apartments for under $1,000. Also, all of their inner loop apartments are in good locations for the lifestyle it sounds like you are looking for.
Finally, another option, although the building appears to be a dated 70s construction is the Greenbriar Chateau (on Greenbriar at 4100 Greenbriar, just off Hwy 59) 713-523-4400.
Good Luck
Here's some stuff that hopefully helps...looks like from several of the websites I list below, they have apartments under $1,000/mo too. Also, all of the places I mention would have really good freeway access for commuting to the airport.
First, the smaller/older apartment I mentioned at Hazard and North Blvd. has a For Rent sign for a 1 BR. The phone is 713-528-0335 or 713-805-0453.
I also saw another small building that had an efficiency For Rent sign at 1215 Banks Street. 713-529-1802.
Also, your previous post of distress got me to thinking about where I see apartment buildings, so here are some other places to consider.
On Studemont between Allen Parkway and Washington, there are a number of new apartment buildings. This is close to Montrose, Midtown and Downtown and has good freeway access. The website one building had posted was AMLI.com and the two properties I'd check out on their site are the AMLI Memorial Heights (1BRs look like they start at ~$1,100) and AMLI Towne Square (1BRs $950-1,050)The other website is http://www.archstoneapartments.com/ go to the Houston Section and checkout Archstone Memorial Heights - they show 1 BRs from $875-935. Another website to try is http://www.windsorcommunities.com/Pr...partments.aspx. I'd check out the Allen House Apartments (a bit older building, but good location too and they show a number of apartments under $1,000/mo) and the Windsor at Siena (a little more expensive, but they show some 1BRs at ~$1,050).
One other website to checkout is http://www.gables.com/gablesliving/r...aspx?Region=30. Check out their apartment buildings "inside the loop" which means inside of the 610 Freeway loop that circles Houston. Their Citywalk and Upper Kirby developments both had apartments for under $1,000. Also, all of their inner loop apartments are in good locations for the lifestyle it sounds like you are looking for.
Finally, another option, although the building appears to be a dated 70s construction is the Greenbriar Chateau (on Greenbriar at 4100 Greenbriar, just off Hwy 59) 713-523-4400.
Good Luck
Oct 11th, 2007, 10:12 AM
#55
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I drive by the Allen House Apartments on the way to work; bulldozers just moved in and are tearing them down for some kind of new urban living center. So, I guess you can scratch those off your list.
Oct 11th, 2007, 11:20 AM
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Good follow-up on Allen House...I used to drive by them but don't anymore. I saw them on the same website I looked up for one of the apartments on Studemont, so did not know they were being torn down - they were pretty dated though.
Oct 21st, 2007, 05:09 PM
#58
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Just wanted to let you all know that I have arrived in Houston! I got here last Wednesday and in the 4 days since I've been here its been a whirlwind of activity - buying a car, applying for a drivers license and social security number, setting up a bank account, buying furniture, and of course, finding an apartment to rent.
In the end, I decided to go with the Estates at Memorial Heights, which is in the area that Hockeyfan suggested. I really like it! It's a bit more than what I wanted to spend but its in a great location and the apartment and building are really nice.
Thanks again to everyone who helped me out!
In the end, I decided to go with the Estates at Memorial Heights, which is in the area that Hockeyfan suggested. I really like it! It's a bit more than what I wanted to spend but its in a great location and the apartment and building are really nice.
Thanks again to everyone who helped me out!
Oct 22nd, 2007, 06:02 PM
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Erin, Céad míle fáilte! I think you made a very good choice. To celebrate - or just relax - treat yourself to the great moules frites at Cafe Montrose - luscious! www.cafemontrose.com
