Moving to Houston - Need help finding the right location (Dallas: rent, houses)

[Imperion]

Hello,

I'm moving to Houston soon from Washington DC and I could use your help in selecting an area to live. I'll be working in Uptown and will need to commute there on a daily basis.

This is what I'm looking for, listed in order of importance:
- Minimal crime
- Great schools
- Under 30 minute commute from Uptown (somewhat flexible on this)
- Low flooding risk
- Lower property taxes
- Budget is under $500k for a 2,100 - 2,800sq ft house. I don't want bigger. Budget could be higher if needed.
- A small town feel, shielded from the chaos of the big city.


So far, Cinco Ranch and Sugar Land look like the best choices but I'm open to other options.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by Imperion

Hello,

I'm moving to Houston soon from Washington DC and I could use your help in selecting an area to live. I'll be working in Uptown and will need to commute there on a daily basis.

This is what I'm looking for, listed in order of importance:
- Minimal crime
- Great schools
- Under 30 minute commute from Uptown (somewhat flexible on this)
- Low flooding risk
- Lower property taxes
- Budget is under $500k for a 2,100 - 2,800sq ft house. I don't want bigger. Budget could be higher if needed.
- A small town feel, shielded from the chaos of the big city.


So far, Cinco Ranch and Sugar Land look like the best choices but I'm open to other options.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Welcome! I moved from LA via Dallas and its been great here.

I would start by saying there is no way on Earth youd make it to the Galleria Area from Cinco Ranch in under 30 minutes consistently. Youd have to have near no traffic to do that. Even Sugar Land is pushing it, but it could be done under the right circumstances.

Would you consider being in Houston itself? There are areas like Willowbend/Willow Meadows where you could be a 2000 square foot house for $500K and the schools are good. I wouldnt call it a small town feel, but its definitely a very homey neighborhood kind of feel.

[a_guerrajr]

Spring Valley
Timbergrove
Bunker Hill

Cinco Ranch, you are at the mercy of I-10 or Westpark Tollway. Would really depend on your start/end time.
Plus all the other CR / Katy folks driving in.

I'd also say rent for a bit before you try and dump $500+K , get a feel for the vibe of n.hood you prefer.

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by a_guerrajr

Spring Valley
Timbergrove
Bunker Hill

Cinco Ranch, you are at the mercy of I-10 or Westpark Tollway. Would really depend on your start/end time.
Plus all the other CR / Katy folks driving in.

I'd also say rent for a bit before you try and dump $500+K , get a feel for the vibe of n.hood you prefer.

I dont think $500K will get much of anything in Bunker Hill. Those houses go for at least $1,000,000.

Timbergrove, maybe.

[gwarnecke]

Spring Valley Village and Bunker Hill Village are great and conveniently located but you'd have to spend $700k+ just to get a teardown. Timbergrove doesn't meet the good public schools requirement.

If you could push your budget to $700-800k, you might be able to find a 1960s ranch-style house at the west end of 77024 or in 77079. Or a 1950s ranch in Timber Creek, which is zoned to the same schools as Spring Valley Village but is slightly cheaper. Watch out for flooding in 77024 and 77079 neighborhoods that abut Buffalo Bayou.

I'd avoid Cinco Ranch - you'd likely have an hour commute each way unless you left REALLY early or late. Maybe look into close-in Katy (Green Trails or Kelliwood) or Sugar Land (neighborhoods in the general vicinity of the Hwy 6 and I-69 interchange).

[Guinness2000]

Neither one of those will come close to a 30 min drive. You will have to live in Houston.

[SugLandDAd]

None of the above.

[Imperion]

Thank you all for your feedback. I'll focus on finding something closer to uptown.

[Texas100]

Cinco Ranch. Many Cinco Ranch residents commute to the Galleria area. If that's too far for you then I would still look on the West side off of I-10 and South of the I-10. West is the best for the most part in Houston. The west side is the best side. If you follow that slogan you can't go wrong.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by Texas100

Cinco Ranch. Many Cinco Ranch residents commute to the Galleria area. If that's too far for you then I would still look on the West side off of I-10 and South of the I-10. West is the best for the most part in Houston. The west side is the best side. If you follow that slogan you can't go wrong.

Please quit perpetuating anti-north-of-Katy Freeway bias.

OP, feel free to look north or south of I-10.