i'd like to know where the nicer areas are to live, i have been told that these areas: Pearland, Woodlands, Clear lake, Katy, Sugarland, Alvin, Humble, Beaumont, Bellaire, Friendswood, Kingwood, Pasadena and Webster are all nice areas, can anyone tell me about these areas? or any other good places to live?
2006-09-13 23:46:22 · 17 answers · asked by love HB 2 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ Houston
I'm Married, both of us are training to be teachers and planning to teach in the area we are living. We don't have children at present, but do want to have a family in the future.
We want to live in a fairly rural area, but also with good amentities such as shopping and cinema and stuff.
We don't want to live in the 'city' as such, more the suburbs. We want to live near some kind of water, i.e. river/lake/sea/stream, but not so near that we are likely to have regular floodings.
we're looking at two-storey, brick homes, 4 bedrooms or more, so if you have any ideas on what sort of area would suit, please elaberate for me.
Thank you for all your great answers. x x
2006-09-15 08:42:56 · update #1
How close do you want to be to the center of town? Do you have kids? Do you want land? How much do you want to pay for your "nicer" area? Do you want theater or outdoors?
If you could add some info to your detail describing what you're interested in it would be easier to help. Houston is very diverse, which I like, but it makes it hard to say "pick this over that".
Houston has a lot of nice areas. And yes, while it is a city for people with air conditioning, there are parts of the year where the weather is WONDERFUL (low 80s, lower humidty than usual.) You MUST have at least one car per family to get around easily, though.
Beaumont, Webster, and Alvin, IMO, are too far away to really be considered "Houston". The Woodlands, Friendswood are closer but still a bit on the far side (though new contraflow lanes and toll roads make it easier to commute there.)
The other areas you mention are accessible to Houston or been annexed to Houston. They are generally nice, but most also have some not so nice areas. The difference is most of the "nice parts" of Katy, Sugarland, WOodlands, etc. are the master planned communities. Very planned.
OTOH, Bellaire (which is a little city in the middle of Houston) is an older town that has been upscaled dramatically in the past few years. Good sense of community there and a GREAT high school.
You also don't mention the museum/downtown area which has undergone massive gentrification recently and is great if you are single or young professional couple with money. Ditto the uptown Galleria area which is now full of mid-high rises.
Inside Houston limits is also the Memorial area (which runs from out near Eldridge all the way towards downtown Houston.) That can be very pricey, especially because there is a lot of green land with big houses, but its in by town. Areas of Memorial in Spring Branch ISD also have some of the best schools.
The Rice University area is also close to the center of town and is much pricier.
Try giving some more detail and maybe we can help you narrow it down better.
You might want to look at www.HAR.com to check out real estate in your price range. That might help you see what some of the neighborhoods like like as well (they usually include photos.)
2006-09-15 05:03:56 · answer #1 · answered by KarenK10 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I lived in Houston for 5 years until recently. It's a great place but very hot and humind, oh yeah and full of Americans! Sugar Land is very nice but very middle class, white America which can drive you mad. Pearland is okay, as is Clear Lake but they are quite a way out towards the East. It depends what you are looking for and if you will be working out there. Katy is okay and near the fabulous Katy Mills Mall. I would give Bellaire a miss along with Humble and Alvin. The Memorial and Rice Village areas are lovely but expensive. If you want any further information let me know. Woodlands and Friendswood are North of Houston and also very nice.
2006-09-14 07:07:19 · answer #2 · answered by Spike 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I am in Katy\(west Houston) I LOVE IT!it's quiet.
Alief has some crime issues. lots of B&E
Pearland is a bit far from Houston
Clearlake is Far from houston as well.
Sugarland IS VERY west and is almost s city of it's own.
All of these areas are almost self contained cities of their own.
It depends on what you are after. Nice Area to raise a family, upper middle class, KATY, Friendswood, Sugarland.
Alvin, cheaper cost of living, farther drives.
Humble is small and kind of an old part of Houston. Most LIVE in Humble but work elsewhere. not much there, but it's quiet and inexpensive.
I hoep that helps. if you want to ask about a SPECIFIC part of Houston, message me. I'll do my best to help.
2006-09-14 16:09:04 · answer #3 · answered by Madeleine 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i live in houston and originally from baton rouge louisianan i work downtown and live about 20 miles from downtown i live near galveston and it takes me on average 3-4 hours 2 get 2 work once u get on the texas feeeway u chance it on how long u will sit on it if the traffic doesn't kill u the heat humidity well i like it it's my home but i actually live closer 2 george bush airport in the country but u want 2 live clear lake tumball pearl city anywhere but houston it's big smoggy and hot and alot of traffic i hate the heat and traffic humidity don't bother me i'm from louisiana so yeah but out where g'bush arpt is a nice area i have a nice clean townhouse out there but houston is okay i would suggest suburbs especially clear lake thats where all the money is but don't go anywhere near south houston and anyplace where the mexicans are cause ur liable never 2 get out no one speaks english but when the street lights come on get out it's not safe but houston is just a big freeway like l.a. some say it's worse than l.a. so hope u have a great time in houston just don't rent a car or so ur liable never 2 get off the freeway cya! bellaire is also a nice area kingswood houses r real expensive!
2006-09-14 17:00:10 · answer #4 · answered by Tarheelboi1991 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Bellaire is very pricey, I think.
Clear Lake and Webster are very nice and have excellent schools.
Kingwood and Woodlands are also very nice, but I think the drive is worse into Houston proper than from the south side.
Traffic to and from Katy and Sugarland are too horrible to consider.
2006-09-18 16:21:52 · answer #5 · answered by Zippy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Southeast. Towards Galveston Island, Gulf.
Clear lake, (on Water, Space Center),Friendswood, (Water) Pasadena, Alvin, (Water), Pearland, Webster, (Near water).
About 20+ miles from downtown.
Rush hour drive, 1 hour +.
Wide price range for homes.
Near Hobby Airport.
South.
Sugarland. (Lake), About 15 miles from downtown.
Pricey. Rush hour drive, 40-45+ minutes.
Northwest.
Woodlands. (No water), About 15 miles from downtown.
Med. to pricey. Wooded.
Rush hour drive, 1-1 1/2 hours.
Near Ho. Int. Airport.
Northeast.
Humble. (Near lake), About 20 miles.
Rush hour drive, 1-1 1/2 hours. Heavy traffic.
Med. price homes.
Near Ho. Int. Airport.
West, close in.
Bellaire. (no water), About 8-10 miles from downtown.
Rush hour drive, 30 mins.
Pricey. Near town.
West.
Katy. About 15 miles from downtown.
Rush hour traffic, 1-1 1/2 + hours. Heavy traffic.
Med. to pricey homes.
EAST.
Beaumont. 90 miles from Downtown.
Med. price homes.
Freeways to all. Most all heavy rush hour traffic.
Houston has 5,000,000 and more population with suburbs.
Lots and lots of entertainment. A plethora of clubs, and international cuisine.
50 miles from Galveston Island beaches.
2006-09-14 07:34:05 · answer #6 · answered by ed 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lived in Pasadena for 3 months in 2003. Got married at the Harris County Court House.... not a bad place. Ive stayed in worse. Ok for a holiday even an extended one, but wouldn't wanna live there permanently (I'm British hubby born in Houston). Missing the Koloche shop and Whataburger sniff sniff!
2006-09-15 18:31:01 · answer #7 · answered by lollipoppett2005 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Beaumont is not nice. Its run down. Pasadena and Webster also are not.. Now on to the good cities. Any not listed in the good list are truthfully either boring, dirty, or not worth mentioning.
The Woodlands.--- Perfect, high priced community
Bellaire: Busy, high priced
Galveston: Also great, beach city.
Clear Lake: Awesome city, jet skies in front of houses. High priced.
Spring: cheap, and beautiful. Especially old town Spring.
2006-09-18 15:12:51 · answer #8 · answered by KelBean 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think the country would typically be best. I guess it depends on what you are looking for. Funny thing, I once read "a snowball's chance in Houston" by which she must have meant either little or no chance. It must be hot in Houston. I am in Pasadena, Maryland myself. I don't like it here but I think you meant Pasadena, California. Good luck and enjoy the warm weather if you're in Houston and it's warm. :))
2006-09-14 06:50:52 · answer #9 · answered by Robert B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well, if you choose to live in Houston, you won't get cabin fever, having to stay inside because of 4 feet of snow outside your front door, like the odd-balls in Sweden like to do-nor do you have to stay in and lost your mind to cabin fever from lack of something cool to do: in Houston's "Adventure Bay Theme park". Adventure Bay is a "waterpark", a " theme-park", "picnic-park" and "amusement park" all rolled into ONE!!!-
2006-09-14 07:08:57 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋