Moving to Houston?

Question

I am moving from St. Louis to Houston for a job and just wondering what areas were good and bad. The office is located in Champions I believe. Would like to stay close to there. I don't have any children so I am not too worried about the schools. Just wanted to get an idea of what to expect and what kind of area it is. Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

If your going to get an apartment in the Champions area (that's off FM 1960) the apartments on the side where the Willowbrook Mall is pretty good. Across 249 where Fiesta is, there apartments behind there (they are kinda of questionable).....

Area's I wouldn't live in 1960 & I-45 (high crime), Walters Rd., Stuebner Airline (or Veteran's Memorial area) ....Here are some descent apartment complexes to try out:

from: Apartments.com
Champions Park
13050 Champions Park Dr.
HOUSTON, TX 77069
Fax: [phone]
Call [phone]

Champions Centre
13222 Champions Centre
Houston, TX 77069
Fax: [phone]
Call: [phone]

Vintage Park
15727 Cutten Rd.
Houston, TX 77070
Fax: [phone]
Call: [phone]

When you come to Houston you will find near the Champions area a lot of shopping, places to eat, it's a pretty nice area. The Champions Golf Course is near with homes in the Millions there as well. Now that's a very nice area, they have some fairly new apartment complexes in that area. I don't know what you are looking for in rent prices but for the newer/nicer complexes your going to be looking at paying approx. $700 a month for a 1 bedroom.

Don't forget you electric (you have a choice of providers) Reliant is the main provider (also the highest electric company) you don't want to miss your electric bill in Houston if it get's turned off due to non-payment it can take 2-3 days for it to be restored. (I know I use to work for them) Centerpoint gets in no hurry to turn them back on. And electric is outragous in the summer, the heat jacks your bills up, especially if you live in an upstairs apt. don't be surprised if you get bills like $2-300...

Telephone (you also have a choice here, AT& T is the main one, they offer phone/cable/internet/wireless all in one)


Entertainment:
There's alot to do in the Galleria (Mall that has a icerink)area
**downtown has come up and has alot to do as well
**There's the Zoo
**Science Museum
**The Art Museum
Note: (which the zoo, science museum, art museum are all within walking distance of one another, in the medical center near Rice University)

**Now the Rice Village is great for shopping as well.

Area's not so great:
I-10 = Bad traffic both ways, but toward Baytown bad area (industrial)
I-45 = Gulf Freeway toward Galveston (not a great area) until after your get near Nasa area, which is Texas City

59 (the Eastex Freeway)= Not great until you get past Beltway 8 (also known as Sam Houston Tollway)

I-45= Towards Dallas between Downtown & 1960 (not that great) ...after you get past 1960 it's pretty nice....you have The Woodlands right past 1960 that's very nice growing affluencial area with the Woodlands Mall and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion (a lot of concerts by the biggest stars are done there) they also have the river walk, river boat rides, and the Marriot on the water by the Mall. With homes in the Millions as well. If you go out a little further you come to Conroe, if you take the 105 exit to the left about 15 minute drive from the freeway you will come across Lake Conroe very nice, you can rent boats....

Area's to avoid:
249 & 6-10
59 near downtown (really any freeway on the outskirts of downtown Houston)

I-45 between downtown & Fuqua (this again is toward Galveston)

Greenspoint & Greenspoint Mall
Northline Mall

Heights (off 6-10 and Shepard area)

SW Houston


Great Malls to go to:

The Woodlands Mall in The Woodlands, Texas about 20 minutes from Champions area.

Willowbrook is Okay in the Champions area.

Katy Mills Mall (out in Katy, Texas take I-10 toward San Antonio, Texas) about an Hours drive from the Champions area

Galleria Mall (Watch in the parking garage, rapist have been reported there on the news) Houston, Texas

Memorial City Mall (But watch the parking lot) Houston, Texas
Deerbrook Mall (it's okay) Humble, Texas

There's a name brand outlet mall in Conroe Texas off the League Line Rd exit about 5 minutes outside of Conroe. That's about a 30 minute drive from Champions.

Towns around Houston:
Country very country: Tomball, Porter, New Caney, Cleveland, Willis..

Theatres in your area:

Theres a fairly new Huge theatre across 249 from the Willowbrook mall next to Costco.

And one in the shopping center next to Michaels across FM 1960 from The Willowbrook mall as well.

Well I hope this helps....take care.

Answer 2

I just moved to Houston from California in November. We landed in a neighborhood called Oak Forrest. It's middle to upper class, and very nice, very low crime. It's also Northwest, an all over great area. I understand from others who have lived here much longer the only area you do not want to move to is Northeast. I have been through the Montrose and the Heights, and those seem fine, too.
For me the biggest challenge has been getting lost, often. The people here are very friendly. Look on har.com -Houston Area RealEstate. It will give you an idea of what's available and what the costs are. For us the real estate was about 65% of what we were paying in Ca. Houston is a city of brick. Look for something else, or with less brick because brick absorbs a lot of heat, and this is a hot, humid city. We get hot rain. Yeah, hot rain. I've never seen that before! If you want to know more, you can email me at [e-mail]. I'd appreciate no spam, though. I'm sure you understand.

Answer 3

Houston is very large and multicultural. It's literally like an LA or NYC no exaggeration. There is always something to do. Always! Lots of events hosted. Mostly all areas are diverse. Inside 610 loop is very upscale (Galleria, River Oaks, Rice University, West University, Memorial Park) and is the heart of the city.

Champions area is nice and relatively safe. It more affordable because it is further out from the center of the city. I have friends in the Cypress/Fairfield area which is all close by.

I almost never go to SE or SW Houston. Stay away from SW houston unless you opt for Sugarland, TX which is a SW burb of Houston. Sugarland can get expensive. There are high profile people out there(NBA, NFL and other high profile folks) SW Houston(Sharpstown area, Chimney Rock Rd, Bellfort Dr., Fondren St, Harwin Dr, Bellaire St/SW Freeway intersection) ghetto areas and has crime.

Answer 4

Champions isn't a bad area. Northwest side. On 1960, north of the tollway, east of 249. A nice enough middle to upper-middle class area.

http://www.houstonareaweb.com/neighborhoods/northwest.html

Check the bottom paragraph.

Your main worry is traffic on 1960. Not too bad, but lots of stoplights.

Answer 5

Champions is a great area. I live in the Galleria area. You are close to the airport and the Woodlands. That is very nice. You are not close to downtown, or any of the major sporting events.

Answer 6

Houston is a nice city, but like any large city there are good and bad areas. I think coming from St. Louis, you will be mildly suprised at all Houston has to offer.
Most everyone here is friendly except for some gangbangers and one person named Aj lets_.........

Welcome to Houston and hope your time here is a good time!

Answer 7

Champions is a nice area. You will do fine to locate there, or east of there. going west takes you down FM1960 toward I45 - the area over there isn't as great. Congrats and welcome to Houston!

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

Houston is great you should go see the NASA space center!!

Answer 10

The Woodlands is the best.

http://www.woodlandsonline.com/

I moved here 4 years ago and LOVE IT.