OT: Any Houston ladies here?

[Morticia]

Hi ladies, there is a very good chance my fiance and I might be moving to Houston, from NYC, b/c he may be getting transferred there. The good news is that I know the cost of living/housing is WAY less than NYC and he would actually be making more than he does in NYC, but the bad news is I'M SCARED!

I've been living here for a long time and it makes me sad to think about leaving.

Anyway, enough whining.

By any chance, could any of you ladies recommend apartments or apartment areas? You know, just suggetions of good areas, with nice places. We will definitely be renters our first year there.

**ETA** - My FI says he doesn't want to pay more than $900 a month, if that helps.

Thanks!

 

[gingerBcookie]

Hi Morticia!

Sorry to hear you have to move from NYC, but congrats on your FI getting such an awesome raise! Houston is def very very different from NYC (but then again, pretty much all cities are

). I love it here, but there are def out-of-towners who hate it. Anyways, yu didn't ask about the city, so let fet on topic:

Cost of living here is awesome. $900 a month could be a mortgage on a really nice house. Houston is HUGE and SPRAWLING so you would need to decide how much of a commute you would be willing to make (we are a commuting city and we love our cars!) and put out a radius. Housing prices go up quite a bit once you get inside the 610 loop, and steadily drop as you get further away from downtown, and drop even more as you go outside the belt. I am gonna assume you want to live close to downtown for now. NIce places inside the loop would include:

The Medical Center - this is where I live (duh). Prices around here for apts start off at $600 and go up from there. Some of the swankier apt complexes (non-high rises) are a litle above $1000 for a 2/2.

Montrose - stereotypically known as th "gay district" but really is just a fun eclectic part of town. very popular with medicine residents because its got lots of cute townhomes and is close to both downtown and the med center.

Rice Military - very close to downtown. popular with newly graduated law students. lots of nice townhomes and apt complexes. not sure what the prices for rent here go for, but the twonhome prices are comparable to the med center, so i assume the rent should be too. can be ritzy....close to river oaks which is our millionaire's neighborhood. i don't live there

The heights - moving a bit further out, but still pretty close. i think its houston's oldest neighborhood. some parts are ghetto, other parts are nice. popular with young newlyweds looking for their first place in a cute palce inside the loop. no idea what the prices are.

sorry, thats all the info i have off hand. i'll be glad to answer any specific questions you have! it would help alot to for more specific info if you could tell us what part of town he'll be working in and how much of a commute ya'll would be willing to take. good luck and we'll be excited to add a new face to our ps houston group!

 

[appletini]

Do you know where the office will be? That will make it a lot easier. We don''t want to make suggestions and then y''all have a terrible commute every morning. We''ll be sure to have a welcome gathering for you! We can''t wait to meet you in person!

 

[Morticia]

Wow, thanks so much ladies. I am happy for my FI, if it happens, b/c it's a pay increase - which would mean a lot, considering the cost of living in NYC is ridiculous.

I was actually born in Galveston, and lived in Katy, until I was 15 yo. I've been in NY now for almost 17 years so you know, I feel like a New Yorker. I feel like I don't really know anything about Houston anymore. The thought of driving scares the bejesus out of me too. I can't tell you the last time I drove. 3 years a go, maybe?

I know, for our first year there, we are looking to live in an apt or townhouse and renting. Afterwards, we'll look into houses. Ben mentioned an interest in the Medical Center apts. I know I definitely want to live somewhere gated, with security. I'm not used to everything being so spread out, so if you can believe this, I'm more afraid of living in Houston than I am Manhattan. I feel so safe here.

I don't mean to seem high maintenance, I just feel so nervous about this whole thing. NYC is like a trap and it's hard to leave, you know? But I do know that we could have a much better quality of life if we go to Houston. We just don't have the salaries to live incredibly well in NYC. Everything is a stretch. I can also say that I will NOT miss the winters here. At all.

I would love gtg if/when I move there too! Thanks for all your help. I really appreciate it.

**ETA** - His office will be located in the center of the loop. Clay Street.

 

[appletini]

Greenway Plaza and Midtown are good too, they are both inside the loop and close to the medical center. Camden has several complexes www.camden.com, Gables www.gables.com, and AMLI www.amli.com are some to start with.

 

[LizzieC]

Welcome to H-Town Morticia!

Look forward to meeting you soon!

Ginger gave a great outline of places around Downtown. I''m going to recommend the Montrose/Rice area (where I currently live) over Med Center/Astrodome (where I used to live) though they''re both nice depending on which complex/neighborhood you''re at. Montrose/Rice is pretty and more walk-around-able, which is very nice. Lots of townhouses and duplexes for rent which is something you could consider, but can be a little pricey.

The Houston ladies I''ve met are all wonderful... We''ll be very happy to be your personal welcome wagon when you get to town!

 

[gingerBcookie]

how could i forget midtown! tres trendy and growing by leaps and bounds recently. i really wanted to move there and was pretty close to buying a place, but fell in love with my townhome in the med ctr. that would prob be the most convenient place for ya''ll.