Moving to Houston - What are good areas to live in? - Page 2 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

ZDogg · 07-12-2007, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halibut

How about transit? What is it like for public transportation?

Almost nonexistant in my opinion. I didn't see a city bus until I had spent a good month there. I eventually saw some sort of rail car downtown near the museum district that went for a couple kms. I don't think Texans have adapted or been given the opportunity to embrace Public Transportation.

Canada 02 · 07-12-2007, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halibut

... maybe buy a place with a mortgage from a canadian bank ...

Down here, the interest on your mortgage is tax deductable. don't know how that might be affected if you get a mortgage from a foreign bank

halibut · 07-16-2007, 11:56 AM

Anyone further the discussion to bad areas of town to avoid?

redforever · 07-16-2007, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZDogg

Almost nonexistant in my opinion. I didn't see a city bus until I had spent a good month there. I eventually saw some sort of rail car downtown near the museum district that went for a couple kms. I don't think Texans have adapted or been given the opportunity to embrace Public Transportation.

No, but then on the other hand, in Houston, they have lanes specifically for those sharing the commute to work, and they are rather efficient and fast.

Flames in 07 · 07-16-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by halibut

Anyone further the discussion to bad areas of town to avoid?

In terms of living? your realtor will be able to help you with that, but in general US cities have better nice neighbourhoods, and worse poor neighbourhoods.

You can live in areas that have lower crime than the vast majority of Cgy ... but you have to pay.

Or you can live where half the street doesn't have electricity. Buy into the best neighbouhood you can afford. Even if the house is a little ugly you'll get over it, but a good area down there is very important.

Don't know how much you want to spend but I used to say near Rice University and the neighbourhoods were great.

halibut · 07-17-2007, 08:23 AM

Wow, near rice university is really nice, but really expensive. It does have the lowest crime rate in the metropolitan area but yikes, $600000 is a little out of the price range.

Pearland, sugarland and Deer park are all rated well. Conroe is not... Does that tie to the woodlands?

halibut · 07-20-2007, 07:11 AM

bump

Fobulous · 07-06-2011, 07:45 AM

Just wanted to bump an old thread to get some feedback on this topic once again.

I have just verbally signed off on a offer to move down to Houston in late August with the official written offer to be coming by the end of the day tomorrow. I will be working for one of the major operators who has a office located in the energy corridor district of Houston. The wife and I are looking to rent for the first 6months/year until we become a little more familiar with the area. We thought it might be nice to stay right within walking distance of my new office.

Thoughts on those that know the Houston area? Is the energy corridor district a nice place to live? I see some really nice condo's that are for rent in the area.

Thanks for any and all feedback.

-FoB.

REDVAN · 07-06-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fobulous

Just wanted to bump an old thread to get some feedback on this topic once again.

I have just verbally signed off on a offer to move down to Houston in late August with the official written offer to be coming by the end of the day tomorrow. I will be working for one of the major operators who has a office located in the energy corridor district of Houston. The wife and I are looking to rent for the first 6months/year until we become a little more familiar with the area. We thought it might be nice to stay right within walking distance of my new office.

Thoughts on those that know the Houston area? Is the energy corridor district a nice place to live? I see some really nice condo's that are for rent in the area.

Thanks for any and all feedback.

-FoB.

Have you been to Houston before? Nothing is within walking distance. Nothing.

Fobulous · 07-06-2011, 09:43 AM

According to google maps, the condo's I have seen are all less than a mile walk from the office I will be working at.

YYC in LAX · 07-06-2011, 09:45 AM

http://www.energycorridor.org/communities/

bizaro86 · 07-06-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fobulous

According to google maps, the condo's I have seen are all less than a mile walk from the office I will be working at.

In houston in the summer, a mile walk requires a shower when you get to the office.

Travis Munroe · 07-06-2011, 10:02 AM

have a place to sell in Calgary first???

I dont know much about Houston but I think it would be a fun place to live for a bit!

Fobulous · 07-06-2011, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Realtor 1

have a place to sell in Calgary first???

I dont know much about Houston but I think it would be a fun place to live for a bit!

Funny you should ask. Once I have seen the details of the relocation package I may be in touch. I believe the company I am going with is going to handle the full sale and all other moving related expenses, but I am not entirely sure at this point. Will keep you posted!

Thanks,

-FoB.

J Diddy · 07-06-2011, 11:25 AM

Not sure if this helps but my sister lives in The Woodlands, TX. Beautiful area. When they were transferred out of Houston and then transferred back they picked The Woodlands to live in again.

afc wimbledon · 07-06-2011, 11:49 AM

I am wondering why you would buy a house down there? the US market is still in freefall and looking to drop another 20 to 30% in some areas, unless you are going to be there for decades you could lose a bundle.

Fobulous · 07-06-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I am wondering why you would buy a house down there? the US market is still in freefall and looking to drop another 20 to 30% in some areas, unless you are going to be there for decades you could lose a bundle.

Not looking to buy at this point in time. Just looking to rent for the first year. Will make a decision after that.

valo403 · 07-06-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afc wimbledon

I am wondering why you would buy a house down there? the US market is still in freefall and looking to drop another 20 to 30% in some areas, unless you are going to be there for decades you could lose a bundle.

And stable or rising in others. The "US market" is a big frickin place.

afc wimbledon · 07-06-2011, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valo403

And stable or rising in others. The "US market" is a big frickin place.

I would agree with you to a point, although everywhere has taken huge hits over the last few years, and if the market goes south again as it would appear about to do, even the stable areas will get it, all be it less and for a shorter period, there is nowhere in the US it is a good idea to buy into for a just a few years, a decade or more is different.

afc wimbledon · 07-06-2011, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotze

Its not a sure thing (although chemgear would argue it is then mention a big oil bonus for some reason I can't figure out)

Houston would have the Calgary like very healthy employment numbers, but does not have the stupidly overpriced Calgary home prices. You would not be wise to lump it in with Vegas or Florida. But that being said, who the fata knows what home prices will do.

Flobulous is right, stay for a year and talk to people who have lived there forever and get a feel for it.

I would agree long term, but short term the whole US market is jittery and on edge, I'd be leary of buying anywhere if I was looking at selling it again within a few years.

Its cold comfort if you take a 10% loss only for the market to rebound 6 months after.