Pls help me choose a suburb (Houston, Sugar Land: 2013, affordable apartments, safe area)

[nouvelle.2013]

Hello

I'm posting here to get some different opinions and suggestions. I'm now in phase of brainstorming.
I'm a mid-30s single mother of one kid (who is in elementary school). I need a fresh start in my life. Currently i live in Louisiana. I plan to move (if that's the right place for us) to a Houston's suburb (Katy, Sugarland, The Woodlands, Spring). Here is my wish list. It is in order from the most important, to the least one. That'll be very exciting if i can find a place with most of my wishlist points:

- Good public schools,
- Safe area,
- Affordable apartments (less than $800),
- Administrative job opportunities (in that suburb) to which I'll apply to.
- Live in a place where it'll be a walking distance to grocery shops, parks, public transportation (this point is mainly for my parents who visit from time to time and who don't drive),
- Ethnic and cultural diversity.

It's very difficult to tell about a place just by searching the net, or receiving visitors bureau booklets. I know that my list may sound too demanding, but I feel that there might be a place out there with some or most of the criteria I'm looking for.

Looking to read from you. Thank you in advance for your time

[cla]

Originally Posted by nouvelle.2013

Hello

I'm posting here to get some different opinions and suggestions. I'm now in phase of brainstorming.
I'm a mid-30s single mother of one kid (who is in elementary school). I need a fresh start in my life. Currently i live in Louisiana. I plan to move (if that's the right place for us) to a Houston's suburb (Katy, Sugarland, The Woodlands, Spring). Here is my wish list. It is in order from the most important, to the least one. That'll be very exciting if i can find a place with most of my wishlist points:

- Good public schools,
- Safe area,
- Affordable apartments (less than $800),
- Administrative job opportunities (in that suburb) to which I'll apply to.
- Live in a place where it'll be a walking distance to grocery shops, parks, public transportation (this point is mainly for my parents who visit from time to time and who don't drive),
- Ethnic and cultural diversity.

It's very difficult to tell about a place just by searching the net, or receiving visitors bureau booklets. I know that my list may sound too demanding, but I feel that there might be a place out there with some or most of the criteria I'm looking for.

Looking to read from you. Thank you in advance for your time

- Affordable apartments - you will have a hard time with that budget in any of those areas (I'm not sure about Spring). You may be able to find a 1 bedroom in an older complex
- Administrative job opportunities (in that suburb) to which I'll apply to. - This one will be harder to find in Katy as it doesn't have the number of businesses that Sugar Land has.
Live in a place where it'll be a walking distance to grocery shops, parks, public transportation (this point is mainly for my parents who visit from time to time and who don't drive) - Unless you live near Mason Rd, Katy is not going to give you this. And there is no public transportation in Katy, except for the Park n' Ride for weekday commuters into the city.

[mingna]

nouvelle, I posted this before but will repeat again in case you didn't see it. I currently live in Sugar Land and believe it meets all of your criteria. My impression is that all of the schools in SL are good - despite what others may tell you based on rankings, perception, and what-not. Of course, a lot of your childs' educational experience will also depend on parental involvement and guidence, but I am happy with my childrens' elementary school experience. I live within walking or biking distance of 3 major grocery stores, 3 playgrounds, 2 parks, retail shops, and various restaurants (chain and ethnic non-chains). Within walking distance of my childrens' school is an apartment complex. As for job opportunities, SL has a lot of businesses and office complexes, but no public transportation that I know of. You will need a car. Pls. PM me if you'd like more details.