Moving to Houston with dogs, no kids (West: apartment, lease)

[TwentyHours]

My wife and I are moving to Houston in January. We will both be working in Greenway Plaza, just north of 59, and would like less than a 15 minute commute. We don't have any kids, so we're not worried about the schools. The kicker is we have two mid-size dogs, and we'd prefer to have some sort of yard for them to run in. We're not partial to renting vs. buying, either will work. If we rent, it needs to be under $2000. If we buy, we'd like it under $200K. Any suggestions? Are we asking too much?

Thanks!

[Meyerland]

Try the area southwest of Houston at the corner of 610. Use HAr.com to search for homes to buy or rent. I suggest Westbury, Robindell, and Maplewood for your needs. Your commute would be about 15 minutes with 20 minutes at the worst.

You might be able to get into an apartment/townhome closer to your work location, but it's pretty competitive right now.

[TwentyHours]

Thanks for the great feedback, we'll check out those areas.

[Schumacher713]

There is a great dog park close to Greenway. As for that budget. Well there is nothing for 200K that is in a good area anywhere close to Greenway. Large yards will be tough too. You could lease something in Oak Forest for that price range and it would have a large yard.

1926 Althea Dr, Houston, TX 77018 - HAR.com

Something like that.

The Houston realestate market is very hot. There are no deals. My friend put her townhouse on the market Thursday and got an offer at full asking in two days. She priced it a little high too.

If you want to buy and live in the city close to work you need to at least double your budget.

[txdemo]

Robindell has its own gated dog park.

[Mr. Krinkle]

Rent a house/townhouse in Montrose, Heights, or Midtown. You won't be able to buy anything at that price though.

[Meyerland]

Robindell and the neighborhood next to it...maybe Braesmont? are a hidden jewel that has not been discovered by the masses. (Westbury already has appreciated greatly and has a similar vibe.)

It's Braeburn not Braesmont.

[AGGIEZ]

Oak Forest is a great suggestion. I used to live in Garden Oaks and the area has really turned around in the last decade. Oak Forest Elementary is also very highly rated if kids were to ever come in to the picture.

I've also heard good things about Westbury and the Meyerland area.

I think you'll need to really determine how much you can afford because it'll be tough finding something close in for $200K…outside of a condo. I've sure you've done it, but make sure you run the mortgage calculators and keep in mind that TX doesn't have a state income tax.

[cheryjohns]

It's too late to buy into Oak Forest.

Robindell was a great suggestion, though.