North to South Commute (Houston, Sugar Land: house, buy, schools)

[98umgrad]

I am relocating to the Houston area and have been doing a great deal of "internet house hunting" and just from an outsiders opinion, it looks like you get more house for your money north of the city and the schools appear to be higher rated. I've been looking, mostly in the NW area (Cypress, etc). My question is this: I will be working in the Sugar Land area (RT 59 and 6). Is it unrealistic to even be thinking of this type of commute??? Could I go straight down 6 and bypass the "loop" traffic? I keep hearing horror stories about 290 south. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[EasilyAmused]

That commute would be H E L L. Pushing 2 hours each way during rush hour most likely. Buy in Sugarland, its just as nice, shopping and amenities the same and the schools are just as good. And there woudln't be much drive time.

[tstone]

Highway 6 from 290 to 59 is miles and miles of stoplight after stoplight. It's only ~20 miles, so I really don't think it'll take 2 hours though. Maybe 1 hour.

The entire west stretch of the tollway might be a better option. You're reverse commuting for that little stretch of 59 from 8 to 6 so that should be faster.

Try http://traffic.tamu.edu and build your route down the tollway and check it at different times of the day!

[EasilyAmused]

Toll Road west is the best, but that sucker backs up at the tolls and it crawls in the afternoon. I just don't see the point in that drive when there is a great suburb right at 6 an 59.