Young Couple Relocation to Houston - Moving next week! (Pasadena: real estate, apartment)

[kopking10]

Dear Fellow Houstanians,

We are both flying in from Europe on a 3 year contract at the end of next week! My spouse is being relocated to Houston on a L1 visa meaning I could get an EAD to work after quitting my job here. She will be working at zip code 77002.

We are not confident living off wifey's 65k nett/annum salary. So, I will most likely to find a job or to start an online business with a trading partner back at home. We have no plan for kids for the nearest 2 years.

Our budget:

$1200 all in if possible for 2-3 br house rental with a sizeable yard for a large dog.

So far, her colleagues from Houston's office have suggested areas from Spring Shadow, Spring Branch, Meyerland, Tanglewilde or somewhere around City Centre.

Any advices on the location would be much appreciated. We would get our license and buy a used car (autotrader, craiglist, edmund and carmax) for daily commute. We heard that the traffic is pretty bad during the rush hour and we are used to taking the subway at home.

Thanks again, Houstanians.

[txdemo]

What do you mean by "$1200 all in"? If you mean including all utilities like water, electricity and gas then you're not going to find a 2 - 3 bedroom house anywhere but in the very worst and run down parts of town.

You will be able to find a $1200/month excluding utilities in Sharpstown. Use Houston Real estate, Houston homes, Houston Realtors - HAR.com.

[EasilyAmused]

Maybe an older townhouse with a patio?

House with a sizeable yard and 2-3 bedrooms in that range is either 1. An hour commute or 2. Somehwere you don't want to live.

[Keyan]

Originally Posted by kopking10

Dear Fellow Houstanians,

We are both flying in from Europe on a 3 year contract at the end of next week! My spouse is being relocated to Houston on a L1 visa meaning I could get an EAD to work after quitting my job here. She will be working at zip code 77002.

We are not confident living off wifey's 65k nett/annum salary. So, I will most likely to find a job or to start an online business with a trading partner back at home. We have no plan for kids for the nearest 2 years.

Our budget:

$1200 all in if possible for 2-3 br house rental with a sizeable yard for a large dog.

So far, her colleagues from Houston's office have suggested areas from Spring Shadow, Spring Branch, Meyerland, Tanglewilde or somewhere around City Centre.

Any advices on the location would be much appreciated. We would get our license and buy a used car (autotrader, craiglist, edmund and carmax) for daily commute. We heard that the traffic is pretty bad during the rush hour and we are used to taking the subway at home.

Thanks again, Houstanians.

First of all, Welcome to Houston, Texas USA.


You're going to love it here. Unfortunately the pup will probably have to stay back. Rent a nice 650 - 750 sq ft apartment for you and the wife inside the loop. That's probably your most realistic option. (And best option on that budget)

what kind of online business are you trying to start and what country are you from?

[texas7]

Try pearland, older friendswoid - maybe the Annalea neighborhood. Pasadena only in the fairmont/space center area, deer park, clear lake in the camino south neighborhood. Go to har.com and search for rentals in those areas and you might find a home to rent in a price range that works. Older areas but decent, safe and about a 50 minute commute in rush hour. As an example Here is one in meadowgreen in clear lake. 926 Halewood Dr in har search for mls 18389820.

[kopking10]

Thank you everyone. We are coming in from Moscow, Russia.

Maybe we are asking too much with a budget of $1,200. If not possible we could live with a 1-2 bedroom house with small yard will do too. As with most Europeans, Moscow residents are also living in a small apartment or studio. Hence, we really do prefer the house as I grew up in a house.

As for my job prospect, I am interested in online business for clothings. If all would fail, I will just go back to the workforce. To be honest, I do not like quitting a job after 3 years in Houston. This is bad deal for my career and the employer.

[kopking10]

Thank you everyone. We are coming in from Moscow, Russia.

Maybe we are asking too much with a budget of $1,200. If not possible we could live with a 1-2 bedroom house with small yard will do too. As with most Europeans, Moscow residents are also living in a small apartment or studio. Hence, we really do prefer the house as I grew up in a house.

As for my job prospect, I am interested in online business for clothings. If all would fail, I will just go back to the workforce. To be honest, I do not like quitting a job after 3 years in Houston. This is bad deal for my career and the employer.

[chris_ut]

In the US it is very common for people to change employers every 3-5 years so I wouldn't worry about that to much. 77002 I believe is north part of downtown so you might look at a small older house in a Kingwood if you can up budget to $1500 for rent and don't mind 45 minute commute.

[chris_ut]

Something like this is what you can get in Kingwood near your budget: 2915 Maple Knoll Dr, Houston, TX 77339 - HAR.com

[Dahak]

You can probably find a older, clean 2 bedroom house in your budget inside Loop 610 (but electricity and water bills are usually not included in the rent price). Look in northwest corner inside this loop (also known as Heights area). This area is easier to live in without having to drive around so much. The website Houston Real estate, Houston homes, Houston Realtors - HAR.com that another poster linked is a good search tool.

For a larger, 3 bedroom home, you will have more options further from downtown, but expect to pay extra for electricity and water with those too.