recommendations on selecting where to live

[jerbear30]

I would pretty much second everything Toy Yot said but I'd add Jersey Village to the list of possible destinations. It's a straight shot down the beltway to the I-10, it's reasonable and has good schools. I live in Spring Branch Woods which is very close to your work location and is a very fine neighborhood to live in, however the local schools are not that great. Finally, if you are looking for nature that really feels like nature, I'd suggest you check out Bear Creek Park. It's a fantastic multi-use facility and it's about as nature-y as you can get in the Houston metro area.

[DJboutit]

I do not suggest any location north of 290 since they are planing to do major construction on 290 soon

[fnh]

I live in the area Dahak recommends, east of Jersey Village inside the beltway, and also can recommend it for your wants. This is a relatively unknown and family friendly area in a convenient location for a reasonable price. We are 15-20 minutes to the Energy Corridor, 20-30 minutes to IAH, 20-30 minutes to downtown.

I tell people I live in the country even though I am east of Gessner. This area feels semi-rural with cows grazing and horse stables down the road, yet we are ~15 miles to downtown, 5 minutes to groceries and dining. There are fishing lakes, wooded jogging trails, easy access to the White Oak Bayou trail, our neighborhood has its own private nature preserve. We've been really happy here.

Also, we are north of 290 and the major construction is already happening, more than halfway completed. Even so it hasn't really impacted us. Djboutit must be referring to areas much further northwest in Cypress.

[SBDC007]

Thanks to everyone for all the info. Its really helping me pinpoint several areas to look at.

fnh - this is pretty much what I am looking for.

I tell people I live in the country even though I am east of Gessner. This area feels semi-rural with cows grazing and horse stables down the road, yet we are ~15 miles to downtown, 5 minutes to groceries and dining. There are fishing lakes, wooded jogging trails, easy access to the White Oak Bayou trail, our neighborhood has its own private nature preserve. We've been really happy here.

Any other recommendations are welcomed.

[trbstang]

Ditto on what fnh and Dahak said. I live in the same area, West Rd & BW8 and is is probably one of the more convenient areas for all you are wanting. The direct BW8 feeder was just opened up south of 290 and that gives you another north/south option for traffic, but most of the time the commute from my house to I-10 is in the 20-30 min range with traffic. After 8:30 it is 15-20 min or so, sometimes less. You can look for homes in the 77064/ 77040 zip codes, but do watch the schools. In general, homes in 77064 north of West Rd (with the exception of Winchester Contry) are zoned to Wilbern or Francone elementaries and Campbell middle school which are not the best in the area. On any house you are looking at in the area, do check the schools on www.cfisd.net and see where they are zoned to. Look at the Attendance Boundaries under Schools & Facilities. www.HAR.com is not always correct.

Certainly as us any questions about the area. Good luck!