Relocating from Indianapolis to Houston (Missouri City, League City: homes, good schools, budget)

[Oh_Darla]

Good to know KerrTown. I was wondering what the commute would be like from the suburbs to the colleges in the city. I'll keep that in mind.

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by KerrTown

The only colleges you will find in the suburbs are the community college systems. The universities (UH/TSU, Rice, St. Thomas) are in the Inner Loop (inner city) and are a pain to commute in from the suburbs (personal experience: UH Alum!). The only "suburban" one is Prairie View A&M and is about 20 minutes up US 290 from suburban Cypress.(Prairie View is pretty rural!) No other universities in town besides these 5.

You forget HBU and maybe someday U.T. @ Houston....

[honeyinhouston]

I'm sure you can find a home for $115-120,000 range but it won't be in a nice quiet neighborhood. The best schools will NOT be in those areas either. Be prepared to pay well over $250,000 plus high property taxes for nice neighborhoods with good schools.

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by Failed Engineer

Unfortunately, Houston is significantly more expensive than midwest cities like Indianapolis.

With Chicago excepted, this is the truth. You are going to have to increase your budget either to get the area/school district you want, or to send your kids to private school. Like others have mentioned, you're about 10 years too late.

I will say that, in its form, Indianapolis is more like Houston than any other large city in the Midwest. Sprawl in every direction, huge freeways etc. Just add more traffic.

At least visit before you make any permanent moves. Preferably in the summer. What you think of as a "heat wave" in Indy that lasts a few days is a normal day in Houston for a good three months of the year. Maybe you hate winter enough to deal with it, who knows. Add some budget for those electric bills.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Please don't be a Colts fan. Not only do we hate the Colts, but you will most likely be disappointed to see your rivals having a better 2016 season.

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Please don't be a Colts fan. Not only do we hate the Colts, but you will most likely be disappointed to see your rivals having a better 2016 season.

Maybe she just wants to see where Andrew Luck came from.

Houses don't go for $120K there, though.

[t_marney]

OP - just worked with a couple who transferred here from Indiana and it was quite a sticker shock house hunting. They'd recently purchased a new construction home for $125k and found that here they couldn't get anything close for the money. You're looking at way WAY in the 'burbs to be under $200k for new construction (Manvel down South off 288 will be your easiest commute into the Loop to reach the Universities there) and the builders there are starting in the $170's and rapidly going up. I know of some new construction townhouses in the upper $140's but that's far West side and a very hefty commute in. On the Northeast side Crosby has new construction under $200k but that is another hefty commute to inner Loop.

[KerrTown]

Originally Posted by Jack Lance

You forget HBU and maybe someday U.T. @ Houston....

HBU, they still exist? If you live along I-69 (Sugar Land or the Inner Loop/Galleria), it's great. If you have to get there from another part of town without direct freeway access (like Katy), that's a struggle during rush hour!

UT-Houston. No comment!

[NigerianNightmare]

Prairie View area around Prairie View A and M is all I can think of. But if you are a college professor you probably will be able to afford more than a 125k house.

[texas7]

You can find 1960s construction in clear lake starting in the 150s. Safe area and good schools. Really want Only one neighborhood but it's there. Camino south. Houses similar to this. 838 Beachcomber Ln, Houston, TX 77062 - HAR.com