Houston housing

SHRINK_MD · Mar 21, 2006

Now that housing threads are proliferating, I thought I'd try my luck on here too. I matched at Baylor but don't really know anything about Houston except that finding an apt there has no doubt become more of an issue after Katrina. Was wondering if anyone has tips on looking for a place there? Thanks in advance.

geekOCD · Mar 21, 2006

Have you tried houston.craigslist.com? There's a BUNCH of apartment complexes around the medical center...finding housing should be NO problem.

u_r_my_serenity · Mar 21, 2006

There is a nice gated apartment complex near the Texas Medical Center that many Baylor residents live in. The surrounding area is bad but the complex is nice and very close. I wish I could tell you the name of it.

EM Junkie · Mar 21, 2006

I am an MS4 at UT-Houston. I belive the apartment complex that was mentioned is The Lanesborough. It is right on the light rail line in Houston, and MANY med students live in this complex. My wife and I live in a complex called The MacGregor. It is very convenient to the med center, but not on the light rail line; it is also a little more expensive.

If you need more info. about the area feel free to PM me!

-Scott, MS4

Drill2Fill · Mar 22, 2006

I am moving to Houston in the summer, to a place on Kirby Dr. It's not on the rail but very nice apartments. It's called Kirby Place, I think they have a special going for med students right now.

Houstonian83 · Mar 22, 2006

There's lots of options in the med center. We're leaving (graduating 4th year from Baylor) but had no problem finding a place. At the risk of shilling, I won't post my own ad for my place, but I can be PMed.

jschwartz · Mar 22, 2006

Thanks all! I'm looking for a place in Houston too, hope those that offered more info don't mind PM

lilycat · Mar 22, 2006

Finding a place near the med center should not be bad at all.

First off, does your program offer subsidized or free parking? If they don't, you may want to live in a community that is close to the rail line.

Condoland is an area south of the med center with a few apartment complexes (the Greenbriar and the Lanesborough are sort of at the northern edge of condoland) and lots of condo complexes. Pro of this area is that it is very close to the med center and generally well-priced. Con is that there is very little to do in the immediate area and its not aesthetically pleasing, if that is an issue for you. There are residents and fellows who live in this area, but I would say that it tends to be a little more popular with students than with residents (usually because residents buy homes within a year or so).

Other apartment complexes that are still very close to the med center, but not in the condoland area include Kirby Place, Archstone Brompton, Camden Vanderbilt, and the Maroneal. The only one that I hear occasionally "iffy" things about is Archstone Brompton. About half of the units there have been remodeled due to flooding during Tropical Storm Allison. I live at Camden, which generally has been pretty good. I'm not a huge fan of the front office staff, but the property is generally well-maintained, W/D in each unit, 3 pools, and workout facilities. Plus, it's right at the edge of West University, a really nice neighborhood where a lot of attendings live, and it's right next to a grocery store and a Barnes & Noble. I think that Kirby Place and the Maroneal are more or less equivalent to Camden in terms of the amenities offered and general state of the complex. Maroneal used to offer trash pick-up at the door as well.

Other options would include some of the new condos and townhouses that are going up in the Midtown area, which is basically between downtown and the Museum/Med Center area. The pro of this area is that you could end up in a nice new swanky place, and there are also lots of popular restaurants (fine dining and divey) and several popular clubs/bars/lounges. It also is on or close to the rail line. Con is that it is a neighborhood still in transformation and can be a little rough around the edges.

If you are looking for something more unique, there are lots of lovely duplexes and 4-plexes in the Southampton neighborhood, which is just north of the med center (it borders the northern edge of Rice U). It's an old, established neighborhood with beautiful tree-lined streets. Most of the duplexes run about $850 (1-bed) to $1250 (2-bed usually with office). Hardwoods, original 1940s glass door handles, etc. Pro -- close to med center, beautiful area, when you leave work you truly feel like you are out of the med center, and still close to lots of stuff (right next to Rice Village). Con - not every place has a w/d, can be more pricey than apartment complexes, private owners (some are more responsive than others).

There are also some new condos that went up in the Hermann Park area but I'm not sure what the name of the complex is.

abcyxz · Mar 22, 2006

Can anyone offer any insight to single family homes? I hear Pearland is a popular place amongst residents??

GoRedSox06 · Mar 22, 2006

abcyxz said:
Can anyone offer any insight to single family homes? I hear Pearland is a popular place amongst residents??

Hi all...
My wife is graduating and we matched out of Houston. We currently live in Pearland and love it. It's quite and the commute is like 15 to 20 minutes (shorter if you drive like my wife). We are going to sell our house in Pealand and I have lived there for 4 years. If anyone has any questions, ask away. Also...if anyone is interested in more info on our house (2003, 3 br, study), PM me! Sorry for the shamless shill but I would rather help out someone that doesn't know the area not get screwed over. Thanks!

elee20 · Mar 22, 2006

My wife is a agent and she helps out residents and med students often pm me if you all need help finding housing. She would be glad to help!

EM Junkie · Mar 22, 2006

abcyxz said:
Can anyone offer any insight to single family homes? I hear Pearland is a popular place amongst residents??

My wife and I grew up in Pearland, so I can answer any questions you may have. There is certainly plenty of affordable housing there for residents. The commute, however, is NOT 15-20 minutes as advertised by another poster (unless you are leaving at 5am). If you are entering a specialty where you need to be there at normal times (7-9am), then expect to spend up to an hour in the morning commute.

I would also recommend against some of the older, lower priced neighborhoods such as Southdown. Some of the shady elements from south Houston have been moving in to these neighborhoods, along with their gangster children. Beware!

For those looking to rent or buy homes/condos/townhomes in the Houston area, www.har.com (Houston Association of Realtors) has a very good website that allows you to search the full MLS listings with lots of details for free and without obligations (like Realtors bugging you).

Good luck to you all!

GoRedSox06 · Mar 23, 2006

Drive time is important so consider it. Bear in mind that suburbs are established for a reason and the drive time is a trade-off for living in a vastly different way. VERY TRUE that some subdivisions/neighborhoods aren't as nice as others. Search for houses in the surrounding area when you are interested in one to see what is around your home. And definitely ask someone other than your realtor!

I drive from Pearland to the Galleria area EVERYDAY and I just wanted to add that estimating drive times in Houston is like Russian roullette. It can take me 30 minutes, it can take me an hour or more. Construction is constantly going on. It can take just as long to get across town within Houston as it can take to drive in from a suburb like Pearland. And you don't have to leave at 5 am to get there in 15 minutes. Leaving between 6:45 and 7:30 will buy you a 40 minute ride from house to parking lot and coming the other way around 3:45 will be the same way. My wife's hours were extremely rarely anywhere close to being 7-3 as a med student so I can't imagine it being that way as a resident very often either.

Also, being near the rail sounds like a great idea until you consider when most of you will be needing transportation. Depending on what you are going into it is up to a 20 minute wait to get the rail and it doesn't run 24 hours a day. It starts at 5:30. Personally I didn't want my wife waiting around in the areas that rail runs after dark. Safety is an issue in the medical center itself and security will only escort you within the TMC parking lots. For us it was worth the cost and time to live elsewhere.

curious1 · Mar 23, 2006

How is the area around the Galleria with all the high rises? The Mark, the Manhattan, the Empire, the Metropolis... any of those ring a bell. Good or bad?

EM Junkie · Mar 23, 2006

GoRedSox06 said:
Leaving between 6:45 and 7:30 will buy you a 40 minute ride from house to parking lot and coming the other way around 3:45 will be the same way.

Don't forget to add in the time that you will spend getting from the parking lot to your classes or the hospitals. Sometimes that can be 15-20 minutes as many of the TMC institutions do not allow you to park in the garages - you have to park off site, up to a mile away and take the rail or bus into the Med Center.

lilycat · Mar 23, 2006

curious1 said:
How is the area around the Galleria with all the high rises? The Mark, the Manhattan, the Empire, the Metropolis... any of those ring a bell. Good or bad?

They're all nice. You'll definitely run into far fewer med center people in that area, which can be a positive or a negative depending on your viewpoint. The main negative for me would be the commute. If you are regularly planning on getting to work NO LATER than 7am, the morning commute would probably be okay (~20 minutes to get to your parking place in the med center, assuming you either get some form of subsidized parking or decide to pay for it yourself), but the nighttime commute could be awful -- surface streets or by freeway. It's taken me over 45 minutes on a few occasions to get from the med center to the galleria area during peak traffic times.

curious1 · Mar 23, 2006

Thanks for the info. I am thinking of buying a place in the Galleria area. Do you think the stuff there will hold its value? Short term, long term prospects? Seems like a lot of new construction is going on but prices are still relatively low (i.e. 160-180 sq/ft for a really nice luxury place). Any other suggestions?

elee20 · Mar 23, 2006

Well considering there is a lot more to purchasing a home than just finding one that has four walls and a driveway, I would suggest using a Realtor. Yes HAR is a wonderful resource to search for homes listed in Houston, however it is not going to help you through the process. Also those of you who think you can just call the listing agent and have them right the contract and do all the work are sadly mistaken. The listing agent is working for the Seller and the Seller only. Their job is to obtain the highest amount of money for their clients and have no obligations or loyalties to you purchasing a home. You need someone who can go to bat for you and make sure you are purchasing a well priced home. Title insurance, inspections, and a reputable mortgage company have to all be factored in as well.

And just because you grew up in Pearland does not mean you know the dynamics of all of the Houston market. Each area and neighborhood will bring many different factors and element into determining fair market value. Unless you like overpaying for a home I suggest seeking the assistance of a professional. You don't have to use a Realtor who will "bug" you but someone from a reputable company who is focused on providing a service and protecting the interest of their clients like myself. Yes there are many companies who hire any person off the street to sell homes, however there are also those that are in the business as professionals.

Unless you can say you purchase two to three home a month please do not try and negate the knowlegde and service that a "Realtor" can provide to someone buying a home in a city they know nothing about!

Real Estate Agent

EM Junkie said:
My wife and I grew up in Pearland, so I can answer any questions you may have. There is certainly plenty of affordable housing there for residents. The commute, however, is NOT 15-20 minutes as advertised by another poster (unless you are leaving at 5am). If you are entering a specialty where you need to be there at normal times (7-9am), then expect to spend up to an hour in the morning commute.

I would also recommend against some of the older, lower priced neighborhoods such as Southdown. Some of the shady elements from south Houston have been moving in to these neighborhoods, along with their gangster children. Beware!

For those looking to rent or buy homes/condos/townhomes in the Houston area, www.har.com (Houston Association of Realtors) has a very good website that allows you to search the full MLS listings with lots of details for free and without obligations (like Realtors bugging you).

Good luck to you all!

curious1 · Mar 23, 2006

elee20 said:
Well considering there is a lot more to purchasing a home than just finding one that has four walls and a driveway, I would suggest using a Realtor. Yes HAR is a wonderful resource to search for homes listed in Houston, however it is not going to help you through the process. Also those of you who think you can just call the listing agent and have them right the contract and do all the work are sadly mistaken. The listing agent is working for the Seller and the Seller only. Their job is to obtain the highest amount of money for their clients and have no obligations or loyalties to you purchasing a home. You need someone who can go to bat for you and make sure you are purchasing a well priced home. Title insurance, inspections, and a reputable mortgage company have to all be factored in as well.

And just because you grew up in Pearland does not mean you know the dynamics of all of the Houston market. Each area and neighborhood will bring many different factors and element into determining fair market value. Unless you like overpaying for a home I suggest seeking the assistance of a professional. You don't have to use a Realtor who will "bug" you but someone from a reputable company who is focused on providing a service and protecting the interest of their clients like myself. Yes there are many companies who hire any person off the street to sell homes, however there are also those that are in the business as professionals.

Unless you can say you purchase two to three home a month please do not try and negate the knowlegde and service that a "Realtor" can provide to someone buying a home in a city they know nothing about!

Real Estate Agent

Elee, maybe to demonstrate your superior market knowledge you could have answered my question about the galleria area...

EM Junkie · Mar 23, 2006

elee20 said:
Well considering there is a lot more to purchasing a home than just finding one that has four walls and a driveway, I would suggest using a Realtor. Yes HAR is a wonderful resource to search for homes listed in Houston, however it is not going to help you through the process. Also those of you who think you can just call the listing agent and have them right the contract and do all the work are sadly mistaken. The listing agent is working for the Seller and the Seller only. Their job is to obtain the highest amount of money for their clients and have no obligations or loyalties to you purchasing a home. You need someone who can go to bat for you and make sure you are purchasing a well priced home. Title insurance, inspections, and a reputable mortgage company have to all be factored in as well.

And just because you grew up in Pearland does not mean you know the dynamics of all of the Houston market. Each area and neighborhood will bring many different factors and element into determining fair market value. Unless you like overpaying for a home I suggest seeking the assistance of a professional. You don't have to use a Realtor who will "bug" you but someone from a reputable company who is focused on providing a service and protecting the interest of their clients like myself. Yes there are many companies who hire any person off the street to sell homes, however there are also those that are in the business as professionals.

Unless you can say you purchase two to three home a month please do not try and negate the knowlegde and service that a "Realtor" can provide to someone buying a home in a city they know nothing about!

Real Estate Agent

I never pretended to say I knew more than a Realtor. I just offered www.har.com as a way to research the different areas as a PRELIMINARY STEP to contacting a Realtor. Some people like to browse first before committing to a Realtor's services. Once you find out what you like, I HIGHLY reccommend seeking a Realtor's advice, and NOT the seller's agent. I do, however, believe that someone who has lived in an area for >25 years and works for the Emergency Medical Services for a city knows a little bit about areas to avoid!

I suggest you read posts more carefully in the future. 😡

GoRedSox06 · Mar 23, 2006

Just another thought....

We had a realtor when we relocated here from Dallas and she was helpful. However, we ended up building our home here as we had in Dallas. To pay a realtor when you are buying a new property is silly. DEFINITELY if you are not familiar with the area or know someone that you trust who is, get a realtor or get in contact with the residency program or other residents from that program with whom you matched to get their input on the area.

This is our second home and we closed without a realtor both times and navigated points, rates, title, etc without problems. You have to educate yourself on what you are going through but I think that is self-evident.

Galleria area has always been hot and since President Bush Sr. and many of the rich and famous of Houston live there you can expect it to stay that way. Highrises and luxury townhomes are sprouting up all around the city so do your homework on HAR and price surrounding properties. Several of them are being placed in "bad" neighborhoods as Houston continues to give itself a facelift.

elee20 · Mar 23, 2006

EM Junkie said:
Dude you're an idiot. ]
First of all, you don't know me. Second, my wife is just here to help. She has a sincere interest in helping people find a home and I want people to know that. Period. If anyone has any questions PM me.

curious1 · Mar 23, 2006

I have a question.. I asked it twice.. see above. Should I rephrase it.

abcyxz · Mar 23, 2006

Can anyone give any comments on the following rental complexes: The AMLI at medical center, Humble Tower, Scotland yard, Archstone at Medical Center, or the Villas at cornado?

lilycat · Mar 24, 2006

curious1 said:
I have a question.. I asked it twice.. see above. Should I rephrase it.

As for future value with high-rises in the Galleria -- none of us can predict the future. Honestly, if it was me, I wouldn't buy there. One, if you are working in the med center, I don't think you need to be that far from the med center to find a swank place to live. It's not a huge commute, but you're asking for a lot of unnecessary traffic and headaches when you are trying to head home around 5-7pm. Second, if you are looking for an investment, I think you would be better off in Midtown or the Museum District -- that's just my opinion, but I think the new construction around there is better priced and more likely to increase in value. Additionally, I think the nightlife is better around Midtown than the Galleria -- you are more likely to go out with your friends from work around Rice Village, Midtown, downtown, Upper Kirby, etc. -- again, being in the Galleria, you are a little further away from these things, as opposed to living right in the middle of these communities.

lilycat · Mar 24, 2006

abcyxz said:
Can anyone give any comments on the following rental complexes: The AMLI at medical center, Humble Tower, Scotland yard, Archstone at Medical Center, or the Villas at cornado?

AMLI - ghetto
Scotland Yard - really ghetto. I feel sorry for their cockroaches.
Archstone Med Center - mildly ghetto and directly across the street from Reliant Stadium/Astrodome -- is that a plus or minus for you??

EM Junkie · Mar 24, 2006

abcyxz said:
Can anyone give any comments on the following rental complexes: The AMLI at medical center, Humble Tower, Scotland yard, Archstone at Medical Center, or the Villas at cornado?

Lilycat already said it so eloqently, but I will offer my $0.02.....

Humble Tower - never heard of them before, looks nice, not too much in the area though as downtown Houston is still nothing to look at and rather scary at night.

AMLI - Not THAT bad, but yes somewhat ghetto..... Could do much worse in this area though!

Archstone Med Center - I think more ghetto here than AMLI, very convenient as it is on the rail line, but lots of problems with auto theft (especially after Katrina)

Scotland Yard - ghetto is right!

Villas at Coronado - never heard of, WAY OUT OF THE WAY of the Med Center

Lanesborough - Can't beat the location, nice places, EVERYONE lives here, office service terrible

Maroneal - also very good location, a bit pricey, haven't heard much else

MacGregor - very nice, newer building, convenient, I can recommend these first hand!

Another great source is http://www.apartmentratings.com - very honest reviews of apartments nationwide by former tenants. Something to keep in mind: in the Med Center area of Houston there are no "good deals" when it comes to housing. You ususally get EXACTLY what you pay for!

Keep the PM's coming if you have more ?'s.

See, if I were a Realtor, I would have earned 3% for all of that work!! :laugh:

lilycat · Mar 24, 2006

Yeah, AMLI vs. Archstone Med Center is really a toss-up -- basically, you can do better unless you are really, really trying to save money (although after the third time your car has been broken into, you'll question that money-saving rationale...).

Lanesborough = Texas Medical Center dormitories. It's nice enough, but there are SO MANY med students, a good number of residents, and some post-docs. You may feel like you never get away from the hospital.

And I agree that there isn't really such a thing as a "good deal" in the med center, although compared to California prices, even the Maroneal is looking super affordable. 😱 🙄
__________________________________
Friends don't let friends go to Ben Taub

abcyxz · Mar 24, 2006

you guys are awesome... if i had 3%, i'd give ya each a cut! thanks for making my move to houston a little bit easier!

LaDoctorFutura · Mar 24, 2006

Has anyone heard anything about Kirby Place? Is it a good place to live? Price is a bit higher?

curious1 · Mar 24, 2006

what highrises are located in good areas of Midtown or the Museum District?

EM Junkie · Mar 24, 2006

curious1 said:
what highrises are located in good areas of Midtown or the Museum District?

Go to www.har.com, there is a section to search high rises for lease or buy. If you want more for your money, I would stay away from the highrises though.

EM Junkie · Mar 24, 2006

LaDoctorFutura said:
Has anyone heard anything about Kirby Place? Is it a good place to live? Price is a bit higher?

I will reply to your PM here. The wife and I liked The Providence and Kriby Place. I haven't ever been inside a unit at either, but both look really nice from the outside and are in a nicer area. They were a bit pricier, but if you can get a deal on them, even better!

They are a little away from the Lanesborough "dorms", but BY NO MEANS away from all of the restaurants, shopping, etc. In fact, they are even closer to the good stuff. The only downside is that they are not on the rail or Houston bus route, so you may have to drive and park in a TMC lot and ride the rail in. Come to think of it, I think both of these properties offer a shuttle service to the TMC!

Check out www.apartmentratings.com for good advice from people who have actually lived in these complexes though!

Good luck! :luck:

sundevil1 · Mar 25, 2006

Does anyone recommend living in the suburbs if you have a family? I have heard good things about Sugarland but have no idea how practical it is to live there and make the commute. I am used to driving about 40-50 min each way in traffic so that would be ok for me. Thanks for your help.

EM Junkie · Mar 25, 2006

sundevil1 said:
Does anyone recommend living in the suburbs if you have a family? I have heard good things about Sugarland but have no idea how practical it is to live there and make the commute. I am used to driving about 40-50 min each way in traffic so that would be ok for me. Thanks for your help.

I would definitely live in the suburbs if I had children. Sugarland and Pearland are popular choices, also the Kingwood/Atascocita area to the NE, Sping and the Woodlands to the north, League City and Friendswood to the SE. I would stay away from the Katy area due to traffic, and the Pasadena and East side area is kind of trashy.

Gut Shot · Mar 25, 2006

And let us not forget the Alta Lofts. They are running some good specials right now (2+ months free). The location is quite good, as I bike to work down Braeswood Bayou. There is also VERY ample parking in the adjacent garage, so I don't even have to go up/down stairs with groceries.

Oh, and I get $500 for each referral. I'd be happy to split it with anyone who wants to take me up on it.

P.S. They waived almost all of my application fees because of my Tejas Med Center affiliation, which was very nice. Those little suckers can add up.

GoRedSox06 · Mar 25, 2006

sundevil1 said:
Does anyone recommend living in the suburbs if you have a family? I have heard good things about Sugarland but have no idea how practical it is to live there and make the commute. I am used to driving about 40-50 min each way in traffic so that would be ok for me. Thanks for your help.

I agree with EM that the suburbs are the place to be if you have a family. We don't have kids but we wanted a yard and peace and quiet for the little time we had to spend together and just do nothing. Not to mention more space, more safety, and a neighborhood of people we came to know very well and are there for us.

I'm biased because we chose to live in Pearland but we looked in all the cities EM mentioned. We like the shorter drive from Pearland and the quality of the homes for the money compared to Sugarland.

Be sure to look at the school district info for each place you look because here in Texas each city is an "ISD"--independent school district--and the quality of school changes drastically depending on the property values.

There are LOTS of new construction homes that are affordable but you have to look closely and try to compare apples to apples. Some builders even have communities in each city with completely different prices on similar models--they are not built or finished out the same and again its because of the economic situation in the existing neighborhood. They usually do give you the tax rate and school district info on their websites though so they can be a good resource.

www.har.com is again a great place to start and get some ideas.

www.ziprealty.com also is a good place as you can search the mls by proximity to the medical center and anywhere else you may need to consider.

Lots to think about but having done it and now doing it again I'll pitch in my 2 cents if it helps.

tismfu · Mar 25, 2006

abcyxz said:
Can anyone give any comments on the following rental complexes: The AMLI at medical center, Humble Tower, Scotland yard, Archstone at Medical Center, or the Villas at cornado?

I would like to hear about Humble as well... I went by yesterday without knowing you need to give them 24-hr advance notice to view an apartment as they are at 100% occupancy now. That should be a good thing, though...

Havarti666 said:
And let us not forget the Alta Lofts. They are running some good specials right now (2+ months free). The location is quite good, as I bike to work down Braeswood Bayou. There is also VERY ample parking in the adjacent garage, so I don't even have to go up/down stairs with groceries.

Oh, and I get $500 for each referral. I'd be happy to split it with anyone who wants to take me up on it.

P.S. They waived almost all of my application fees because of my Tejas Med Center affiliation, which was very nice. Those little suckers can add up.

I loved Alta... but the big bugbear for me is access to the med center. I am leaning towards the Lanesborough because of the rail line. I'm gonna be a MS1... is taking a shuttle bus as inconvenient and as big as a PITA as it seems to be? I would hate to pick the 'dorms' over Alta over something like transport which might not end up being a big deal.

But everyone tells me that as a MS1, proximity and ease of access to the TMC should be priority 1.

Any advice or opinion from those who have already done this? I need some sage wisdom ASAP. 😉

Thanks in advance.

tismfu · Mar 25, 2006

abcyxz said:
Can anyone give any comments on the following rental complexes: The AMLI at medical center, Humble Tower, Scotland yard, Archstone at Medical Center, or the Villas at cornado?

I would like to hear about Humble as well... I went by yesterday without knowing you need to give them 24-hr advance notice to view an apartment as they are at 100% occupancy now. That should be a good thing, though...

Havarti666 said:
And let us not forget the Alta Lofts. They are running some good specials right now (2+ months free). The location is quite good, as I bike to work down Braeswood Bayou. There is also VERY ample parking in the adjacent garage, so I don't even have to go up/down stairs with groceries.

Oh, and I get $500 for each referral. I'd be happy to split it with anyone who wants to take me up on it.

P.S. They waived almost all of my application fees because of my Tejas Med Center affiliation, which was very nice. Those little suckers can add up.

I loved Alta... but the big bugbear for me is access to the med center. I am leaning toward the Lanesborough because of the rail line. I'm gonna be a MS1... is taking a shuttle bus as inconvenient and as big of a PITA that it seems to be? I would hate to pick the 'dorms' over Alta due to something like transport which might not end up being a big deal.

But everyone tells me that as a MS1 proximity and ease of access to the TMC should be priority 1.

Another question is how 'usable' is the rail line? Meaning, would it be smart/safe to use it at night to get to mid/downtown? Or would I primarily be using it to commute to/from school?

Any advice or opinion from those who have already done this? I need some sage wisdom ASAP. 😉

Thanks in advance.

cpw · Mar 25, 2006

EM Junkie said:
I would definitely live in the suburbs if I had children. Sugarland and Pearland are popular choices, also the Kingwood/Atascocita area to the NE, Sping and the Woodlands to the north, League City and Friendswood to the SE. I would stay away from the Katy area due to traffic, and the Pasadena and East side area is kind of trashy.

I would try to stay away from Spring and the Woodlands unless you just REALLY love your car. I lived slightly south of Spring for optometry school and it would routinely take me an hour to get to campus. (the TMC area) Occasionally it would take up to two hours. The schools are great there, but they are also good in Sugarland and Pearland. (which are much closer)

I'd go Pearland over Sugarland just to not have to deal with traffic in 59. It blows and there's constant construction.

Don't move to Katy unless you love 12 lane freeways and 2 hour commutes.

And, I'd definitely agree that the east side/pasadena area is rather trashy. It's definitely a more blue collar area of town and most of the people living there work at the refineries in Baytown or Pasadena. Not really a young, hip place to live.

ClandestineOne · Mar 25, 2006

Very nice info!

[edit]

Gut Shot · Mar 25, 2006

tismfu said:
I loved Alta... but the big bugbear for me is access to the med center. I am leaning toward the Lanesborough because of the rail line. I'm gonna be a MS1... is taking a shuttle bus as inconvenient and as big of a PITA that it seems to be? I would hate to pick the 'dorms' over Alta due to something like transport which might not end up being a big deal.

Hmmm, like I said I bike to the TMC daily down Braeswood Bayou. Takes me 15 minutes from walking out of my apartment to walking into morning conference. I admit, it would be nice to live on the rail line, but I can't really complain since Hermann Park right across the street. Besides, my preferred goin' out spot is Rice Village, which isn't on the rail line, either.

tismfu · Mar 25, 2006

Havarti666 said:
Hmmm, like I said I bike to the TMC daily down Braeswood Bayou. Takes me 15 minutes from walking out of my apartment to walking into morning conference. I admit, it would be nice to live on the rail line, but I can't really complain since Hermann Park right across the street. Besides, my preferred goin' out spot is Rice Village, which isn't on the rail line, either.

Thanks for the reply. So you mean to tell me you bike every day? What about when it rains or when it's really hot? (Yes, I'm a wuss :laugh:

.)

Do you know of any other med center people who live there who take the shuttle? By any chance have you heard anything from them?

Thanks again for your reply and apologies for the anal pre-med questions.

jschwartz · Mar 25, 2006

tismfu said:
Thanks for the reply. So you mean to tell me you bike every day? What about when it rains or when it's really hot? (Yes, I'm a wuss .)

Do you know of any other med center people who live there who take the shuttle? By any chance have you heard anything from them?

Thanks again for your reply and apologies for the anal pre-med questions.

Keep those pre-med questions going 👍
though unfortunately no longer a premed, I'm still interested in urban biking too, more than in urban driving (or parking), in any case 😉

Gut Shot · Mar 26, 2006

tismfu said:
Thanks for the reply. So you mean to tell me you bike every day? What about when it rains or when it's really hot? (Yes, I'm a wuss .)

Do you know of any other med center people who live there who take the shuttle? By any chance have you heard anything from them?

Thanks again for your reply and apologies for the anal pre-med questions.

The heat doesn't bother me at 7:45 am, and I'm happy to sweat my way home in the summer. If it's POURING rain then I'll drive, and cough up the parking fee for one of the good garages (like garage 6). As a resident, garage parking costs $60, so even if I were to drive six times a month I'd be breaking even.

When I lived at my previous apartment complex (Parque del Oro... eh), I would ride the shuttle. It was okay. Kinda crowded, and it ran at a rather irritating part of the hour, but it was doable.

Don't get me wrong, living on the rail would be very nice for several reasons, but I feel like my access to the TMC is just fine. I love zipping across MacGregor amid all the motionless cars.

sundevil1 · Mar 27, 2006

I was looking into benefits at UT and it seems they don't cover depedents at all, which kind of puts a big burden on a single income home. I don't think my wife will work right away when we move and so I'll have to cover her and my son under my plan. Anyone here a current UT Houston resident with a family who can give a little more insight into this and how they managed? Thanks for the help so far.

tismfu · Mar 28, 2006

Havarti666, thank you again. You've been a great help. 👍

Gut Shot · Mar 28, 2006

sundevil1 said:
I was looking into benefits at UT and it seems they don't cover depedents at all, which kind of puts a big burden on a single income home. I don't think my wife will work right away when we move and so I'll have to cover her and my son under my plan. Anyone here a current UT Houston resident with a family who can give a little more insight into this and how they managed? Thanks for the help so far.

One of my fellow residents has a wife and four kids. They live in Pearland. His wife is a SAHM. Don't even ask me how they have survived to this point, but he's planning on doing a little moonlighting.

SHRINK_MD · Mar 30, 2006

was just wondering if anyone could comment on couple of more apt complexes I got from realtor's list that I don't think were mentioned yet:
The Boulevard Apts
San Melia
Plaza Museum District
El Mundo Park
Versailles Park
there were more, but I think these were the only ones with over 50% recommendation on apartmentratings.com
Thanks again, I appreciate everyone's help on this thread! 👍

texas_ute · Mar 31, 2006

Agree w/ cpw's thoughts on Katy/Woodlands/Spring.

DO NOT MOVE TO THE SUBURBS during residency in Houston!!! 😱

The last thing you want to do is spend an hour and a half driving home in traffic after a 30-hr shift on the wards/icu/whatever.

During med school, I lived in affordable housing less than 2 miles away from the med center- short walk/bike/bus ride to the med center. Right near all of the restaurants/bars in the Rice Village area, close proximity to downtown. The best parts of Houston for entertainment (restaurants/bars/nightlife/theatre), outdoors (Memorial Park, Hermann Park), festivals, sports, etc. are all within a 10-15 mile radius of the med center (med center, rice village, downtown areas). Move to the suburbs if you enjoy spending 1/2 of your life in your car, you enjoy shopping at super target, and eating at the same chain restaurants that are in every city.

Plus, living in the med center vicinity, you will be in close proximity to all of hospitals for either UT-Houston or Baylor- when you have to be at work at 5AM, it makes a big difference living 2 miles away from the hospital vs. 40 miles away.

Houston housing

Junior Member

passionate people rock

Member

SDN Donor

DentalStudentWannabe

Houstonian83

Junior Member

Full Member

Member

Junior Member

Senior Member

SDN Donor

Junior Member

Member

SDN Donor

Full Member

Member

Senior Member

Member

SDN Donor

Junior Member

Senior Member

Member

Member

Full Member

Full Member

SDN Donor

Full Member

Member

Senior Member

Member

SDN Donor

SDN Donor

Senior Member

SDN Donor

Full Member

Junior Member

Member

Member

It's a boy !!!

Junior Member

Full Member

Member

Junior Member

Full Member

Senior Member

Member

Full Member

Junior Member

Member

We value your privacy