Rural living around Houston?

[herbenus]

If you want 10 acres, I think you're going to want north or northwest. Of course I'm biased because that's where I live. But I would avoid west becuase then you'll have to take I-10. You'll be moving out near Katy. Pretty flat and few trees. North you're talking Conroe area with lots of trees. I live in Magnolia and there are still some 10 acre tracts available. Last I looked they were going for $8000 to 10000 an acre. Slightly rolling with some trees. I could probably get to downtown in an hour. But that's not at peak rush hour. I don't do that. Leave before rush. Coming home is worse. But I'd rather live 40 miles out of town and drive in, then to have to drive ten around town.

When you start checking real estate, I'd look in Montgomery county and Fort Bend first. But there are other choices.

"Native Houstonion now living in Magnolia"

 

[txdon]

Knight9, It does matter on which side of town you live. You are at a point that you must decide if you want to live 10 minutes away and get a weekend place or drive 2-3 hours each day (round trip) during rush hours. There is a third choice that is taking Metro Bus from an outlying area like The Woodlands or another major metro freeway bus. They use the counterflow lanes and it is faster and less stress. West is flat and I10 will be a mess, South 288 - no metro. Southwest 59 - will have to go way out to Richmond TX and it is flat farmland there and most of the tree areas are in the floodplain. I guess the best is Montgomery County north and northwest of Houston, that would be 290 and I45 north. If you decide for a weekend place the land in Lee County is about 3K an acre for 10 acre tract and about 2K an acre for 100 acre tract. Have you heard about the Summers in Houston? They are not bad unless you have to go outside.

 

[mikim]

Going into downtown ... or uptown? ... We have two "downtowns". One is in fact downtown where all the freeways cross, and the other is the Galleria area which has become sort of a second city. Going into downtown from north or south is probably about the same..... the much prettier land is north and northwest .... I wouldn't even consider west - I10 is beginning a major construction project that will last years and is a mess now. I have no idea what traffic is like east. I've always liked living east of where I work though - the sun (a big player down here) is always behind you driving to - from work. Land & taxes are cheaper in Brazoria County - but it may well be the ol' "you get what you pay for". As for commute time during traffic hours from Montgomery County - I need to defer to others who know better - I'd guess you're about right - Conroe to downtown at 0730 - 0800 -- a lil' over an hour is probably a good guess. My wife used to work in Houston Center - middle of downtown - and it took her 45 minutes to drive in from Angleton (south - Brazoria County) at 0600 - daughter worked there too but couldn't get herself up that early - it would take her over an hour at 0730.
Most places nowdays allow a flexible schedule just because of traffic. If you can commute during the off hours - much better. It might be a good idea to remember that Houston is the 3rd or 4th largest city in the country - I'm sure it will be quite an adjustment for you. It took me 3 years to adjust - I never wanted to live here - but had to follow the job market. Kept my place in the country where I keep my sanity in storage til I can retire ... 35 months ... but who's counting? Can't argue following opportunity -- I'm hoping that sacrificing myself during peak earning years will hopefully provide a fuller and longer retirement life. I hope your opportunity works out well for you - it has for me.

 

[imported_Charliechan]

I live on the West Side and work smack dab in the middle of downtown. Houston Center is the complex, near the George R. Brown Convention center. I'm in between I-10 and 290, but come up the back roads until I can hit I-10 near downtown. We are on a single acre, but a little further out, there are some 5-10 acre tracts. The closer in you get, the more expensive they are, or they're surrounded by industry and you wouldn't necessarily want to live there. You may want to consider Tomball, as there are a lot of methods to commute. My secretary lives in Tomball and commutes with about 4 other employees. Their commute is about 1 hour from porch to elevator. There are also Park-n-Ride facilities off of both I-10 and 290, where you can grab a bus, catch a nap and get to work when you need to be there. I prefer to drive myself, mainly because I used to work all kinds of weird hours, being in IT. Let me know if you need any other Houston tips, as I have lived here all of my 43 years. If you gonna fly or drive in to look at property, have yourself a good realtor lined up to make the best of your time.


Good Luck,

Charlie
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Knight9]

Thanks Charlie,

I'm still doing my investigation and finding out LOTS about Houston area real estate! It is getting to be pretty clear to me that I'd be looking at 1hr+ commute one way. A little hard to look favorably on as I have a 25min commute now.

Gonna have to do the old "Pros & Cons" checklist I guess.

Kevin

 

[r0GuE]

I'd say the biggest opportunity is that you would be living in the USA, (Texas no less!!!) but I'm biased /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
That aside, you wouldn't have to worry about the road salt consuming your vehicles, $500 gas bills consuming your pay (yeah, higher electric for AC probably).
I'm very jealous!
/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Good luck in whatever you decide!

 

[JazzDad]

High temperature was 70 degrees yesterday, the birds were singing, why, it was sorta like a Disney movie. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif My wife and I are counting the days of commuting (too many). You just have to survive the crazy drivers to make it to retirement! (But then, they don't seem to test for sanity any longer when the kids apply for their driver's licenses. But I digress.) You'll need to come down for a reconnoiter, Kevin. See if your gut-feel agrees with you. Feel free to send me a private e-mail.

 

[KENB]

I've lived in Houston since 1972. My opinion is that Houston spreads like 90wt oil. It never stops spreading. Where I live on the north side, used to be out in the country just a few years ago. Seems like the spreading is endless. Every single patch of woods/land will and does eventually get converted into either a Subdivision, strip-shopping center with a nail salon, dry cleaner and donut shop, or a Gas station. I can tell you this, that if you want to be out in the country, there are a few places left in Harris & Montgomery county, but the point is IT WON'T BE IN THE COUNTRY LONG because Houston will catch up to you and surround you eventually. My place is out in Leon County. Out there, nearly no one would desire to commute to Houston. Therefore, no developers are going to build a subdivsion out there in my lifetime. The rule is: "If it can be commuted ... they will come!"

 

[RJohnson]

Kevin
They don't even have a hockey team in Houston /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
Are you sure you wouldn't want to move to Dallas and root for the <font color="green"> STARS!</font>/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Seriously, Houston is a royal pain in the A$$ to drive in. I visited there two weeks ago and won't go there unless I have to. Everyone is telling you the best advice about living north of downtown and commuting. At least they have a toll road to speed things up (sometimes /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif).

Good luck on your decision.
Randy (go Stars)

 

[Knight9]

Hey Randy,

Nice to hear from you...except for that whole "go Stars" thing /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Guess I wouldn't be too popular cheering for the Oilers eh! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Still just checking out the possibility. No decisions made yet!

Thanks for all the info though guys.

Kevin