Barre

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Thanks for the alternate point of view, 2112 - I need my car between 9 and 5 only about bout once or twice a week. As a matter of fact, our employees are encouraged to participate in the company subsidized vanpool - alternate work hours are even arranged for those that have to catch the van (imagine working 7 to 3:30!). So even if I lived in Pearland, Katy, Mo-City, etc. the farthest I'd have to drive is the point where the van picks up (usually a park and ride or strip mall parking lot) - also, being on the vanpool means that you can borrow a car from the motor pool for lunchtime meetings in town... so, like you, my longest commute would in theory only be as far as the nearest park and ride.

I'd really like to stay under 200k - way under since I need furniture!

Sheesh, I haven't found anything yet! I sat in front of my monitor on Friday trying to convince myself that a vanpool to exurbia may not be such a bad after all - guys, I need an intervention! Maybe an apartment for the next 6-12 months will give me more time to decide where I want to settle down over the next few years... Is there a general consensus here that townhomes from Perry and the like are not a good purchase? I see they're putting up some more in the museum district, which would be mad convenient for me.

Okay all - I started my new job last week (finally) - and I'm actually living out of my suitcase in a not-so-fancy hotel here on the Southwest side. Needless to say, I have not found a house yet... but I am more averse than ever to the daily commute in to work after driving in last week. I'm starting to think I may have to rent for 6-12 months until I get more familiar with the market. I looked at Westbury, Meyerland, and Willowbend over the weekend - all seemed within my price range well within a reasonable distance to the office. I am going to meet with an RE investor/friend of mine for lunch this week to pick his brain; I hope to have another update by the weekend...

Thanks so much to you and TorchLight for the Willowbend/Westbury suggestion - which zip codes should I be searching?

This is exactly what I've started to think since my OP. I was fighting the pull against anything that "felt like an apartment" but don't anticipate being in this place for more than 5 or so years.... so, townhomes in Midtown and the med center are not out of the question... though places in the med center are a little older and apartment-like, I don't suppose I'd have much trouble renting to a student in the future, eh?

Looking for something in the 150-200k range... single with no kids - so schools are only important when when it comes to resale value, I suppose. My office is in the medical center but I'll have to venture out for lunch meetings and such (all areas inside the loop) - as a former consultant, I can say that I enjoy being in my car about as much as I enjoy coach class these days!Thanks to all for such quick replies and the warm welcome - I'll be using this thread to seek additional guidance over the next couple of months as well as keeping you guys "in the loop"

I'll be relocating to Houston next month - employer pays for temporary housing (up to 60 days) and closing costs, so I am looking for a place that can be ready from April-June. All I know and love about the city is inside the loop - but now, since all my friends have fled to Pearland, Sugar Land, etc. they are encouraging me to look outward. With a little arm-twisting I went out to look at some of the master planned communities yesterday - very affordable; but when I figure in all my meetings and after hours events in the medical center, galleria area, and downtown, this starts to seem more like "car living" instead of "country living." Is there any hope for folks like me that need to find housing that provides a balance of affordablility and access to the office and social events? For those that have given up on "city life" - has your dollar value versus opportunity cost held up so far?