Houston

[ropinfool2]

Well I interviewed for a job in Houston last week. I think I did pretty good. We are really hoping I get it. I have to get out of Cali, not a good place to be. Any ideas of where to look for a place to live? We'd like an acre or more, big house, shop, etc... . in a good neighborhood with good schools. Thanks. John

 

[RustyJC]

I'd suggest the northwest side of town. You can still find some rural properties with shops, barns, etc. out in the Grant Road, Telge Road and other areas. Many of these are in the Cypress-Fairbanks (Cy-Fair) School District - one of the top school districts in Texas (currently #4 in size in the state at 80,000 students, growth of 4,500 students last year, just passed a $750 million bond issue last Saturday for new school construction, etc. ), lots of recognized and commended campuses.



Coming out of California, I'll bet you'll be amazed at how low the real estate prices are here and how much you can get for your money. We moved back to Texas from Ohio in 1997 and bought a 5/3. 5/3 home in Cypress just for an investment (don't need the room for just my wife and me!)



If you'll drop me a PM or e-mail, schedules permitting, we'll be glad to show you around the area next time you're down.



Rusty

 

[scootergmc]

just passed a $750 million bond issue last Saturday for new school construction, etc. )

Rusty

Sounds JUST LIKE California.

 

[RustyJC]

Sounds JUST LIKE California.

I'm not quite sure what that means. The Cy-Fair voters support their kids and their schools. Growth demands facilities to house and teach the kids. One reason the district is growing is that people are moving here to put their kids into quality schools.



If you think it's better to handle growth by rejecting bond issues and cramming the kids into portable buildings, I can certainly point you to plenty of school districts you'll REALLY like.



Rusty

 

[scootergmc]

I'm not quite sure what that means. The Cy-Fair voters support their kids and their schools. Growth demands facilities to house and teach the kids. One reason the district is growing is that people are moving here to put their kids into quality schools.



If you think it's better to handle growth by rejecting bond issues and cramming the kids into portable buildings, I can certainly point you to plenty of school districts you'll REALLY like.



Rusty

What it means is this. Californians (where I live) have been getting screwed for years. These so-called Bond initiatives are nothing more than an additional tax for property owners to pay. It's out of control here in California and voters are finally realizing how much it's costing.



Property taxes are designed to take the costs of schools and area growth into account. More houses are built, more people move into an area, and revenue from property taxes increases. However, the extra money received gets misappropriated and schools are left in the cold. But then we get buffaloed into thinking we need these huge bond measures- which we don't, we just need the goverment to spend the money accordingly. What we end up having is a group of people telling us how much our schools are in the toilet and there's no $$ to fix it.



In my town, they've had a high school bond measure on the ballot three times in the last few years. All three times it's been voted down. It's definitely NOT because we don't care or don't want to support our kids. The school is old. It's over quadruple it's original intended capacity. We also have two other additional current "bonds" on our property taxes which fund elementary schools in our area.



Heck, I pay an additional property tax on the community parks in my neighborhood, which includes a fancy baseball diamond. But can I use it?? Nope. It stays locked but for athletic leagues and sactioned events. But I'm paying for it. I suppose I can always play on the swings or teeter totter.



The only reason the bond is failing is because citizens are tired of getting raped on taxes every year. The people who should really pay are the developers who are making tons of $$ on these newer communities.



But hey, buildings don't make the schools- the teachers do. And last time I checked, the credentialing processes are the same throughout each state. They don't vary district to district. What's sad is teachers remain some of the lowest paid individuals in the country. It's sad the teachers get ignored for the issues of "new buildings. "



But enough thread hijacking. Ropinfool: I hope you get your wish and are offered the job. You'll have realty "sticker shock" compared to out here.

 

[MichaelWright]

NW side of Houston, the farther away the better. Been there, "Houston", may you live in an interesting town.



Mike

 

[ropinfool2]

Thanks for the offer Rusty, if I'm hired the office will be in the south east part of town. Fortunately I won't have to go to the office every day so I can live anywhere in the Houston area. I am looking for somewhat rural areas, but also want civilization nearby (shopping, movies, food, etc... ) I like living in a subdivision but want adequate space between myself and neighbors. I want to be able to build a shop with extra garage space (2 car garage, that's a laugh. I have a 3 car now and only can get 1 car in with the table saw, welder, work bench, etc... . ) I have done a little research on housing and I can buy almost twice the house for almost half the money. If we end up doing this we will be able to go from a two income family to a one income family and still have the same quality of life. That is what is our driving factor, I want my wife home with our daughter so she can take her to school, pick her up, volunteer in class, etc... Right now we both work, so my daughter goes to daycare before school and after school. She is picking up some pretty bad habits there. I think the job opportunity is looking better, I was just asked to do a second interview. We are hoping we get it. John

 

[AfterBurner]

My dad just bought a place south east of Houston. He had been living in Katy, but wanted more room. i think they have about 40 acres or so, but it is about a 45 minute commute to get into the city everyday (where he works). IMO that's still too close, but it is better than living in Katy. i've only been there once, so i'm not sure what the area is called, but it is pretty nice.

 

[RustyJC]

My dad just bought a place south east of Houston.

Ummm..... generally speaking, that would either be in Galveston Bay or in the Pasadena/La Porte ship channel area next to the refineries, petrochemical plants, etc. There are, however, some subdivisions south of Houston around NASA such as Friendswood or Clear Lake. Finding much acreage (such as your dad's 40 acres you mention) that doesn't flood in this area that's closer to the Gulf and Galveston Bay for a reasonable price could be a challenge, but who knows.....



Are you sure your dad didn't buy southwest of Houston in the Richmond/Rosenberg area or beyond?



Rusty

 

[AfterBurner]

yeah, i meant south west, mostly west from houston. south west from Katy. Richmond rings a bell. i think it's somewhere around there.

 

[ropinfool2]

40 acres is quite a bit more than I am looking for. 2-3 acres would be ideal but would settle for 1 acre. Wish me luck in my second interview!! John

 

[MDW]

Good Luck on the interview

 

[RustyJC]

Thanks for the offer Rusty...

John,



Good luck on the interview. If you're interested, just give us a holler when you find out when you'll be in town.



Rusty

 

[Wayno]

Sounds JUST LIKE California.

and it will be just like home too with all the traffic but then again what do expect , there are more vehicals registerd in Distric 12 than any other Distric in the State ------------------ Happy Motoring.

 

[ropinfool2]

Well after 4 interviews, all 4 interviewers said they were recommending me for the position, HR told me they were promoting from within. Now why wouldn't they have done that in the beginning. They aren't out very much, but we are very disappointed. Well it's back to looking I guess. Thanks again Rusty for the invite, if I ever make it down that way, I'll give you a holler. John

 

[Boomer II]

Now that sucks, good luck, maybe something better will come up.