Relocating for a new gig in Houston, but real estate and neighborhoods are all over the place. Budget is around 2M - we’re early 30s and have two young kids. Where are good places to live inside the loop? Coming from NY, so I’m glad we can get a bigger place for our dollar. We’ve been told about Heights, Montrose, West U. Decent public school would be nice to have as an option.

Just a general note…

There’s a Houston crime map. There’s flood maps from Harvey or other variations. Overlay these. Maybe also with school catchment areas. See what’s left.

You can go a long way with 2m in Houston. Depends a lot what you want. You’ll know already that interest rates suck and there’s a real threat of real estate tanking in the future nationally. Personally, I’d shoot closer to 1.25 and keep more powder dry. You still got lots of great options at that price point.

Bellaire - inside the loop portion is quite safe, clean and bike-able. Many parks too for kids.

Definitely west U.

Heights schools are CRAP.

Bellaire is right on the edge of the loop - sizeable houses and great schools.

For 2m you can have a house in Bunker Hill and surrounding villages which are zoned to Spring Branch district, including Memorial High, probably still within top 100 country wide. It's just outside of the loop, with easy access to downtown; the theaters are 20 minutes when leaving home after 6pm.

Look at upper Kirby or river oaks. I don’t thjnk you will get good schools in the heights/montrose area (I live in there heights, great area - but I don’t think schools are that great).

If you don’t mind the Suburbs - sugarland or katy is the spot. You can get a mansion for 2M there. And public schools are top in Texas

Go for Memorial. Zone your kiddos to Hunters Creek Elementary, Memorial Middle, and Memorial High School. That'll set them up for success better than anywhere else in Houston. (It also puts them in range for the elite private schools (St. Johns, Kinkaid, Duchesne, St. Thomas, etc.)

For $2m, you won't have the biggest house in the neighborhood, but you also won't have the smallest. It's a good middle ground.

It's where I grew up, and it worked out well for me... :)

Feel free to message me for an insiders take on the matter. Happy to share my perspective.

2M in early 30s??? Did you two earn most of all that yourselves or did that include parental money too?

Bunker hill, memorial, energy corridor area is best. Kincaid private school. Memorial high, close to everything.

I live in the heights but once I have kids I’ll be moving out for sure as the schools are not good.

I live in Bunker Hill and for $2MM it’s definitely a great spot. We just moved from the Heights last summer to get our kids into a better school district, and we didn’t even need to change daycares it’s so close to where we were. Best of both worlds imo.

Don’t forget to look at flood plains and flooding history. Certain neighborhoods carry a lot higher flood risk and you will end up paying really high flood insurance premiums.

Best HISD elementary schools are West U, Roberts, Twain, River Oaks, Kolter. Best neighborhoods for young families with your budget: West U, Southgate, Braes Heights.

You should look at Richmond Texas . 500-700k you can buy a very decent brand new home with good school District. (I’m here myself)
You still have over 1.2m to purchase another property that will bring you returns .

West U - definitely

Bellaire and West University are your best bet, I think.

Memorial between the loop and beltway. The problem with a lot of the areas inside the loop is the schools are shit.

If you’re set on inside 610 then plan on private school.

I live in the Heights, and there are a couple good options for schools, just need to be in the right neighborhood. I've heard West U is also great. Close in Memorial could also be good!

Separately, my husband is a realtor. If you need help looking for a place and want to connect, feel free to DM me!

I didn’t see Southside place mentioned above so I will throw it out. Right between West U and Braes Heights. Similar quality of homes, quiet streets, close to a Whole Foods. Lots of kids in the neighborhood. Very quiet and safe but close to the best the city has to offer. Some flooding during Harvey but many houses are built up or on streets that did not flood. Just ask if the house you are looking at flooded during Harvey and if not, you should be good. The odds of another storm approaching Harvey’s impact anytime soon are statistically very, very small. A lot has been done to improve drainage in the area since then, too.

Early 30’s with a similar fact set… and mild addiction to Zillow window shopping.

Most of my professional friends (kids or not), who are not ready for the ‘burbs, live in these areas (w/ some linked examples).

1. Garden Oaks - Older homes or knock down new construction. Larger yards/ lots and plenty of young families: http://surl.li/gftai
2. Shady Acres - Townhomes inside the loop, growing fast, lots of bars and restaurants: http://surl.li/gfsve
3. Spring Branch - older neighborhoods, some new builds, better schools, 20-25 minutes into town towards the East or city center to the west: http://surl.li/gfsyn
4. Heights - Closer to the center of town, walkable trails, hit or miss on historic homes/renovations/new builds. Generally, smaller lots: http://surl.li/gfsxh

I hope the examples help.

Also re: schools, neighborhoods around Houston ebb and flow over time. We have a tendency to cycle through - with limited exceptions (i.e. West U). Whatever is hot right now may not be in 10 years. Whatever high school is good right now may not be in 10 years. I really struggled with that. All to say, you may leave some flexibility for private school in the future. I’m a lifelong Houstonian and love it here but the lack of zoning makes it impossible to know what any neighborhood will look like 5-10 years out.

You should consider Wilchester. It’s outside the loop but probably one of the best neighborhoods in Houston for young families. Thriving Ladies and Dads Clubs. Events galore. Flag football tournaments. And good schools. It’s also less “ritzy” than West U. Unless ritzy is what you’re going for. :)