Moving back to Houston

[wondershots]

After a 7 year stint in the Austin area I've accepted a new day job in Houston. In the 21 years I lived in the Houston area I always lived on the north side. North of 1960 in the Spring/Woodlands area. Since the new job is in the Galleria I think that's out of the question. Two of my four children still live in the Tomball area. The others are still home.

So if you were starting fresh and working in the Galleria where would you try to live? Note that initially we'll be leasing. My ideas are Sugar Land, Alief, Katy. If you live in those areas and commute to the Galleria or Downtown, what are your experiences? If you simply live in any of those areas, how do you like it? If you got any pros and cons of those areas, I'm all ears. If you have any other ideas, please share them.

It'll probably be at least 6 weeks before I try to move the family so I have time to make an informed decision. I'm also looking forward to participating in some of those Houston TPF get togethers.

[bfphoto]

Hi Jim, welcome back to Houston. You have a tough decision. I live in the 1960 Willowbrook area and drove to the Galleria for several years. Going in 290 is not too bad unless there is a wreck some where. Sugar Land, Alief, and Katy might be ok once they finish I 10, but right now it can be a nightmare. Once I 10 is finished going in 59 would probably be ok, but right now the traffic from I 10 is being diverted to 59. My granddaughter who live in the Sugarland area says it's a 30-45 minute drive right now going in on 59.

It's probably about 45 minutes from Tomball, unless there is wreck on 290.

Good luck.

[sbp]

I live in sugar land area but do not go toward galleria. But I listen to AM 740 in morning and I hear that commute on 290 is very bad all the time.
My wife went to galleria for about 8 month and it was not that bad 30-45 minute in busy day between 7:30 to 8:15.

[wondershots]

Thanks for the info guys. I got time to really think this out. I'll be staying with my sister and her husband for a few weeks before the family moves so I'll probably do some "test drives" to/from the different areas.

I've found some appealing rentals in the W. Little York, Hwy 6 area. Any opinions on that area as to commuting and quality of life?

[Steelsun]

If I worked in the Galleria and was coming fresh back to the city - I would go either inside the belt in the good part of Bellaire or Meyerland/Westbury (where I live now), or Sugarland/Mo City.
I would avoid I-10 areas for the next few years (construction) and 290 for the next decade (residential overbuilt and no plans for highway widening).

But then again I work in Montgomery and live in Westbury, so I'm a bit nuts.

[Roadrnr]

Hey Jim...sorry to see you are moving back to Houston...Hutto will miss you!

[Norma_S]

I live in Stafford adjacent to Sugar Land. I worked in the Galleria on Post Oak until December. It would take me about 10-15 minutes to get to the 59 onramp near West Bellfort for the commute to arrive around 8:15'ish AM. It was 45 minutes on a typical day. Going home at 5:00 PM was about the same. The traffic was worse if I left work around 5:30. Audio books helped pass the time and made that commute bearable.

For a while my hours were shifted to 9-6 and then my commute was about 30 minutes each way.

Norma

[HutchPhoto]

Sorry too see you go Brother I guess I will have to take over your LIGHT work here in central Texas area..

I know the move will be good for you & the Family..
so far we have 2 weddings set fot this summer 1 here and 1 in west texas...


.

[wondershots]

Originally Posted by Steelsun

But then again I work in Montgomery and live in Westbury, so I'm a bit nuts.

Man! Hope your car gets good gas milage. Thanks for the info.

[loana0320]

Welcome back! I live in Sugar Land area and I love it here.... Sometimes I go weeks or months and won't even make it to Houston LOL everything is right here ;)

[kenw]

Why not a BW8-WestPark TR-Galleria area commute?

I do 249-BW8-59-90A daily (31 miles 1 way). I can go from near Louetta/249 to 59/90A in about 40-45 minutes. or less.....

[d4klutz]

i live in Deer Park and commute to the BW8/ Westpark area every day. Honestly, anywhere around there is a short commute (in my opinion) Traffic is not too bad to the galleria area. I can usually make it from Hayes road to the Galleria in about 15 - 20 min .. even with heavy traffic.

[kenw]

In my experience, Houston traffic is a lot easier than Austin traffic......

[Gabby498]

Two facts of Houston life: one, there is always a wreck on 290, plan on it. I-10 will never be finished, plan on it. Galleria traffic is going to hard enough to contend with so get as close in as you can.

[wondershots]

Great information folks. Thanks! Anyone have any experience taking Metro from the 'burbs to the Galleria area?