I'm considering moving back to Texas after nearly fifteen years living abroad. Before leaving, I lived in Texas City, but if I make the move back, I'd prefer to live in Houston. A lot has changed since I was last in the area, so I'm hoping for some guidance on neighborhoods to consider. I'm looking for an up-and-coming area that offers good value for rent, as I plan to rent rather than buy. I'm also a teacher, so the budget is not huge.

Whatever you do, avoid getting a job in HISD unless it is at one of the high schools currently being allowed to go autonomous. HISD is an absolutely toxic workplace. The schools considering autonomy are doing well academically and otherwise and so, by and large, they've been immune (so far) to many of the policies the current administration has put in place in attempt to help the failing schools.

Ducks4brkfast said:

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Kinda depends are where you're teaching.

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I would think so.

For anyone over 30, commute time and neighbor noise are about all most people will care about after the novelty of living in a new area wears off in a couple months.

I hear Greenspoint is making a comeback!

"Near Northside" should be under consideration too! It gets glowing reviews from the Kinder Institute at by-God RICE University.

Ducks4brkfast said:

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Kinda depends are where you're teaching.

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Cutting through the sarcastic responses...this right here is the most important thing. The last thing you want to do is to drive across town. If you're teaching somewhere on the northside, giving you recommendations on the west side or south side would have Jesus very mad at your word choices each day during your commute.

My wife is a teacher, so I know you're not working with a lot, but somewhere around EaDo would be where I'd recommend. Area has been going through a revitalization the last few years and things are a bit more affordable there vs The Heights, Midtown, Montrose, etc...but prices are going up as it becomes more popular.

If you're southside, maybe somewhere around the Astrodome area that is south of OST and north of Holly Hall. A lot of medical students live there and rents aren't too outlandish. Some will question the area, but my wife and I have a friend that has lived in that area in a condo she bought back in '05 and hasn't had any issues at all, and she goes and runs Brays Bayou multiple times a week.

If you're going to be headed north for work, your best bet would be to look for someone renting a garage apartment in The Heights.

Quote:

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If you're southside, maybe somewhere around the Astrodome area that is south of OST and north of Holly Hall. A lot of medical students live there and rents aren't too outlandish. Some will question the area, but my wife and I have a friend that has lived in that area in a condo she bought back in '05 and hasn't had any issues at all, and she goes and runs Brays Bayou multiple times a week.

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Drove around there recently in some townhouse streets, and it definitely looks a lot different and better than it did when most of us were growing. Most of the old scary apartments have been torn down. Also noticed a brand new complex going up on S Main b/w 610 and W Bellfort. A ton of development back there since all the main streets got connected.

I too, would like to believe in unicorns.

Creekland Village

I Am A Critic said:

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So where they're going to be teaching is the most important thing but without knowing you're going to tell them where to live anyway.

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Nah. They probably don't know where they're going to be teaching so giving them a few suggestions based on different sides of town isn't telling them where to live, but if they want to get some actual useful information from numerous people, they'll need to let people know where they're going to be driving to.

But they're also used to Texas City, so any place not named Pasadena would be an upgrade.

I mean, it's not like they built 99 after the neighborhood, so they knew what they were buying into. Hard to feel bad for them.

There's a place on the north side called The Highlands that used to only be accessible via 99 and having to pay a toll. We know someone that bought into there and then complained about the tolls. I think they eventually opened a street to 1314 so they can bypass that

Hey I just so happen to have a client that's about to list something that I think you might like. Shoot me a PM or a text (info in profile) if you'd like me to walk you through it before it hits the market.

Red Pear Realty said:

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Hey I just so happen to have a client that's about to list something that I think you might like. Shoot me a PM or a text (info in profile) if you'd like me to walk you through it before it hits the market.

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How do you know if they might like it if you don't know where they'll be working? Your Katy listing for someone working in Barber's Hill? Your Magnolia listing for someone working in Clear Lake? Your Sienna Plantation listing for someone working in Kingwood?

Because in his OP he talks about suburbs and wanting to live in Houston. This listing is in 77007 and that's about as "Houston" as it gets. Also, it's a 2/2 that will be listed for $2,000 a month.

I Am A Critic said:

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Red Pear Realty said:

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Hey I just so happen to have a client that's about to list something that I think you might like. Shoot me a PM or a text (info in profile) if you'd like me to walk you through it before it hits the market.

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How do you know if they might like it if you don't know where they'll be working? Your Katy listing for someone working in Barber's Hill? Your Magnolia listing for someone working in Clear Lake? Your Sienna Plantation listing for someone working in Kingwood?

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Is she works downtown, Sienna or Kingwood would be fine because both 10-15 minutes from downtown.

/Tine Board

Try Kingwood, water front property whether it rains or water main breaks.



https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2026/02/10/flooding-reported-in-kingwood-neighborhood-after-water-main-break/

I love how on this board everybody in 6 counties works downtown.

Morbo the Annihilator said:

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I love how on this board everybody in 6 counties works downtown.

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Well... I was in district 2 i.e. Aldine area, got on the naughty list with LT and now I'm stuck in downtown.