Advice from Houstonians

[Skyhawk]

I'm a native Houstonian who moved away 21 years ago following the Great Oil Bust of 1986. I'm now a little over 2 years from my official retirement date and am looking forward to a possible relocation to Houston when I retire. My wife is a 40 year teacher who will retire at the end of this year making time and resources available for our retirement planning. My wife likes the beach, while I prefer a walk in the woods for relaxation. I do find the ride on the Bolivar ferry to be very relaxing, however. Sailing on Galveston Bay could be fun, too.

I have thought about having a principal residence on the west side of Houston (Katy to Richmond corridor) plus a small beach or bay home or condo in Galveston. Since we will be retired and have no need to go into the city each day, I have even thought about locations further to the northwest near Bryan/College Station. Being near a major university but being in a small town environmont seems appealing.

Any comments or suggestions from the locals. Best deals? Places to avoid? Existing homes vs new construction. Builder's plans vs custom plans.

[Ed Mahmoud]

I live in a very nice, racially integrated, friendly neighborhood, near 1960 in unicorporated Harris County. Near BW-8 and I-45, about equidistant IAH and DWH


Nice weather, great neighbors.



Galveston Island would be a great place to be retired, but eventually, West of the sea-wall, a big storm will wreck a bunch of homes. East of the sea-wall, closer to the crowds, but it would take a storm of the century to destroy the homestead.

[Skyhawk]

Thanks for the reply

I was much more familiar with the west side rather than the north side when I lived in Houston. My sister-in-law and her family lived in Aldine, which was much closer to downtown. I didn't care for the area. The kids turned out really bad. I think bad influence from the neighborhood and school.

A portion of FM1960 was named (I don't know if it still is.) for my mother's family. There are serveral subdivisions out there that contain the name. I thought it might be interesting to live in a subdivision with the family name. I don't know anything else about them. I'm looking for a neighborhood where the people tend to be college educated professionals, scientists, engineers, accountants, college professors and the like. I certainly want a safe place where one can jog or walk safely after dark.

Galveston Island would be a great place to be retired, but eventually, West of the sea-wall, a big storm will wreck a bunch of homes. East of the sea-wall, closer to the crowds, but it would take a storm of the century to destroy the homestead.

The bay/beach home woudn't be the prime residence. No financial records, family keepsakes or other valuables kept there. It need not be large. A living-dining-kitchen area and a bedroom and bath, maybe a second bedroom for guests. I've seen some condos on Seawall Blvd. They may represent the best possibility of survivability. Of course, we could put all the money in a home inland (west or north Houston) and simply rent a condo when we wanted time at the beach. We did that last summer at a place on the Lower Outer Banks (Emerald Ilse). The trouble there is that you schedule around vacancies. My wife right now is working on booking a place for the first or second week in July for this summer.

So many options - so hard to choose.

[CajunMama]

I don't know what your housing budget is but I know someone who lives inside the 610 loop. They razed the original house on the lot and put 3-3 story homes on the lot. And if you're worried about getting old in a 3 story home...it has its own elevator! It's quite nice and they feel really safe there. It's a quiet tree lined street.