Moving to Houston

eyoliver · Jan 4, 2010

Are you set on living downtown? There are hospitals all over the city, my husband and I are moving to the North/Northwest (Tomball, Spring, Woodlands) area

AMR21, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2010

We aren't set in an particular area. I would just like to be within 30-45 min drive of the medical center area.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Jan 4, 2010

LOL - I got a chuckle out of the OP's request for a "SAFE" place to live. I realize that Houston may be a big scary place for newcomers, but I want to clarify -- our crime stats are very low. Like any other big city, you need to use common sense but our lack of zoning (never had it, never will) means that just about every area of the city has a wide variety of housing and shopping - sometimes right next door to each other!

I would also advise the OP to move into a temporary arrangement for a while until becoming more familiar with all the options available. Commuting can be a HUGE factor in one's overall wellbeing. Dunno about y'all, but I can find much better things to do with my time instead of sitting in traffic for a couple of hours. This is particularly important if you are going to be working 12 hour shifts. It's important to live close to work if possible.

Also keep in mind that there is essentially no on-site or free parking in the Houston Medical Center. Employees have to park in remote lots serviced by shuttle buses and this adds another hour or so to the total 'commute' each day.

Basically - I would recommend using the following factors to decide on where to live in Houston:

1. Commute time - including viable alternative routes to get to work in case of a traffic snarl

2. Flooding - check out the neighborhood's history of flooding during one of our legendary heavy rains or tropical storms http://www.hcfcd.org/

3. Evacuation Zone: In case of tropical storms or hurricanes, you may not want to be in a mandatory evacuation zone. http://www.houstonoem.net/go/doc/1855/247859/

If you're looking to buy a house, be sure to investigate:

4. MUD - is the location part of a Municipal Utility District? If so, this can mean additional headaches and extra taxes

5. HOA - find out as much as you can about the Homeowner's Association that controls the neighborhood. some have exhaustive sets of draconian rules you have to follow. HOA dues can be pretty steep if the neighborhood has a lot of ammenities or if they are paying off any special assessments for improvements or legal fees.

6. Flood Insurance: May be a requirement, depending on evacuation zone & flood control map (see #2)

NeoNurseTX, RN · Jan 10, 2010

Also keep in mind that there is essentially no on-site or free parking in the Houston Medical Center. Employees have to park in remote lots serviced by shuttle buses and this adds another hour or so to the total 'commute' each day.

You usually pay $12/day if you park in a med center garage. Night shift parks free everywhere I know of. The off site lots add maybe 20 minutes communte time...MAYBE. If it's an hour, I have no clue where you are talking about.