Can someone give me some insight on Houston? (Possibly moving from Florida)
12-07-2011, 08:32 PM
#1
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Can someone give me some insight on Houston? (Possibly moving from Florida) Wife has some family out there and is looking for a change. I wouldn't mind moving myself.
-How is is living expenses? I see houses are a bit cheaper, but I heard the taxes can rape you.
-Any large pediatric hospitals? Wife is a pediatric RN.
-Can someone give me an insight on inspections? Here in FL there are none. Car is currently with ORY and Race headers. I heard that if I keep a P.O. Box in FL, I can keep my car registered here and not deal with inspections?
-What major drag strips are near by?
-Anyone been to SAM? I've been interested since I heard of it years ago in High school. May consider going there for a change of direction.
-What are some general "decent" areas to live in? I have a friend in "Sugarland" that says its a nice area. Anywhere else?
Any other insight that would help the wife and I. We are planning a trip for June of 2012 to go out there for a week or so and check things out. I've never been but she's visited family 2-3 times out there recently.
-How is is living expenses? I see houses are a bit cheaper, but I heard the taxes can rape you.
-Any large pediatric hospitals? Wife is a pediatric RN.
-Can someone give me an insight on inspections? Here in FL there are none. Car is currently with ORY and Race headers. I heard that if I keep a P.O. Box in FL, I can keep my car registered here and not deal with inspections?
-What major drag strips are near by?
-Anyone been to SAM? I've been interested since I heard of it years ago in High school. May consider going there for a change of direction.
-What are some general "decent" areas to live in? I have a friend in "Sugarland" that says its a nice area. Anywhere else?
Any other insight that would help the wife and I. We are planning a trip for June of 2012 to go out there for a week or so and check things out. I've never been but she's visited family 2-3 times out there recently.
12-07-2011, 09:51 PM
#2
Houston http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...01X_9D6vPr2VtA
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...SkBkTKh_NywBcg
I want to move to Florida one day , the first shortcut is for Texas Childrens Hospital , the second one is for Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown TX close to Houston .
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...SkBkTKh_NywBcg
I want to move to Florida one day , the first shortcut is for Texas Childrens Hospital , the second one is for Royal Purple Raceway in Baytown TX close to Houston .
12-08-2011, 09:58 AM
#4
Houston had nice areas
Sugarland being one like u said and there is the woodlands(very nice) and tomball,pearland,Katy, humble is pretty good to. Royal purple raceway near Houston and also one in seal Lmp which is close to Katy(recomended) because also has TX2K best racing even there is
Sugarland being one like u said and there is the woodlands(very nice) and tomball,pearland,Katy, humble is pretty good to. Royal purple raceway near Houston and also one in seal Lmp which is close to Katy(recomended) because also has TX2K best racing even there is
12-08-2011, 10:28 AM
#6
Wife has some family out there and is looking for a change. I wouldn't mind moving myself.
-How is is living expenses? I see houses are a bit cheaper, but I heard the taxes can rape you.
Housing costs are some of the lowest in the country. You get a lot for the money here. No state income tax. Property taxes range from about 2.5% - 3.5%
-Any large pediatric hospitals? Wife is a pediatric RN.
There are tons of hospitals and beside big Oil, the medical field is what puts Houston on the map.
-Can someone give me an insight on inspections? Here in FL there are none. Car is currently with ORY and Race headers. I heard that if I keep a P.O. Box in FL, I can keep my car registered here and not deal with inspections?
If you live in Harris County (Houston) or any of the surrounding counties, you will have to pass a visual and emissions test.
-What major drag strips are near by?
Royal Purple Raceway is the major drag strip. It's about a 30 minute drive east from downtown Houston. There is also a 1/4 mile strip (Lonestar Motorsports Park) in Sealy which is about a 40 minute or so drive west from downtown. There's an 1/8 track (Houston Motorsports Park) on the east-northeast side of town which is about a 20 minute drive from downtown.
-Anyone been to SAM? I've been interested since I heard of it years ago in High school. May consider going there for a change of direction.
I have heard nothing but positive reviews of SAM.
-What are some general "decent" areas to live in? I have a friend in "Sugarland" that says its a nice area. Anywhere else?
West - Sugarland & Katy areas
South - League City, Friendswood, Pearland is OK.
North - The Woodlands area is nice
East - Not as familiar with this side of town.
Any other insight that would help the wife and I. We are planning a trip for June of 2012 to go out there for a week or so and check things out. I've never been but she's visited family 2-3 times out there recently.
Being from Florida, I don't see you having that big of a problem with "hot & humid". That's the only major thing I don't care for. It's flat here, so the land isn't exactly "beautiful".
With that said, you are 1 hour from a beach (don't expect a Florida beach), sometimes only minutes away from a lake (depending on your location), 2 hours from casinos, and only 3-4 hours away from many great weekend destinations like San Antonio, Austin, Corpus (lake fun, river tubing, cleaner/prettier beaches).
If you're into sports, we have the Texans, Astros, Rockets, Dynamo (soccer), Aeros (hockey).
-How is is living expenses? I see houses are a bit cheaper, but I heard the taxes can rape you.
Housing costs are some of the lowest in the country. You get a lot for the money here. No state income tax. Property taxes range from about 2.5% - 3.5%
-Any large pediatric hospitals? Wife is a pediatric RN.
There are tons of hospitals and beside big Oil, the medical field is what puts Houston on the map.
-Can someone give me an insight on inspections? Here in FL there are none. Car is currently with ORY and Race headers. I heard that if I keep a P.O. Box in FL, I can keep my car registered here and not deal with inspections?
If you live in Harris County (Houston) or any of the surrounding counties, you will have to pass a visual and emissions test.
-What major drag strips are near by?
Royal Purple Raceway is the major drag strip. It's about a 30 minute drive east from downtown Houston. There is also a 1/4 mile strip (Lonestar Motorsports Park) in Sealy which is about a 40 minute or so drive west from downtown. There's an 1/8 track (Houston Motorsports Park) on the east-northeast side of town which is about a 20 minute drive from downtown.
-Anyone been to SAM? I've been interested since I heard of it years ago in High school. May consider going there for a change of direction.
I have heard nothing but positive reviews of SAM.
-What are some general "decent" areas to live in? I have a friend in "Sugarland" that says its a nice area. Anywhere else?
West - Sugarland & Katy areas
South - League City, Friendswood, Pearland is OK.
North - The Woodlands area is nice
East - Not as familiar with this side of town.
Any other insight that would help the wife and I. We are planning a trip for June of 2012 to go out there for a week or so and check things out. I've never been but she's visited family 2-3 times out there recently.
Being from Florida, I don't see you having that big of a problem with "hot & humid". That's the only major thing I don't care for. It's flat here, so the land isn't exactly "beautiful".
With that said, you are 1 hour from a beach (don't expect a Florida beach), sometimes only minutes away from a lake (depending on your location), 2 hours from casinos, and only 3-4 hours away from many great weekend destinations like San Antonio, Austin, Corpus (lake fun, river tubing, cleaner/prettier beaches).
If you're into sports, we have the Texans, Astros, Rockets, Dynamo (soccer), Aeros (hockey).
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12-08-2011, 10:30 AM
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houston has great areas everywhere just depends what you want and how far you want to drive.
Taxes do suck, but oh well. but no state tax makes up for it. If you want an idea on taxes they are all online, just find a house you like and then go look it up. hcad.org
inspections are not hard to bypass, and yeah you can technically keep your car tagged in FL, but if you do get pulled over you will probably get harassed, just depends how good a lyer you are, just make sure you also keep your DL in FL so you can say your just visiting.
Some of the best hospitals in the world, so would think you could find a place.
Good luck.
Taxes do suck, but oh well. but no state tax makes up for it. If you want an idea on taxes they are all online, just find a house you like and then go look it up. hcad.org
inspections are not hard to bypass, and yeah you can technically keep your car tagged in FL, but if you do get pulled over you will probably get harassed, just depends how good a lyer you are, just make sure you also keep your DL in FL so you can say your just visiting.
Some of the best hospitals in the world, so would think you could find a place.
Good luck.
Trending Topics
12-08-2011, 10:37 AM
#9
School taxes, county taxes, city taxes & utility taxes are what's combined to make up your total "Property Tax".
Example (not my house):
Tax Rate (Year 2010)
FRIENDSWOOD ISD 1.3670
GALVESTON CO 0.6198
CITY OF FRIENDSWOOD 0.5851
GALVESTON CC DRAINAGE DISTRICT 0.1425
GALV CO RD & FLOOD 0.0090
Total Tax Rate 2.7234
Appraisal Value: $189,190
Tax Amount: $5,152 / Year
OP,
Go to www.har.com to view all homes for sale in the greater Houston area.
its alright depends where ur coming from..
12-08-2011, 12:39 PM
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12-08-2011, 12:44 PM
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Clear Lake, Friendswood, Webster, Pearland, all good areas in my opinion. The Woodlands aswell thats further up North..As far as drags strips Royal Purple Race Way and Houston Motorsports Park are going to be where you want to be at.
Last edited by PBMGTO; 12-08-2011 at 12:49 PM.
12-08-2011, 01:14 PM
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Thanks for the responses guys! We're getting pretty excited.
I checked the public records for taxes on a few houses, my friends for example. The appraisal was 174k and he paid just over 5k in taxes. Thats around $425 a month, we're wanting to keep payments below 1k taxes/insurance/mortgage all together. Taxes are definitely higher than here, we were hoping for a much nicer house, but we'll settle for now!
Can someone enlighten me a little further about passing the emissions (PM if needed). I do not have the headers/ORY installed. I have the parts, but I talked to a friend and he knows someone that maybe can buy them for close to what I have in it. Then I could purchase the AIR/EGR Style headers and Catted Y.
I do not plan on living in TX Forever, as I'm sure we would probably venture back to FL in 5 years when we have children to be closer to family. And of course, I rather not have Cats, nor pay for the extra amount now anyways.
Also, what are the tint laws? I was planning on tinting my windows this month and was going to be illegal even with our standards, but I've never had trouble in the past.
I checked the public records for taxes on a few houses, my friends for example. The appraisal was 174k and he paid just over 5k in taxes. Thats around $425 a month, we're wanting to keep payments below 1k taxes/insurance/mortgage all together. Taxes are definitely higher than here, we were hoping for a much nicer house, but we'll settle for now!
Can someone enlighten me a little further about passing the emissions (PM if needed). I do not have the headers/ORY installed. I have the parts, but I talked to a friend and he knows someone that maybe can buy them for close to what I have in it. Then I could purchase the AIR/EGR Style headers and Catted Y.
I do not plan on living in TX Forever, as I'm sure we would probably venture back to FL in 5 years when we have children to be closer to family. And of course, I rather not have Cats, nor pay for the extra amount now anyways.
Also, what are the tint laws? I was planning on tinting my windows this month and was going to be illegal even with our standards, but I've never had trouble in the past.
Last edited by BigB02Z28; 12-08-2011 at 01:23 PM.
12-09-2011, 09:16 PM
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How is Bunker Hill Village or Hunters Creek Village?
It seems a house in that area would triangulate well with our other locations of interest.
Does anyone have a zip for this area?
Edit: Hillshire Village and Spring Valley area as well
** Just looking at google maps of Houston for these areas, I know nothing about them.
It seems a house in that area would triangulate well with our other locations of interest.
Does anyone have a zip for this area?
Edit: Hillshire Village and Spring Valley area as well
** Just looking at google maps of Houston for these areas, I know nothing about them.
12-09-2011, 09:42 PM
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Bunker Hill, Hunter's Creek, Hillshire Village and Spring Valley are really nice parts of town. It's often referred to as "The Memorial Area". Zip codes are 77055 and77024. There are lots of straight up mansions in the Memorial Area, but some affordable places, too.
My parents live in Spring Valley, and I grew up there. There is a village police and fire department and they are STRICT, which sounds like a bad thing, unless you live there. They definitely watch out for their own. Just north of Spring Valley gets a little dicey, but like I said, the local police department is on the ball.
My wife and I are likely going to be moving to Katy in the next year or so. Pearland (where we live now) is OK, but there are lots of foreclosures in the area, and some of the people moving into these homes are sketchy. Now that we have a kid to worry about, we're focused on moving to an area where the schools are good, and Katy fits that bill nicely.
Your wife will be in high demand. Houston has one of the premier medical centers in the US, and there is ALWAYS demand for more nurses. Texas Children's Hospital has a huge facility near downtown, and the care is second to none.
-Mike
My parents live in Spring Valley, and I grew up there. There is a village police and fire department and they are STRICT, which sounds like a bad thing, unless you live there. They definitely watch out for their own. Just north of Spring Valley gets a little dicey, but like I said, the local police department is on the ball.
My wife and I are likely going to be moving to Katy in the next year or so. Pearland (where we live now) is OK, but there are lots of foreclosures in the area, and some of the people moving into these homes are sketchy. Now that we have a kid to worry about, we're focused on moving to an area where the schools are good, and Katy fits that bill nicely.
Your wife will be in high demand. Houston has one of the premier medical centers in the US, and there is ALWAYS demand for more nurses. Texas Children's Hospital has a huge facility near downtown, and the care is second to none.
-Mike