https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:11:54 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/houston-advice#post-2857010 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 17:43:08 +0000 LAZB 2857010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also re: driving, you can use Uber of lift if you don’t want to drive, and grocery delivery is widely available. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/houston-advice#post-2857007 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 17:30:05 +0000 LAZB 2857007@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I’m from Houston too, and agree with the other ladies about it being very difficult without a car here.<br /> Our downtown is different than most large cities, it’s not somewhere a family would really live. It’s mostly just where people work, and then they leave.<br /> Houston is known for being affordable, but if you want to live in the city and have good schools, you’d be looking at $$$.<br /> Most of HISD is not great, but SBISD and some of the schools in the suburbs are great.<br /> We are a super diverse city, I wouldn’t worry about that. We have a black mayor and the mayor before that is a lesbian, I think that says a lot!<br /> There are a lot of bees in Houston, we used to meet up more, but haven’t in a while.<br /> I’m one of the only ones I know of that lives in Houston and not the suburbs. I’ll answer any more questions you have :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/houston-advice#post-2857001 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 17:07:51 +0000 Bluebonnet 2857001@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@annem1990: Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the US. There are people from all over the world with a variety of religious and political beliefs. </p> <p>I agree with @BUNBUN: Houston has public transportation (buses and a few short light rails), but the majority of people drive everywhere. Its also REALLY hot in the summer, so even if you live in a walkable area, its not necessarily ideal to be walking everywhere (especially in the middle of the day).</p> <p>The walkable areas tend to be the most expensive areas, so keep that in mind when weighing the offer. Also the areas with the best schools tend to be the most expensive areas. </p> <p>If you are looking for good schools, walkable, and opportunity to meet other moms, check out The Heights. Its fantastic, but its getting really pricey. Also look into Oak Forest and Garden Oaks (but the walkability depends on where you live in those areas). I'm having a hard time thinking of any other areas that are walkable, have good schools, and are family friendly. Maybe other bees will chime in with some ideas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/houston-advice#post-2856979 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 16:17:14 +0000 annem1990 2856979@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BUNBUN: I so appreciate your insights!<br /> We rent a condo currently and would probably do the same for at least a year. We don’t have a dream of a big, sprawling house. We are much more “city” people. I would want 3 bedrooms so family could come visit, but we can live in small quarters!<br /> I know the driving thing is hard. My husband’s job would be right downtown. I am legally allowed to drive at this moment but chose not to. I was recently diagnosed with a seizure disorder and want to put my family’s safety first. Even before I had seizures we were a 1 car family. I was always able to walk/bus to work and we’d switch off if need be. Am I able to get everywhere w/o a car now? No. I can’t easily get to a Target or any other big box store. But as long as there’s a grocery, pharmacy and restaurants in walking distance, that’s all I need. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/houston-advice#post-2856978 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 16:02:06 +0000 BUNBUN 2856978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Let me start by saying I moved to the Houston area 7 years ago and like it so much more than I ever thought I would and probably will be here for life! (I'm originally from the northeast). Houston is a very metropolitan city and you'll definitely be able to find liberal-leaning folks, especially if you live in Houston-proper. I would say that the majority of the people I know here were not born here and they fall in the full range of religious to not, liberal to conservative.</p> <p>However, it tends to be a car-reliant place. So much will depend on where your husband's job will be and how much of a commute he wants/can tolerate. I live in the suburbs 40+ min north of Houston. My experience with the suburbs of Houston is that they are not built with non-drivers in mind. My area is more walkable than most, but it's still pretty spread out. I think it would be a challenge to find a house that was close enough not to drive in my area, but there are condos and apartments close to the shopping/central area. However, if you look in the areas within Houston (ie: The Heights and others) you might have better luck with walkability, but you will pay for it with higher cost of living. </p> <p>I really hope some of the Houston Bees will chime in with their insight as I've been in the 'burbs for my time here. </p> <p>Is there any chance of you becoming a driver? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/houston-advice#post-2856973 Thu, 15 Nov 2018 15:37:14 +0000 annem1990 2856973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband is a finalist for a job in Houston. I’m looking for advice on possible places to live. </p> <p>We are in our late-20s. We currently live in a mid-size Midwestern city and love it. Our families are here and we have a huge support system. That would obviously be gone if we were to move. I’m terrified. </p> <p>We live in a very liberal area. We own 1 car (and plan to continue that) and can walk to everything (grocery, restaurants, shops) or bus to downtown. I have this stereotype of Texas that it is super religious and conservative, none of which we are. I worry we wouldn’t fit in. I don’t drive and make a reasonable income babysitting other children several days/week. So I’d need an area that’s really walkable, with opportunity to meet other moms. Great schools too. </p> <p>I know it’s still hypothetical, but I feel like I need to do a lot of research on housing and things in order to make a reasonable decision based upon the salary he was told. Any insights?? </p>