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@MrsSCB: There are a lot of really good school districts in and around the Houston area. I'm not 100% sure, but I think the best public schools are in The Woodlands (a BIG suburb of Houston), which is mostly Conroe ISD. We're actually moving to that area for that reason. (that, and we just love The Woodlands)

I grew up in the suburbs of H-town and loved it. I agree with @T-Mom: you will be amazed at the cost of living down here in Texas! It's really reasonable considering well the job market in Texas is rebounding right now. In addition to being a pretty cheap city to live in, there are lots of excellent school districts to choose from (and linked to this, LOTS of excellent suburbs to live in, if you want to go to suburbia). One thing I loved about living in the suburbs (Sugar Land area), it was so close to the action. It only took me about 15-20 mins on the highway to get to the middle of downtown and go shopping at the Galleria, go to a good restaurant, etc.

I miss living in Houston quite a bit (I live in a smaller town about an hour and a half away now, darn!) and although the summers are absolutely murder, it's definitely a fun place to be and has TONS to do and see

GOOD LUCK with all of this and write on my wall if you want/need any more advice

We moved here about two years ago, and it was a transition! We moved from Buffalo, NY and I was not ready for the heat... ugh. I would have to say though, almost everyone I meet is a transplant and that has worked out nicely. I think it has been pretty easy finding friends, and PEOPLE ARE SO NICE! Like, when I go to Chick-fil-a or some place like that, I'm not worried about someone spitting in my food because they genuinely like their job (or are just so nice!).

I was able to find a teaching job pretty easily, but ended up quitting due to a second baby. The job market is pretty solid down here

Another thing to know, it is Houston is HUGE. It has a great arts scene, wonderful restaurants, and so much to do!

@MrsSCB: It's true what everyone is saying about the people being nice. Strangers will strike up a convo with you in line at the grocery store, at the mall, in the elevator, etc. I am a total keep to myself person, though, so sometimes I find it annoying! I am like leave me alone I just want to buy my damn loaf of bread! But I'd rather be surrounded by lots of nice people than a**holes, I guess

I you don't have kids yet, I would look at some of the close in neighborhoods that @rattles mentioned. I would add Rice Military to the list. In all of those close in neighborhoods, you will be able to walk to a few commercial establishments. Exact location will make the walkability variable; but I can easily walk to my hair salon, dry cleaners, coffee shop, local park and a handful of top notch restaurants. A little bit longer of a walk by Houston standards gets me to another handful of restaurant and some bars. Our public HISD elementary school is also highly sought after. Yes, you will need a car, but you can also bike and walk lots of places if you pick the right neighborhood. This is my third time living in Houston and it gets better all the time. Great people, great weather (January and February will make up for July and august), great economy, and it has all the arts and restaurants and sports that you could need. No doubt, it will be an adjustment. Most people come here kicking and screaming and surprise themselves when they really like it. Good luck!

I don't know a ton about Houston though I was born there, but Texas in general is friendly, inexpensive and warm! Some unsolicited general moving advice though: When we moved from Dallas to NYC, we looked at it as a one-year adventure - I really wanted to move and my husband didn't want to keep me from my "dream," so he went along. The deal was that if for whatever reason one or both of us hated it (or couldn't find a job or whatever), we could move back in a year. It's only the cost of a couple plane tickets and some logistics, after all!

We've been in NYC 3 years and are still loving it, but recognizing that we could always go back and things weren't set in stone helped us relax. Good luck! We'll be back in Texas eventually, it's home.