Giantaxe

"None of the above"

Mr Weeze

Check out www.har.com for rental options. As Weeze said, renting in Houston is stupidly expensive - the landlord is also covering the local property tax in that, which can be up to 3% of the value of the house annually. Rule of thumb for renting in/around Houston seems to be 1% of the sale price per month. $1200/month = $120,000 dollar house.

Moxie

I'd bet Spring, TX is cheaper than the other places. Try a cost of living calculator. http://www.bestplaces.net/col/

Here's a planned neighborhood in Spring. http://springtrails.com/index.asp It's 15-20 min to IAH airport because it's easy access to the Hardy toll road. Har.com can show listings if you enter spring trails into the search. Here's another Imperial Oaks http://www.imperialoaks.com/ The Woodlands would be a good choice too.


I'm loving living near Spring and The Woodlands. I moved here for various reasons and one was to get off the coast where hurricanes can cause a mandatory evacuation. 75 miles off the coast does not have the threat of the Gulf storm surge which is the real danger of a hurricane.

It's hot here but I think Atlanta is too.

CurlyWurly

I live 45 miles NE of Atlanta ... came up from southern Florida and it was a big change. Atlanta is bustling all the time ... I only go there for certain stores or events as traffic is a nightmare, and its not usually at the top of my list to want to do. As of Crime, well its everywhere in the world. Schools, private ones are always better, just will burn a hole in your pocket.

However, living on the outskirts, I love it. Everyone is so much more friendlier than some of the Floridians (or illegals) I have encountered ... you get waved at instead of getting a finger, you get that real southern hospitality from a good 75% of the residents, the others, well they just probably had to sit in traffic on I75 so they are grouchy. It warms up around April to May and starts cooling off around October to November area. Yes we get snow sometimes in Winter, and its like the world is ending when we do. The only thing I miss is the beach being 10 minutes away. Do some shopping on the houses, for $1200 you should be able to get a nice house in the subs.

Steve_

I'd say Atlanta. I couldn't hack living in Houston myself. Texas does have the advantage of no State income taxes though.

Bob

SC, it's the only state listed of the three?

gryff31

Thanks genius.... but a do label the 3 states in the first message!

A big thankyou to those that were very helpful, especially with some the links, they have been great

however judging by some the crappy private messages etc etc I think the person that wrote the post about crabby board members was spot on. Such a shame is it seemed a great site.

Weeze

Any rude pm should be reported to mods.
Good luck whichever you choose.

JessicaKate

Well, I've been to SC and to Hotlanta (the ATL- ) and I would say if it were my choice Houston!

Why? SC is cool. Great climate, nice atmosphere but I just associate it with spring break. ATL is cool too, but to me, it reminds me of a city that experienced rapid growth when they hosted the Olympics and plummeted afterwards.

When I think Houston I also think of Austin. My sister visits Austin often and always raves about it. I guess when I think of anything Texas I think of Austin whic is a city that is up and coming.

I'm a Yank (NY'er) and therefore would never picture myself moving south of the Mason Dixon (yup I'm that person) but if I were to, Texas would be my first choice.

Good luck with your move.

Yorkieabroad

Only problem with that is that Austin is probably the least Texan town I've been to!.

I agree with your sister though - its a great city! We've got in-laws up there and visit quite regularly - love it.

JessicaKate

Maybe it'll rub off though?

Even still, I would vote Texas over Georgia and SC.

SarahG

Myrtle Beach is probably a Spring Break destination but not Charleston/Summerville/Mount Pleasant which is area OP mentioned.

Bink

I think it's going to be difficult to find a good school area with a $1,300/month budget for accommodation. Good schools come at a premium when it comes to house prices and rental costs.

Yorkieabroad

I kinda like Texas, as long as you can keep exposure to the inbred nutters to a minimum.....

Only been to Atlanta for 3 days about 10 years ago, so can't really comment. Never been to SC , but hoping to rectify that this summer with a road trip from here along the gulf coast then up the east coast to Washingon.

Yorkieabroad

Yeah, there are a few in the better areas of KISD, but very thin on the ground.