Should I move to Mountain House or stay in Houston?
Hello, Military spouse here. The unemployment rate is 1.6%, which is pretty low. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
21 Replies
Lucy Watson
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Happy to answer more specific questions..
36 upvotes
Dominic Wood
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Houston about 13 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and work.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Property taxes are high
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are pricey, gas is tough.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. No regrets on my end..
31 upvotes
Ariana Morris
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The safety is genuinely tough and I've found it exceeded my expectations. My neighborhood (The Heights) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from San Francisco, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
30 upvotes
Mark R.
this is the way
28 upvotes
Axel Lee
Moved here from Austin about 6 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to food scene but Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Audrey
lol so true
27 upvotes
Waylon J.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
27 upvotes
Abigail Ward
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 5 years. Moved from Baltimore for my partner's job. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2021 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are tough. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Property taxes are high. And healthcare can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
25 upvotes
Theodore Richardson
great question, following
24 upvotes
Axel M.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
24 upvotes
Robert Stewart
been saying this for years
22 upvotes
Josiah Price
I've lived in East for about 12 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. When I first moved here from Atlanta, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- The outdoor recreation scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Can feel isolated
- Limited shopping options
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for couples. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
22 upvotes
Katherine Taylor
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I love the pace of life here. Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Claire Adams
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a lawyer who relocated here from Tampa about 2 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good schools in most areas
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Lots of new development happening
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are wild, gas is improving.
Socially, it's not perfect but it works for me. Feel free to reach out with questions..
18 upvotes
Brielle Murphy
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 4 years. Moved from Raleigh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I genuinely enjoy living here. The outdoor scene is excellent - we have lakes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Property taxes are high. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 6/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Roman Cruz
My experience has been mostly positive. it's exactly what I was looking for. The only thing I'd watch out for is community vibe. Other than that, Definitely worth checking out..
11 upvotes
Camila Gonzalez
hmm interesting perspective
9 upvotes
Ariana Diaz
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 6 years. Moved from Salt Lake City for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is underrated. We bought in 2022 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
engineering is strong here. manufacturing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are excellent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Can feel isolated. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
8 upvotes
la_nicholas
been saying this for years
4 upvotes
Nevaeh A.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Dallas about 1 years ago. The main reasons were work and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Lots of new development happening
- Four distinct seasons
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. Groceries are reasonable, gas is tough.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
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