I currently live in Madison, WI... and am 26 years old.. I graduated college back in 2008, and had some delay getting my feet off the ground with the economy and bills... but now I can finally do what I have wanted after graduating and Relocate. So I recently put about $5k aside for relocating and I am giving my 2 week notice at my job on Fri (unless they sweet talk me into telecommuting from my new location). So with consideration of my girlfriend and dog, I slimmed choices and have my eyes set on Houston area... I hear the economy is booming and I can likely land a good/decent job fairly quickly... and it is near the Gulf. I think I may initially find a spot near League City, in between Houston and Galveston to give me some range when looking for a job and calculating my commute. It looks very nice, so I plan to relocate in August, because my lease is up at the End of July.

So... I have to find some sort of temp housing at the very least (monthly or few month lease), or more so preferably a house w/ garage for my Z and that allows a dog (white german shepherd).. for up to $1200/mo. I may even pay all upfront to land a temp lease prior to arrival.

I have a E34 BMW daily/winter driver, well modified 350z, and an R6...a few other possessions, my dog, and girl friend to get transported down there.

I am thinking:
1) set up a temp housing situation for expected arrival (or get a temporary hotel or resort stay at the very least until signing a lease).. I can book nights at a resort for mid way overnight stay on the traveling as well.

2) Drive a moving truck with girlfriend, motorcycle and personal possessions to temp housing destination.

3) Fly back to Madison solo; pick up my puppy dog, and drive my old e34 BMW back down to Houston (21 hours<)... will have to take lots of stops too for the dog.

5) Get a job / find more permanent housing if needed

4) Have the 350z Shipped to Houston

5) enjoy life

I have had my Z apart all spring waiting to install stuff... haven't been able to drive it much, but it should be rather finished with what I am working on by the time I leave. I plan on using my motorcycle to look around for jobs a bit before I go back for my dog. My girlfriend is a cute bartender, so I am sure she will land something rather quickly. I am very confident and well educated in multiple cultures, so I think I should have even more luck around Houston/Galveston than here. I really don't even need much more than 30K a year down there to make an easy transition.. which is below my pay here, so I believe it is doable.

I am incredibly anxious to leave my job and start something new somewhere new... I searched around and see there is a rather decent Z community in League City[?] ... definitely in Houston.. so maybe some can lend an insight or two.

League City:
Will I be easily able to find housing that allows dogs (70lb white shepherd 3 years old)?

Depending on variables, a short term monthly or 3-6 month lease at first?

Good idea to find a place, pay deposit or full amount up front prior to arrival?

Or is it applicable to find secure something within a week of arrival?

Are there a lot of jobs in League City (business, management, e-commerce)?

Or do you most Commute to Houston?

Are city/town roads friendly to low Z's?

Do you party/chill in League City, Houston, or Galveston or all equally?

Any suggestions, input, feedback or constructive logic from locals in the area would be appreciated... I am still young, and am in no way going to sign another lease and stay put up here (sick of winter, and yes I realize how hot it gets in TX)... time of my life to relocate again (previously moved to Holland - loved it).

I have been asking these questions in more applicable forums, but wanted to get opinions of my approaching time from those who own a common sport car in the area.

Thanks!

 

lengthy post but I like reading lol

Not sure about housing in League City so i cant answer that for you

I say do a short term monthly because you might rather stay in Houston or surrounding areas, and you might find deals that only last for so long and you dont want to kick yourself for signing a x-long contract for some place you dont care for.

Also you don't want to jump to a home right away because you might find something better so take the time to look around for good places.

Jobs in Houston are great, not too sure about Houston. I, myself, work in the Galleria area and couldn't be happier. But so many variables come in to play because of past experience etc etc, and so it is hard answering this question since i dont know your past. But there are MANY businesses in Houston and with the low cost of living you dont need a 100k job to make it.

I will tell you right now, I believe Houston (actual Houston, not suburbs) is a low cost city because of the amount of crappy roads (and other things i wont go in to). Driving a slammed car around Houston is pretty tough. I live in the outskirts of Houston where the roads are no problem but as soon as I get into Houston, I bottom the F out.

Galveston and Houston are both great party places. If you're in Houston, Washington st and also the Montrose area have many clubs and bars.
Galveston.....its an Island, nuff said

And take what i said with a grain of salt. It is a "too each their own" kinda place. Everyone is going to have different opinions. But i say look for a temp place, and be patient with job hunting/home finding etc.

Good luck

(as you can tell I am pretty biased towards Houston)

 

I live in Clear Lake which is on the north side of the actual lake whereas League City is on the south side of the lake. I work in Houston (24 mile commute). We used to live on the south side of the lake and while it's not much further the commute seemed much longer.

Yes, the economy is picking up but I wouldn't say it's "booming." Here is a link to a few rental homes in League City.

http://www.homes.com/rentals/TX/City...0&minprice=800

Surrounding areas are Clear Lake, Friendswood, and Webster. Clear Lake, Friendswood, most of League City and much of Webster are considered very good/safe areas. Close to the Bay and water and only 30 minutes from Galveston Beaches.

While there are a few jobs in the suburbs of League City/Clear Lake, the mojority will definitely be in town...Houston. Good luck with your job search and move.

Pango

 

Thank you for the valuable input!

I am use to 12month + leases... so good to hear there are likely monthly leases available to start out at. Thanks! Also, forgot to mention; just looking for rental... definitely not own any time soon.

Thank you for the link! Will check it out as well.

Good to know! BMW and Motorcycle only when entering Houston... my Z is more of a pleasure/weekend car anyway.

That is reassuring... kind of why I want to be between the two!

Thank you, I understand in a regional forum - "Bias" answers will arise.... but I do appreciate you validating the context of your opinions! Thanks !

Thanks Pango! These inputs are great hear coming from locals.. I am looking more into Clear Lake and Friendswood areas of League City.. but will likely plant where I can conveniently get temp housing that allows my dog. I know it is not ethical to judge people you may not know by their cars or interest of cars... but I do take the inputs of members here with "less grains of salt" than with those other forums like city-data. Appreciate you both taking time to respond, I find them input valuable.

 

As said earlier, I wouldnt be so quick to jump into a lease on a house..go for an apt for 6 months and feel your way around the city..I live on the NorthWest side of Houston(Tomball). Everything I need is right next to me..bank, groceries and gas station are having gas price battles down the street so i get the cheapest premium in Houston(just paid $3.29 at shell this morning).

As for roads, I'm not dropped as of now but for the most part, the Northside is dropped friendly besides railroad crossing here and there. Rather you live down south or up north, its hurricane season now, make sure you look at Houston's flood chart before you make a final decision on your apt/house. Some places on the southside flood when ever rain passes through. Some of my co-workers on the south side usually don't make it to work during a hard rain since some of the main streets flood them in.

Your g/f should find a job rather quickly, probably any bar on Westhimer or downtown will do. Either way do research and welcome to the Nation of Texas

 

why not try to look for jobs in the houston area before moving? you never know if a company is willing to give you some relocation money. if you move now, that possibility is out the door.

 

Welcome to Houston!
Hope you like triple digit weather!! we get that everyday.
I can't wait to get out of college and move to Tokyo -.-

 

Welcome to Houston! HUGE various Z and car groups here! Make sure to bring the Z out!

 

Welcome! Personally, you couldn't pay me to live in League City or Galveston. But if I had to chose between the 2, I'd chose League City. I'd rather take it up north a bit to Clear Lake. I move inside the loop 1 1/2 year's ago and can't phanthom living outside the loop anymore... -2 cents-

 

I have been looking for jobs recently, and I have had a few phone interviews.. but they are no longer interested when I tell them on the phone that I am currently not located there, but I will continue to try. My current house's lease is up at the end of July.., so likely I will have to wait to find a job once I get there.

Hey, thanks for the Input Vo7848.. what do you not like about LC? or why would you rather be a bit north in Clear Lake? (this information is very helpful as I do not know the areas well/personally). I would actually consider living a bit closer to the city or inside the inner loop... (thinking after I find temp housing I will have a better idea of what you are talking about when looking for more perm housing).. but a big worry is I need a garage for my 350z (as I cant store it in WI forever and will have to ship it once I get relocated)... and I need a place that excepts my Shepherd Dog; and I don't know what restrictions places in the city will have. My girlfriend would rather be in a house (privacy) compared to an APT... but if places within the loop allow dogs (70lbs) and have garages that are secure and dropped Z friendly[?].. also... parking for other vehicles.. I would like to be close to the city I suppose... just worried about housing that fits what I need... Temp Housing near LC or CL may have to do until I get planted and find a more permanent better living situation such as in the inner loop. I will research more of the inner loop.

Haha.. well heat doesn't bother me as much as freezing cold but it was about 100 today here and I liked it, just longer rides on the cycle.... Tokyo would be a fantastic place to live.. but getting a visa (been thru it before when I moved to the Netherlands) is not easy (unless you already have a job lined up) and it is expensive all around relocating and cost of living.

I really appreciate everyone's input and kind words.. I find them very helpful in narrowing down a few details prior to arriving. And yes, I am surely bringing the Z but I likely won't ship it until I know I have a garage to keep it in.

 

Sugar Land is the safest area to live, good roads for slammed cars, a lot of nice good people, and of course a lot of nice cars. Google Sugar Land! There is everything you need but regardless i hope you enjoy it here. We will be xpecting to see your Z so hope to see you soon

 

I would also suggest Sugarland, it's pretty nice out there. Yahoo had them listed as one best places to live in America. If it is just you, your girl, and a dog you should have no problem finding a place with a garage for 1200/mo.

 

Hey, thank you for the info! Being closer to downtown is seeming more and more attractive. I am now looking more closely into Clear Lake and Sugar Land areas for housing. More specifically and ideally something short term, like a monthly or 3-6 month lease that is pet friendly with private garage.

Once I get replanted, reemployed, and organized; I will likely find a yearly house lease for more privacy and once I know my daily agenda.

Thank you for the help... sugar land does look nice... How active is the night life around town square? One thing that looks kinda nice about clear lake is it's proximity to Kemah boardwalk... but maybe after a while, that attraction wears down after living by it. My girl and I do enjoy a good night life when we have time to relax.
Thank you for the suggestions!

 

Any one know of an apartment complex that accepts a German Shepherd? We are having trouble finding one.... Apt Locators don't seem to help with aggressive breeds.. so if you know of someone that had a GS, let me know where they may have been! Sugar Land or Clear Lake.

Thaanks!!

 

I know a few but no where near Sugar Land or Clear Lake sorry..My apt actually does. If you've been to a C&C meet you, I'm not hard to spot. I look at C&C meets from my patio when I'm home on Saturdays

 

Hey Thanks Kuyo; We actually just signed a lease yesterday. Unfortunately, we are delayed a bit before we can move though. We got a short term 5 month lease in a furnished house with everything included (except internet) in the Energy Corridor near Katy. We just couldn't make up our mind on houses in Sugar Land without being there, and APTs were hard to find that would meet our needs.

I tell you though, we are really paying up the #$$ for our short term housing near cypress barker... we can't move in until late September, which is quite unfortunate too.. but once we are there and get new jobs, we will be looking for more long term housing in Sugar Land or wherever my job will be close to.

Next step is organizing the transport for my 350z, motorcycle, dog and girl all down there in one haul... getting an ez-pass to get there smoothly, etc. relocating is quite expensive, but we saved enough as long as we dont spend it in the next month.

I am really looking forward to it.. and some cruises to Galveston/Coast. I have also really been looking forward to starting a new career... change is good for me now. Let me see if I can attach a pic of my ride.. alot of mods I bought over the winter will have to wait until I get down there..

 

Good looking and Congratulations on the lease, oh and its "barker cypress" lol you are actually around my area, hope to see you at the meets!

 

Hey guys.. Appreciate all the feedback in this thread.

I just reserved a 14' uhaul truck and auto trailer for the trip. We are leaving next weekend for the journey down.. hopefully; I can get my Z on the trailer without removing the front bumper (with help of 2x4's). I will be driving the entire way.. so I will likely stay over night somewhere mid-way... driving relatively slow and making lots of stops for gas and the dog... but we should arrive on the 1st.. and will likely immediately bbq and get drunk by the pool before taking in the new environment and surroundings.

Looking forward to meeting some of you.. maybe someone has some extra tools and time to help me put on some parts on my Z that I haven't had the time to do yet.

I think the first thing I will have to immediately do is get internet... no idea what provider to start looking at.. comcast? at&t (which I hate)? any others in the West Houston area? Don't need anything special.. just no limits to bandwidth.. speed not too important.

anyway.. thank's for all the input!

 

I'm not familiar with that area, but if Verizon Fios internet is available go for that. I love it.

Make sure your Z is locked to the trailer and the trailer is locked to the truck if you stay somewhere overnight. I'd be nervous doing that.

 

Nice, I will look into V. Fios... I am also not sure if it is available in W Houston... but I will find out.

I am also very nervous about staying somewhere over night. I might even just sleep in the truck while my dog and girl stay in the hotel. hah! I def. planned on locking the hitch and uhaul gate.. but didn't even think about locking chains to the car... good call! I will likely throw a cover on the car while it is parked to hopefully detour hooligans. Not sure what else I can do beside parking somewhere in a corner and locking ****... might not sleep very well. hah.