I am considering moving to Houston, tx but i am a little nervous as to what is the best area to raise my kids?
412916
i dont know if you are considering buying a house there, but one way to find out about good and bad neighborhoods is by logging onto homes.com. it tells you by zipcode which places are ok and which to stay away from. just click on crime info. good luck with the move!!!!
1176562
I live in the washington area and agree. \n\nBut you left out NYC. The best place on earth to live!!!!!!! \n\nI also loved living in San Antonio too!
77969
I dont blame you for being concerned about your children being near a place that was making meth. Thats so dangerous and it would scare me too.Maybe you can call your local HUD office and see what kind of answers they have for you..I hope it all works out for you..Good luck!\n\n **Ignore the above poster and the rude comments, some people are really ignorant...
385047
Go to money.com  they have a site to compare relocation areas.\nOr Google  "cost of living".\n\nNo matter where you live, $36k with kids will be tough.
45411
You have lots of choices, there are many safe areas and good schools.  Are you looking for a suburb or in the city?  It would make sense to focus on the areas around a workplace so your commute wouldn't be too terrible.
130739
you really should think about it before doing it. i moved out at 16. now im back home again and i have a 3 yr old and another on the way in a couple months. i wouldnt change any of it but i wish i could give my kids more then i can right now.
575631
it's a great place to raise your children. the area is growing and more and more opportunities are opening up for all walks of life. ....good luck
130273
I have lived in The Bay Area for 2 1/2 years and I loved it the cost of living is high but its good living I would suggest that you live in one of the cities neighboring SF because the city is so congested it's great for partiers but I think if you have a family it will be to busy in SF after all it is the city of Sex and Drugs yeah its true. not to discourage you SF is Great it really has a piece of my heart I have meet my first true friend there. If you going to live there live outside SF like in Hayward or San Jose, Oakland, Palo Alto. Good luck in your travels
808941
First off great move on a ten year mortgage. you are one of the few that truly are in good position with there house.\n\nIf you could swing a renter that covers the IL. mortgage do so, even if you just break even or make just a little just save it for repairers taxes etc. In five years you have a cash cow, or golden goose, Great job there.\n\nNow for the Move the Houston may be you should rent till you get to know the area, also hang low for the price drops, I think that for the most part the home price are going to drop throw the floor, the reason for this is the dishonest buying selling practice used by Realtors. This is out lines on this web site and I think that the maket is relay over inflated due to bad information.\nhttp://www.breakingbubble.com/index.htm\n\nAlso just hanging in TX. you may not like it there and move back or some were els, why get locked in till you know you like it there are want to plant some roots.\n\nBest of luck
110
You don't specify-- do you mean around Manhattan? The Urban Baby message boards are a good and very active source of information: \nhttp://newyork.urbanbaby.com/community/messageboards_main.html\nI also like the GoCityKids site: \nhttp://www.gocitykids.com/?area=197\n\nI'd recommend contacting moms in your area for recommendations, and touring schools that are near your home. (GCK can help you find one in your neighborhood.)\n\nHere's a nationwide roundup of childcare websites: \nhttp://www.babycenter.com/refcap/baby/babychildcare/6104.html
1088767
I'd suggest Houston.  I'm in the medical field as well, and have moved away a few times, but keep coming back because Houston has by far the best career opportunites of places I've been.  Cost of living is much lower than other large cities.  You can buy a 3 BR house for under 150K.  Houston has the largest consolidated medical center in the US, and there are over 80 hospitals in the city, including several large teaching institutions.  Winters are very mild, though the summers are pretty hot.  You're less than an hour from the beach, and there are some fantastic restaurants here.
271460
Texas is a great state because it has just about everything!  Wanna live by the beach?  You've got the Gulf coast.  Wanna live in beautiful rolling hill country?  Central Texas.  Wanna live the big city life?  Dallas, Houston, San Antonio.  Wanna live amongst woods and trees?  Go to east Texas.  Wanna live in desert area?  West Texas.  Beautiful plains where you can see for MILES?  Up in the good ol' Panhandle.  There is truly something for everyone in Texas.\n\nThe people of Texas are very diverse as well.  For example, the Panhandle is very conservative whereas Austin can be pretty liberal.  Texas pride runs very deep.  It is a place full of rich history and a colorful past.  And yes, Texas History is taught in school.  If I remember correctly, I took it in 4th grade and 7th grade.  (Once in elementary and once in junior high.)  And no.  The vast majority of Texas is NOT racist.  Unfortuantely, there are stereotypes, and some bad apples, just like every other place on earth.\n\nSo no matter your preferences, you're bound to find a place perfect for you in Texas.  :)
297657
We have relocated many times: \n\nFirst of all..do you work for a company that can transfer  you to that area? What is the draw there? Family? Friends?\n\nI would take a vacation to the area to make sure you like it first. Research the weather and community to make sure they are amenities you would want. \n\nLook for housing to see how expensive it is...go grocery shopping...all the things you would do if you lived there. \n\nThen look for jobs and see if you are employable in that area. See what the median income range is and make sure that you would be able to afford the cost of living for that area! \n\nMake sure that any family you would be moving with you is on board with the idea! Do you need to look at school districts for your kids? Is your wife ok with the move? Will your partner need to leave their job to acoomodate this move? Will your mom stop talking to you? \n\nAFter you do your research...then..try to get a job first. \n\nAFter you have a job..you can always live in a motel for a month or so while you look for an apartment or house or you can look online especially if you did your research while you were there. \n\nmove your stuff, sell your home where ever you are now with a trusted agent...and enjoy your new life!!\n\nNow, if your company offers a transfer..that is different! The company may have a relocation service available to them and you will already have a job..but make sure that you can afford the cost of living on your salary!
764475
Most people retire and move to florida, great place for a toddler just have your backyard fenced in from alligators :-)
411617
It makes sense to at least research the possibility of relocating to higher ground.  Like the middle of the continent!  I can definitely see the advantage, if you do get any kind of settlement on the value of your home and its contents.  But do think about where you want to go.\n\nWhat sort of job would you be looking for?  Are there things you could research on line about the job market in various locations that look good to you?  What are the major economic indicators -- cost of living, density of population, major industries -- that matter most to you?  And what are the quality of life aspects that matter most to you?\n\nFor example, I live in Santa Cruz County, California.  It is a lovely county, and you might be very tempted.  But do, please, have a look at everything you can about it before you are lured here (or any other example).  Because while it is undeniably one of the nicest places in the world to live, it is equally undeniable that it is one of the most expensive, as well.  Yes, Hawaii is even more expensive; but in the 48 contiguous states, central California is about as close to heaven as you can get; and I'm high up in the Santa Cruz Mountains, closer yet to heaven.  And the people around me who drive those lovely new BMWs and Porsches start out driving over the hill to Silicon Valley long about 4:00 a.m.\n\nNice, but you hardly ever get to see the place in daylight when you're working over the hill.  And that's where the money is.  Silicon Valley.  We have a little mini-Silicon Valley on this side of the hill, though.  It's called Scotts Valley.  If you are interested in high tech, look up what you can about that up-and-at-em little high tech haven in the Santa Cruz Mountains.\n\nSee, it all depends on what's important to you.  And that's why we have an Internet where we can research before we leap!  Indeed, you can also go a long way in job search before you leap.
1152623
wow ! i don't have an answer, but i will pray that god will bless you & your family \ncoming in & going out, is there a second job some where that is safe to take your kids to that would be also entertaining for them that you could work!
162741
Well, any decent sized town should have a church or non-church based day-care or preschool.  If your kid(s) are school aged, consider hitting up a neighbor with whom you and your child are both familiar.