Apartment Homes in Houston, TX

You might think that apartments are the same everywhere, but I’m here to tell you different. Houston, Texas has a wide range of apartment options that differ from those you might find in New York, San Francisco, Chicago or L.A. Apartment homes in Houston, Texas range from the ridiculously grandiose to the small and seedy, and you can always find an apartment home to fit both your lifestyle and your budget.
Work

The first thing to consider when finding an apartment in Houston, TX is where you will be working. The highways in Houston are almost always clogged, no matter the time of day, and a short commute will make your life much easier. Trying to get from west Houston to downtown or from North Houston to Sugarland is a trying experience, and I don’t recommend it.

Schools

If you have children, you will want to take a close look at the school districts before deciding upon an apartment home. Some areas of Houston are acclaimed for their education, while others are to be actively avoided. Sugarland, Katy, Spring Branch and Stanford schools are by far the most coveted in the Houston area, though Houston ISD has a nasty reputation.

Take a look at the incidents of violence at schools as well as the educational performance levels.

Security

Many of the apartment homes in Houston are gated with additional security measures such as alarms and deadbolts. Try to find an apartment home with little or no shrubbery or vegetation in which criminals can hide. This also might effect whether you want to live on the first floor of an apartment or the second or third.

Some apartment complexes take security very seriously and hire an off-duty police officer to patrol in the evenings and during the night. This is a definite perk when you live in a large metropolitan area, so ask apartment management about their security measures. Although security gates are not always guaranteed to work and no one can prevent violence or theft all the time, it’s best to do as much as you can to protect yourself and your family.

Price

Two-bedroom apartments in Houston, Texas run the gamut from $600/month to well over $2,000/month. Examine your budget and determine your needs before looking for the perfect apartment home. Great resources for learning the price of an apartment before visiting are rent.com, apartments.com and forrent.com.

Amenities

It is safe to say that most apartments in Houston, TX have pools, workout facilities, air conditioning, refrigerators and locks on the doors. Beyond that, anything is possible. Many have washer and dryer connections in the apartment homes, while others have laundry facilities for community use. You can find Houston apartments with individual garages for $20/month extra, and pet deposits range from $200 to $500. Typically, pets over 25 pounds are not allowed.

You can also find apartment amenities like the following for relatively low rent prices:

– Crown Molding
– Elevated Ceilings
– Patios/Porches
– Microwaves Provided
– Hot Tubs
– Concierge Services
– Community Meeting Rooms
– Garden Tubs

The best way to find out is to shop around online, or to pick up a free apartment guide at H.E.B., Randall’s or Kroger’s grocery stores.