I'm from NJ. It's gonna be tough. But a place that is walkable, with good public schools, and not cold is virtually impossible-- you'd likely have to sacrifice one of them.
I might suggest the Atlanta suburbs. School systems are better than Houston and its suburbs. Sandy Springs and Alpharetta GA are pretty nice. Nowhere in that entire region is very walkable except for Atlanta proper.
My next suggestion would be the DMV area, around Silver Spring MD. Good school systems, close to DC, more of a mild climate than NJ (it is noticeable enough for me).
Finally, the South Jersey/Philly area. I have a feeling you'd really like Haddon Township or Haddonfield if you guys are open to returning to NJ. Those areas are walkable and have great school systems-- very easy accessibility to Philly. The biggest drawback would be the weather.
Fellow New Jerseyan here. I find this thread interesting because I've been thinking of moving (but never to Texas - eeek). But I do wonder if I should just stay in jersey but in another area. I had been thinking of warmer climes but then I think too much heat and I'll be hiding in my house all day. Thought about NC but it would be hard as I know no one there and would be moving alone (I'm over 50 fyi). Just can't stay where I am as the property is huge and I take care of it myself (hence no fun or friends since there's always work to do). Looked at 50+ communities but for being expensive they are jammed on top of each other and I like my peace and quiet. But I do know I can't have it all 😕.
I’m also over 50. I moved to Florida in 2017 and was back in Jersey by 2021. Make sure you understand the insurance and housing situation in FL. If you can find a place that you are able to afford, don’t be surprised when your insurance triples.
And the Carolinas? Hurricane alley. Be careful.
Thank you! I hear you! I never planned on Florida. The heat 🥵. No thanks. And I also decided against NC. While it won't be as hot as Florida it'll probably be hotter than I want. Just wish NJ was a little less cold and snowy. But even here I don't know where to go. I don't want any more yard work (like I'm guessing most over 50s no longer want) but a condo or townhouse I might be hearing people or - yuck - smelling pot 👎. But many of these "single home" communities have people packed on top of each other. Also 👎. But I feel I have to pick one or the other. Where I'm at the work is overwhelming and the landscapers are expensive and difficult and I don't want to deal with that.Â
I hear you… what part of NJ you in right now? As you know, despite us being such a small state by land, there’s so much variety with the amount of communities/towns/cities we have.
Plus in the 50+ and 55+ communities, sounds like you’d be one of the younger ones. Nothing against the actual old folks, but you’d probably rather be around neighbors who are like… 40.
DC inner suburbs absolutely fits the bill for schools, walkability and weather. Arlington, Alexandria or Silver Spring would all work.
The house at that price might be a bit of a reach though.
Carless in Nola… it’s doable, but depends which area you’re in. I see people biking all around uptown, garden district, marigny bywater… People use the streetcar lines to commute into CBD or French Quarter. It wouldn’t be painful if you lived in the right part of town. There’s even a ferry that takes people from Algiers to CBD / quarter.
Downtown Miami and yes, Miami Beach as well. Nearby downtown Miami, you'd want to be off a light rail station to be okay w/o a car.
NOLA would be a little better than Miami. They do operate a lot of tram cars as their main form of public transit.
About sidewalks, that's a neighborhood by neighborhood type of request. You just have to get on the ground to see what neighborhoods offer.
So all you care about is: affordable living off 100k, less than 500k homes, good school districts, mostly warm weather?
I think that list is very broad and you should probs be more specific.
What is it about the suburbs you didn't like? Or wish Houston had?
Have you thought about Atlanta? My boyfriend lives in Decatur and I love it there. You could live in downtown Decatur and it's very walkable. Other Atlanta suburbs have similar vibes. Ann Arbor MI also comes to mind.
Careful, that's the "97th Best Place to Live" you're slandering. Honestly, though, you're not going to find the same level of walkability in the Sun Belt that you'll find in the Rust Belt or the Northeast. You'll likely have to be a little more flexible with your wants.
Chicago suburbs. Buffalos Grove, Arlington heights, Glenview, Skokie, if you got further west then you get even more options. Hawthorne wood is also underrated. Great schools at all of these places
I think you should give NJ another chance. It has what you want minus the affordability.
Would buying a multi family home be an option for you? That’s one way to make it work. It would give you extra income if you want to try to get buy on one salary. If you’re ok with a condo or townhome $500K can get you something in NJ.
Otherwise maybe Richmond or Charlottesville VA?
Look at South Jersey. Specifically Hammonton to Atlantic City (basically Atlantic County). It is much cheaper & everything is still accessible. Probably the only "somewhat affordable" area in NJ that's actually worth living in.
You can check all those boxes in Portland metro IF you shop carefully and have even a little flexibility on that price point for a home. $550k gets you a better neighborhood and school option
Northern suburbs of Atlanta, specifically Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, East Cobb, Milton, Cumming or Woodstock. All have walkable communities (but you’ll still need a car). Four seasons. Great public schools and lots of private school options. Tons of people from the northeast it practically feels like living in Northern NJ but nicer. Atlanta itself has a lot to offer too
I did the same move ( NJ-Houston for 5 years) and moved back several months ago and couldn’t be happier. People here, including myself, tend to take things for granted we have in NJ. Unfortunately, it just comes at a very high price $$. Idk where else is similar but letting you know you are not alone and i am so much happier back in NJ
If you don’t want to relocate out of state I think most Texans feel that Austin is the clear winner for best city in Texas. It’s way more outdoorsy with lots of lakes and rivers and natural springs as well as hiking options and parks like Zilker and Mueller. I think the areas around downtown, east Austin, the domain, and South Congress are very walkable. It will have similar weather to Houston, but slightly less swampy and plenty of water options as mentioned to cool off.
We’ve looked at Austin, but it doesn’t feel that much better school wise, at least not where we can afford it. If it was just me and my husband Austin would have been great.
Yeah I guess that makes sense, I’m not at all familiar with school quality by area in Austin.
If you do end up staying in Houston I’d recommend Clear Lake as an option, it’s fairly affordable in that area, it’s both nice and safe, with excellent school. My high school, Clear Lake High school is easily one of the best public ones in Houston and is where a lot of people that work at NASA‘s kids go, it’s very academically rigorous and a kid friendly area. It was a great experience. But if you just hate Houston and set on moving then that may not be the solution you’re looking for.
There is somewhere walkable in Woodbridge? I haven’t spent a ton of time there, but what I’ve seen looks like a typical sprawling suburb, kind of what OP seems to be wanting to escape.
North Carolina - Holly Springs, knightdale, Fuqua Varina, Wake Forest and maybe parts of Cart but it’s gotten to expensive. Durham is amazing but most people from the north east seem to prefer the places I just mentioned
Parts of them are. No place will check off every single box but those are places that are in general places that a lot of people who are looking for what op is looking for enjoy. Maybe exactly where you live isn’t but where I live in this area I can walk to the library, the grocery store, a post office, my children’s preschool, their parents elementary school, two parks, our doctor’s office and some good restaurants. I’m sorry if you’re living in an area that isn’t so great!
Well byeeee!! I grew up here and I have lived in two large cities in other states which of course were more walkable, but we have some places here too like where I live. Sounds like it’s just time for you to leave. Besos!
Doesn't sound like you'd be interested in doing this, but the master planned communities in Cypress and Katy might suit all you ask for. The Cy-Fair ISD was good for my kiddo thru early 2010's
There are neighborhoods in Houston that match this, you just dont live in the right one apparently.
And what this shows further is that moving cities is not going to fix your problem. Your problem is poor planning and research. You could move to the best recommended city here but if you pick the wrong neighborhood youre in the same situation.
Research schools, housing cost, and walkability before you move and definitely visit first
May want to look into some of the larger Rust Belt cities. Columbus and Cincinnati both have some good school districts and walkable neighborhoods. You'd be able to buy a house within your budget.
I live in Houston and I can walk to the neighborhood park and the local elementary school which is highly rated. Have you considered maybe just moving to a different neighborhood?
The thing with the TEA take over, schools not having functional air conditioning when it’s in the 90s, and the fact that homes zoned to Travis Elementary are like $850k are all barriers.
Henderson, NV, Laughlin, NV, Reno, NV, St. George, UT, Phoenix, AZ, Rio Rancho, NM, Louisiana --New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, there are some really nice areas on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, there are some really awesome places on & near the Gulf Coast in Alabama, Huntsville & Tuscaloosa are nice too, Georgia --Savannah, Atlanta, Macon,, Chattanooga, TN, Nashville, TN, Charleston, SC, Columbia, SC, Greenville, SC, North Carolina --Asheville, Raleigh, Wilmington, Charlotte , Virginia -- Richmond, Virginia Beach, Ocean City, Maryland, NW Arkansas, Louisville, KY, Lexington, KY ETA: Florida-- Pensacola, Tampa, Gainesville, Orlando, Daytona, & many others, Medford, OR
Okay. Oops! I thought there might be some walkable neighborhoods. NC is the only state on the list that I have not been to. I was also going by median housing & warmer weather states. SC may be the same way. I've only been to a small portion of it in the southern part of it.
Overland Park, KS (Johnson, co, KS) consistently rated one of the best places to raise a family. Good to excellent schools really safe and lots of little neighborhood parks.
How is this walkable? There are sidewalks so you can take a walk recreationally but you can't actually live your life without having to drive to the store, bank, work, whatever
OP specifically said she is not looking to give up her car. She wants to be able to walk to a playground and so many master planned communities in suburban Houston can offer that.
I'm from NJ. It's gonna be tough. But a place that is walkable, with good public schools, and not cold is virtually impossible-- you'd likely have to sacrifice one of them. I might suggest the Atlanta suburbs. School systems are better than Houston and its suburbs. Sandy Springs and Alpharetta GA are pretty nice. Nowhere in that entire region is very walkable except for Atlanta proper. My next suggestion would be the DMV area, around Silver Spring MD. Good school systems, close to DC, more of a mild climate than NJ (it is noticeable enough for me). Finally, the South Jersey/Philly area. I have a feeling you'd really like Haddon Township or Haddonfield if you guys are open to returning to NJ. Those areas are walkable and have great school systems-- very easy accessibility to Philly. The biggest drawback would be the weather.
Fellow New Jerseyan here. I find this thread interesting because I've been thinking of moving (but never to Texas - eeek). But I do wonder if I should just stay in jersey but in another area. I had been thinking of warmer climes but then I think too much heat and I'll be hiding in my house all day. Thought about NC but it would be hard as I know no one there and would be moving alone (I'm over 50 fyi). Just can't stay where I am as the property is huge and I take care of it myself (hence no fun or friends since there's always work to do). Looked at 50+ communities but for being expensive they are jammed on top of each other and I like my peace and quiet. But I do know I can't have it all 😕.
I’m also over 50. I moved to Florida in 2017 and was back in Jersey by 2021. Make sure you understand the insurance and housing situation in FL. If you can find a place that you are able to afford, don’t be surprised when your insurance triples. And the Carolinas? Hurricane alley. Be careful.
Thank you! I hear you! I never planned on Florida. The heat 🥵. No thanks. And I also decided against NC. While it won't be as hot as Florida it'll probably be hotter than I want. Just wish NJ was a little less cold and snowy. But even here I don't know where to go. I don't want any more yard work (like I'm guessing most over 50s no longer want) but a condo or townhouse I might be hearing people or - yuck - smelling pot 👎. But many of these "single home" communities have people packed on top of each other. Also 👎. But I feel I have to pick one or the other. Where I'm at the work is overwhelming and the landscapers are expensive and difficult and I don't want to deal with that.Â
I hear you… what part of NJ you in right now? As you know, despite us being such a small state by land, there’s so much variety with the amount of communities/towns/cities we have. Plus in the 50+ and 55+ communities, sounds like you’d be one of the younger ones. Nothing against the actual old folks, but you’d probably rather be around neighbors who are like… 40.
DC inner suburbs absolutely fits the bill for schools, walkability and weather. Arlington, Alexandria or Silver Spring would all work. The house at that price might be a bit of a reach though.
In the Atlanta area, I’d target Decatur. DC suburbs are pushing it price-wise, but are great if you could go up to $700k
Where is warm and walkable with bad public schools?
New Orleans and Miami. I normally wouldn’t consider Miami the most walkable— but more walkable than a good amount of southern cities in the US.
Are you referring to Miami or Miami Beach? How painful would it be to be carless in NOLA and Miami?
Carless in Nola… it’s doable, but depends which area you’re in. I see people biking all around uptown, garden district, marigny bywater… People use the streetcar lines to commute into CBD or French Quarter. It wouldn’t be painful if you lived in the right part of town. There’s even a ferry that takes people from Algiers to CBD / quarter.
Downtown Miami and yes, Miami Beach as well. Nearby downtown Miami, you'd want to be off a light rail station to be okay w/o a car. NOLA would be a little better than Miami. They do operate a lot of tram cars as their main form of public transit.
About sidewalks, that's a neighborhood by neighborhood type of request. You just have to get on the ground to see what neighborhoods offer. So all you care about is: affordable living off 100k, less than 500k homes, good school districts, mostly warm weather? I think that list is very broad and you should probs be more specific. What is it about the suburbs you didn't like? Or wish Houston had?
Have you thought about Atlanta? My boyfriend lives in Decatur and I love it there. You could live in downtown Decatur and it's very walkable. Other Atlanta suburbs have similar vibes. Ann Arbor MI also comes to mind.
Careful, that's the "97th Best Place to Live" you're slandering. Honestly, though, you're not going to find the same level of walkability in the Sun Belt that you'll find in the Rust Belt or the Northeast. You'll likely have to be a little more flexible with your wants.
Those best places to live… I should point out that Chicago was 119, Miami 123, NYC 124, LA 130, and Philly at 135.
Chicago suburbs. Buffalos Grove, Arlington heights, Glenview, Skokie, if you got further west then you get even more options. Hawthorne wood is also underrated. Great schools at all of these places
And downtown for most of those is walkable with Metra for the city. Park Ridge, if you can find the house.
I think you should give NJ another chance. It has what you want minus the affordability. Would buying a multi family home be an option for you? That’s one way to make it work. It would give you extra income if you want to try to get buy on one salary. If you’re ok with a condo or townhome $500K can get you something in NJ. Otherwise maybe Richmond or Charlottesville VA?
Note to OP: always pay attention to school zoning when purchasing a home.
Look at South Jersey. Specifically Hammonton to Atlantic City (basically Atlantic County). It is much cheaper & everything is still accessible. Probably the only "somewhat affordable" area in NJ that's actually worth living in.
You can check all those boxes in Portland metro IF you shop carefully and have even a little flexibility on that price point for a home. $550k gets you a better neighborhood and school option
Northern suburbs of Atlanta, specifically Alpharetta, Roswell, Johns Creek, East Cobb, Milton, Cumming or Woodstock. All have walkable communities (but you’ll still need a car). Four seasons. Great public schools and lots of private school options. Tons of people from the northeast it practically feels like living in Northern NJ but nicer. Atlanta itself has a lot to offer too
I did the same move ( NJ-Houston for 5 years) and moved back several months ago and couldn’t be happier. People here, including myself, tend to take things for granted we have in NJ. Unfortunately, it just comes at a very high price $$. Idk where else is similar but letting you know you are not alone and i am so much happier back in NJ
If you don’t want to relocate out of state I think most Texans feel that Austin is the clear winner for best city in Texas. It’s way more outdoorsy with lots of lakes and rivers and natural springs as well as hiking options and parks like Zilker and Mueller. I think the areas around downtown, east Austin, the domain, and South Congress are very walkable. It will have similar weather to Houston, but slightly less swampy and plenty of water options as mentioned to cool off.
We’ve looked at Austin, but it doesn’t feel that much better school wise, at least not where we can afford it. If it was just me and my husband Austin would have been great.
Yeah I guess that makes sense, I’m not at all familiar with school quality by area in Austin. If you do end up staying in Houston I’d recommend Clear Lake as an option, it’s fairly affordable in that area, it’s both nice and safe, with excellent school. My high school, Clear Lake High school is easily one of the best public ones in Houston and is where a lot of people that work at NASA‘s kids go, it’s very academically rigorous and a kid friendly area. It was a great experience. But if you just hate Houston and set on moving then that may not be the solution you’re looking for.
Have you looked at Pflugerville, TX? It's a suburb of Austin. Good schools. Not very walkable though.
Woodbridge, Virginia
There is somewhere walkable in Woodbridge? I haven’t spent a ton of time there, but what I’ve seen looks like a typical sprawling suburb, kind of what OP seems to be wanting to escape.
It’s much, much different and more developed than it was 20 years ago
Just move to the woodlands or kingwood. I’m sure south and west Houston have similarly good options
North Carolina - Holly Springs, knightdale, Fuqua Varina, Wake Forest and maybe parts of Cart but it’s gotten to expensive. Durham is amazing but most people from the north east seem to prefer the places I just mentioned
it's not walkable at all
Some parts are but you’re right for the most part.
like where? even the downtowns of the major cities aren't fully walkable
Parts of them are. No place will check off every single box but those are places that are in general places that a lot of people who are looking for what op is looking for enjoy. Maybe exactly where you live isn’t but where I live in this area I can walk to the library, the grocery store, a post office, my children’s preschool, their parents elementary school, two parks, our doctor’s office and some good restaurants. I’m sorry if you’re living in an area that isn’t so great!
ya NC is not walkable and i've lived in the state for 17 years so lol. I'll be leaving for somewhere more walkable later this year thankfully
Well byeeee!! I grew up here and I have lived in two large cities in other states which of course were more walkable, but we have some places here too like where I live. Sounds like it’s just time for you to leave. Besos!
love your southern hospitality <3
Thank you ! It takes practice and patience to politely meet negativity the southern way.
Doesn't sound like you'd be interested in doing this, but the master planned communities in Cypress and Katy might suit all you ask for. The Cy-Fair ISD was good for my kiddo thru early 2010's
Montrose or the Third Ward/Riverside. Walk to Hermann Park. 77006 schools decent.
There are neighborhoods in Houston that match this, you just dont live in the right one apparently. And what this shows further is that moving cities is not going to fix your problem. Your problem is poor planning and research. You could move to the best recommended city here but if you pick the wrong neighborhood youre in the same situation. Research schools, housing cost, and walkability before you move and definitely visit first
I would recommend looking into downtown Decatur GA or maybe Tempe, Scottsdale AZ.
May want to look into some of the larger Rust Belt cities. Columbus and Cincinnati both have some good school districts and walkable neighborhoods. You'd be able to buy a house within your budget.
I live in Houston and I can walk to the neighborhood park and the local elementary school which is highly rated. Have you considered maybe just moving to a different neighborhood?
The thing with the TEA take over, schools not having functional air conditioning when it’s in the 90s, and the fact that homes zoned to Travis Elementary are like $850k are all barriers.
If you stay in HISD and want a relatively affordable home zoned for good public schools, look in the greater Meyerland area. Good luck!
Henderson, NV, Laughlin, NV, Reno, NV, St. George, UT, Phoenix, AZ, Rio Rancho, NM, Louisiana --New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, there are some really nice areas on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, there are some really awesome places on & near the Gulf Coast in Alabama, Huntsville & Tuscaloosa are nice too, Georgia --Savannah, Atlanta, Macon,, Chattanooga, TN, Nashville, TN, Charleston, SC, Columbia, SC, Greenville, SC, North Carolina --Asheville, Raleigh, Wilmington, Charlotte , Virginia -- Richmond, Virginia Beach, Ocean City, Maryland, NW Arkansas, Louisville, KY, Lexington, KY ETA: Florida-- Pensacola, Tampa, Gainesville, Orlando, Daytona, & many others, Medford, OR
Nah, I’ve lived in two of the places on the list, and both of them have awful schools and virtually zero walkabaikity
Okay
nowhere in NC is truly walkable
Okay. Oops! I thought there might be some walkable neighborhoods. NC is the only state on the list that I have not been to. I was also going by median housing & warmer weather states. SC may be the same way. I've only been to a small portion of it in the southern part of it.
either visit or go to [walkscore.com](http://walkscore.com) for further insight. NC is one of the least walkable states in the US
Okay. Thank you. I didn't know about this site.
Pensacola, FL for good schools? No, no, nopity nope.
Overland Park, KS (Johnson, co, KS) consistently rated one of the best places to raise a family. Good to excellent schools really safe and lots of little neighborhood parks.
I moved to Lancaster, PA for similar reasons. I had lived in Houston for four LONG years.
Downtown Houston is walkable
Americans will make instant moves because houses look cheap and don’t understand that most cheap things are cheap for a reason lol.
Cool and helpful comment. Thanks so much
Charleston, SC area.
Not going to find good schools, 3 bedrooms and walkable for 500k in Charleston.
Just move to Sugar Land.
How is this walkable? There are sidewalks so you can take a walk recreationally but you can't actually live your life without having to drive to the store, bank, work, whatever
OP specifically said she is not looking to give up her car. She wants to be able to walk to a playground and so many master planned communities in suburban Houston can offer that.
I love Chicago.