Job Discussion Forums

[sauditeacher]

Sn'B & MiaX,

Not sure if I've been anywhere near the I-10 to Katy Mills Mall, but Clear Lake's just next door to where I'd move to if I was going to move to the States; a friend from my elementary school days lives in Seabrook.

I've been there like 3-4 times in the last 10 years; scoping it out for living, and wondering if I could see myself teaching public school there, maybe Clear Lake ISD (I've even considered a ways away from the water: Alief ISD), doing an ACP (an Alternative Certification Program; lets a degree-holder, any degree, gain State Teacher Certification while working - and being paid - as a teacher).

Even thought a few years back of buying a bargain-priced (low 40s) and still-beautiful used yacht, 'Tallon', 40'+, and living aboard (know how to sail? Hmm, no, but then tha's why American creativity has come up with 1-week learn how to sail cruises, TX to FLA). But, darn, I had to let that one slip away. The marina wasn't bad at all and something like $300/mth moorage (but for the life of me, and I've just spent 30 mins websurfing for marinas in Kemah and Seabrook, and this looks like it http://www.seabrookshipyard.com/ but I can't find any photos of the identifying al fresco restaurant + pool, both waterfront...).

And more recently whimsy even considered buying a Toyota RV to ease my entry to living in the US, and hitching it up at nights at that RV park near to the bridge coming in to Kemah; it'd be about a 10 mile drive to a Clear lake parochial school whose Principal I'd had an information interview with via skype from Asia.

Nice area, real nice! And who knows, past a few years before the KSA mast, it might yet see me there; one can dream!

[veiledsentiments]

[Sheikh N Bake]

My kid went to the Clear Lake schools for a while. It's an OK place to live but maybe a little boring compared to other parts of Houston. I like West Houston/Energy Corridor a lot more. You live just like in the suburbs but all the conveniences are very close by--indeed, where I lived, everything was within walking distance, on a nice parkway. You don't get that in Clear Lake, where you always have to get in your car for anything..mind you, maybe just 5-10 minutes' drive. I like driving, but...CL is boring. IN West Houston I did like having 15 restaurants, banks , supermarket and everything else, including entryway to a huge park, all within 5-10 minutes on foot.

One thing about teaching in Houston is that while the salaries are very competitive nationally, housing prices are well below average. Recently I sold two of my nice ones, both 4 bdrms and about 2000 sq ft, for $138K and $130K. In nice neighborhoods although not especially upscale. Public school teachers start out somewhere near $50K annually.

[sauditeacher]

[veiledsentiments]

[Sheikh N Bake]

sauditeacher,

Glad to be of help. West Houston also tends to avoid the worst of any hurricanes such as Rita, which damaged my two homes in Clear Lake...thanks to the fact that the city is about 45 miles across from CL to the Energy Corridor.

West Houston is a large area in itself so I would specifically recommend the residential areas alongside Memorial Ave, from Highway 6 (on the west) going east until Kirkwood. The street where I lived within walking distance of everything (even my doctor) is Eldridge Parkway (off Memorial going south). Eldridge in that area is all upscale apartment complexes, but detached houses are just up the side streets. For a Mapquest reference, try 1333 Eldridge Pkwy, Houston, 77077.

[sauditeacher]

If anyone ever suggests that Daves is light on factual info or that its posters aren't helpful, I'll refer them to these two posts immediately above.

Lots here to peruse; thanks to both of you.