There are nice parts of town and there are ghettos. Seems like usually, they're only a few blocks apart. If I was you, I'd look into apartment locators. I think they can even find rent houses for you as well.
I had this whole thing typed up but, I deleted it because there is just too many variables that go along with everything.
Where's your work going to be, got kids?, you want to live in a rural part of town again, budget etc etc etc.
I can tell you this, regardless of what side you live on. that In Houston, depending on where your work is and where you live can mean the difference between a 10-30 minute drive to work or and hour and a half. I know your saying duh but, I just mean what roads get clogged up and at what time they get clogged up lol. You can make it across town in about 30 minutes, wake-up 10 or 15 minutes late you're screwed. Now it takes an hour or more. God forbid someone on the other side of the median have a fender bender, now everyone rubber necks and you're parked on the freeway.
I'd think about going month to month or 3 month lease on an apartment and figure out where it is I want to be before settling in.
If you're looking for a realtor, I'm currently working with one to sell my house. I can provide you with her information. She helped me find my current house about 5 years ago. Now, I need more rooooom.