K.K.
I have lived in Houston all my life and also have a job that has taken me to all areas of Houston and the schools so I have a pretty good idea of the areas. If your husband will be working 610 and 45, I would recommend The Woodlands. That area is almost a whole city in itself, and there are many very good doctors, daycares, and churches to choose from. Yes, there is traffic to go through on 45, but unless you choose to live inside the loop, 45 is much better commute than 290 or 59 South (which you would have to take to get to copperfield and sugarland areas). If you want a short commute, you can look inside the loop 610, but you will have the public schools of HISD, which are not all the best, however you may want to ask someone who lives there as I have not. There are some nice areas inside the loop, but the homes are much more expensive and you will get a lot less for your 200-250 thousand - inside the loop you will get an older house needing updating, whereas in The Woodlands you can get a brand new house. It really depends on your priorities. Tomball is nice as well, and the commute would not be too bad either (45 minutes probably to an hour depending on what time he leaves). My parting advice to you - I live in Cypress which is Northwest Harris county - AVOID the Highway 290 commute as if your life depends on it!!!!!!!!!!! Traffic our way is already bad and will only get worse, the freeway will go under construction in 2011 and will remain under construction for years and years.
Welcome to HOUSTON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!