I just read your post, if you are still looking at the Houston area, Missouri City is alright. Far enough away from the city, yet close enough to everything that you would need. We have been here in Texas for 2 years now, and my family has adjusted well to it. We live in Sienna Plantation, which came highly recommended to us. Take a look at thier web site. www.siennaplantation.com, it really is a great community, wonderful schools here and an awesome swim park for the kids. Actually, we have 3 different pools here for recreational use, tennis courts, a golf course. You name it they have it here. Our 3 children love it here. Houston has so much to do and see, that there is always something for our family to do. Yes, at times the Gulf in this area is not the prettiest, we have been to the beaches in Galveston and have had a very nice time.
the schools here in Fort Bend County are really great. An easy way for your husband to get into downtown would be to take the new Fort Bend Tollway, which is just right down the road a few miles off of highway 6.
Well, I hope that some of this info. will help you. One thing to keep in mind, I know that the Pearland area had some major issues on flooding a few years back. I believe that they are in a 100 year flood plain, just something to keep in mind.
Good luck to you and your family.