Adding Heights To An Area Name Is New?

[BullMan008]

http://swamplot.com/near-northsiders-dont-want-you-calling-northside-village-tampico-heights/2014-04-15/

 

I don’t understand why these new neighborhood names are popping up. What was wrong with the older names? I’ve seen Morrison Heights, Washington Heights and now Tampico Heights. Does the city approve this? I totally understand the new construction (not all) and improvement to some of the areas but changing the names to these areas seems ridiculous. Thoughts?

 

[SilverJK]

I'm sure the next apartment complex will be "The Heights near 45 Heights Midtown, a Heights community in the Heights"

[little frau]

The Heights name may serve to drive away some people who might otherwise be interested.

 

 

 

 

[txcat84]

I don't think that is the case, but if it is, it probably occurs very infrequently.

[innerloop]

http://www.bellheightshouston.com/

 

No one is actually changing neighborhood names.

 

I have to disagree with you on that one.  As a Houston native I can say for sure that no one ever called that area around the Galleria "Uptown".  Now in their defense, I do remember some lawsuit by the Galleria people who thought that everyone else was trading on their good name, but nevertheless, that area was previously all called the Galleria and now it's called something else.

 

More egregious is what's happening Downtown with the attempted adoption of the New York inspired NoDo and EaDo.  I don't think NoDo ever caught on, thankfully, but I do hear people say EaDo.  For those of you who don't know, the acceptable Houstonian terms for referring to the north part of Downtown are the warehouse district, "by UH Downtown" or "by the old M&M building".  Names for the area east of Downtown that won't draw a sneer are Chinatown, Old Chinatown, Second Ward and "over by the old Ninfa's". 

 

And lastly, the people over at the Cottonwood bar have come up with a new name for their area between Garden Oaks and Oak Forest and they're calling it "the GOOF".  Bravo for cleverness, but no, we're not calling it that.

 

So there you go.  Now I just look forward to the future real estate announcement for that new apartment complex "Alexan over by the old Ninfa's".

[s3mh]

I have to disagree with you on that one.  As a Houston native I can say for sure that no one ever called that area around the Galleria "Uptown".  Now in their defense, I do remember some lawsuit by the Galleria people who thought that everyone else was trading on their good name, but nevertheless, that area was previously all called the Galleria and now it's called something else.

 

More egregious is what's happening Downtown with the attempted adoption of the New York inspired NoDo and EaDo.  I don't think NoDo ever caught on, thankfully, but I do hear people say EaDo.  For those of you who don't know, the acceptable Houstonian terms for referring to the north part of Downtown are the warehouse district, "by UH Downtown" or "by the old M&M building".  Names for the area east of Downtown that won't draw a sneer are Chinatown, Old Chinatown, Second Ward and "over by the old Ninfa's". 

 

And lastly, the people over at the Cottonwood bar have come up with a new name for their area between Garden Oaks and Oak Forest and they're calling it "the GOOF".  Bravo for cleverness, but no, we're not calling it that.

 

So there you go.  Now I just look forward to the future real estate announcement for that new apartment complex "Alexan over by the old Ninfa's".

 

There are loads of new nicknames out there and lots of neighborhoods have ever expanding de facto boundaries.  Just about everything between 610/I-10/Shep/I-45 gets called "Heights".  Rice Military has bloated to include the West End and Magnolia Grove.  But no one has actually changed a neighborhood name, as in pulled up signs, recorded a new name in the real property records, etc. (with the exception of some replatting for town home farms sprouting up here and there).  You can talk about EaDo in the chron all day and see it in the glossy mags lying around coffee shops.  But it is still Greater Eastwood, Second Ward and Third Ward. 

 

GOOF is not an invention of Cottonwood.  It has been a common short hand reference for the greater Garden Oaks/Oak Forrest area that was around long before Cottonwood opened their doors. 

 

But it may actually be time to legally rebrand some parts of town.  The Fourth Ward all but disappeared into Montrose, University Place, etc.  Unfortunately, no one has been able to do any better than EaDo for the near east side. 

 

[mkultra25]

Names for the area east of Downtown that won't draw a sneer are Chinatown, Old Chinatown, Second Ward and "over by the old Ninfa's". 

 

 

Unfortunately, no one has been able to do any better than EaDo for the near east side. 

 

"The East End". A perfectly good name that has been in use for decades. 

 

Just say no to EaDo.

[samagon]

I've started calling my neighborhood 'Broadmoor heights' when people ask where it is, I tell them it's near 'Harrisburg heights'

[Triton]

The Heights name may serve to drive away some people who might otherwise be interested.

 

What are you talking about?

[9075]

"The East End". A perfectly good name that has been in use for decades. 

 

Just say no to EaDo.

"EaDo" is a four letter word.

[little frau]

What are you talking about?

 

Not everyone in Houston is in love with the Heights, that's all.  And to think that all the inner loop aspires to be like the Heights is just not true.

 

If I was in the market for another home and a realtor suggested the Heights, I'd quickly say no and find another realtor. 

 

I think it's way over priced what with no sidewalks (or none in many areas), deep ditches and no curbs or drains and narrow streets where two cars cannot pass each other.  And what's with all the fences in the front of the houses?  Makes them look like third world homes.  It's certainly not "inviting".  Is there really that much theft over there? 

 

I have many friends who feel the same way I do but in fairness, I do have some friends that bought into Houston Heights in the late 90s and are still there.  They do have sidewalks though but no curbs or gutters.

 

There may be a lot to like about the neighborhoods but there's a lot not to like also.

 

If you've read any of the pieces referenced in the original post on this thread, you'd see that the folks living east of I-45 in the North Side area do not want to be called the "Heights" of any kind.

[txcat84]

I respect your opinion, but please understand that that those that share it make up a very quiet minority. That's not my opinion. There's a reason Heights gets added to everything and it's not because the neighborhood sucks. Is it warranted in such extremes? Of course not- it's just silly. But it's an attempt to play name association with what has been, and will continue to be, an extremely attractive real estate play. Are there drawbacks? You bet. But thousands of people think the positives outweigh them.

[BullMan008]

Not everyone in Houston is in love with the Heights, that's all.  And to think that all the inner loop aspires to be like the Heights is just not true.

 

If I was in the market for another home and a realtor suggested the Heights, I'd quickly say no and find another realtor. 

 

I think it's way over priced what with no sidewalks (or none in many areas), deep ditches and no curbs or drains and narrow streets where two cars cannot pass each other.  And what's with all the fences in the front of the houses?  Makes them look like third world homes.  It's certainly not "inviting".  Is there really that much theft over there? 

 

I have many friends who feel the same way I do but in fairness, I do have some friends that bought into Houston Heights in the late 90s and are still there.  They do have sidewalks though but no curbs or gutters.

 

There may be a lot to like about the neighborhoods but there's a lot not to like also.

 

If you've read any of the pieces referenced in the original post on this thread, you'd see that the folks living east of I-45 in the North Side area do not want to be called the "Heights" of any kind.

 

If you grew up in the Heights, I think your opinion would be a little different of the neighborhood. We did have sidewalks, lots of trees and those ditches. LOL Lots of sidewalks have been repaired compared to what we have now. Because of the many trees, sidewalks would be broken or cracked. There are lots of fences that have gone up especially with the new houses. I don’t like them but it’s up to the owners and maybe it’s for their pets. I think the prices are ridiculous but I’m assuming it’s because of the location. These builders, that aren’t even from Houston, are coming in, jacking up these prices and selling these out of towners...crap. It definitely isn’t the same I’ve lived here since the mid 70's and I’m still proud to be from the Heights. Maybe this is why I don’t agree with its name being used. 

 

I have family in the Northside. They don’t agree with the name change because of the association with the 'Heights', it’s because they are proud of their neighborhood and what they’ve always known. This is the Northside.

 

There is far more to like than to dislike and I think most of the dislike has become due to recent construction. :/

[BullMan008]

"EaDo" is a four letter word.

 

I laughed out loud to this ^^^

 

This area is the East End and always will be.

[s3mh]

Not everyone in Houston is in love with the Heights, that's all.  And to think that all the inner loop aspires to be like the Heights is just not true.

 

If I was in the market for another home and a realtor suggested the Heights, I'd quickly say no and find another realtor. 

 

I think it's way over priced what with no sidewalks (or none in many areas), deep ditches and no curbs or drains and narrow streets where two cars cannot pass each other.  And what's with all the fences in the front of the houses?  Makes them look like third world homes.  It's certainly not "inviting".  Is there really that much theft over there? 

 

I have many friends who feel the same way I do but in fairness, I do have some friends that bought into Houston Heights in the late 90s and are still there.  They do have sidewalks though but no curbs or gutters.

 

There may be a lot to like about the neighborhoods but there's a lot not to like also.

 

If you've read any of the pieces referenced in the original post on this thread, you'd see that the folks living east of I-45 in the North Side area do not want to be called the "Heights" of any kind.

 

The problem Northside Village residents have with the name isn't that they do not like being associated with the narrow streets and expensive real estate in the Heights.  The problem with the name is that it implies that the area is a lesser, Mexican version of the Heights.  It is like calling an old VW Bug a Mexican Mercedes.  It is also inaccurate as Northside Village is very diverse and is not a "little Mexico" neighborhood. 

 

As for your critique of the Heights, everyone has their different tastes and can disagree whether the Heights is better or worse than other inner loop neighborhoods, but most of your points are just inaccurate.  There are sidewalks all over the Heights.  There are a few odd spots with gaps and tree roots have made some spots difficult to navigate with a stroller.  But it is just silly to say there are no sidewalks.  Some houses have fences, but most do not.  And the houses with fences certainly do not look third world.  It really sounds like you live in the burbs and have just cut through the Heights once or twice in the past decade. 

 

[JJxvi]

If I was in the market for another home and a realtor suggested the Heights, I'd quickly say no and find another realtor. 

 

 

You sound like a great person to do business with.  If I felt that strongly, I'd probably just tell my realtor "No, I don't like the Heights" and move on to their next suggestion.

 

Or maybe you wouldn't really do that and its all a crazy exaggeration.

[SilverJK]

Yeah nobody wants to move to the heights... thats why the houses are so expensive, dramatically increasing in price recently, and sell extremely quickly.

 

Living in River Oaks is also to passe for you too right?

[jamesw]

Nobody wants to move the Heights - the property values are going up too fast.

[west20th]

Nobody wants to move the Heights - the property values are going up too fast.

That does not make sense. Then why are the property values going up too fast?

[mollusk]

Nobody wants to move the Heights - the property values are going up too fast.

 

 

That does not make sense. Then why are the property values going up too fast?

 

Perhaps jamessw forgot to hit the smiley face icon.  

[little frau]

I do apologize to BullMan, I know how some are very closely attached to their childhood homes.  I grew up on Houston's near North Side and it certainly was not in Heights.  I remember the Pig Stand on N. Main as well as Rettig's.  There was Stephen's Drug Store too, where I used to nurse a cherry coke while reading their comic books.  I attended Robert E. Lee Elementary where we could see the actual construction of I-45 during recess.

 

I've had many co-workers and friends that lived in the Heights, most in small garage apartments because they were cheap.  Some lived in little apartment complexes.  This was many years ago, probably before most here on HAIF were even born.  I lived through the Elmer Wayne Henley episode and the so-called ice box murders. I shopped at Kaplan's a few times and more often at antique shops on 19th and on Yale when they were a lot more interesting than today.  Had some prints framed at Davis Hardware in the 70s that look like new today, they did such a good job.

 

So, no I haven't just driven through a few times. 

 

I just hate to see hype that every other inner loop neighborhood wants to be the second coming of Heights.  That is just not true as evidenced by the featured article in the initial post here.  I agree that many neighborhoods are quite happy with their own name and identity.  I raised my kids in the east end and to me, that's what it is, I hate the name EADO.  

 

And to "s3mh", I do still own that house in Houston, in the east end.  But I actually live in a 100+ year old restored little wood frame farmhouse on three quarters of a section of land with 2 stock ponds and a creek running through it, between Houston and Austin.  We do have a fence around the house and yard but that's just to keep the cattle from munching on the grass.  And, it's all paid for, including 2 tractors and a hay baler.

 

And yes, I think that big expensive homes in the inner city, with fences all around them do look like third world places.  If the fence is for pets or kids, why not just fence the back?  Is it fear?  I don't really know but they remind me of drug cartel compounds.  Not real friendly or inviting.  When sm3h says most Heights houses do not have fences, it's funny to me that when I visit friends there I see more WITH fences than without.

 

In Houston, if it has "heights" in the name, my friends and I usually look at each other, roll eyes and get a good laugh.  Some of them still live there and do laugh at themselves because they know they're sitting on a gold mine.  Country life isn't for them so they laugh at me because I don't have 250 channels on my TV.  They laugh because they have Walmart right down the street and I have to drive 20 miles to the nearest one.

 

 

[west20th]

Perhaps jamessw forgot to hit the smiley face icon.  

Or maybe I need to ask for a sense of humor for my birthday.

[9075]

Not everyone in Houston is in love with the Heights, that's all.  And to think that all the inner loop aspires to be like the Heights is just not true.

 

If I was in the market for another home and a realtor suggested the Heights, I'd quickly say no and find another realtor. 

 

I think it's way over priced what with no sidewalks (or none in many areas), deep ditches and no curbs or drains and narrow streets where two cars cannot pass each other.  And what's with all the fences in the front of the houses?  Makes them look like third world homes.  It's certainly not "inviting".  Is there really that much theft over there? 

 

I have many friends who feel the same way I do but in fairness, I do have some friends that bought into Houston Heights in the late 90s and are still there.  They do have sidewalks though but no curbs or gutters.

 

There may be a lot to like about the neighborhoods but there's a lot not to like also.

 

If you've read any of the pieces referenced in the original post on this thread, you'd see that the folks living east of I-45 in the North Side area do not want to be called the "Heights" of any kind.

 

As a Heights resident, I agree with many of your statements.  

 

I really love the location and many of the amenities that this area has to offer, but I generally feel that the Heights is overrated and the overall quality of life does not measure up to what it now costs to buy in the area.

 

Don't get me wrong, the area has improved a lot in the past few years, and will probably continue to  do so, but the increased popularity has created a multitude of issues caused by bad infrastructure and lack of development regulations.  The ditches, resulting lack of  street parking and the various "3rd world-looking" parking solutions is a perfect example. 

 

Unfortunately, there also seems to be a general lack of respect for people's property in the Heights.  My front yard is not fenced in, and people are always coming into the yard without permission, whether it is to pick pecans or flowers, let their dogs defecate, or steal stuff off the porch.  I also hate the look of fenced-in front yards, but I can understand why people fence them in.

[BullMan008]

I do apologize to BullMan, I know how some are very closely attached to their childhood homes.  I grew up on Houston's near North Side and it certainly was not in Heights.  I remember the Pig Stand on N. Main as well as Rettig's.  There was Stephen's Drug Store too, where I used to nurse a cherry coke while reading their comic books.  I attended Robert E. Lee Elementary where we could see the actual construction of I-45 during recess.

 

I've had many co-workers and friends that lived in the Heights, most in small garage apartments because they were cheap.  Some lived in little apartment complexes.  This was many years ago, probably before most here on HAIF were even born.  I lived through the Elmer Wayne Henley episode and the so-called ice box murders. I shopped at Kaplan's a few times and more often at antique shops on 19th and on Yale when they were a lot more interesting than today.  Had some prints framed at Davis Hardware in the 70s that look like new today, they did such a good job.

 

So, no I haven't just driven through a few times. 

 

I just hate to see hype that every other inner loop neighborhood wants to be the second coming of Heights.  That is just not true as evidenced by the featured article in the initial post here.  I agree that many neighborhoods are quite happy with their own name and identity.  I raised my kids in the east end and to me, that's what it is, I hate the name EADO.  

 

And to "s3mh", I do still own that house in Houston, in the east end.  But I actually live in a 100+ year old restored little wood frame farmhouse on three quarters of a section of land with 2 stock ponds and a creek running through it, between Houston and Austin.  We do have a fence around the house and yard but that's just to keep the cattle from munching on the grass.  And, it's all paid for, including 2 tractors and a hay baler.

 

And yes, I think that big expensive homes in the inner city, with fences all around them do look like third world places.  If the fence is for pets or kids, why not just fence the back?  Is it fear?  I don't really know but they remind me of drug cartel compounds.  Not real friendly or inviting.  When sm3h says most Heights houses do not have fences, it's funny to me that when I visit friends there I see more WITH fences than without.

 

In Houston, if it has "heights" in the name, my friends and I usually look at each other, roll eyes and get a good laugh.  Some of them still live there and do laugh at themselves because they know they're sitting on a gold mine.  Country life isn't for them so they laugh at me because I don't have 250 channels on my TV.  They laugh because they have Walmart right down the street and I have to drive 20 miles to the nearest one.

No apologies needed. This is an open forum to discuss

I agree with some of your statements about the Heights. Lots has changed. The homes, the people...especially the people. I can sit at a restaurant and point out the folks that aren’t from here. Lots of my new neighbors are really nice folks but some are just plain rude. I don’t know where I’m going to be in 10 years; maybe I’ll sell my home and buy a home in the country too:)

I was on a website called next door or something like this. Some of the topics and arguments on that thing were just ridiculous. It’s a place where you are supposed to communicate with neighbors. Share info. But all it was, from what I read was people that had no clue on what being a kind neighbor is. Groups! Everyone wanted to start a group. Like in high school. There are walking, running, biking, mommy, cooking, and workout groups. How about doing it like the good old days and walk outside your home or going to a coffee shop and smiling at someone and saying 'Hi'. Actually MEET your neighbors…all of them. I deleted that account....I dont care about other peoples maids or thoughts on small businesses.   

Maybe I’m just getting old. I just think it’s dumb. I know things are changing but I don’t think it’s completely for the best. 

[mollusk]

The one constant is change.  When I first moved into my corner of the Heights 30 years ago right out of school, I was the only Anglo under sixty on my block.  The majority of my neighbors were first or second generation immigrants, and on the whole some of the nicest, most neighborly people you would ever want to have next door or on the other side of the back fence.  There was at the time a wide range of incomes, from retirees and laborers to bankers, lawyers, and the mayor of Houston.  Over the years, the percentage of renters reduced as people bought places to fix up and move into as their homes, because (as with me) there was a pretty good bang for the buck ratio.  Still, largely neighborly and willing to look after one another because that's just what neighbors do.  

 

There seemed to be a bigger transition when the people looking to remodel were replaced by spec builders cramming McMansions onto every buildable square inch.  Obviously, there are exceptions, but by and large the people whose only investment has been writing a really big check are far less neighborly.  As an annoying example, the young but clearly more prosperous than I recent grads renting next door refuse to park in their driveway or on the street in front of their place (I speculate because of a fear of disrespectful birds) and instead park squarely in front of neighbors' houses, in such a manner so that only one of their expensive cars can be between any two given driveways (where two normally cars easily fit).  A polite mention only gets a grunt in return (if that); they'll only take a single street space if there's no alternative because others got there first.

[kylejack]

 

I have family in the Northside. They don’t agree with the name change because of the association with the 'Heights', it’s because they are proud of their neighborhood and what they’ve always known. This is the Northside.

 

 

There is no name change! It's a joke about the expanding nature of The Heights. The Heights has expensive real estate, so developers have an interest to call a continually expanding area part of The Heights so they can sell it for big money. The joke here is that they would call even the Near Northside area a Heights, and that if they had to choose a landmark from the area, they'd choose the Tampico restaurant. It's just a big joke. It's not like it's actually catching on.

[jamesw]

It's a play on the old Yogi Berra quote "Nobody goes there - it's too crowded!"

Cheers
James

[plumber2]

Using a trendy name in real estate is an old ploy. All of those "Briar" named subdivisions that popped up out Westheimer in The '50s an 60's capitalized on the once exclusive "Briar Hollow" area just west of River Oaks. It should be a form of flattery, but I understand how some would object to having their neighborhood names changed without asking for their opionion first.

[SilverJK]

And yes, I think that big expensive homes in the inner city, with fences all around them do look like third world places.  If the fence is for pets or kids, why not just fence the back?  Is it fear?  I don't really know but they remind me of drug cartel compounds.  Not real friendly or inviting.  When sm3h says most Heights houses do not have fences, it's funny to me that when I visit friends there I see more WITH fences than without.

 

 

Yeah, 3rd world places are just littered with nice homes with ornate wrought iron fencing.  Why I was just in Somalia and...

[s3mh]

 

 

So, no I haven't just driven through a few times. 

 

I just hate to see hype that every other inner loop neighborhood wants to be the second coming of Heights.  That is just not true as evidenced by the featured article in the initial post here.  I agree that many neighborhoods are quite happy with their own name and identity.  I raised my kids in the east end and to me, that's what it is, I hate the name EADO.  

 

And to "s3mh", I do still own that house in Houston, in the east end.  But I actually live in a 100+ year old restored little wood frame farmhouse on three quarters of a section of land with 2 stock ponds and a creek running through it, between Houston and Austin.  We do have a fence around the house and yard but that's just to keep the cattle from munching on the grass.  And, it's all paid for, including 2 tractors and a hay baler.

 

And yes, I think that big expensive homes in the inner city, with fences all around them do look like third world places.  If the fence is for pets or kids, why not just fence the back?  Is it fear?  I don't really know but they remind me of drug cartel compounds.  Not real friendly or inviting.  When sm3h says most Heights houses do not have fences, it's funny to me that when I visit friends there I see more WITH fences than without.

 

In Houston, if it has "heights" in the name, my friends and I usually look at each other, roll eyes and get a good laugh.  Some of them still live there and do laugh at themselves because they know they're sitting on a gold mine.  Country life isn't for them so they laugh at me because I don't have 250 channels on my TV.  They laugh because they have Walmart right down the street and I have to drive 20 miles to the nearest one.

 

 

There are just as many houses with wrought iron fences in your beloved East End as there are in the Heights.  Do you think that those houses also look like drug cartel compounds?

 

And whether you live in the burbs or out in the country is immaterial.  What is painfully obvious is that your sweeping declarations about the Heights are based on the odd drive through to see your friends and are generally inaccurate.  What the neighborhood looked like 30-40 years ago  is not what we are talking about.

 

As for the rest of the discussion about the old neighborhood and the new, all that is true is that it has changed.  For every new resident who isn't chatting it up with their neighbors, there are plenty that do (almost to a fault as is the case with one of my new neighbors).  And for every old resident who was the salt of the Earth, there were some pretty creepy and dangerous people living in the Heights. 

 

I also find it funny that someone is complaining on here about next door internet forums.  Deep and substantial irony.  I will say that next door has been used to raise funds and provide support for neighbors with medical emergencies, find lost pets and share lots of valuable information on everything from the real estate market to recs on service providers to dealing with the City.  And face to face interactions with neighbors is also alive and well.  More than half of my kids neighborhood playmates were people who we met at the playground or at the library play groups. 

 

I do regret the recent pace of gentrification that may be a bit too fast and furious.  Just a few years ago, anyone with a decent job could buy a bungalow in the Heights.  Now, it is just about impossible to get into the Heights with anything less than a budget of at least the low 400s.  The recent tax massacre also means that there will be a lot of turnover in commercial real estate.  This may eventually push out a lot of small businesses that have called the Heights home for a long time and may leave a lot of commercial properties in limbo while a new suitor is waiting to be found.

 

But on the whole, the Heights is definitely worth it and is not overvalued.  More and more great restaurants and retail coming in.  Schools are making big improvements.  Hike and bike connection to the White Oak trail coming.  The Rutland detention pond is supposed to have some sort of "park like" amenity (not sure what is happening with this).  There is real value in the neighborhood that is driving the property values.  And it is still lagging way behind prices in comparable neighborhoods in other big cities.  Even in Austin, it would take 30-40% more money to get into comparable neighborhoods (like 675k for a fairly average small bungalow around Clarksville/Old West Austin: http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/705-Patterson-Ave_Austin_TX_78703_M87214-61394?row=1).