Help! We need help finding the right neighborhood

[BuckheadToHouston]

Please help us in our search for a neighborhood that would be similar to Buckhead within 15 miles of Downtown.

We moved from Atlanta last year and the relocation realtor stuck us up in The Woodlands. We know now that this will probably be a permanent home, so we want to find a area of town that fits our personality. The Woodlands is nice and clean, but that's all I can say about it.

Our house has been on the market for a while, so I need to start looking.

I adore the areas around North and South BLVD, but I don't think we could afford the taxes on a house in there and private schooling. It has so much flare, like Buckhead.

We are looking for a nice, safe area that the public schools that are excellent all the way through High School. Socially safe as well. A nice sized yard with big oak trees and a house with at least 4 bedrooms. Old houses don't bother me, I'm from Atlanta! Budgeting around 650 for an older home and as high as 850 for one that has been remodeled.

Also, my husband can chose to work in The Energy Corridor if he wants. I don't know what neighborhoods that would open up. He's not much into commuting, so he doesn't want to find himself in his current situation again.

Any suggestions? Please, nothing master planned! I'm asking here before I go looking with a realtor.

[missjanel]

I would look in Hilshire Village, Bellewood, Brykerwood Estates, and Clay Wood. All are off of I-10 and Wirt. The schools are excellent and the area is very nice and within your budget.

Please help us in our search for a neighborhood that would be similar to Buckhead within 15 miles of Downtown.

We moved from Atlanta last year and the relocation realtor stuck us up in The Woodlands. We know now that this will probably be a permanent home, so we want to find a area of town that fits our personality. The Woodlands is nice and clean, but that's all I can say about it.

Our house has been on the market for a while, so I need to start looking.

I adore the areas around North and South BLVD, but I don't think we could afford the taxes on a house in there and private schooling. It has so much flare, like Buckhead.

We are looking for a nice, safe area that the public schools that are excellent all the way through High School. Socially safe as well. A nice sized yard with big oak trees and a house with at least 4 bedrooms. Old houses don't bother me, I'm from Atlanta! Budgeting around 650 for an older home and as high as 850 for one that has been remodeled.

Also, my husband can chose to work in The Energy Corridor if he wants. I don't know what neighborhoods that would open up. He's not much into commuting, so he doesn't want to find himself in his current situation again.

Any suggestions? Please, nothing master planned! I'm asking here before I go looking with a realtor.

[jlt1988]

This page from my website might offer some guidance. It provides median prices, demographic profiles, school rankings, commutes, more for six "city" MLS areas and corresponding neighborhoods:

http://www.westurealestate.com/neighborhoods.htm

It's a place to start.

[KatieDidIt]

Buckhead and Houston are pretty different. You can come close to it around River Oaks and neighborhoods around the Galleria. Minus the funky art galleries stuck here and there. Sadly though, 850,000 can't get you into River Oaks and can barely get you into an Uptown neighborhood. The schools are another issue. There are good public schools in those areas, but many with school age kids prefer to move to Memorial or go private.

You may want to head into Memorial, but it would have to be Western Memorial for your price range. The schools are excellent and there are some really really pretty properties out there. IF your husband can truley work in the Energy Corridor, you might be able to consider that. Is it like Buckhead or River Oaks or the Galleria? No. But they are a pretty easy drive to get to during non-rush hour.

We moved from the Woodlands to Memorial, just outside the Beltway. We love it. Its has just enough quirk and charm to it to make it feel good. Even more quirk and charm isn't that far away. The public schools are excellent and you can get more for your money. For 750,000 you could get a very nice partial remodel on at least 13,000 sq ft. lot.

Spring Valley was mentioned above. It is nice, but some would still consider it slightly transitional.

Good luck!

[houstonmacbro]

What about the Rice University area. Not sure what homes are going for there, but it's close to a lot and has a lot of charm.

[woolie]

West U area, but probably not the actual municipality of West University Place.

Personally, I'm a bit skeptical of the value of choosing a neighborhood for racially/income segregated schools. I went to an average public school in an average small Texas town, and certainly didn't suffer because of it. Personally I value a diversity of interactions and experiences more than having 95% of students scoring such and such artificial metric of success.

[BuckheadToHouston]

I like West U and Rice, but the homes are built on top of each other and are mostly around 1 million anyway. I don't think we could live all crushed in like that. But being within driving distance of such areas is wonderful. Also, I don't think we can afford the property taxes and private schooling, as I've said before. From what I've read, most go the private school route for Junior and High School in those areas.

I inherited a house, in the Peachtree Battle area from my parents, and we are desperately trying not to sell it, because I don't think we could afford a home like that when it comes to retire. And we hope to return to Atlanta some day. So we have budget we really need keep. 850 is the tops.

I've heard a lot about Memorial. But how close is it too all the fun, restaurants and neat little shops? We don't have to be right in cosmopolitan area, but a short drive would be a relief.The properties look very nice on the internet and I understand the school district is really good. We've been disappointed with the schools in Texas so far.

We're going to do a lot of driving this weekend and even stay in a hotel downtown. I think it'll be fun, and hopefully we'll find our niche! We know we can't find Buckhead here, but I think we can come close.

Thanks everyone for your help!

[rsb320]

Check out Braeswood Place http://braeswoodplace.org/. Mark Twain Elementary and Pershing Middle Schools are practically brand new. After those grades are complete, students either go to Bellaire or Lamar High Schools. Both are high-end on the HISD spectrum. Also, there's a new YMCA and City of Houston Library right in the neighborhood. All of the streets and drainage are currently being replaced and should be complete in the near future. You should be able to find something there in your range.

Living inner-city makes commuting easier, since you're generally travelling against traffic. The Westpark Tollway is just a couple of miles away and would take him out to the Energy Corridor easily.

[Jax]

What about the Museum District? It's in you price range, there are beautiful oak trees, the crime isn't too bad unless you go too far towards Almeda, you can walk to the museums and Hermann Park, and you're close to Downtown, Midtown the TMC, Montrose, etc. Those are by far the best parts of town and, the I-10 area (Hilshire Village) is out of the loop and kind of boring in my opinion. The Museum District could put you in walking distance of the beautiful area around North Blvd while being much cheaper.

Only downside is it's not exactly close to the energy corridor...

[memebag]

I adore the areas around North and South BLVD, but I don't think we could afford the taxes on a house in there and private schooling. It has so much flare, like Buckhead.

I'm confused. My house cost $150k or so and I can afford private school. How can you afford to spend so much on a house but so little on taxes and school?

[KatieDidIt]

I'm confused. My house cost $150k or so and I can afford private school. How can you afford to spend so much on a house but so little on taxes and school?

Seems they are supporting another house.

I know it would be hard the send several children to private, pay the taxes on a house in a "GREAT" neighborhood (which it sounds like what they are looking for) and support another home. People make choices for their own reasons.

[crunchtastic]

The FPI (flare price index) is through the roof these days!

[KatieDidIt]

The FPI (flare price index) is through the roof these days!

Flare Price Index?

Teach me something today. What they heck is that?

[memebag]

The FPI (flare price index) is through the roof these days!

Huh?

[sevfiv]

There's usually something for 650-850 in "good and interesting" neighborhoods in Houston. Even less - which would offset tax school issues perhaps.

Museum district, montrose, Rice U area all have their fair share of interestingness, crime, and affordability...of course each of those are relative along their own continuua...

and FPI...*giggle*

[sarahiki]

Huh?

Nice!

[KatieDidIt]

Flare Price Index?

Teach me something today. What they heck is that?

Nevermind, I figured it out. Wheew. I thought I discovered another thing I had slept through in college.

[crunchtastic]

the OP mentioned liking certain neighborhoods on account of they had 'so much flare' (I assumed they meant 'flair')..... it was my lame attempt at clever.

nice touch, meme. Have you finished those TSS reports, btw??

[flipper]

nice touch, meme. Have you finished those TSS reports, btw??

Tisk Tisk...

TPSReports. M'kay?

sincerely,

lumburgh

[rsb320]

Check out Braeswood Place http://braeswoodplace.org/. Mark Twain Elementary and Pershing Middle Schools are practically brand new. After those grades are complete, students either go to Bellaire or Lamar High Schools. Both are high-end on the HISD spectrum. Also, there's a new YMCA and City of Houston Library right in the neighborhood. All of the streets and drainage are currently being replaced and should be complete in the near future. You should be able to find something there in your range.

Living inner-city makes commuting easier, since you're generally travelling against traffic. The Westpark Tollway is just a couple of miles away and would take him out to the Energy Corridor easily.

If you want private schools, St. Vincent Du Paul Elementary is at the edge of the neighborhood and Episcopal High School is close by too.

Also, check out the Southgate area.

[sowanome]

Do yourself a favor and drive from downtown houston, heading west on prarie (which turns into Memorial Drive)and drive west until you get to Memorial Park and at this point make a uturn (Only continue west up memorial if your price range is at least $900K) and head back east up Memorial until you arrive at the Sheperd Exit, which is one shortly after the light at Detering. Once you get to the next light, which is Sheperd, turn right and stay in the right lane, in order to turn right at the next light, which is "Kirby" (this is where Allen Parkway coming from downtown, turns into Kirby).

Now, Once your're on Kirby continue to drive straight down Kirby and take a Left at W.Alabama (which is just South of Westheimer and is also the street that Whole Foods is located on). Now drive down W. Alabama (heading East) and turn left on Sheperd. Drive up Sheperd until you reach W.Gray and turn right onto W.Gray....drive up W.Gray and turn Left at Waugh. Drive up Waugh and turn right at allen Parkway and take this will take you back downtown..

This is a pretty good trip that will allow you to see various parks, etc that I'm sure you may haven't seen before. When you take this trip feel free to dip off into the various communities and have a map in hand. This trip is also good to show off communties that you'd like to next to (hint: that's why a lot of areas are doing so well, you can't build another River Oaks, Montrose, Memorial Park, Buffalo Park, etc. I'm sure you've been to Midtown, the Museum district and the montrose area, but I assure you that this trip is worth it!!

Also drive around the neighborhoods that surround memorial park: Crestwood, Camp Logan, Arlington Court, Glen Cove and there's also "Avalon Place" which is across the street and almost blended into River OAks. (Forgive me if I didn't see your price range, but you can find some steals at the sub $900k mark.I posted this from the other page about the woodlands when you mentioned your move)

[sowanome]

Check out Braeswood Place http://braeswoodplace.org/. Mark Twain Elementary and Pershing Middle Schools are practically brand new. After those grades are complete, students either go to Bellaire or Lamar High Schools. Both are high-end on the HISD spectrum. Also, there's a new YMCA and City of Houston Library right in the neighborhood. All of the streets and drainage are currently being replaced and should be complete in the near future. You should be able to find something there in your range.

Living inner-city makes commuting easier, since you're generally travelling against traffic. The Westpark Tollway is just a couple of miles away and would take him out to the Energy Corridor easily.

I second "rsb320", parts of the breaswood area, have a ton of charm and it's so hidden, and the prices keep going up and up....and there are many steals out there, but they will not last!

[sevfiv]

^True about not lasting - becoming teardown central, too...

[TxDave]

Please help us in our search for a neighborhood that would be similar to Buckhead within 15 miles of Downtown.

We moved from Atlanta last year and the relocation realtor stuck us up in The Woodlands. We know now that this will probably be a permanent home, so we want to find a area of town that fits our personality. The Woodlands is nice and clean, but that's all I can say about it.

Our house has been on the market for a while, so I need to start looking.

I adore the areas around North and South BLVD, but I don't think we could afford the taxes on a house in there and private schooling. It has so much flare, like Buckhead.

We are looking for a nice, safe area that the public schools that are excellent all the way through High School. Socially safe as well. A nice sized yard with big oak trees and a house with at least 4 bedrooms. Old houses don't bother me, I'm from Atlanta! Budgeting around 650 for an older home and as high as 850 for one that has been remodeled.

Also, my husband can chose to work in The Energy Corridor if he wants. I don't know what neighborhoods that would open up. He's not much into commuting, so he doesn't want to find himself in his current situation again.

Any suggestions? Please, nothing master planned! I'm asking here before I go looking with a realtor.

It sounds like the Memorial Villages area is what you are looking for - not sure if the price is right, but the schools and safety profile should fit well

[flipper]

Well, how did Exploration 08 weekend go?

flipper

[BuckheadToHouston]

Hello to all of you. Thank You for your suggestions and teasing.

Let me say we had the best time in and around downtown this weekend. My husband told me that it's not always that way,but that maybe the new park will start something. What an amazing and alive city! Back to the Houston house hunting. We visited Lamar HS and Memorial HS on Friday with the twins. I was impressed by both schools. And yes, we do want to do public, not feel like we have to go private because of poor neighborhood schools. The twins have three years left before they go to college, so this home and move is for us and our future. Frankly, if we buy in a nice neighborhood, the school should go along with it, allowing us not to dip into their college fund. Two neighborhoods caught our eye. Both different but both charming for various different reasons. We have concerns about location one, and maybe posters can help.

1. South Hampton and Avalon Place. Loved, loved, loved the neat 1930's style homes. The small lots didn't bother me but...Hypothetically, if we buy the cute and charming old house, the likelihood that a stucco monstrosity will be built next to us seems pretty high. The lot will feel smaller, and the older home will look wrong and crushed in. I'm really surprised by the teardowns of such great, normal sized houses. Do those areas not have historical guidelines? Are all the houses in such bad shape they need to be torn down? The architectural future of these neighborhoods concern us more so than the present, which is wonderful but seems to be fading. The location is incredible. Wow. My husband could stay in the downtown location and everything is right there. We had lunch one day at a place called The Raven, and they had a crazy pet chicken that walked all around the parking lot. But the overbuilding of box style houses, that look like a cheap, Italian porn film, might kill the charm of the neighborhood.This left us wondering if this would still be the neighborhood for us 10 years from now. What do you all think will be the end result of all the new construction? Loosing the architecture seems like it would detract from the charm.

2. Memorial at Kirkwood. I know this sounds crazy because it's not anywhere near the first location, but there're reasons I really liked it. The schools are strong and apparently are a safe. The lots in the neighborhood we looked at are huge. People seem to be extensively remodeling there, not tearing down. It reminded me a little of Atlanta. Not as great architecture, but the big trees and they way the older homes were maintained rang a bell. My husband would have to work out of the Energy Corridor location, but it's mere minutes away, just like Avalon and River Oaks are to downtown. If we want to get to the museum area or downtown, it seems 15-20 down the West tollway would get us there. It's nothing like Buckhead, and not nearly as fun and congested as location one, but it seems everything is right there. And the lots are big enough, if the teardown trend began, we wouldn't be stacked up on top of each other. Does anyone have any outlook on this area? My husband's co-worker says it has always been a good area and it's going through big changes lately. We saw tons of crane towers everywhere we looked, and I have read about the construction going on on this board. Yet we wonder if it might be too sleepy once the kids move out.

Loved Tanglewood and honestly if we had the funds to purchase in there we would tomorrow. Loved the Memorial Villages, but if they weren't corning a major road,1- they too have a big price tag. And really the homes and lot sizes on location 2 were almost identical, but drastically different prices for neighborhoods 1-2 miles apart.

Flipper, thank you for telling us about your house. We drove buy and it looks like you have done a great job. I liked the area over there, but I think we are looking for a little different type location.

Any help from posters with inside information on the two areas battling it out would help greatly. They're drastically different, I know. I'm only picking on the downsides of these locations because this choice is important and because honestly they both have a lot of possitives.I know residents and locals will have better opinions than realtors. I'm going to start looking at homes in both locations this Friday.

PS- It is such a relief to drive through a city and each neighborhood looks different. Sameness is something we're excited to leave. I think I'm finally starting to like Houston.

[musicman]

Any help from posters with inside information on the two areas battling it out would help greatly. They're drastically different, I know. I'm only picking on the downsides of these locations because this choice is important and because honestly they both have a lot of possitives.I know residents and locals will have better opinions than realtors. I'm going to start looking at homes in both locations this Friday.

I'd say that Avalon Place and Southhampton are distinctly different too.

[dmoneybangbang]

Hello to all of you. Thank You for your suggestions and teasing.

Let me say we had the best time in and around downtown this weekend. My husband told me that it's not always that way,but that maybe the new park will start something. What an amazing and alive city! Back to the Houston house hunting. We visited Lamar HS and Memorial HS on Friday with the twins. I was impressed by both schools. And yes, we do want to do public, not feel like we have to go private because of poor neighborhood schools. The twins have three years left before they go to college, so this home and move is for us and our future. Frankly, if we buy in a nice neighborhood, the school should go along with it, allowing us not to dip into their college fund. Two neighborhoods caught our eye. Both different but both charming for various different reasons. We have concerns about location one, and maybe posters can help.

1. South Hampton and Avalon Place. Loved, loved, loved the neat 1930's style homes. The small lots didn't bother me but...Hypothetically, if we buy the cute and charming old house, the likelihood that a stucco monstrosity will be built next to us seems pretty high. The lot will feel smaller, and the older home will look wrong and crushed in. I'm really surprised by the teardowns of such great, normal sized houses. Do those areas not have historical guidelines? Are all the houses in such bad shape they need to be torn down? The architectural future of these neighborhoods concern us more so than the present, which is wonderful but seems to be fading. The location is incredible. Wow. My husband could stay in the downtown location and everything is right there. We had lunch one day at a place called The Raven, and they had a crazy pet chicken that walked all around the parking lot. But the overbuilding of box style houses, that look like a cheap, Italian porn film, might kill the charm of the neighborhood.This left us wondering if this would still be the neighborhood for us 10 years from now. What do you all think will be the end result of all the new construction? Loosing the architecture seems like it would detract from the charm.

2. Memorial at Kirkwood. I know this sounds crazy because it's not anywhere near the first location, but there're reasons I really liked it. The schools are strong and apparently are a safe. The lots in the neighborhood we looked at are huge. People seem to be extensively remodeling there, not tearing down. It reminded me a little of Atlanta. Not as great architecture, but the big trees and they way the older homes were maintained rang a bell. My husband would have to work out of the Energy Corridor location, but it's mere minutes away, just like Avalon and River Oaks are to downtown. If we want to get to the museum area or downtown, it seems 15-20 down the West tollway would get us there. It's nothing like Buckhead, and not nearly as fun and congested as location one, but it seems everything is right there. And the lots are big enough, if the teardown trend began, we wouldn't be stacked up on top of each other. Does anyone have any outlook on this area? My husband's co-worker says it has always been a good area and it's going through big changes lately. We saw tons of crane towers everywhere we looked, and I have read about the construction going on on this board. Yet we wonder if it might be too sleepy once the kids move out.

Loved Tanglewood and honestly if we had the funds to purchase in there we would tomorrow. Loved the Memorial Villages, but if they weren't corning a major road,1- they too have a big price tag. And really the homes and lot sizes on location 2 were almost identical, but drastically different prices for neighborhoods 1-2 miles apart.

Flipper, thank you for telling us about your house. We drove buy and it looks like you have done a great job. I liked the area over there, but I think we are looking for a little different type location.

Any help from posters with inside information on the two areas battling it out would help greatly. They're drastically different, I know. I'm only picking on the downsides of these locations because this choice is important and because honestly they both have a lot of possitives.I know residents and locals will have better opinions than realtors. I'm going to start looking at homes in both locations this Friday.

PS- It is such a relief to drive through a city and each neighborhood looks different. Sameness is something we're excited to leave. I think I'm finally starting to like Houston.

I graduated high school from Westside High (HISD school in that area) and spent a lot of time in that area. Honestly, Memorial @ Kirkwood and Briar Forest @ Kirkwood are only seperated by about a 1/4 mile, but they are two different places. Briar Forest @ Kirkwood have some lower income apartments that has been made worse by Katrina evacuees. This isn't a very dangerous area, but in my opinion crime would be worst here. If crime is a big issue, then east of Beltway 8 is probably more fitting, but it is more upscale and white. I love West Houston (along w/my home area of SW Houston) because of its diversity.

[sowanome]

I'm partial to West U and Avalon Place for the following reasons:

-For various activities that will and can occur in Houston, you will be a lot closer (trips to the airports, museum district, multiple parks,July 4th, various parades, etc)

-I know this may be 3 years away, but when your twins come home from college...after a late night whats the shortest drive/cab ride?

-When you're looking to do some shopping/eating/drinking/spa visits/wine tasting...which area will offer the best last minute situation?

-What are you're weekends like? relax on the patio or meet neighbors or flee the area for something different? Or all 3....

-During/before/after there are huge rain storms can you still drive to events or places of business? (or Even home from work)

-How close and what's the nearest grocery store like?

-If you're husband wants to meet for lunch or dinner....are there a good number of alternatives to choose from?

-Lamar HS and Memorial are 2 totally diff. schools (Memorial kids are always looking to go closer into the areas where the Lamar students are located; rarely the other way around) There's also more economic diversity at Lamar. (there's also a post on this site about the snobbish mentality @Memorial)

-As in the lower income apt. areas that exist out West....they are there, but If you are East of the Beltway, you'll never know

-I guess the last thing is to locate which area makes your family the happiest?

[KatieDidIt]

Alright, I live at Kirkwood and Memorial and I see or experience none of this "ghetto stuff" mentioned, so being east of the Beltway has nothing to do with it. Yes, there is a huge apartment area a mile or so up the road, but where in urban Houston will you NOT find that? I tend not to be all squirrelie about that stuff when I live somewhere that actually has a patrol.Western Memorial has lived with those complexes for decades with no major problems. Our subdivision hasn't had a home break-in in over 20 years. Heck when we lived in Tanglewood, there were apartments where people were killing each other within a 1/2 mile.

People can be a victim of crime anywhere in Houston or outside of Houston. "Ghetto" patches are everywhere, and until this town becomes too expensive for the bad elements to afford, they will be here. Even in River Oaks and West U I've heard of more serious crime occuring than I've known of out here. Personal awareness, good neighborhood patrol and watchful older neighbors are a huge help.

That all being said, I would think the Central part of town would probably be the best area after reading your wants. However, if you find the lot sizes too small and the type house too expensive, Memorial really is a wonderful place to live. For kids coming home from college on weekends or holidays, they are all hanging out here and go to each others houses. Its little more "sleepy," but nothing like suburbia. I am energized everytime I go out the door here, and I bore very easily.