Heights More Left Or Right?

[emirate25]

Will you say Heights is more liberal or conservative? I told my friend that Heights is typically more liberal and she tells me its more conservative.

[Urbannomad]

I guess it depends on what you are comparing it against; but I would say the Heights, at least the area I live in, is definitely "more liberal."

[kylejack]

More liberal than the suburbs, certainly. Less liberal than, say, Austin.

[heights_yankee]

More liberal than the suburbs, certainly. Less liberal than, say, Austin.

just b/c austin is full of people who try to look like hippies doesn't mean it's liberal. houston, on the whole, is probably as liberal (if not more so- remember austin is the seat of the texas govt) as austin.

i would say the heights veers liberal with a lot of libertarians mixed in for fun.

[EMME]

just b/c austin is full of people who try to look like hippies doesn't mean it's liberal. houston, on the whole, is probably as liberal (if not more so- remember austin is the seat of the texas govt) as austin.

i would say the heights veers liberal with a lot of libertarians mixed in for fun.

Austin is very liberal although with the influx of the California conservatives in the 80s it started to lean a little more right, but it is still quite liberal.

[SaintCyr]

just b/c austin is full of people who try to look like hippies doesn't mean it's liberal.

Ha! Just remember to watch out for the top self martini drinkin, "new vintage", hippie girl thats blasting jam bands from her daddy-bought, oil money Mercedes SUV when visiting Austin. They don't slow down when almost sideswiping people who wear boots and ball caps... much less anything else for that matter.

I grew up in Eureka Springs, AR... trust me, the majority of what you have in Austin are not hippies. I would say that the heights is on the liberal side simply because its so diverse and multi-cultural... I would say that it gets more and more conservative as the days go by however.

[august948]

Will you say Heights is more liberal or conservative? I told my friend that Heights is typically more liberal and she tells me its more conservative.

Is there a map somewhere that shows voting patterns by polling place in Houston for the 2008 election? That would give you a pretty good barometer of the local political spectrum.

[Shamrock]

Is there a map somewhere that shows voting patterns by polling place in Houston for the 2008 election? That would give you a pretty good barometer of the local political spectrum.

This may help:

http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=14404

[kylejack]

just b/c austin is full of people who try to look like hippies doesn't mean it's liberal. houston, on the whole, is probably as liberal (if not more so- remember austin is the seat of the texas govt) as austin.

i would say the heights veers liberal with a lot of libertarians mixed in for fun.

I disagree.

[TJones]

I live here in Austin, you can't go a full block without seeing 30 Obama bumper stickers on bicycles and scooters. So yea, it's just a little more liberal despite all the fruit and nut transplants from Cali.

[RedScare]

This may help:

http://offthekuff.com/wp/?p=14404

And, here is Travis County. The argument could be made that Travis COUNTY, with 1 million residents and 1,000 square miles, is similar to Houston's 2.2 million residents and 630 square miles in political leanings. If you include all of Harris County, not nearly so much.

[barracuda]

Somewhere a few years back I read that Bellaire was actually the most liberal city in Texas. I can't find the article now but I did find this evidence:

http://www.epodunk.com/top10/liberal/index.html

And I would agree that the Heights is probably more on the liberal side than the conservative side.

[Heights CPA]

Somewhere a few years back I read that Bellaire was actually the most liberal city in Texas. I can't find the article now but I did find this evidence:

http://www.epodunk.com/top10/liberal/index.html

And I would agree that the Heights is probably more on the liberal side than the conservative side.

On the whole, Houston is conservative and Austin is liberal. The Heights is as liberal as Austin but in the minority in Houston. I have lived both places in the last 5 years.

[samiamj]

It is more liberal because the Greater Heights Democratic Club is based in the area. Plus the area elects Democrats to political offices. Examples are Jessica Farrar, John Whitmire, Sheila Jackson Lee, Adrian Garcia and so on.

Secondly, the location is one of three major areas where gays live in great numbers. Of course, Montrose and Westbury are the others. Watch as people will write about the last statement.

[Porchman]

On the whole, Houston is conservative[...]

On a metro level, I would agree with you. On a City level, not. I would also say Harris County is about half-half now. Fort Bend is becoming more of a mix, too. Montgomery County is solidly conservative. Galveston County seems to be all over the place.

MORE ON TOPIC: The Heights probably lags behind Montrose in progressivism (yes, "progressivism"...mind my semantics ). Montrose has to balance woo-hoo clubs/bars/restaurants with their residential solidity. I would say that they have a lot more ills (e.g. teenage runaways that are working the streets) right in the realm of their neighborhoods. The space is generally tighter and more multi-family than the Heights. As a result they have the more of enlightenment and challenges (quoting myelf here) that proffer progressivism.

In the Heights, we have tremendous cultural diversity (whether we share it or not is another matter). However, it's becoming an increasing anglo place, clearly. What that means in terms of political leaning, I'm not sure. We are going to become an increasingly urbanized space as the metro grows around us. I would guess that the enlightenment and challenge that growth brings to us will maintain the Heights as a more progressive area.

[heightsfan]

Good Evening All,

This seems to be a great topic of discussion so let me obtain some feedback.

What makes or creates a certain neighborhood to the left or right?

Politics, location, income level, people or environment?

Also are there any other inner loop neighborhoods in Houston

that is similar to the Heights? I can recall many years ago

that the Heights was not always a desired area to live in or

developing homes. Is this mainly due to gentrification?

I am assuming the older neighborhoods Bellaire, West U, River Oaks,

Oak Forest, Garden Oaks, Idlywood, Country Club Place, Garden Villas,

have always been desired neighborhoods unlike the Heights?

[samiamj]

Good Evening All,

This seems to be a great topic of discussion so let me obtain some feedback.

What makes or creates a certain neighborhood to the left or right?

Politics, location, income level, people or environment?

Also are there any other inner loop neighborhoods in Houston

that is similar to the Heights? I can recall many years ago

that the Heights was not always a desired area to live in or

developing homes. Is this mainly due to gentrification?

I am assuming the older neighborhoods Bellaire, West U, River Oaks,

Oak Forest, Garden Oaks, Idlywood, Country Club Place, Garden Villas,

have always been desired neighborhoods unlike the Heights?

In my opinion, its location influence the neighborhood's political spectrum. The Greater Heights is located inside the loop and there is a mixture of different backgrounds. Another is the support of the arts. Arts bring character. If you drive around liberal areas, the cookie cutter concept is rather sparse but almost to the point of being ostracized. That is why you see these one of a kind non-chain retail shops.

Due to its proximity to major work centers such as downtown, Greenway and the Galleria, interest in the Greater Heights has gone up. Over the years, individuals in their 20s and 30s rather live closer to their work and forfeit the suburban commute unlike their parents. Young people under 40 are usually more liberal in their politics. Speaking of Shady Acres which is west of Shepherd, a rapid buildup of new homes has led to the displacement of the blue-collar feel that it once was. Driving down Shady Acres and you will see many young single individuals whose interest lies purely with their dogs and doggy day care. Okay, I might be exaggerating a tad bit.

I always felt the Braeswood and Museum District area share similar traits to the Heights.

[crunchtastic]

It is more liberal because the Greater Heights Democratic Club is based in the area. Plus the area elects Democrats to political offices. Examples are Jessica Farrar, John Whitmire, Sheila Jackson Lee, Adrian Garcia and so on.

Secondly, the location is one of three major areas where gays live in great numbers. Of course, Montrose and Westbury are the others. Watch as people will write about the last statement.

Actually, watch as people write about your very first statement: which is a fallacy of composition, and invalid.

Just sayin'.

[PureAuteur]

Are we talking left or right in terms of lifestyle, or positions on political issues?

I'm of the belief that the entire left vs. right spectrum is out-dated because I think other political theories and paradigms are emerging (i.e. constitutionalism (can't fit into the left vs. right spectrum)), and the definition of what it means to be either conservative or liberal in the context of that particular spectrum change over long periods of time.

I would also say the Heights doesn't have a political leaning. I'm sure you have a solid mixture of those who follow the status-quo (Republicans and Democrats) and those who are anti-government and those who support other parties and ideologies. Its residents simply share the common trait of being city-dwellers. From all the time I spent in Central Texas I'd say the people in the Heights are more like the people in smaller towns like New Braunfels, very friendly and community-loving.

[Marksmu]

Are we talking left or right in terms of lifestyle, or positions on political issues?

I'm of the belief that the entire left vs. right spectrum is out-dated because I think other political theories and paradigms are emerging (i.e. constitutionalism (can't fit into the left vs. right spectrum)), and the definition of what it means to be either conservative or liberal in the context of that particular spectrum change over long periods of time.

I would also say the Heights doesn't have a political leaning. I'm sure you have a solid mixture of those who follow the status-quo (Republicans and Democrats) and those who are anti-government and those who support other parties and ideologies. Its residents simply share the common trait of being city-dwellers. From all the time I spent in Central Texas I'd say the people in the Heights are more like the people in smaller towns like New Braunfels, very friendly and community-loving.

Politically I would bet the ranch that the Heights leans heavy Democrat - I walk my dogs every day, down many different streets....during the election I made it a point to walk them through the entire heights area - My estimation more than half the homes had either a clinton/obama sign out front....after Obama was the winner of the primary - there were actually fewer signs, apparently the Clinton supporters were embarrased to display an Obama sign as their girl lost...I have no dobut they still voted D, but just did not put the signs out.

I spend alot of time out and about in the neighborhood, and I am certain, that politically the heights is politically very liberal. I do believe that as the area grows more and more expensive, it will become more balanced, but currently its left leaning without any doubt in my mind.

[callisthenes]

I spend alot of time out and about in the neighborhood, and I am certain, that politically the heights is politically very liberal. I do believe that as the area grows more and more expensive, it will become more balanced, but currently its left leaning without any doubt in my mind.

I don't think the increase in home values will result in more political balance, but it will result in higher average incomes in the Heights.

One demographic phenomenon I have noticed is that relatively liberal young couples move into the Heights, but once they have kids and the kids get to about school age, they will often move someplace else, selling the house to the next young couple. If I am right about that flux, the "political balance" of the neighborhood might remain more or less constant for the next few years.

[PureAuteur]

I'm not even sure what it means to be a liberal anymore. As the two major political parties become more and more similar and more and more like one split party, you have to come up with a new spectrum, new terms, or new definitions to account for the alternate views and ideologies. Then I also believe that everyone has their own unique set of views, which can sometimes run all over the spectrum.

I bet a lot of Heights residents who put those Democratic signs in their yards were just people who were upset during the entire 8 years that Bush was president and associate him with the Republican party and thereby establishing their political identity with whatever is opposite of that. If these people are liberal, then this is surprising, since I would say Bush was the most liberal president in my lifetime (born 1981)(not counting Obama). Ironically, both parties are pretty much the same in practical terms, which I just started to realize a few years back.

Well, whatever the Heights people are or where they fit politically is far less important than the fact that they are some nice, cool people.

[SaintCyr]

One demographic phenomenon I have noticed is that relatively liberal young couples move into the Heights, but once they have kids and the kids get to about school age, they will often move someplace else, selling the house to the next young couple. If I am right about that flux, the "political balance" of the neighborhood might remain more or less constant for the next few years.

I have to give my opinion on this since I fit the "young couple in the heights" mold. I think what you will find in the next 25-50 years is a reversal in urban sprawl. As energy prices continue to rise and roads become more congested with more and more people on them you will have a movement of people young and old to the city centers (5-7 miles from downtown) throughout the country. Houston will be affected a little more by this since we have a lot of urban sprawl and not a lot of vertical residential living space. This coupled with the heights being dry will foster an environment that caters to young couples and families both. I think we will see a lot of couples who are having kids moving to the Heights because of the community activity and involvement, economic benefits, and overall progressive thinking (liberal) of the community.

Just my .2 cents.

D

EDIT: Sorry had to take out my bushisms (economical) Ha!

[sevfiv]

I agree with the points that there will be some reversal in sprawl and that ideologies are all over the spectrum - binding it all to two words fails to adequately express true ideology, and while certain folks can rattle off ad nauseam about general liberalism, conservatism, socialism (yawn!) it really deprives folks of real discourse.

That being said, everyone is everywhere, identifiable or not.

[sunsets]

I think the Heights trends toward the liberal side, no matter the economic situation of the homeowner or renter. Like attracts like?

As for the young couples, the ones on my block are staying, even after they have kids. Which I think is great, and the older residents on the block are looking forward to kids riding their bikes around and playing in the yards like their own kids did.

I will say the Heights political climate is not what "outsiders" expect. Most non-Houstonians, and especially most non-Texans view the entire state as a conservative hotbed. My parents were pretty funny - the last time they visited my Dad excitedly pointed out an Obama sticker on a car in the Fiesta parking lot. "Look, even in Texas there are Obama stickers!". I looked over - it was an Art Car. "Dad, I'd be shocked if that one DIDN'T have an Obama sticker".

[PureAuteur]

I think the Heights trends toward the liberal side, no matter the economic situation of the homeowner or renter. Like attracts like?

As for the young couples, the ones on my block are staying, even after they have kids. Which I think is great, and the older residents on the block are looking forward to kids riding their bikes around and playing in the yards like their own kids did.

I will say the Heights political climate is not what "outsiders" expect. Most non-Houstonians, and especially most non-Texans view the entire state as a conservative hotbed. My parents were pretty funny - the last time they visited my Dad excitedly pointed out an Obama sticker on a car in the Fiesta parking lot. "Look, even in Texas there are Obama stickers!". I looked over - it was an Art Car. "Dad, I'd be shocked if that one DIDN'T have an Obama sticker".

Are you sure that was a political sticker and not the brand emblem on the car?

[ihop]

I'm not even sure what it means to be a liberal anymore. As the two major political parties become more and more similar...

If these people are liberal, then this is surprising, since I would say Bush was the most liberal president in my lifetime (born 1981)(not counting Obama).

Fiscally liberal, maybe. But socially conservative. Perhaps the question in the OP could have been more specific.

[OutfieldDan]

Fiscally liberal, maybe. But socially conservative. Perhaps the question in the OP could have been more specific.

Actually, I think the Heights is fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Most Heights residents believe in good old capitalism with low taxes, and at the same time they welcome diversity and alternate lifestyles.

[PureAuteur]

Actually, I think the Heights is fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Most Heights residents believe in good old capitalism with low taxes, and at the same time they welcome diversity and alternate lifestyles.

Those are libertarian/constitutionalist principles. If that's the case, these are people I'd want to live around. I like people who want to handle their problems themselves, rather than people who are always trying to phone their lawyers or call up government hotlines.

[ihop]

Actually, I think the Heights is fiscally conservative and socially liberal. Most Heights residents believe in good old capitalism with low taxes, and at the same time they welcome diversity and alternate lifestyles.

I was referring to how PureAuteur considered GWBush most liberal pres in their lifetime, and noting how there are different spectrums which someone can be conservative on one while being liberal on another. Not classifying the Heights as such.