txcat84

I have a small lawn and the shade was just too much for the st. Augustine. Anyone have any experience with mondo grass lawns?

Sorry. Just re-read that and realize the typos make it seem like a Nigerian Prince email scam. Damn smartphones (shakes fist in air, yells at kids to get off lawn, has worthers original)!

So I was recently transferred to Lafayette, LA. Outside of the festivals, the town is pretty much a suckhole, but that's another converaation.

We had lived in the Greater Heights above 19th for 7 years before that and before we moved we paid off the 3/2 2004 build to use as a rental home. We are getting good returns and as soon as we are can we are planning in moving back into the same area.

Question is this. And I'm sorry if it makes some of you guus roll your eyes:

Is Houston absolutely f'd in the long run due to oil's long term outlook and the city's pension issues? Is the Heights rental market at all insulated from some of these factors in any way?

I'm fully prepared to ride one or even two real estate downturns, but what is the long term outlook for a landlord in the heights you think?

Just wanted to see what you guys thought.

Future dispensary mayhaps.

You called animal control or even 911 immediately, correct?

You called animal control or even 911 immediately, correct?

That's a shiny ass parking lot.

BUT DO THEY HAVE RANCH?! (They were always out of one basic-ass ingredient or another) Never had a problem with the menu but it was really just theoretical at best and a bill of lies at worst.

I have no desire to live in a house over 4000 sqft regardless of where it is. 600 sqft per person is plenty for us with a family of four and the occasional guest. Everything else is money better spent elsewhere. Not dogging the poster, I just couldn't imagine maintaining and paying the bills on 6600 sqft.

Real estate has ups and downs like anything else, but the loop is more insulated from a severe bubble imho. Not that it can't take a very serious and long term downfall, but I don't think you will watch your investment crumble months after you buy, and over the long haul, I've always been a fan of real estate as an investment at large

A big community pool would be dope.

I wouldn't say "no", but I would say "slowly".

Racism and classism, huh? Go on. Tell me more about how the world works.

Why the negativity? (Or maybe I'm misreading?)

I like Mellow. There's one in BR and Lafayette where I'm currently stationed and I have always enjoyed it.

Nevermind. I just learned how to read.

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be slow, but is 365 coming to the Heights, or no?

The Creeks' love affair with Austin is irritating. Other than those places, I think that's it.

Never heard anyone say that. Ever. Quit trying to make fetch happen.

Agree with Downhouse opinion. I do like the food there, but how much pickled crap can you put on how many dishes? I hope their flavor profile branches out too, because when I've eaten at D&T, I've found myself thinking it tastes like something from another page of the Downhouse menu. Which isn't always a bad thing, but in this case I could take it or leave it. The group does a good job with their booze programs though.

I live relatively close to shepherd so any restaurants, bars, retail would be long walking distance. Hope that development trend continues!

Doesn't have to cause a "frenzy" or be controversial. Just looking for good-hearted news of almost any variety. I will check elsewhere. Thanks!

Updates on hipster gas station vandalism? Development on 19th,rumors about water works parcel? How did the street walking thing on 19th go? Will the new farmers market have legs? Have any projects been sidelined or vice versa due to oil slump? More development coming for N. Shepherd?

Something. Anything. Board seems dead lately?

Wish El Tiempo would post up somewhere on N. Shepherd.......that is all.

No exactly a 20th Street inquiry, but I've noticed two projects that I'm curious about. maybe someone can chime in and enlighten me...

1.) Corner of 20th/Studewood- dirt...and lots of it. right across from the defunct Blockbuster. Any idea what that's for?

2.) The big clocktower building is having some work done to the interior it seems. any clue? Would make a sweet loft apartment(s)

So, succinctly, here's what I'm looking at:

Moving next year and have a $350k budget.

Love the turn-key nature of master-planned communities, but there are SO MANY ROUND HERE! That said, would also not mind a unique or older house and spending a litte time to make it "home".

About us/ a few notes:

- Wife is a nurse so commute typically is no biggie for her. I work downtown, but am only in the office 1-3 days a week. Rest of the time I could be anywhere from Kingsville to Baton Rouge.

- Wife loves the beach life. I fear the hurricane life. We're not adverse to lakes either. In fact, I would say water vicinity will play a major role because I fish. A LOT. And not just stroll down to the local pond with a fountain and catch bluegill on a hotdog weenie. I mean, let's go beat up the water and fry up some catfish, bass or speckled trout at the end of the day.

- Want water vicinity, being "on" the water not as big a deal, but hey, who doesn't wat to live waterside.

- Schools will be a big deal.....eventually. We have a 6 month old and although i wouldn't mind putting him in private schools through elementary, after that i would prefer not to be broke.

Here are the places we are leaning and our thoughts so far:

Kingwood/Summerwood: I'm leaning this way. Wife prefers the beach. Generation park could be great for development, and yeah, it's just Lake Houston, but I this area may be really nice one day. Schools may come along over the next decade too. But will this area just be East East Houston one day?

Clearlake/Seabrook/Webster: So much ground to cover here. Where do I even start? Everything feels very old and not very vibrant over there. Am I offbase? What are the prospects for development there vs. a slow slide into deterioration? Easy access to Galveston and quick access to a boat launch though...

Friendswood/Pearland: We've heard nothing but great things, but where are the good neighborhoods/places to avoid? We're kind of lumping Friendswood/pearland  into the Clearlake/Seabrook pile righ now making even more ground to cover.

Cypress: Some great areas (Towne Lake, Bridgeland etc.), but...290. This would also put us the furthest from fun things we like to do downtown.

So all that considered, can anyone chime in with their opinion? Maybe know of a hidden gem of a community or something we havent considered?

Sorry so long.

Great sign of critical thinking and willingness to adjust. (Although the opposite end of the spectrum-constant fluctuation, es no bueno for a restaurant/service).

Not convinced another pizza place will go gangbusters that close to Collinas, but surely it will do better than overpriced cereal and dried Japanese seaweed snacks.

What would the 20th Street Kroger become? Doubtful another grocery chain would move in with the inability to sell alcohol. Frankly, I'm fine with the Kroger. I think it could use a facelift, and yeah, it would be great if it could sell booze, but regardless I enjoy the convenience of a small local grocery.

If I had the capital I would turn the Sand Dollar or whatever that huge resale shop is on the corner of 19th into a movie theatre ala River Oaks. No, I'm not Mr. Death to the Locals, but since the nice Goodwill went in, I don't think these places within a mile of that GW are serving the purpose they once did.