RLW2006

I just returned from a trip to Scandinavia, Baltics, Russia. I thought I would post a few of the approx 400 pictures I took while over there. I will try posting some every few days, or so, from each city I visited. One thing that really impressed me was the cleanliness of the places I went. No plastic cups, empty cigarette packages, hamburger wrappers, etc, even though there were McDonalds and Burger Kings everywhere. I wonder if it's the make-up of the populace, who care about their environment, or a very busy crew of clean-up workers in all of the cities and towns I went to...except for one, which I will mention when I display the pictures I took there. I will start off with Oslo...much smaller than I had envisioned...a very pretty, green area at this time of year...made even more so by the chilling rain that was falling while I was there. Will continue next with Stockholm.

Oslo street scene

Sidewalk scenes

Park area

Downtown buildings

Nobel Peace Prize Museum. Formerly a railroad station.

City Hall. Where the Peace Prize is awarded every year.

Harbor scenes

Great pictures! Thanks for sharing.

Hi everyone! This forum looks like a wealth of information for someone like me so I hope you all will be willing to answer.

My husband and I are planning to move to Houston soon. He is from Houston--he grew up in Sharpstown but we definitely don't want to live there (scary!).

We have 2 young kids and want a neighborhood that is

~SAFE (relatively)

~has GOOD SCHOOLS

~isn't too far out - hubby wants a commute 30 minutes or less from most major areas (we don't know where he will be working yet), and

~has LONGEVITY -- we want to put down roots in a home and neighborhood where we can live for the next 40 years with the neighborhood retaining its value and still being a nice place to live 40 years from now.

I know very little about Houston and my husband has been gone for 20 years. We have about $180-200K to spend.

Meyerland?

Bellaire? (too expensive?)

Sugarland?

Woodlands? (I think this may be too far out, though)

I would really appreciate any input! I am going to have my husband read the Sharpstown thread--I think he'll get a kick out of remembering his youth.

Thanks so much,

Genevieve

(currently living down in miserable McAllen)

We are selling our house located Northwest Houston. Close to Willowbrook Mall. It is located in Greenwood Forest (Champion Forest Drive goes through the neighborhood). Entrance is just off 1960. It is between Hwy 249 & Steubner Airline/Veterans Memorial. Conveniently located about 5-10 min to the Beltway 8 so commuting would be pretty good for most. Beautiful, quiet neighborhood. Good & convenient schools - Elementary, Middle School & High School are in Greenwood Forest and walking distance. The neighborhood is established (safe - patrol on duty, too) - beautiful trees and yards. Several new neighborhoods are being built around it. The price is good & should hold value. Glad to give more info if interested.

RLong

http://www.mynsp.com/livewell5055/index.aspx

Just wondering what are some nice areas of Houston to live in other than inside the loop??

We are actually selling a house in Greenwood Forest...between Hwy 249 & Steubner Airline .....right off 1960...(near Willowbrook Mall).....Champions Forest Drive goes through the neighborhood. About 5-10 minutes to the Beltway. It is very convenient to shopping, hospital, etc yet very quiet neighborhood. Can't post link here but glad to send you info if interested.

RLong

http://www.mynsp.com/livewell5055/index.aspx