EWKrause

Amazing, isn't it? After all this time, there is still THIS much energy around the man, the couple, the politics. So much promise . . . Camelot indeed.

My recollection from the William Manchester book is that, on the morning of the 22nd, JFK made a speech (in Ft. Worth, and in the rain) to some local business group, and made reference to Jackie, still upstairs at the Texas Hotel, with the quote about her taking so much longer to get dressed than they (men) do, but so much more worth it when she does. (My apologies for the garbled paraphrase.)

The original Hotel Texas, by the way, was a grand structure -- very much the same style as the Rice. Wish I knew who built it. . . .

Wondering why you aren't getting any answers from your HOA or any meetings?

Point taken. Thanks.

Thinking about moving into this complex. Can anybody tell me anything about it?

Sorry to have just now seen this . . . maybe it's because we're busy looking for a way out!

Seriously, it was a sweet little complex, back in 2002 when we moved here. Quiet, well-maintained, and excellent, hyper-vigilant constable support. You could drive around and see some really nicely-decorated yards and patios.

Since Katrina? -- or perhaps some cost-reduction measures are to blame -- but something has brought us to a tipping point. Maintenance of grounds has declined, constable has disappeared, vandalism is up. More kids breaking into the tennis courts and swinging on the nets, skateboarding there, etc. etc.

Our biggest concern is the now-absent constable who used to be such a fixture around here. Where'd he go and why? Coincidentally, several of us have experienced auto-related vandalism and -- if I were guessing -- there may be more in-home break-ins also.

Sure would love to see someone pick up this thread and set me straight!

Is Pearland a bit farther out than you want to go because there are houses in that price range.

We're open to ANY suggestions from the good people in this forum. I like -- for the most part! -- what I read here and the "ethos" expressed. We're looking for quality, beyond probably what we can afford, an aesthetic, but also safety and (reasonable) convenience to downtown & TMC. Having lived now almost ten years on the West side of town, we know "a little bit" about a lot of neighborhoods, and many of them seem WAY out of our price range.

Thanks to all.

the county has been working on the sims bayou situation for over 10 yrs.....i know they have done quite a bit, however i don't believe they have made it to the west side of 288, but that is in their plans

are you willing to buy a fixer upper? how much square footage do you need? for the price you're willing to spend, i think you have many options.

We need about 2500sf . . . can probably go as high as $175,000.

We're looking to move out of Dairy-Ashford/Memorial area closer -- much closer -- to downtown. We go to church near TMC and (hope springs eternal) believe that somewhere there must be pockets of affordable housing.

We're in our late 50s, have kids in college and are behind on the 401(k). In other words, don't have much to put into a home. We're looking for SAFE but also affordable. We've just recently been looking into the City Park/Orem area (both east and west of 288). The homes just east of 288 seem slightly better built than the ones west of 288.

I'd love to hear suggestions where to go to put $150,000 to $175,000 into a home that will hold value.

Is it possible that, due to proximity to Downtown & TMC that these areas will cohere and actually appreciate over time?

Also, what is the flood situation there? Sims Bayou -- what happened to that area during Allison? I seem to remember part of 288 being under water at both the Beltway and 610. Every time we're out there looking at models, it always seems to be REALLY muddy . . . even when it hasn't rained for days.

Yes, but . . . .

We're looking to move out of Dairy-Ashford/Memorial area closer -- much closer -- to downtown. We're in our late 50s, have kids in college and are behind on the 401(k). In other words, don't have much to put into a home. We're looking for SAFE but also affordable. We've just recently been looking into the City Park/Orem area (both east and west of 288). The homes just east of 288 seem slightly better built than the ones west of 288.

I'd love to hear suggestions where to go to put $150,000 to $175,000 into a home that will hold value.

Is it possible that, due to proximity to Downtown & TMC that these areas will cohere and actually appreciate over time?

Also, what is the flood situation there? Sims Bayou -- what happened to that area during Allison? I seem to remember part of 288 being under water at both the Beltway and 610. Every time we're out there looking at models, it always seems to be REALLY muddy . . . even when it hasn't rained for days.

They haven't closed, they just moved. They are now located on Grand Parkway, just north of Highland Knolls. There is a strip center right before Tradition Bank and that's where they're located.

Nope, it's not them. They were there yesterday and told me they were closing altogether -- as in going out of business.

A woman who worked there will probably try to do some baking, on request, out of her home. Not sure who or what is going in on Grand Parkway, but it isn't John & Ann.

Does anyone know the back story on why this wonderful family is packing up and moving on?

I was there today -- drove over from West Houston because I kept getting a recording when I tried to phone. John & Ann were there, presiding over an estate sale.

I am heartbroken. Best pies in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area, and a great little "ladies lunch" place as well.

What WILL we do?

Spell it correctly and you'll find more for sale. Idylwood.

Yeah, I knew it (Idylwood vs Idlewood) at the time I was driving through there -- but then my fingers met my new laptop . . . .

Thanks

My husband and I are spending a lot more time (business during the week, church near Rice U at other times) in various locations along the Main Street corridor. BUT we live in pretty-far west Houston (Stratford HS area) and it is a real PAIN getting there and back.

Our kids are almost all out of high school and, except for re-sale issues, schools are not a big concern. We can't afford: Montrose, West U, Bellaire, etc. and are beginning to wonder if there are pockets of civility east of Main Street.

The other day I was driving up Wayside (old U.S. 90, north of I-45) and there appeared to be some nice, older homes and in blocks that were fairly well maintained.

I'm also wondering about the Macgregor corridor, east of Hermann Park, just south and west of UofH.

(However, if we're just past the height of the summer market, I only found one home on the HAR site for sale in Idlewood at present -- so my guess is they list and go fast over there.)

Suggestions anyone?