North End

bachanon, as a gay Catholic, I agree with you 100%. Especially when you said, not knowing how one became gay is more of a sin, because usually, not with all, all responsibility is lost when just giving the easy answer of I was born gay. This is why I was known as a "conservative" amongst many of my friends in Boston because I tried to find middle ground on the issue. Some may say I am a hypocrite because I have custody of my late friend's daughter but I received custody of her when she was 15. In my mind, I thought of the "consequences", but I saw more of the good I was doing than the bad. I am in my mid 30's, and if I have not found out by now, I will never find out the exact answer of how one's sexuality is drawn out.

I live adjacent to the Menil and walk through UST to the Black Labrador almost every week so this article caught my attention. I read the Chronicle article and the only thing I heard, or read, is that UST will keep the retail that is already there since "both are collegial". Both meaning Kraftsmen and Black Lab.

West Coast:

It would have to be San Francisco first. It always seemed like a more pleasant, temperature wise, version of my hometown. Call me weird but I also like the rebellious/anti conformist culture of the population. Although I think they need to find some middle ground. Snob Hill is one of the Top 5 neighborhoods in the country in my opinion and I love how the city feels like everything LA could have been.

The South:

Pre-Katrina New Orleans. Despite the city's problems, you cannot blame the residents for being so proud of their city. It is one of the most connected cities as far as having some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the country all being alingned with its streetcar system, and what other city looks better walking the streets on an overcast cloudy day. Really sets the mood for the city.

The East Coast:

Although I am burned out on it, Boston will always be my favorite. Even more so than New York. In all my 34 years before moving to Houston, I lived my entire life in the North End in two different residences. The one thing I missed the most is sitting in my window with my laptop and look at the busy streets below that were almost like alleys. The atmosphere is bar none the closest thing to Europe here in the States, and the civic culture of the neighborhood is also one of the things I miss the most. It may sound very cliche as being very old New York, but I even had my window knocked out by kids playing baseball in the streets. Also as an Italian guy, not too many communites can cater to you like the North End although that has faded immensely from when my parents were growing up.

I have actually never stepped a foot in the midwest. As far as smaller cities, Portland Maine and Providence are not to bad either.

With the future expansion going east to west, what will be the closest station where the future line will cross with the current line? Since it will start at the University of Houston, I am guessing close to the Museum District area. I work in the Medical Center and I would have no problem settling close to Hermann Park whenever the day comes that I will actually buy. Some great homes with decent prices in what looks to be an up and coming area.

Thanks for that Niche. My small curiosity of what was going up on this site has turned into a huge interest now. I never would have knew such a beauty was going up on this site until construction finished. Totally unexpected.

I apologize that I really have nothing to add but I do have a question myself regarding construction in the Medical Center. I work at Methodist Hospital and I was wondering would anyone on this board have a drawing of the new Methodist Outpatient building going up on the west side of Fannin? Thanks in advance.

I had no idea. The city looks extremely livable in the first set of pics. Some areas actually remind me of what I love about old New Orleans. I love neighborhoods like this.

Thanks everyone for the info. Kinkaid, thanks for the message. I will try to hold on to that information if I need it.

Also, believe me I have looked around Rice University and the price is something that I admit intimidates me, but I am not through with that area for specific reasons. I have custody of my late friend's daughter that may be attending Rice or St Thomas in the future. The cost of school out here is rediculous. Also, I found a job in the city also. I had Bellaire in mind partly because of Bellaire High School but I know that does not mean I have to be confined to that specific area or ranch style houses for that matter. Just a preference. In all honesty, I may be renting for awhile before I settle anywhere so I still have a lot of time. I do not know if I need to ask this question, but how is the crime in the area? I may be assuming but it looks like something I do not have to worry about. Whatever the answer is, it may not bother me anyway, but just to make sure.

Some areas that I have not heard of such as Meyerland and Braeswood have showed their faces in here and how would you all describe these areas?

Thanks again.

Hello. I am moving from Boston to Houston and I am interested in the city of Bellaire. I checked out the neighborhood at the beginning of June and people were telling me that the area is expensive for Houston standards. To be specific I am interested in ranch houses under 320K. I currently live in the North End of Boston and although I love the atmosphere, my partner and I are looking for a neighborhood that is not as restless and I like the cozy feel of the neighborhoods in Bellaire. I figure I could get my dose of entertainment in my spare time in other Houston neighborhoods. Thanks for any information you might have on ranch houses in Bellaire.