Urbannomad

Personally, I prefer a more natural, open neighborhood and find gates to be to seclusionary and isolating... but that's just my personal preference to neighborhoods. I also think that gated communities provide only a false sense of security, it's not uncommon to hear about robberies, etc inside gated communities. But I guess if it makes you feel safer and gives you piece of mind than that's ok too.

I don't know, maybe statically the odds would be on your side that you could slip by with the exemption but "if" you get caught it would be a pain in butt and you would be liable for paying all of the back taxes. Not really worth it in my opinion but I don't know any numbers on just how likely it would be for you get "found out."

They're usually fairly decent about catching that inconsistency, but like your case, if you have a good reason then it doesn't matter just a quick check they do for fraud.

No, if it's not your primary homestead then you can't get the exemption period. I wouldn't recommend it, but you could try keeping it since you won't be buying a new house to raise obvious flags, but if you get caught you will have to pay all the back taxes you owe and they do have people at HCAD that investigate exemptions. So you definitely don't want to end up in that situation of owing so much money all at once. Also, nosey neighbors have been known to turn in neighboring properties since they are not paying "their full share." How long to do you plan on holding onto to the property before selling? Also where would you have the tax bill sent, if not the homestead residence address then you will be caught instantly?

Canino is the best! It's definitely not as trendy, and it's far more diverse than Bayou City Market, but it is the "real deal" and you just can't beat it. That said, there is definitely room for both types in our city and I'd love to see more options for fresh produce. And nice photos by the way.

KHOU looks the best in HD by far... I don't even bother with the others anymore. I did notice 13 finally went HD in their main set but still like the colors and overall set of KHOU in HD.

If they went under then the bank would take over the properties and mostly like another investor would buy them from the bank. Or maybe FLR would try to unload them at a discounted price to keep from going under? Either way this "may" not be a terrible thing so long as someone is trying to SELL them and not turn your building in an apartment complex... that would be my biggest concern, but some HOAs limit the number of units that can be leased or the number one person/company can lease out and that is definitely something I would look into at any condo development I was considering buying into.

Shady Acres still has some deals that won't put in debt up to your eyeballs, but with those requirements you will definitely have to go outside the loop unless you are willing to pay some serious cash.

It looks like Franklin Lofts LTD Partnership is the only large owner, this may or may not be the investment group you are referring to, or it may be the developer, but I'm sure in 5 minutes you could track down some info on them if you are interested in what's going on. Check out: http://www.hcad.org/records/real.asp?search=addr Put in "201 Main" and then click "View More" on the results page.

It makes me think of a trashy trailer park personally. Shady Acres Trailer Park... the funny thing is when you google "shady acres" many of the top results are just that, trailer parks.

I think those streets Prince, Diane, and Nashau are Heights Annex, but along Beall St is Shady Acres. I live south of 18th on Beall and I'm in Shady Acres, not to mention the neighborhood association meets at 15th & Beall. However below 15th is still up for grabs I guess, since it's not Heights Annex and Timbergrove Manor won't claim it either (their northern boundary is Wynwood). It would make the most sense as being part of Shady acres since it's connected best to that neighborhood or Heights Annex and there really is no direct way to get to Timbergrove from there (direct invery simplistic terms); however the style of homes make it appear more like Timbergrove Manor but those are slowly being replaced as well with homes more like those in Shady Acres where possible. Here are some links: http://www.houstonheights.org/map.htm http://www.shadyacres.org/area%20map.htm http://www.tmnaonline.org/images/TMNA_By-Laws.pdf I feel confident in my answer this time even if it is a complete waste of energy on something utterly meaningless.

That sounds about right to me, except that I'd maybe extend the southern boundary down to 14th Street. If not 14th and 14 1/2, then definitely down to 15th. But look on a map and from 14th and up kind of makes sense given the street network street grid. No further east than Shepard, and even that little sliver between Durham and Shepard is kind of in-between what I'd call the Heights and Shady Acres, but I think most people consider it Shady Acres territory. Wow, that was way too specific, but since I typed it all out I'll go ahead and post it. Here is a photo thread (click on the link in the thread for the full thing if interested) of the area and my map cuts the northern border a little too short now that I look at it. http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/i...showtopic=12425

Waste of money or the future of policing? From the sounds of it waste of money, though the city will be buying substantially more expensive ones than those that tried and failed in other cities. From KHOU.com: http://www.khou.com/topstories/stories/kho...d.d4e89c7a.html "It is perhaps the future of policing in America and an incredible looking; large wingspan air machine is apparently headed to Houston. Sources tell 11 News that Mayor Bill White, and Police Chief Harold Hurtt came up with the idea to use drones -- unmanned flying machines -- to help with traffic mobility. They could also be used for police tactical situations. Like the SWAT incident at NASA in April.

What idiots... Houston has light rail, there is a rail beside me, signs beside and above me, maybe I should glance over to see if there is a train next to me. Geniuses.

I second that.

Sorry, but that is hilarious!

NO!!! Unless it's heavy and hard to get off with, for instance we leave our grill in the back; but otherwise if you can't stand losing it... don't leave it out, even in the back. We had someone jump the fence into our backyard twice to get into the garage in one night. Which leads me to believe if we had anything worth taking on the back porch it would be gone too if they could have carried it. If you have neighbors on both sides you might be okay in the back, but we have a vacant lot on one side so it's just too tempting I suppose. I would definitely lock the bike up in your garage if you can, they are hot items!

The area is relatively safe. From my experience everything inside your locked house "should" be ok. Anything left on your porches or in your garage is fair game though. So I suggest chaining it down like my rocking chairs are! We've really only personally experienced petty property crime, but I know there have been instances of more serious crimes in the neighborhood. The cops seem to respond quickly and they are helpful. I was outside about 2am this past Sunday morning and there was some general shadiness in the street out front of my house, but what do you expect that late/earl; however during the day it's not bad at all. Walking is fine just be careful after dark. Check out the police beat for the neighborhood. There are a number of crimes more serious than petty theft, but I think that must be amongst people who know one another because I don't get an unsafe feeling. There are much worse/more dangerous places to live, just use common sense and get to know your neighbors. http://www.houstontx.gov/police/cs/beatpages/cs2a60.htm

Since I live on Beall about 2 blocks south of there, I'm hoping for more of a Dry Creek theme than an Onion Creek one. Either way though, it could be a very positive catalyst for more commercial development in our neighborhood. I knew this was in the works, but I'm very glad it's actually beginning to happen.

Not trying to be picky, but it's actually 20th and Beall just in case anyone wants to look it up on a MAP and doesn't know the area.

Wow, I'm just glad it's not next door to me. To be realistic if they ever want to sell it will be difficult to find a buyer AND likewise the same is true for the houses next door. While I'm sure someone would like to live in that house it's a very niche market, and most people who invest a significant amount in a single family home also would not want to be next door to it either, sucks for the immediate neighbors value. Most buyers in the area have the expectation that all of these types of structures will be gone shortly so I doubt many buyers would like to see a new cinder block buildings go in next door. There are a lot of creative, original houses in the area that I love, but cinder block just really isn't interesting. I'm not trying to put down the owners of this house, taste is very unique to individuals, but I'm just being practical by saying I'm glad it's not next door to me.

Saw it in the paper this morning... looks good.

In my opinion all of these things, billboards, no zoning, transportation, and general trashiness of Houston are all part of it's, thankfully ending, adolescence as a city. Despite it's size only within the past 5 to 10 years has Houston really started to acknowledge it's place as a major american "city" and really begun to embrace the things that come along with that. The whole "it's all about me and screw everyone else attitude" is definitely dieing as people become more concerned with the notion of community. I left for 9 years, just returning this year, and I can see major changes. Houston is very quickly attracting the upper middle income earners and as this continues you will start to see more regulations regarding quality of life issues without a doubt. Bottom line is most of the people who are becoming the "new" Houston don't care for the way things have operated in the city. Consider their income level, the fact that many are from or have lived in other large cities, and the biggest thing... that most were raised in clean, planned suburban communities and you will see that in the future those values will only become more strongly reflected in the regualtions and ordinances of the city. The majority of the new developments are in transitional neighborhoods (regarding both crime and land use), and you stick someone who grew up in the "pretty" burbs and paid $500K for their new house in that environment and see how quickly things change and the prospect of zoning, billboards, you name it (lifestyle issues) suddenly gets a whole lot of political weight and money behind it. These things won't make Houston unaffordable as some say, because that is already happening despite them not being in place... rather they will only reflect the new demographic of the city and the fact that most semi-decent neighborhoods are already unaffordable for many lower income earners. That's just being realistic.

Agreed. I was speaking just generally, and especially to rail I Houston. Any line through the heights should be looked at closely to make sure it's done right, but unfortunately there are always going to be those who are unhappy about it and complain no matter how well it's done.

It's not that there is so much opposition... it's that people only speak out when they are against something. Therefore, the media covers that angle since that is where the story is, happy people don't make good news. It's not very often you will see people rallying for something they are in support of. If there is a new school or hospital being built for a community, there usually isn't daily demonstrations of people yelling and hold signs, "Yes, build that school!" That's why it's important for all of those who support rail and other urban issues (any issue for that matter) to voice their support to elected officials, media outlets, etc so that the true sentiment of the people will be reflected in both the media and the mind of politicians worried about getting re-elected. Usually "opposition" boils down to the same, predictable handful of people very vocally complaining and claiming to reflect the majority though they usually in fact do not. Guess I'm feeling extra civic tonight...