tanith27

12 hours ago, kbates2 said:

What is across Sabine from this place?  Is that also abandoned or is it apartments?

Not abandoned, but an existing business.  Not sure exactly what it is but it’s not retail.

Think something's happening around here.  Property is being surveyed.  Heard the whole lot has a conditional sale to a local couple who plan to redo the Barabash storefront.  Fingers crossed our nightly walks through the neighborhood can end with an ice cream cone from here....

As far as the STAAR tests go, my kids are both Travis entering 2nd and 4th grade and neither have had a STAAR test yet.  I don't think they start until 4th grade, although there are some standardized tests they do that kind of tell you where your kids rank in the greater scheme of things.  Take those with a huge grain of salt, the teachers themselves don't seem worried about the results.

https://theleadernews.com/plans-announced-for-lower-heights-district-mixed-use-development/

Probably about time to create some catchy hashtaggable nomenclature for this, since I don't see any indication of a mattress store or cheque cashing spot.  #lohei 

Is this just the parking lot itself?  The east end of the black and white SITE graphic has an angular property line which sure looks like the Bobcat Teddy's property line.  I think it's the parking lot plus the small white oak tributary...

Triton, have you been following any of the I-45 construction talks?  I'm sure sound mitigation is a popular item, and perhaps some of what you expected from the city could be done simultaneously here during the rebuild....

I've been watching this out of my office window and was bummed at the lack of sidewalk the current markings would create.  I do think the city really needs to revisit the Crawford lanes though....honestly, there isn't that much traffic coming around the corner from the Marquis or from those bypassing Disco Green to justify four traffic lanes ( or 2+2 parking).  They could easily lose one.  Or heck, make it a pedestrian only corridor from Disco Green to the Stadium.  I bet those surface parking lots would evolve into something unique should that happen...

Please please let that rail spur be a part of a white oak to buffalo bayou bike trail connector.

On 11/1/2016 at 10:37 AM, CrockpotandGravel said:

I heard a rumor that The Union Kitchen will open a restaurant on the ground level of Elan Heights. Is there any truth to that?

Elan Memorial from what I gather....

Don't know of anything except for a real estate agent, but there's no shortage of neighborhood opinions here either!  What are you looking for?

I live in the Woodland Heights and get up in that corner occasionally, so I may not the best person to give advice, but I have some opinions nevertheless.  Is it a good area?  Yes.  Is it a great area?  Not yet.  Its still transitional and that is nothing to fear, but if you're in it for the long haul I don't think there's any question it will be a good investment.  Some things in life you may want need instant gratification on, other things you may be willing to wait.  It depends on where you are in life, but recognize, life events can change quickly and as such so do your needs.  I don't believe that area is unsafe, but recognize its still inner city so crimes of opportunity can still dominate.  And that's true everywhere.  Shady Acres from my understanding of friends that live there has a pretty active neighborhood association and families are definitely moving in.  I would also classify it as very friendly, and I think that's true because as a whole the Greater Heights is a very socially engaged neighborhood, from things like LITH, White Linen, First Saturday, to all the shops and pubs that embrace their neighbors.  Its friendly because there are so many neat places one can walk or bike to, it encourages people to come out and be social.  Which I assume would explain why you're looking in that area.  

Schools are one thing that may not be where you want it to be.  Not sure if you intend on having a family, but there is a price spike directly associated with school zones.  If you see two homes across the street that otherwise look the same but are 15% different in price, take a look as the school zone boundary.  Don't underestimate anticipating your future needs and getting into a good school zone.  I was single when I moved to the Heights and now married with small kids, I can't tell you how important that is now.

Shady Acres has no shortage of neighborhood bars/pubs/hangouts.  For non big-box retail you'll want to jump over to Heights proper I suspect.  Shepherd/Durham corridor has begun its long overdue transition and will be interesting to see how it evolves over the next few years.  

You're right about flood insurance.  Its a must in that area. http://www.harriscountyfemt.org/.  

Speaking from a totally and completely biased perspective, I would keep an eye on www.har.com and see what pops up within the Heights proper.  Investment wise, at this point I see east of Shepherd outperforming west of Shepherd.  If you can get in the area bounded by White Oak, 11th, Heights Blvd and I45 then at least for right now, you've got no worries about schools.  Other elementary schools in the area are stepping it up immensely, so they're on their way up.  Of course the Heights proper has now reached a price point that makes Shady Acres infinitely more attractive to young couples, but with higher price that come parks, recreation, amenities, and a lifestyle that is very unique and will always be distinctly different than Shady Acres.  

Oh, and regardless, I would make sure you have flat tire insurance.  I've had two nails in my tires already this year and my friend that lives up there has had 4.  Construction woes.  

Crane's coming down.  Attached image but getting haif error on iPhone upload.  Maybe it'll show up, maybe not.

Now that the title of this thread has been disproven in recent years, I now wonder to what extent we may be seeing some oversaturation.  I hear about all these new and cool things coming to the Heights and love it but am wondering if they're all sustainable at this point.  Then last night on a rare Tuesday when I didn't have to watch the kids, I went out, and the neighborhood restaurants (at least the white oak ones) were crazy busy.  On a Tuesday.  I am always happy to see that much engagement and support for our local eateries, but on the same note I miss being able to walk to your local restaurant and actually find a table to sit at.  So I guess the answer is, no we're not oversaturated.  Yet.

View from above...

I'm a landlord in the heights.  Just put a ton of money towards upgrades.  Rented outside the MLS (by owner) in less than two weeks, over Christmas no less.  Area is still very popular best I can tell and no desire to sell.  I figure the area wont have a downturn, but is returning to a more normal healthy market.  

Tanith: character from star wars strip comic back in the 70s.  I thought it was unique so it was my character name all through my dungeons and dragons years, is my avatar name whenever I play Fallout or Elder Scrolls or any other rpg type game, and when the internet came of age it was only appropriate that it carry over into the digital world.  27 is my birthday, so thats that.

That's a good idea, but in practice upper middle class parents tend to be more concerned with careers, socializing, and their own personal lifestyles to spend much time trying to improve the schools.  They'd prefer to drop the kids off at a school with "the right sort of people" so they don't have to unduly worry about how the school is raising their children.

 

The only exceptions to that that I've seen is where the parents were raised in large, close-knit, loving families and in particular where one spouse deliberately leaves a lucrative career to stay home and raise the kids.  That can be hard to do in a place like the Heights where two six figure salaries might be needed to buy a house big enough for a family.

 

http://www.houstoniamag.com/articles/2014/8/3/return-of-the-neighborhood-school-learn-local-august-2014

Have two kids, walking distance to Travis.  Not ready for Kindergarten yet, but will soon.  No other kids on our tiny street, but lots in the area.  Seen many homeowners change, about half are empty nesters (many of whom are now grandparents whose grandkids are potential playmates for ours down the road) and younger families that may be just starting out.  There is a definite price jump when you look at Harvard and Travis zones and the houses that are within.  If HISD schooling isn't an issue for you, I'd start by looking outside the prime elementary school zones since you'll be paying a premium and wont need it.  Its an extraordinary neighborhood though, I can't imagine being anywhere else.