shady 75

Thanks for your input guys. But in the end I guess what I am asking is this? For a little bit more money is it better to move to Sienna or find a better deal on a home in Lake Olympia. Olympia has lower tax rates and housing prices than Sienna but Sienna is newer with more amenities.

I have a wife and a baby on the way and am looking to move to either of these two areas in the near future. Just wanted to get your guys opinions on both communities. I have looked at both a bit and obviously know that Sienna is newer, etc. Some people are telling me that Lake Olympia is on the down swing, etc. Is this true? All information you have on these two areas would be much appreciated. Thanks

I have been thinking the same thing....how long can the rice plant and other industries consider it feasible to stay in the area. I would assume that the taxes these businesses are paying or are about to pay are going to be through the roof....and I would think they would look to the suburbs, etc. where their overhead would be much lower.

If he is going to be working east of Houston you might want to check out Pearland. Lots of development going on there.

Don' forget these zips Heights is 77008 as well as 77007 Woodland Heights - 77009 right next to the Heights

I grew up close by...it has always astounded me that an area this close to town has escaped redevelopment...it would seem that with all of the low rent apartments, etc. that much of the commercial properties and apartments could be bulldozed and redeveloped. I live in a redeveloping area in the Heights and realize that areas have to reach a point sometimes where the area is so rundown that redevelopment is attractive. I would think that this area has reached this point as land values have to be attractive to land developers looking to make plays on its proximity to the galleria. It can not be much longer before there are some massive bulldozes going on and redevelopment to start happening. With gas prices going as they are...living closer to the city is going to start to take on more and more of a premium. I am seeing lots of redevelopment in areas going on near downtown that I never thought would happen. So here is my million dollar question...what is scaring off the developers...don't tell me the gangs, etc...because I remember Midtown before it was "Midtown" and it was probably worse.

Don't you guys think it is weird that there have not been any other official announcements about other stores opening in Sawyer Heights Village other than Target? Everything else just seems to be stuff people are hearing...nothing official like press releases, etc. Target is two months from opening and I am sure that area is getting lots of action from potential stores, restaurants, etc.

I think he was using the Chronicle from last Sunday which was doing neighborhood real estate analysis around Houston.

Let me just say that my wife and I strongly considered this area before she convinced me to change from townhome mode and we settled across the way in Woodland Heights. With the new shopping center with a Target and more restaurants opening on Washington I see big things happening on this street in the next 5-10 years. Truth is can you last it out. This area is prime for a boom. I think everyone is aware of that...this area, because of its prime location, is as sure a development as it gets. Here is the ringer though...with all of the new townhome construction in the area...and there is about to be a huge one right close to where that target is going to be off of Washington, you would need to wait until the area is built out to get your maximum value. Otherwise you would be competing with new townhomes when you resale....and in the townhome market, newer always wins, just ask people living in midtown. Niche is right about schools and that is why we went to Woodland Heights where the elementary school is, Travis has a vanguard program and is rated well, is very good for when we have children. If the middle school and hs are not up to par when they would be older we would have to consider private...but I don't know how that is possible seing how much money is coming into the area. Let me know if you have any questions. I have done extensive research on the area when we were shopping last year.

That is pretty cool.

Patience has never been my best virtue...lol...I just know that the area can handle additional options and I for one if given my option prefer to spend my money inside the Heights rather than outside of the Heights, whether it be food, groceries, gas...whatever...thanks for the responses guys... By the way...do you think that this area will always be dry or is it set to expire at a certain time...what seems to be the general feeling of families in the area...do they prefer to keep it dry? What have areas like West U. done? I know from groing up in Bellaire that the fact it was not dry never hurt the family atmosphere there.

Yep...that is one of my favorite places to grab a burger and beer. Great place.

My wife and I love the Heights area and have enjoyed our first year living here. One thing that we wonder about though is the lack of restaurant diversity in the area. We enjoy the new Thai Spice quite a bit...but find ourselves having to go to Montrose or Rice Village if we ever want anything other than a burger, sandwich, chinese food or pizza. It seems like recently the Heights just started getting some new restaurants outside of the same old lines. We love Onion Creek...but Dry Creek, 6th St. Bar & Grill, etc. all serve up the same burger and fry options. For example we love Indian food as many of our friends do in the area but it seems as if no Indian restaurants are venturing into the area. Just more burger joints. Question...is the lack of restaurant diversity in the area from wanting to keep the small town feel or is it from restaurant owners not realizing there is a demand for this in the area? I think progress is being made. We like the recent additions of Glass Wall, Thai Spice, etc. Your thoughts.

I don't think anyone has mentioned that...interesting...sounds like this place will be filled up not long after the spaces are all built out. With that kind of demand I would not be surprised if they are already checking out surrounding spaces for future expansion in a few years.

What kind of budget are you looking at? No...I would try to stay away from Perry if possible...they make too many that look a like and are very hard to resell.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I think the warehouses on the Northwestern edge of the development art not part of this deal. Same goes for the graphics center as well I believe.

The target is opening in July. But what about the other stores? It doesn't look like they have done anything for the other stores that will be over there in that area. I was thinking more stores would open up around the same time as Target, but it looks like that will not be so. Also...anyone have any idea on if the surrounding plants are planning on selling out and moving soon. I would love it if this area got bigger and became kind of a Heights village area with lots of shops, restaurants, etc....kind of like Rice Village.

I think some commercial interests especially in those dillapidated warehouses across from I-10 does all area home owners some good. I live in the Woodland Heights drive by those industrial plants off of Sawyer and dream of the day when they are all gone and replaced by shops, etc. Don't get me wrong...in the end I would prefer it end up more an eclectic village with less Chili's, etc....but I would not argue with the Target, Starbucks or 24 Hour....I know, call me a hypocrite but I have my vices...lol

You are right...they said they are currently constructing a 24 Hour fitness and it should be ready around July of this year. They said it is on top of an already existing building so I am not sure where they are talking about.

Is this for sure? If so that would be good....as I would prefer to go this one as opposed to the next closest one in the galleria.

Post Midtown is close to downtown and is a lively up and coming neighborhood....restaurants, nightclubs, etc.

Hey guys I have a quick question for everyone. I am getting ready to do the second wave of remdeling on my Woodland Heights bungalow...we started when we bought it last April. Question is I have a budget around $5,000 or so. I have a few projects to allocate this to and want your opinions as to which would be best for value long term. I want to obviously look at projects which give my wife and I happiness but also improve the value of our home. 1) Roof looks a little worn and needs to be replaced in the next couple of years - already has a patch at one part and vents that look like they are rusting down. Also I was interested in getting some ridge vents up there to see if it would help cut the ridiculously high energy bill. 2) Update kitchen (updated in the 80s) so it has the white appliances, black and white grouted tiles (ugghhh) and older white cabinets... 3) Bathroom (same as #2) except it has older white faucet in the bathtub and black marble on the bathroom counter along with broadway looking light fixture with a row of lightbulbs. Thanks for any suggestions...

What area of town are you looking at? Midtown, Heights, Rice University, Montrose, Rice Military...these are all very popular areas near downtown. One thing to keep in mind in Houston is that in that price range you can look at homes as well in that price range. You can rent smaller homes in the Heights, etc. near downtown in the $1500 range.

Heights Fan...where do you live now so I will know what to compare it to. I am a native Houstonian and know the city pretty well. As far as space I would say a good rule of thumb in the Heights is to expect half the space for the sam price of the suburbs. We got a 2 bedroom 1 bath in the Norhill section of Woodland Heights and when we were looking we could have easily gotten a 4 bedroom 2 bath in most suburbs around town. Deciding factor was that we enjoy inside the loop living (we are city people) and both of our jobs are close by.

Houston...housing bubble come on....this is not the east coast or west coast...I don't see home prices going down again here unless the energy business gets hit like in the early eighties...and the energy business seems to be doing well for itself now.... Home prices in this city are relatively cheap compared to the rest of the country. Actually I could see inner loop communities including the Heights increasing in value due to gas prices, time in the car, etc....with what it costs in extra gas to commute from the suburbs, you should add a couple of hundred dollars a month to your mortgage in the burbs to come out with the real costs... As far as schools....Travis Elementary is a good elementary school in the area.... They are opening more bars, restaurants and a large shopping center on I-10 and Sawyer (will have a Target). If anything this area is going to increase in value over the next few years. Maybe to native Houstonians prices might seem higher here...but for people that move here from big cities across the country (there are many) they find the Heights very affordable. Believe it or not...the appeal of living outside the loop is losing its luster to the younger crowd...most of my coworkers, friends, etc(mostly late 20s) have houses in the area.