BFizzy

I can think of unappealing regional stereotypes that apply to just about every American city, both based upon the urban subcultures and the influence of rural cultures. Being popularly associated with cowboys is a heck of a lot more appealing than being saddled with the Upper Midwest's rabid unionists, Oklahoma's okies, Kansas' bible thumpers, or the Deep South's racists.

Does Okie have a negative connotation?

Devon has $5 billion in cash and accounts receivable. It will be built.

BTW, I'm from Tulsa. I'm guessing you work in oil as well?

I'm originally from Tulsa as well. My wife is a Landman, but I am in Finance.

Thanks for the info.

this may help. it shows super neighborhoods, not specific neighborhoods.

the above reminds me of freedman's town, which realtors tend to group with midtown just cause of proximity.

Thanks for the link. A map of the boundaries of Midtown, Montrose, and Neartown would be pefect, but it sounds like those lines may be blurred.

what types of things do you consider sketchy? this may make your selection way easier.

the areas you mentioned as sketchy are the ones where walking may be easiest.

timbergrove and oak forest are near 610 north (oak forest is north of 610 and timbergrove is south). i'm thinking that you would like timbergrove best out of the two based on your more recent comments. i.e. less sketchiness.

Yeah, sorry. I guess I should elaborate on what I mean by "sketchy". For example, I found a place that seemed a little too good to be true in Midtown and when I went to look at it, it was basically between projects and a cemetary. Midtown might have lots of areas that are great, but I just don't know where they are. That's why I started this thread.

Is there any type of map that shows the boundaries of each neighborhood? That would be really helpful.

Can you list neighborhoods you are interested in rather than mls areas?

Well, that's the problem... I don't know many names of neighborhoods. I like Afton Oaks, but am concerned about the commute. I really like the area that I think is called "Neartown" that is kind of in between Montrose and River Oaks and I have also heard it referred to as "Memorial Heights". I like both Montrose and Midtown, but Midtown seems to still have some sketchy areas. I like the area south of 59, but I've heard 59 is a nighmare during rush hour.

I want to like the Heights, but I have not been that impressed the couple of time that we have explored it. Rice Military would be fine if we could find a free-standing home that didn't have the feel of an apartment complex. You know how some developments have a bunch of homes that face each other in the driveway, off the main street? I don't like that at all. Sawyer Heights has some cool new devlopments with great views of the skyline, but the area seems very sketchy.

if you do have a dislike for them, i would consider this during your search. don't settle.

i would say 9 would big you the most bang for the buck overall however you have to be picky. what type of commute times are you concerned about? 16 would probably have many options that are beyond your budget however some may fit your needs esp if you don't care about a yard. timbergrove and oak forest have quite a few 3/2/2 that aren't stucco/hardi.

a townhome may be a good investment esp with the number that are out there, however i think stucco/hardi will be in most of them.

you like to be near restaurants, bars, etc.....how near is near?

rail line isn't going thru afton oaks. southern part of montrose will be affected with construction and eventually the inability to turn onto some streets. plans are not yet completed.

the residents of the washington area wish to have the ordinance that prohibits trains from sounding their horns expanded to Washington.

It would be nice to be able to walk to a bar, but a short drive would suffice.

Where are Timber Grove and Oak Forest?

Thanks for the replies.

what size home are you looking for?

At least 1600sf, but larger would be better. Size isn't as important as location or quality.

We would also like 3 beds, 2 baths, and a 2 car garage.

Hi, HAIF.

My wife and I will be moving to Houston in February or March. We are in our later 20's and don't plan on having kids for at least 2 or 3 years. She will be working downtown and I will be working in The Woodlands. I figure it will be a lot easier for me to travel against the traffic than for her to travel with it, so we want to live in Houston. Plus, we want to be close to locally-owned restaurants, bars, shopping, etc.

We would like to spend around $300k - $350k and possibly up to $400k, if it is a great value. We currently live in Norman and work in Oklahoma City which is a very easy 17 mile commute. I really want to make my commute in Houston as painless as possible, so I assume that it would be smart to avoid driving through downtown, on 59, or by the Galleria. That basically leaves MLS 16 and 9 as options, but we prefer 16. We are open to both traditional homes and freestanding townhomes, but I am pretty skeptical of the quality of the newer construction in Houston. I am not a fan of stucco or hardiplank, but I suppose I can learn to live with it.

My questions are:

1. Should I rule out MLS 17, 22, and 23 based on commute times?

2. Is a free-standing townhome a good investment?

3. What neighborhoods do you recommend based on my criteria?

4. How are the new rail lines going to affect Afton Oaks, Montrose, etc.?

5. Where do you see Sawyer Hieghts in five years?

6. Did I hear correctly that there will be an ordinance that will prohibit trains from sounding their horns along Washington Ave?

Thanks for your help.