Casual Observer

That rendering looks beautiful.

Yes, they do. Google Earth might be able to help with a count too.

I know it floods east of there - White Oak Bayou around south Inwood (Antoine & Tidwell). That's pretty far from you however.

I've noticed that the nicer homes are found on the north-east side of Garden Villas. Its a unique subdivision to say the least.

Alief is outside the beltway though.

Touching on something said above, I've felt like the Dallas retail market is more for the professional (meaning someone who is in the retail industry - and not merely someone with a masters), and Houston is more for the consumer (meaning those who are fashionable - but not in the industry). Thoughts?

Maybe all the anti-depressant & ADD prescriptions are keeping them all afloat.

So hopefully now, they can do something more practical and useful with Galleria 3?

Not nessessarily. The people that go to a theater are what makes it ghetto - not the name of the theater itself.

Think of the worst thing you've ever done in a hotel-room. Now, imagine that happening by a different person at least once a week. People treat hotels like rental cars.

I'm in no way defending houstonsemipro, as I like to take people downtown as often as possible - but at the same time, not all burbs were created equal. Sugarland Town Center, Woodlands Town Square, and Kemah Boardwalk are 3 suburbian destinations that pack more than chain restuarants (Chili's, TGIF, Applebees, or Black Eyed Pea) and lower end motels. These areas offer unique dining, 3 star accomdations and are sometimes actually more convientent for the out of towner. Another area is Westchase. I know I harp on it as the "next Uptown", but it really has a lot going. Just for kicks, go hang out in the Hilton or Marriot's bar & lounge area of Briarpark - they're both usually packed with conventioneers, out of towners, business people, and family visitors. You always see large groups walking from the hotels to the sadly under-developed Carillion center. Once West 8 gets off the ground, Westchase will be able to further cement itself. I'm not saying for one second that these areas are better than the sights seen downtown, but rather that they may be more convienent and just as satisfactory for certain travelers from out of town. I say this, because even as a Houstonian, I still find going downtown to be an awkward experience when dealing with things like limited dining (locations and hours), event ticket pre-purchasing, PARKING (for a downtown with endless lots - they are always conveinently full, closed, or merely 10+ dollars just to park), and limited venue flexibility (dates & hours). The sad truth is that our downtown isn't even Houstonian friendly - so its no guess as to why visitors are far and few in between.

I think it depends on what you're shopping for also, as to which city better serves you with selection. For an average joe like myself, I haven't found myself upset over a certain store not being here vs Dallas. I'd have to say, even if I were rich, I don't know if I'd shop at any of those stores on the 2nd level of Galleria 1.

Its slightly depressing to go to SSP and not see the WTC on the top ten world's tallest buildings list anymore.

This is great for us on the west side that have had to choose between ghetto tinsel-town Westchase, and the overly busy AMC 30 on Dunvale. I wonder where at on the property they're going to build it?

Then why don't they spit & scratch in golf?

Its just something that has become tradition. Go to any little league field and you'll find 10 year olds emulating their favorite baseball star. Everything from the bend in their hat, handing one batting glove half way out of their back packet, excessive spittig, and even scratching themselves inappropriately. Sadly - the same trends of emulation follow in all sports.

Jesus H. Christ. My mother talks dirtier to our 6 month old baby. Give me a break about the "guy talk".

Yeah, As these homes are built, I think these apartment complexes will slowly begin to clean-up or shut down. The ghetto is definately shrinking. I don't think it will ever completely disappear from the lower BW8/US59 region however.

Well, if Dora has made food service her career - then by the time her tush is sagging, she should be be a manager.

Jailbait.

Apartment construction has slowed nearly to a halt in the Alief area. Home construction is hot right now.

Ha! I bet you're really that picky.

No, it's free enterprise - if Dora wants 15-20% of a $50.00 tab - she needs to go work at Pappasitos.

Well, with all the new middle class subdivisions being built around Alief, I'm not surprised. Unfortunately, I don't think AISD is quite where it ought to be - mostly due to the excessively high number of apartment complexes in the area. Hopefully, as more middle class subdivisions are developed in that area, the more nice the schools will become.