iluvdogs

Hi guys....

I haven't posted in awhile. My husband and I relocated from Chicago last August. Our original plan was to open a dog grooming/boarding/daycare shop but we just don't know where. I am now currently working as a dog groomer for PetSomething @ WestChase area.

We're looking @ Katy (Cinco Ranch/Grand Lakes), Downtown or First Ward areas.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

Chicagoans,

And if you are worried about living near Latino/Hispanic immigrants then don't move here - this is Houston.

my 2 cents.

protospehric......

I appreciate all your advices but I certainly did not appreciate your above comment. I think it's ignorant on your part to assume that I am prejudice against Latinos. For your information, I am an immigrant myself and I am married to a Latino. Both my neighbors between my house are latinos. We are not just neighbors for 8 years but we are very close and we treat each other like family. I belong to a multi-cultural family (with Asian, Hispanic, African Americans as Aunts, Uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews). Who are you to tell me not to move to Houston because I am "worried about living near Latino immigrants.

I apologized to the rest of the posters here. I am just venting out my feelings. Truly the rest of you are extremely helpful. I will print this message board out and I will scout the city of Houston in a couple of weeks. Chicago Dog.

Thank you all for the warm welcome. Oh my God! What am I going to do without you guys. Your wealth of advices are truly appreciated. I am so glad I found this website otherwise I'd be totally lost and perhaps lose alot of money simply because I didn't know and didn't ask.

Anyway, yes early on my message, I mentioned that I will rent but I saw that beautiful house for 1700 sq ft for $126900 I thought that was really cheap. I didn't want to lose the opportunity. I then realized I think I am rushing and I should stay focused and go back to my original plan. I should stop comparing Chicago real estate to Houston. Here in Chicago, the average price for 550 sq ft studio size condo with a view of your next door brick wall in a decent neighborhood is close to $200,000 and that's probably just a closet space in an average Houston house. You guys are right. I should take my time and get to know the city first before making the big decision.

Also, thanks for the advice on locations for my potential doggie business. I am going to go small volume like groom average of 5-7 dogs a day (I don't want to be known as a chop shop) offer daycare, doggie massage, dog walking and boarding.

I am so excited starting a new life in a city full of people with big HEARTS. Will I miss Chicago? Nooooooo!!!!!! I will miss my family and all my friends certainly not the weather but then again I am only 2 hours plane ride so that's not so bad.

I wonder if Mr. Editor is loving Chicago. Well, he's living in the prime area (downtown/ Michigan Avenue) where little itty bitty condos are worth millions of dollars. He's also walking distance from the new Trump tower. Hey, Mr. Editor, how'd you like the fire works at Grant Park?

Again, thanks all for your help. Chicago Dog

Hi all!!!!!

We saw a property in the internet that we're interested in buying. It's a house near westheimer and highway 6 close to west oak mall. We're not familiar with the area but we like the house. The property is about 10 min away from Galleria. It's 1705 sq ft 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, swimming pool, 10ft high wood fence, jacuzzi etc. From the pictures, the house looks like it's well maintained. The owner is asking $126,900 (for sale by owner). Is that a fair price for the area? What if we decide to sell within 5 years, will the value increased? Is this a desirable location?

Thanking you ina advance! Chicago dog.......

trader joe's is expanding quickly, hopefully we'll get one in houston soon.

rice epicurean and central market are two grocery stores you should probably check out as well as whole foods.

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skwatra.....

you know trader joe's? I am addicted to that unique grocery store. I love their imported chocolates and all the desserts. I love their vegetarian frozen foods, pasta sauce, salad dressing etc. and wild caught seafoods. I shop at wholefoods sometimes but they're a bit overpriced compare to TJ's. Are there any fresh produce stores around the Galleria area? I've been to HEB and I think that's a pretty cool store too. I food shop for fresh produce @ least 3 times a week since I don't eat red meat or any process food. Ok thanks again for your advice.

Wow, you must be in heaven.  Congratulations and welcome to Houston.  I'm a native myself.  As far as where to live and work, that's a very complex decision. There's so many choices.  Good luck.  Why don't you rent for a while to get more familiar with things?

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Hi tomv....

Yeah we are ecstatic. Friends and relatives are trying to convince us to hold on to our house and that we're making the biggest mistake in our life. At this point, I am sick and tired of the brutal winter temps. I mean, Chicago is a beautiful city but everything is so expensive it's ridiculous. In terms of work, I'm a dog groomer and I am planning to open a dog grooming/daycare/boarding business perhaps in the Galleria/Montrose/Heights area. Yes, we are going to rent first and our priority is starting and building our business first. Thanks for your advice.

Ps. I can't believe the natives are soooooooo friendly and helpful. I noticed that when I visited last November. Everyone seemed to have time to say hello and chat a bit. Here in Chicago, people are RUDE. I am ashamed to admit that I'm from Chicago. It's not my kind of town.

To answer your last question first, Texas homes appreciated the least of the 51 states (DC) last year, at 3.8 %.  This makes housing affordable, but not a replacement for a 401k.

Spring Branch used to be a very desirable suburb.  Over the last 20 years, many original owners left, and Mexican immigrants took their place.  Some pockets remain nice, but most don't consider it a great area any longer.

The general rule on selling for a profit down here is mainly, if you own a house in a built out area, you'll be able to sell for some profit.  If you own in the fast growing suburbs, the proliferation of new houses being built tends to keep existing home prices down.

Remember, these are not hard rules.  Many member of this forum could cite examples that contradict this general rule.

Good luck, and Go Astros! 

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Thanks for the info. Btw, what do you mean by owning a house in a "built out area?"

I'd say "Wecome to Houston" but I guess it would be more appropriate to say, "Trade ya!"

I recently moved from Houston to Chicago, so I guess we've evened out the Census numbers.

Houston is great for dog lovers, and if you immerse yourself in Houston's culture, you'll have a ball.  Enjoy yourself!

I think the best places for your pampered pooch shop would be Midtown, River Oaks, Montrose, Tanglewood, and the Galleria.  If you choose to live outside the city, then The Woodlands and Sugar Land are safe bets.

Good luck!  I'll eat your chare of Lou Malnati's and Eli's while you're gone!

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Hey welcome to Chicago!!! How do you like it so far? Are you familiar with the city? Taste of Chicago is going on right now you might want to check it out.

Btw, we sold our house in 4 days. We had multiple biddings for our house and we were able to sell it higher than our asking price. It took us by surprise because we didn't realize you can sell a house that fast.

Anyway, I have a question, I am looking at some properties at Spring Branch. The houses are older (built in the 70's) but well maintained. Is this a good area? What if we decide to sell in 5 years, are we going to have problem selling it since it's an older house. Also, our Chicago house doubled the value in 5 years. Does this ever happened in Houston?

Thanks all for the warm welcome and for all your valuable advices. We are looking forward to starting our new life in a new place. I will definetely not miss the snow and sleet in Chicago. The only thing I will miss here is my favorite grocery store, Trader Joe's. I did a google and Houston doesn't have Trader Joes'. Are there any other organic stores in Houston besides Whole Foods?

Well...I hope you know....you're relocating to somewhere HOT....warm is an understatement.

Yes, I know.  I am no stranger to Hot weather since I am origninally from the tropics (south pacific to be exact)  We actually were looking for a tropical heat type of temps.  Tampa, Fl is also one of our choices but it's not as metropolitan as Houston.  Also, properties are getting expensive over there and yet the city looks dumpy.

I think you'd do well to locate the business out on the far fringes of suburbia near a posh subdivision....I suspect all the fru fru areas here in town have that business covered already.

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I think you're right that I will do well in the burbs but I love to be in the city. I'm not worried about the competition in the fru fru areas since I offer the best quality service and low volume. I don't plan to open a chop shop.

Hello all!!!!!

Tired of the snow and cold temps in Chicago, my husband and I decided it's time to get out and relocate somewhere warm. Our house will be up for sale tomorrow and we're probably be gone by August or early September.

We are looking into starting a dog grooming/boarding/daycare business. I was wondering if you guys would suggest an excellent area where people spoil their poochies. We're also looking at buying a house in the city. We don't have any kids just 2 dogs and we don't want a HUGE house. We just want a 2-3 BR, 2 baths, and a backyard with lots of tropical plants. We're looking at the Heights area or the Galleria. We don't want to commute to far to and from work.

Any suggestions is greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance.