River Oaks/Upper Kirby Real Estate

[gnu]

The troubled started when....

I guess that's better than a stock photo of Sammy Davis, Jr.

[MidtownCoog]

Speaking of which, there are a couple of old Synagoes near by.

Even part of HCC was a temple.

[houstonsemipro]

For some reason when I am typing, I always type where when I mean to type were.

Does it matter online? It's not like you doing a thesis paper for English. People know what you meant, if they don't they dumbfounded.

[TJones]

I just don't know that River Oaks' racism is a dirty little secret. I think it is pretty much a well known fact that their is alot of "old money" in river Oaks. The new money that is in there is few and far between, and the older folks in there that have had those houses in the family for years and years, more than likely, and are very choosy about who they are going to let move in to their great grandfather's house. i.e. another anglo-saxon, well to do, family. George and Martha aren't going to sell to the new Death row recording artist, to turn their 80 yr. old mansion into "Ghettofabulous !" It is just the way of the world. Sad, but true. This is just an opinion, I think I have a pretty open mind, and do not have tunnelvision of how our society has shaped itself.

Edited October 25, 2005 by TJones

[TJones]

The troubled started when....

The second gentleman on the right looks little like Matis Yahu, without the big beard.

[eelimon]

For some reason when I am typing, I always type where when I mean to type were.

Google needs a grammar check in addition to its spell check

So what is the word on Hispanics; were they allowed to live in River Oaks? Or were they just allowed to live on the East End and Spring Branch and The Heights?

What neighborhood in Houston is considered to be exclusively for the rich Hispanic folk?

Edited October 25, 2005 by eelimon

[citykid09]

What neighborhood in Houston is considered to be exclusively for the rich Asian folk?

[TJones]

Ok, so, we are talking 50's and 60's here, right?

Hispanic: Heights and Pasadena

Asian: didn't really come into play until the 80's and they took over Sharpstown and Beechnut area.

Blacks: Macgregor & 288 over by TSU.

Jewish: Meyerland & West U.

Caucasian: River Oaks, Memorial

Edited October 25, 2005 by TJones

[Jeebus]

Does it matter online? It's not like you doing a thesis paper for English. People know what you meant, if they don't they dumbfounded.

Yes, "we dumbfounded" [sic] by the inherent disregard towards decent grammar. I can forgive bad spelling - but for Christ's sake read what you type before you click "add reply". This type of behavior is no different than that of "think before you speak". You'd be amazed how few arguements you get into that way.

Don't be afraid of the "edit post" button - it is your friend. Also, try: www.dictionary.com. It's free for crying out loud! Oh, and if you're an immigrant with poor English - then throw a little "(sp?)" action out there every now and then to let everyone know that you're at least trying and care.

This post is not meant to offend - but rather make aware.

George and Martha aren't going to sell to the new Death row recording artist, to turn their 80 yr. old mansion into "Ghettofabulous !"

Can you blame "George & Martha" for doing so? I know that I would want the same courtesy granted by my neighbors if they were moving out. Its neighborhood preservation.

Name one group of people that would mind a "Death Row" (or similar ilk) recording artist living in their neighborhood? I know I wouldn't want someone who publicly makes money by musically soliciting violence, drug use, alcohol abuse, women abuse, immorality, or finacial irresponsibility.

But hey, that's just me.

Edited October 26, 2005 by Jeebus

[MidtownCoog]

Nobody wants to live near a bunch of bling-blings.

Unless you IZ a bling-bling.

Is lack of couth some bling-bling tradition?

PRINT IT

[TJones]

Tee Hee ! I think almost every post I have on here is probably edited, for the simple fact I either forgot something I wanted to say, or something I saw that someone could take the wrong way, and Lord knows I don't need any Cybertuffs threatening to kick my @$$ on here.

[UrbaNerd]

What neighborhood in Houston is considered to be exclusively for the rich Asian folk?

Well, to some extent, First Colony/Sugar Land. The population is about 25% asian, and mostly very affluent.

[TJones]

Well, to some extent, First Colony/Sugar Land. The population is about 25% asian, and mostly very affluent.

I tend to agree with that, having lived in Sugarland myself for awhile, I think for the most part, that the affluent Sri Lankan or Hindu population seem to have risen quite considerably in Sugarland though.

[GoAtomic]

So what is the word on Hispanics; were they allowed to live in River Oaks? Or were they just allowed to live on the East End and Spring Branch and The Heights?

What neighborhood in Houston is considered to be exclusively for the rich Hispanic folk?

When I was a kid (70's), Spring Branch was THE place to live in Houston if you were a typical middle-class anglo family. Everyone who was there at the time tells me it used to be immaculate and well-kept, on par with the Memorial area but without the attitude, and had great schools. At that time, I don't think there was any Hispanic or Asian influence to speak of. But I do recall visiting a house my dad was painting in the early 80's just off Gessner, and Korean people had just bought the house. The area probably had some suburban flight starting right around then, and then the oil bust in the 80's really sent values plummetting. I also heard it became a HUD zone at some point, which undoubtedly hurt.

I live in Spring Branch now, and it's a weird mix: most businesses cater to either Asian or Hispanic wants (tending toward the lower-income), and the apartment tenants are mostly Hispanic, but I would say that the majority of homeowners are still anglo, with the exception of certain really low-priced neighborhoods. And the schools are still good, much better than HISD in my opinion.

It's sad to me that the corrider areas here have become so ratty (my Houston tax payments definitely are not being spent equally) but the housing stock has held up remarkably well in many of the areas, probably because the houses were so well built. Although I can't fathom that Spring Branch will ever be as pristine as it was when new, I truly believe that it has the potential to become a nice, electic melting pot similar to the Heights, with all races and age groups, family models, etc.

Edited October 27, 2005 by GoAtomic

[eelimon]

When I was a kid (70's), Spring Branch was THE place to live in Houston if you were a typical middle-class anglo family. Everyone who was there at the time tells me it used to be immaculate and well-kept, on par with the Memorial area but without the attitude, and had great schools. At that time, I don't think there was any Hispanic or Asian influence to speak of. But I do recall visiting a house my dad was painting in the early 80's just off Gessner, and Korean people had just bought the house. The area probably had some suburban flight starting right around then, and then the oil bust in the 80's really sent values plummetting. I also heard it became a HUD zone at some point, which undoubtedly hurt.

I live in Spring Branch now, and it's a weird mix: most businesses cater to either Asian or Hispanic wants (tending toward the lower-income), and the apartment tenants are mostly Hispanic, but I would say that the majority of homeowners are still anglo, with the exception of certain really low-priced neighborhoods. And the schools are still good, much better than HISD in my opinion.

It's sad to me that the corrider areas here have become so ratty (my Houston tax payments definitely are not being spent equally) but the housing stock has held up remarkably well in many of the areas, probably because the houses were so well built. Although I can't fathom that Spring Branch will ever be as pristine as it was when new, I truly believe that it has the potential to become a nice, electic melting pot similar to the Heights, with all races and age groups, family models, etc.

I think yes this area is in a down turn and has been since the early 80's but the area is long over due for a renewal and revitalization. I know a few gay people who moved into that area b/c they were priced out of the Montrose and the heights. But the fact it that the area needs good community leadership and a will from the people who are willing to remodel homes. The fact that gay people are moving to the area, in my opinion, will help the area in the long run b/c they are know for revitalizing neighborhoods, because they have a larger disposable income.

Edited October 27, 2005 by eelimon

[Jeebus]

In '94, I considered a River Oaks home priced in the "terrible twos". You could get a small home on a decent street in the low $200,000's at the time. The River Oaks specialist agent suggested I would be happier in West University Place. I had a similar but even more unpleasant experience attempting to see the mod at North Parkwood at Del Rio in Riverside Terrace. The black realtor would not return my calls until I reconfigured my name to sound black. I finally got through but he was really upset and said the house was sold even though it continued to remain on the market for a year. The place was extremely decayed, suffering from massive roof leaks and eroded structure. Almost every house in the area suffers from tremendous neglect and decay. The ones that have been redone have been ruined and have about as much character as a patched up twenty year old mid-grade apartment.

So the street does go both ways.

[VicMan]

And the schools are still good, much better than HISD in my opinion.

HISD is the largest district in Texas, so the school quality in HISD varies heavily. A label applying to the district as a whole oftentimes is not accurate, as there are all kinds of schools (from the good to the bad to the ugly).

As a matter of fact, I want Spring Branch to join Houston ISD. That way Spring Branch kids can go to Houston magnet schools and kids in poorer HISD neighborhoods with bad schools can transfer to Spring Branch.

[N Judah]

So why would a young, intelligent person want to move to Houston to start their career if it meant they would not be able to live in the nicest neighborhood no matter how successful they eventually became?

Edited November 1, 2005 by N Judah

[sevfiv]

umm, money talks, and makes other issues disappear

[nmainguy]

I seem to recall that Ali did buy that sprawling home on Willowick with the backside facing Buffalo Bayou.

It was a big stone low-slung mansion with a guest house. I don't know if he ever lived there or not.

If you're wondering about Jews in RO, the Sakowitz's had a home there and of course Lynn Sakowitz Wyatt and Bobby Sakowitz have lived there. Joan Weingarten Schnitzer Levy [oy vey!] lives on Knollwood.

I think at some point $$ trumped religion.

[RyanJX5]

I seem to recall that Ali did buy that sprawling home on Willowick with the backside facing Buffalo Bayou.

It was a big stone low-slung mansion with a guest house. I don't know if he ever lived there or not.

If you're wondering about Jews in RO, the Sakowitz's had a home there and of course Lynn Sakowitz Wyatt and Bobby Sakowitz have lived there. Joan Weingarten Schnitzer Levy [oy vey!] lives on Knollwood.

I think at some point $$ trumped religion.

Wow Lynn Sakowitz and Bobby Lipman that was a short marriage that was a long time ago. She moved up the ranks like crazy in international society after she married oil rich Oscar and set up shop in the Cullen mansion on River Oaks Boulevard by the country club. She doesnt even look like she is 70. Now they live in a smaller more quaint mansion in which Lynn calls it her little teepee.

[nmainguy]

Wow Lynn Sakowitz and Bobby Lipman that was a short marriage that was a long time ago. She moved up the ranks like crazy in international society after she married oil rich Oscar and set up shop in the Cullen mansion on River Oaks Boulevard by the country club. She doesnt even look like she is 70. Now they live in a smaller more quaint mansion in which Lynn calls it her little teepee.

Uh, yeah...but in polite society we don't mention La Lynn's pre-Oscar assignations...

...and doesn't look like she's 70?...well maybe when she WAS 70 she didn't look 70...

[N Judah]

umm, money talks, and makes other issues disappear

Oh, good, so these things aren't set in stone. That's cool.

[mephisto]

Hello! I am moving to Houston from Europe (Romania) because of my business and I would like to know if the River Oaks community is a good place to by house? The main criteria are: safety, nice environment (green, parks...), close to the city center. Another option could be The Woodlands, but I know that is far from the city (about 50' from downtown). Thank you!

[Pumapayam]

Hopefully you have $$$, becuase River Oaks is top dollar land.

The Uptown area and the Museum District is great too.

[TJones]

Mephisto, if you like crackhouses, and shanty towns, then The River Oaks is your cup of tea. Crime ridden doesn't begin to describe this area of town. I would rather walk naked down Gulfton with a sign around my neck that said all illegals must be deported, than risk living in River Oaks. You need a different realtor if they are trying to get you to buy in that part of town. Sounds like they are just trying to make a quick buck off of you.

[Pumapayam]

Ok, when I think River Oaks, I think San Felipe and Upper Kirby, both or which are nice areas.

And you thinking more on the Allen Parkway/4th Ward side?

[Pumapayam]

50' from downtown? Hell, you could walk to work!

He is European, he still needs to adjust from the SI (Systems International) to the English units!

[mephisto]

Thank's for replies. The street where I saw the house that I like is on Kirby dr (close to the golf course). Indeed the house was expensive, but very beautifull. And I haven't seen any "crackhouses and shanty towns" as TJones said.

[Houston1stWordOnTheMoon]

Thank's for replies. The street where I saw the house that I like is on Kirby dr (close to the golf course). Indeed the house was expensive, but very beautifull. And I haven't seen any "crackhouses and shanty towns" as TJones said.

You wont see any there either. He was joking Hope you have deep pockets and high toleration for snobbery to live in River Oaks. All River Oaks addresses are not equal