Houston Neighborhoods

[seamusTX]

Welcome to Texas, and good luck with everything.

We rented for two months when we moved to Galveston. It gave us time to shop carefully. The whole situation worked out well for us.

Look into PSC. It's not exactly a hop, skip, and jump from where you are living; but it is an excellent range run by great people.

- Jim

[grad_Student]

Welcome to houston :-D

check out http://www.har.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; You can search by area code or by map. Excellent resource.

When you find something you like check out....http://houstoncrimemaps.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; to see what types of crimes are happening in the area code.

Further, I like to use google maps to do "drive bys" of neighborhoods I'm interested in.

Good luck!

[seamusTX]

http://houstoncrimemaps.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; is useful, but you have to look past the raw numbers. As a resident, crimes like shoplifting, wife-beating (a.k.a. domestic violence), and forgery are not going to affect you. You need to look mainly at robbery, burglary, and car theft.

Levels of these crimes will be higher in any area that has one or more large shopping centers, simply because wealth attracts thieves.

- Jim

[seamusTX]

The rules are not necessarily CLEARLY stated. They are frequently subjective, and the HOA board members interpret them capriciously.

BTW, I would not live in a place that has an HOA. I would rather have a little chaos than too much regulation, and that is exactly what I have.

- Jim

[seamusTX]

Good. To each his own.

- Jim

[hheremtp]

Has anyone heard of Rodeo Palms and Sterling Lakes? My wife and I are Looking to build and she just happened to see both of those subdivisions the other day. They are located along 288 and HWY 6 area. Does anyone know anything about this area? thanks for the help.

[seamusTX]

That area is evolving from rural to suburban. Only time will tell. Google it.

- Jim

[Hoosier Daddy]

I started work this week and we're still getting settled in. Once things get back to normal I'll be back with questions about gun stores and shooting ranges.

As promised, I'm back. I found some good dope on shooting ranges but have more neighborhood questions.

We're in the apartment and looking at houses on weekends. We looked at homes in a few neighborhoods and would like to get opinions from anyone who lives, or recently lived, in one of the five areas on my map. Work is in Greenway Plaza. Please excuse my lack of artistic talent.

[USA1]

would like to get opinions from anyone who lives, or recently lived, in one of the five areas on my map.

Ouch. This is only an opinion from someone who has lived and worked in, and still works all around Houston.

I would avoid 3, 4, and 5. You don't want to live near anything that ends in "ward"

Now you see why I moved north to Tomball.

[boomerang]

I would avoid 3, 4, and 5. You don't want to live near anything that ends in "ward"

On a more serious note, the housing bubble is alive and well in Houston. Bare lot values near your work are over the budget you posted, so I can see why you're looking where you are. Binz (5) is close to Montrose and the Museum District, and within 2-3 miles of UH, TSU and Rice. There are iffy areas but that's true anywhere. No "safe" neighborhoods, right? Technically part of downtown (4) that side of 59 was one of those places where we wouldn't go at night, but they're building a lot of guarter-mil homes and condos there now. Who knew? The Heights could have been a good investment 10 years ago but prices there have boomed and spread to its fringes (1, 2, 3) where you'll see expensive new construction near shotgun shacks. Sometimes in the same block. The Heights also has those wonderful tracks running through if you like the sound of train horns.

One thing I suggest is going back without your real estate agent and drive around the neighborhoods on your own. Maybe do a spiral search pattern out 5-6 blocks from any house you're considering, to get a feel for what's nearby. Only you can decide what feels safe to you.

[USA1]

I would avoid 3, 4, and 5. You don't want to live near anything that ends in "ward"

No, not Dave Ward. Although he is a little grumpy in person.

A friendly little tip..If you drive through third ward...lock your doors.