Looking for a new home!

[G.C.Montgomery]

Howdy All,

I’m looking for comments on quality of life from anyone living on, or just west of, FM 1464 just south of the Westpark Tollway and north of Hwy 90. It’s time to leave the neighborhood in which I’ve lived my entire life. But I’m curious to know if the new developments west of 1464 suffer from all the same issues that plague Mission Bend.

The reason for the request is the wife unit spotted a home that she REALLY likes and I’m must admit I like it too. The price is right but, we both suspected there had to be a catch. It is new construction, completed in May, and priced well below market because the original buyer backed out at the last minute. Everything seemed perfect until we took a drive around the neighborhood.

While we didn’t see obvious evidence of “street pharmacists,� unnecessary loitering, tagging or other criminal mischief, we still just didn’t feel right about the area. To make matters worse, I learned of two robberies that occurred the very evening we visited the area. Both victims were accosted while leaving a party being held at a recreation center/clubhouse around the corner from the prospective house. We also felt like there were way too many cars parked at a number of homes and too many cars parked on the streets.

So, the bottom line is we are leery of the area. Having grown up in neighborhoods that seemed eerily similar, we worry it’s only a matter of time before this area becomes just as bad as the place we’re leaving. We are considering other areas that are probably a little nicer but, its hard to pass on what seems like the perfect house at the perfect price. I’m just trying to find out if I’m judging the area too harshly or even being paranoid.

Thanks,

GM

[Lumberjack98]

PM sent.

[OverEasy]

GM,
Maybe this website will help you out. http://www.ericcarlson.net/crimestats/index.html
It shows where the crimes are being commited around Houston.

Off topic: My wife went to a safety meeting yesterday. They (building management co and HPD) told everybody how much things had improved recently and how safe the GREENSPOINT area was now. At the end they cautioned people not go jogging at lunch or to the mall alone but to always go with a buddy or in a group. Gee, sounds safe to me. NOT!

Regards, OE

[G.C.Montgomery]

Thanks for the replies guys. Lumberjack, check your PM's. Overeasy, I like that site. It appears the guy basically feeds data directly from HPD's blotters into Google Maps. It provides an easy way of getting a visual reference of stuff going on in a particular patrol beat. That's cool and worth a look for anyone planning to live in areas patrolled by HPD. It would be nice if similar information were available for Ft. Bend county but no Ft. Bend agency offers the kind of info HPD does.

[bdickens]

GM,
Maybe this website will help you out. http://www.ericcarlson.net/crimestats/index.html
It shows where the crimes are being commited around Houston.

Off topic: My wife went to a safety meeting yesterday. They (building management co and HPD) told everybody how much things had improved recently and how safe the GUNSPOINT area was now. At the end they cautioned people not go jogging at lunch or to the mall alone but to always go with a buddy or in a group. Gee, sounds safe to me. NOT!

Regards, OE

Fixed it for ya!

[Skiprr]

In that area, at least you'd be close enough for me to buy dinner for you and your bride once in a while.

[G.C.Montgomery]

In that area, at least you'd be close enough for me to buy dinner for you and your bride once in a while.

Skippr, that's one planned benefit of this move...We'll finally have a house big enough to invite guests over for dinner and stuff. We'd be honored to have you over.

Unfortunately, it looks like we are going to pass on the Mission Sierra neighborhood. Just can't get a good feeling about the surrounding area and there's only one grocery store nearby. So it looks like the search is on again. If it weren't for the long commute and lack of multiple routes to downtown, I'd actually prefer to move out 290 or 249.

[Venus Pax]

GC, if you like the 290 area, have you considered moving there and taking the bus into town?

I'm not sure if your employer is CHL-friendly, but if they are, that is an option.

[Skiprr]

Hm. Copperfield (http://www.copperfield.org/) might be an option. No new construction in that specific community, but now is definitely the time to find motivated sellers just about anywhere.

While almost no commute anywhere in Houston is a good commute, one advantage to Copperfield is that it's just about equidistant to the big airport, downtown, and the Westchase business district. You get a protractor, measure about 20 miles or less on a map, and draw an arc from Copperfield, and you'll cover an awful lot of employers.

As VP mentioned, the bus is an option: there is a large Park & Ride at 290 and West Road, about three miles from Copperfield. The Northworst Freeway isn't a blessing, but another advantage to the location is that--if you don't have to take 290--you can go south and jog over to the Beltway on Little York or Clay, or you can take Hwy 6 or Eldridge down to I-10. It's not quite as hemmed in as are communities farther out 290, like Bentwater or Fairfield.

Thinkin' out loud...

[Charles L. Cotton]

Come on down to Friendswood Gary. You'll be closer to PSC and you can fix dinner for Martha and I!

Chas.

[lunchbox]

F-wood is a nece place if you can put up with the yuppies