Rice Military info (Houston: house, neighborhood, magnet school)

[parichay]

We quite like the Rice Military area (zip code : 77006/77007) from our previous responses in this forum and a short drive through the area. Before we dive further in, will really appreciate if you can share your advice on the area's
- Safety (can you walk in the evening)?
- Child friendliness (can you go for a stroll with a baby)?
- Property tax (is it high? More than 3%-4%)
- Flood issues (does this area flood - heard issues about drainage)
- House price in the area (is it going up/down? is it negotiable?)
- Schools in the area (elementary/nursery)
- Is there anything else in particular to look out for when looking for a house in this area?

Thanks,
Parichay

[houstoner]

1. No idea.

2. I saw a couple moms pushing a stroller while jogging as I passed through yesterday so I'd say yes.

3. No idea. I think you can check on HCAD.

4. No idea.

5. No idea.

6. Zoned elementary and middle schools are probably not all that great. The elementary did receive TEA Recognized status, but neither school has gotten any parent reviews whatsoever on greatschools.net. This may not mean much however; it's an upper middle class neighborhood so most parents probably send their kids to private school. Zoned high school Lamar is one of the best in HISD. It is the only high school IB/MYP program in the district and is also a magnet school for business, offering a slew of foreign languages. My cousin went there at the same time as Kelly Rowland of Destiny's Child fame.

7. No idea.