hip family neighborhood in the loop? looking while I'm here (Houston: how much, townhouses)

[dijos]

Let me clarify; we moved to St pete about 9 years ago from New orleans, and I feel like I've been stuck in strip mall hell since then. I'd like to shop at a store other than target once in a while. I'm tired of my 22mi each way commute to tampa. I'd like to be in a more cosmopolitan environment; I no longer run into a diversity of people like I used to. I'd like neighbors who are not holed up in a/c 10 months out of the year and maybe do some thinking and less TV watching.
my budget is realistically south of 200k. I'm looking to rent until I can sell my house; my mortgage runs 1200/mo, and that shouldn't be any struggle provided she and I find decent jobs (part of the reason we're moving).

[tstone]

South of 200k won't buy ''hip'' where you're thinking.

[houston-nomad]

Originally Posted by tstone

We tried to stay hip with a crossover. You know, touch-screen electronics, 7 seats, room for two 12 pks of beer + ice in the floor bins, and 26 highway mpg from the fuel-saver engine.

Actually I think with the first kid, 'hip' goes out the window. With the second, 'lame' is a more apt description and there's no escaping it. Remember to never trust anyone over 30.

If you're trying to stay inside the loop (ITL) under 200K, with a good elementary school, you're going to have a tough time. Maybe something on the east side; VeganKris might be able to help you out there. Renting, or buying a small townhome, might also keep you ITL.

If you're willing to expand a bit beyond, try running your HAR.com search in zips 77035 and 77096. Not sure what will turn up under 200K, but these are suburban-feeling neighborhoods just outside the loop. In my experience there are lots of people out and about, families, activities, etc., plus proximity to everything ITL.

[modster]

A house, not a condo, in the western part of the loop in anything even remotely hip for south of $200k is not realistic. Not even maybe. The vacant lots around the empire cafe sell for more than that. Add in good elementary school and no, not trying to be mean, but you are way off of reality with that. Not. Gonna. Happen.

Getting ANYTHING decent for under $200k in a single family home is tough in any inner loop areas that are really gentrified. The reason people are moving into the "second tier" neighborhoods that aren't quite as hip is because they have a price point like yours, and that simply will not get you into places like Montrose (unless you want a one bedroom condo).

You need to expand your search and look at magnet or private. There are some options. Lindale Park, Idylwood, Glenbrook Valley, Eastwood, Houston Country Club.
http://www.lindalepark.org

Glenbrook Valley : Houston Texas Neighborhood Information & Events

There are also sites on Eastwood and Idylwood, but they changed and I don't remember their new address, you can google them and find them.

[crbcrbrgv]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

Living "hip" and keeping up with the Joneses is not cheap in Houston, New York or Pocatello, Idaho.

[HoustonRonnie]

Originally Posted by 14Bricks

You mean you can't be hip in a minivan? What if you put some rims on the minivan and wore Ed Hardy shirts.

LOL, oh Hell NO! We had, in succession, an Astro Van, an Aerostar and then a Caravan. We sucked big time.

Ronnie

[vegankris]

Originally Posted by 14Bricks

You want a "hip" neighborhood thats also family friendly, that has good schools thats inside the loop and affordable. LOL, good luck with that.

Disagree.

We live in a great neighborhood with a close knit neighbor group that gets together once a month for social events. The lifestyle here is awesome. I bike nearly everyday all over... from downtown, to the museum district, the Heights, Montrose...pretty much anywhere in the loop except down certain streets like Westheimer, Richmond... We have a bike group here in Eastwood that gets together almost every weekend and does long rides. Exciting things are happening on the East End of town.

As far as schools are concerned, I have 3 boys ages 15, 12 and 9. We are VERY happy with the schools here. My oldest attends Eastwood Academy which is nationally ranked. They are number 37 in the nation. My middle child (7th grade) attends The Rusk school in our neighborhood and it is working with Eastwood Academy to become an IB school, which is extremely prestigious. My youngest attends Lantrip Elementary, which is a blue ribbon school and exemplary. They have all made friends are adjusting very well to the new schools. I really could not be happier!

I cannot imagine living anywhere else in Houston. Yes, we are still gentrifying and there are some annoyances like not a lot of retail here yet... but overall we love it here and my husband is only 5 miles from work. That in itself is PRICELESS!

[Illủmiñatex]

Is this the same hip barrio-hood that has loose pit bulls constantly attacking you, vegankris?

[14Bricks]

Originally Posted by vegankris

Disagree.

We live in a great neighborhood with a close knit neighbor group that gets together once a month for social events. The lifestyle here is awesome. I bike nearly everyday all over... from downtown, to the museum district, the Heights, Montrose...pretty much anywhere in the loop except down certain streets like Westheimer, Richmond... We have a bike group here in Eastwood that gets together almost every weekend and does long rides. Exciting things are happening on the East End of town.

As far as schools are concerned, I have 3 boys ages 15, 12 and 9. We are VERY happy with the schools here. My oldest attends Eastwood Academy which is nationally ranked. They are number 37 in the nation. My middle child (7th grade) attends The Rusk school in our neighborhood and it is working with Eastwood Academy to become an IB school, which is extremely prestigious. My youngest attends Lantrip Elementary, which is a blue ribbon school and exemplary. They have all made friends are adjusting very well to the new schools. I really could not be happier!

I cannot imagine living anywhere else in Houston. Yes, we are still gentrifying and there are some annoyances like not a lot of retail here yet... but overall we love it here and my husband is only 5 miles from work. That in itself is PRICELESS!

Yeah but how much are the houses there? He said he wanted "affordable". Most desirable houses in the loop are NOT affordable. Also isn't the neighborhood you live zoned to HISD Austin School.(Eastwood Acd doesn't count that's a charter school almost like a private school) not exactly known for pumping out Rhodes Scholars. Like I said its hard to find desirable, affordable AND good schools in the loop. Most of the people who live in nice neighborhoods in the loop send their kids to private schools, which I'm assuming this guy can't afford.

[OducksFTW!]

Originally Posted by vegankris

Disagree.

We live in a great neighborhood with a close knit neighbor group that gets together once a month for social events. The lifestyle here is awesome. I bike nearly everyday all over... from downtown, to the museum district, the Heights, Montrose...pretty much anywhere in the loop except down certain streets like Westheimer, Richmond... We have a bike group here in Eastwood that gets together almost every weekend and does long rides. Exciting things are happening on the East End of town.

As far as schools are concerned, I have 3 boys ages 15, 12 and 9. We are VERY happy with the schools here. My oldest attends Eastwood Academy which is nationally ranked. They are number 37 in the nation. My middle child (7th grade) attends The Rusk school in our neighborhood and it is working with Eastwood Academy to become an IB school, which is extremely prestigious. My youngest attends Lantrip Elementary, which is a blue ribbon school and exemplary. They have all made friends are adjusting very well to the new schools. I really could not be happier!

I cannot imagine living anywhere else in Houston. Yes, we are still gentrifying and there are some annoyances like not a lot of retail here yet... but overall we love it here and my husband is only 5 miles from work. That in itself is PRICELESS!

Im still trying to figure out where the "Eastside" of town is... is that the warehouse district beyond Minutemaid park? Aren't those mostly condo's over there? I'm not sure Gentrification is something that everyone is ok with...