townhouse or condo in Galleria (Houston, Woodway: lease, condos, mortgage) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

Jonathz · 10-02-2013, 07:36 PM

I would like suggestion for townhouse or condo in Galleria Area. My budget is 300-350K. My main commute is to downtown area. I prefer to be in safe good neighborhood. Any suggestion ? Is there any new development fit my criteria? I really appreciate any helpful suggestion. thanks

Schumacher713 · 10-03-2013, 06:54 AM

I have lived in a townhouse and a highrise in the Galleria. If you work downtown why would you want to live in the Galleria? Do you enjoy the worst traffic in Houston? It is a nice area, but there are certainly other areas that are plenty safe and are much closer. I grew up in the Galleria area. I lived there for two years after college and I have not looked back since. I hate going over there to visit my parents. The traffic is just absurd there. If you go the condo route just remember there is a very steep monthly fee. Usually 1200+ a month.

As for new developments. That is out of your price range. You are looking at older places. Not sure how old you are, but I would consider other areas of town in your search. I know many people that move to the Galleria when they first move to Houston and then end up moving after their lease is up. I guess it depends on your age and if you are single.

Bad Haggis · 10-03-2013, 07:07 AM

Condos are for renting unless your long term goal is to ultimately become a landlord.

EasilyAmused · 10-03-2013, 07:11 AM

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Meyerland, that location is a major pain in the rear if you need to get to I-10. Its extremely hard to get out and go left on Voss. Also, if you are a runner/biker/walker you are gridlocked in.

The drive to downtown is relatively easy from Bering/Augusta/nantucket/Potomac, north of San Felipe. New will be impossible to find in your range though.I would count on 25 minutes down Woodway and through the park. The worst traffic is going to be right at 610. Its a 10 minute crawl from Sage to 610.., which is less than 1/2 mile.After that, its an easy in. And compared to most routes, its relatively stress free.

Another nice area would be around the Second Baptist Church. Kerry Glen. Currently the ones listed are well under your budget
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. Easy walk to grocery and restaurants. Super easy run or walk into Tanglewood. Drawbacks are its a bit of a gridlock to get to 10 or east on Woodway in the morning.

My parents still live in the Galleria as well, and I've spent the majority of my life in that area. Personally I 'll take northern Uptown traffic over ITL traffic anyday of the week. Traffic jams at every light, and jamming potholes 24/7.

Other option is a Hudson townhouse in Memorial, basically at Bunker Hill. Very safe, not hard to get to 10,25 minutes in from there as well. And if kids are in your future, you are locked into the best schools in the Metro.

You could afford things in Rice Military, close to downtown,but as a female I don't view the area as having that "safe" feel.

EasilyAmused · 10-03-2013, 07:47 AM

The best thing about those townhouses on Brownway is you can walk to Trulucks.

Sorry, that's my happy place.

Fyi: we always called anything east of Voss, "the Galleria area." Anything west of Voss was "Out There." I mean that's even in a whole different Dance Club.Now the whole creation of Uptown had many of us locals stumped for years, but definitely east of Chimney Rock, maybe even east of Sage.

14Bricks · 10-03-2013, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

The best thing about those townhouses on Brownway is you can walk to Trulucks.

Sorry, that's my happy place.

Fyi: we always called anything east of Voss, "the Galleria area." Anything west of Voss was "Out There." I mean that's even in a whole different Dance Club.Now the whole creation of Uptown had many of us locals stumped for years, but definitely east of Chimney Rock, maybe even east of Sage.

I think boundaries for the Galleria area(I never use the term uptown) is Woodway to the North, 59 to the south, 610 to the east and Chimney Rock to the West.

houstonfan · 10-03-2013, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 14Bricks

I would also look along Bering Dr, (also technically not the Galleria area but close enough) between San Felipe and Woodway. There are a lot of nice TH in that area.

I agree, Berring has some really nice and safe complexes in this area and there's a wide range in prices. It is preferable, imo, to stay north of San Felipe although btw Westheimer and SF it's not bad either. There aren't much choices on the market right now, but keep watching and things will come up. When looking at townhomes/condos, check the monthly dues too, bc it could easily be several hundreds extra. I would rather use that money in the mortgage to buy a more expensive place or buy a place with same pricetag but I can save that large monthly due. There is a place on DoliverxBering that is super nice, and relatively new, but it's probably about $400k. I mention it b/c your monthly dues are less than some other places so it might work out. [mod edit - no link to individual properties]

eastontracks · 10-03-2013, 10:28 PM

Id go with a townhouse if I were you. I recently bought a condo for way less but If I had your budget I would go with a towne home north of San Felipe. If you live south of it, traffic will be tougher on you IMO.

Anything north of westheimer is more eye pleasing too. Not crazy about the concrete bare look westheimer has.

In regards to commute to downtown, I always take woodway through the park which turns into texas and then takes you to downtown. It's much quicker than getting on the loop.

Initially I wanted something near the med center bc I didn't like the galleria 610 traffic but if you get creative with your routes, you shouldn't have to experience the traffic jams.

Weatherguy · 10-03-2013, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schumacher713

I have lived in a townhouse and a highrise in the Galleria. If you work downtown why would you want to live in the Galleria? Do you enjoy the worst traffic in Houston? It is a nice area, but there are certainly other areas that are plenty safe and are much closer. I grew up in the Galleria area. I lived there for two years after college and I have not looked back since. I hate going over there to visit my parents. The traffic is just absurd there. If you go the condo route just remember there is a very steep monthly fee. Usually 1200+ a month.

As for new developments. That is out of your price range. You are looking at older places. Not sure how old you are, but I would consider other areas of town in your search. I know many people that move to the Galleria when they first move to Houston and then end up moving after their lease is up. I guess it depends on your age and if you are single.

Reminds me of how the Galleria area was when I was a kid in the 60s. Mostly fields and small businesses, and a 2-lane Post Oak that was full of the worst potholes on this planet. KPRC TV was there in an old building that looked like a quonset hut. We used to go to the Captain Bob show for kids.

Sorry about getting off track. But Uptown is a totally different place now.

Schumacher713 · 10-04-2013, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weatherguy

Reminds me of how the Galleria area was when I was a kid in the 60s. Mostly fields and small businesses, and a 2-lane Post Oak that was full of the worst potholes on this planet. KPRC TV was there in an old building that looked like a quonset hut. We used to go to the Captain Bob show for kids.

Sorry about getting off track. But Uptown is a totally different place now.

When I grew up there were huge empty lots on Bering Dr. I used to go play in them. Though that was in the 80s.