Young couple (Galleria? River Oaks?) (Houston, Victoria: real estate, lease, gated)

[DJboutit]

If your both not making a min of 250k a yr they are out these 2 areas are in top 5 most $$$ areas in town. Now if you looking to rent a 2 or 3 brd 1 or 2 bath home look into Montrose Village Eastwood Idylwood Heights and Meyerland you can rent for $1200 to $2250

[texas7]

I love that upper Kirby, shepherd w. Gray area where park at river oaks is, even if it is an older complex.

[14Bricks]

Originally Posted by mab463

Okay I appreciate the honesty. But would you be willing to then make a recommendation on which you'd prefer? We're open-minded, and I am just going off of any information I can find.

To me both areas are nice, but those apartments you're looking at is a nice area too. A lot of people don't like the Galleria because of all the traffic during rush hour, and during the holidays because of the Galleria mall. Just depends on what your preference is.

[mab463]

Originally Posted by DJboutit

If your both not making a min of 250k a yr they are out these 2 areas are in top 5 most $$$ areas in town. Now if you looking to rent a 2 or 3 brd 1 or 2 bath home look into Montrose Village Eastwood Idylwood Heights and Meyerland you can rent for $1200 to $2250

I've been finding apartments in Galleria for high 1000s-mid 2000s for a 1 BR, so I'm not sure if I understand the comment.

Thanks everyone for your tips, but I'm afraid I'm now confused more than ever. I can't tell what I'd be losing by not living in the Galleria. I know not living there means less traffic and less mall congestion which I do like though.

Also, I haven't heard Montrose being as highly regarded as these other areas. Maybe I just haven't looked around enough.

[texas7]

The Galleria is a huge shopping mall - lots of retail right around it and a big tourist draw for the area as well. It just seems more congested. All the areas you are being recommended are great for someone your age. The Upper Kirby area (near River Oaks is upscale with a lot of new as well and is located sort of between downtown/montrose and the Galleria. Nice halfway point and close to everything including the Galleria. You wouldn't be missing out on anything if you didn't move to the Galleria area because the other areas are still so conveniently close. The Montrose area is older, more eclectic and at one time was hugely gay/lesbian - but the population over the years has also become more artsy, young, etc. while still maintaining its gay population due to its desirable, convenient location. There is a private University in the Montrose area - University of St. Thomas so you also have a lot of young students who live and do the retail/restaurants in that area as well.

[Kiovo]

All these areas everyone has mention (upper Kirby, montrose, river oaks, galleria) are all within 10 miles of each other. They tend to bend in and some get confuse where one starts and one ends. All great areas. The $$$ comes in play if you're looking to buy a home. Most homes in these areas will cost you at least $600k to waaaay into the millions. If you are renting, with a $2k+ budget and you are fine. Lots of shopping, eating, bars within 10 minutes.

[sketteroo]

Both areas are very nice. Lots of new midrises, lots of affluent "youngsters", both single and couples, lots of shopping, great restaurants and nightlife.

It would behoove you to come down for a long weekend (including at least one workday) and peruse these areas for yourself. They are all close enough in distance that you could get a good feel for which one speaks to you. Take a "test drive" to the Woodlands via both Hardy and I-45. That's the only way to be sure.

[Schumacher713]

Originally Posted by texas7

The Galleria is a huge shopping mall - lots of retail right around it and a big tourist draw for the area as well. It just seems more congested. All the areas you are being recommended are great for someone your age. The Upper Kirby area (near River Oaks is upscale with a lot of new as well and is located sort of between downtown/montrose and the Galleria. Nice halfway point and close to everything including the Galleria. You wouldn't be missing out on anything if you didn't move to the Galleria area because the other areas are still so conveniently close. The Montrose area is older, more eclectic and at one time was hugely gay/lesbian - but the population over the years has also become more artsy, young, etc. while still maintaining its gay population due to its desirable, convenient location. There is a private University in the Montrose area - University of St. Thomas so you also have a lot of young students who live and do the retail/restaurants in that area as well.

Maybe 5% of Montrose is gay. Montrose is more of a melting pot. It is not all artsy. I would say it is more yuppie than artsy. I would say 90% of my friends live in Montrose or Midtown. Montrose is the most centered location in Houston. It is 10 minutes to everything. Most of the best restaurants are in Montrose.

I am not a big Upper Kirby fan. It is very trendy. Also, you will have a rough time getting to the Woodlands from there. It will add 15minutes to your commute over the north part of Montrose. There is no good way to get to I-10 or I-45. Kirby backs up bad at Shepherd. Shepherd can back up pretty good too.

You really don't want to do the Galleria. It can take 30 minutes just to get to 610. I grew up there and my parents still live there. Traffic gets crazy around 4pm. I hate it when I have to deal with traffic there.

Check out the apartments I listed in my other post. All three are young professional apartments. Two have a great pool scene. The location will serve you both very well. You want some apartment off West Dallas in that area. They are also very close to one of Houston's nicest parks. When it is completed it will be the nicest. Midtown would even work for you. Memorial drive is easy to get to from there. Midtown is great because you can walk to restaurants and bars.

[mab463]

I didn't expect so many great responses in such a short period of time. Thanks so much everyone. Your input has all been VERY helpful.

Originally Posted by sketteroo

Both areas are very nice. Lots of new midrises, lots of affluent "youngsters", both single and couples, lots of shopping, great restaurants and nightlife.

It would behoove you to come down for a long weekend (including at least one workday) and peruse these areas for yourself. They are all close enough in distance that you could get a good feel for which one speaks to you. Take a "test drive" to the Woodlands via both Hardy and I-45. That's the only way to be sure.

^ I plan on doing just that in March. I would have preferred to work closer, but it looks like I may get a job offer out there that's definitely worth taking.

[mab463]

Originally Posted by Schumacher713

Maybe 5% of Montrose is gay. Montrose is more of a melting pot. It is not all artsy. I would say it is more yuppie than artsy. I would say 90% of my friends live in Montrose or Midtown. Montrose is the most centered location in Houston. It is 10 minutes to everything. Most of the best restaurants are in Montrose.

I am not a big Upper Kirby fan. It is very trendy. Also, you will have a rough time getting to the Woodlands from there. It will add 15minutes to your commute over the north part of Montrose. There is no good way to get to I-10 or I-45. Kirby backs up bad at Shepherd. Shepherd can back up pretty good too.

You really don't want to do the Galleria. It can take 30 minutes just to get to 610. I grew up there and my parents still live there. Traffic gets crazy around 4pm. I hate it when I have to deal with traffic there.

Check out the apartments I listed in my other post. All three are young professional apartments. Two have a great pool scene. The location will serve you both very well. You want some apartment off West Dallas in that area. They are also very close to one of Houston's nicest parks. When it is completed it will be the nicest. Midtown would even work for you. Memorial drive is easy to get to from there. Midtown is great because you can walk to restaurants and bars.

Schumacher, I really appreciate your thorough resposnes. I didn't realize the commut would be that long even from Upper Kirby. I did take a look at the three apartments you listed, but they each got pretty terrible reviews. I'm from Long Island, NY and I consider myself to be a little bit sheltered honestly. I am used to a certain standard of living, and I'm hoping not to compromise.