Heights vs Washington vs Spring Branch. Where would you prefer to live? (Austin: townhouse, military)

[richmondrob]

Originally Posted by WTL63

Well i'm 30 and single. My commute is to medical center. I don't have kids but I'd still wouldn't oppose a good school zone for the higher value.

If those are your only choices I would go heights. You can follow studemont until it becomes montrose all the way to Main Street. We lived in boulevard oaks before moving out west. Same thing. I worked in the med center and could ride my bike to work. Great area. Homes range from 250-6m. If you can afford the heights you can afford blvd. it's also known as Montrose or rice. Good luck either way. You will love all three of your choices.

[mingna]

Other than commute and school-linked investment potential, what are your lifestyle preferences? By Spring Branch are you referring to the area north of Long Point? Properties zoned to Memorial High School would offer the best investment potential, but that area would also give you the longest commute to the Med Center.

My quick take on the three:

Spring Branch: More diverse and a better selection of ethnic foods. Quick access to amenities (including groceries and shopping) off I-10.

Washington: Memorial Park. Walkability.

Heights: Location and more cohesive neighborhood feel. Walkability.

If you are looking into Washington and the Heights, with an eye on the commute to the Med Center, have you also considered the Museum District? That would be my pick for the following reasons:

- Quick access to Hermann Park (including the new Garden off the Museum of Natural Science)
- Cultural performances at Miller Outdoor
- The Museums (which also hosts many singles events)
- Rice University area (cultural and intellectual enrichment opportunities)

But that is because those things align with my lifestyle preferences, which may or may not be similar to yours. It would also offer the quickest commute to the Med Center.

[WTL63]

Surprised at the lack of love for washington. i'd thought it be more popular, at least compared to spring branch due to its location. why is this

[txdemo]

Originally Posted by WTL63

Surprised at the lack of love for washington. i'd thought it be more popular, at least compared to spring branch due to its location. why is this

To me, Washington is a jumble of disparate town homes with no distinct neighborhood feel or boundaries. The few redeeming qualities are its proximity to Memorial Park, Allen Parkway, Downtown and Montrose.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by txdemo

To me, Washington is a jumble of disparate town homes with no distinct neighborhood feel or boundaries. The few redeeming qualities are its proximity to Memorial Park, Allen Parkway, Downtown and Montrose.

Not to mention they turned Washington into a bunch of crappy bars/restaurants, thinking it would be "cool" to the young people and like a year or two later it's no longer the "in" place to be so these young people have moved on. Bad move IMHO. It took nice neighboring areas like Rice Military and The Heights and took them down a notch or two. Most people don't want to live next door to all that nonsense.

[Lowexpectations]

Originally Posted by d2mini

Not to mention they turned Washington into a bunch of crappy bars/restaurants, thinking it would be "cool" to the young people and like a year or two later it's no longer the "in" place to be so these young people have moved on. Bad move IMHO. It took nice neighboring areas like Rice Military and The Heights and took them down a notch or two. Most people don't want to live next door to all that nonsense.

How would restaurants or bars on Washington take the Heights down a notch or two?

[3shipguy]

I vote GOOF for the win. Oh wait, it's not on the list.

[d2mini]

Originally Posted by Lowexpectations

How would restaurants or bars on Washington take the Heights down a notch or two?

When I go to Austin, 6th St is a fun place to visit, but I surely wouldn't want it in my backyard.
A few restaurants or wine bars for some night life are nice to have close by, but it wasn't planned very well, was over done and on the cheap. They should have mixed in some nice retail shops, made it a bit more upscale, something more along the lines of Town & Country. Not a 20 year old party strip.

[Lowexpectations]

Originally Posted by d2mini

When I go to Austin, 6th St is a fun place to visit, but I surely wouldn't want it in my backyard.
A few restaurants or wine bars for some night life are nice to have close by, but it wasn't planned very well, was over done and on the cheap. They should have mixed in some nice retail shops, made it a bit more upscale, something more along the lines of Town & Country. Not a 20 year old party strip.

I didn't ask you about Austin or 6 street, but Washington didn't knock the heights down a notch or two. They aren't close enough for the look, traffic or noise to be an issue.

[curbur]

Originally Posted by Lowexpectations

How would restaurants or bars on Washington take the Heights down a notch or two?

I think a lot of people refer to certain parts of the washington ave corridor or fourth ward that are closer to I-10 as part of the heights, although I could be mistaken. Technically, it's not of course. I love how Waugh/Heights Blvd area just south of I-10 has been coined as 'Katyville' by younger people, pointing to the fact that all the suburban box stores and large parking lots give it a more suburban feel.