Moving to Houston (30s SAM): Buy a Condo in Midtown or Downtown? (Elgin: rental, condos)

[NewtoHouHou]

Hey!

I will be moving to Houston around July. I have been looking at condos and originally I was looking mostly in Midtown because I heard there is a lively nightlife and just more things going on there. I also read that in them very recent past Midtown is dying down a bit and places like Washington Ave in the Heights and also northern Main St. in Downtown is more happening.

I am trying to decide in the next day or two putting an offer on a condo either in Midtown or Downtown. The Midtown condo is near Bagby Park and the Downtown location is near Discovery Park and the Toyota Center. I want to live in a densely populated area as much as possible, meet new people, preferably on foot...something that feels as close Urban living as possible. From visiting and talking to a friend who lives there, as well as my broker, I know that downtown is not like other downtowns and it feels...kind of deserted? Midtown was not much better, although in both cases I didn't explore very far from the condo location.

Which one should I choose? Thoughts? Thanks!

[elnina]

How long did you stay and how much do you know about Houston?
Where will you work?
You should first get a feel about different areas before buying a condo. Rent for few months first, then buy.
Why the hurry to buy remotely? What's your budget and requirements?
Walking around is fine, but you still will need a car...

[Texas Ag 93]

Personally, I would go with Midtown. Closer to things like grocery stores, banks, dry cleaners etc. Plus, your friend's assessment of downtown as being "deserted" compared to other cities is still fairly accurate. I don't think work location factors into it much unless you work downtown and want to walk to work. Downtown and Midtown are so close together, that drive time differences to most locations will be negligible.

I agree with elnina that perhaps renting first and then buying after you've gotten a good feel for things might be a good idea.

[astrohip]

Originally Posted by elnina

How long did you stay and how much do you know about Houston?
Where will you work?
You should first get a feel about different areas before buying a condo. Rent for few months first, then buy.
Why the hurry to buy remotely? What's your budget and requirements?
Walking around is fine, but you still will need a car...

Great advice (as usual). Do not buy yet!

As someone who lives in a condo (but with very different goals than you), one needs to get a feel for the different parts of town before committing to a purchase like this.

[Mr. Krinkle]

Midtown is not dying and there is a lot going on in the Bagby Park area and further towards Elgin. You would be in a very walkable area.

The Discovery Green area is nice and it an easy walk to Main St and Market Square, but probably not as much action as Midtown.

I would choose the condo at Bagby Park. You could always take the train or bike into downtown. I also recommend renting for a couple of months.

[NewtoHouHou]

Originally Posted by elnina

How long did you stay and how much do you know about Houston?
Where will you work?
You should first get a feel about different areas before buying a condo. Rent for few months first, then buy.
Why the hurry to buy remotely? What's your budget and requirements?
Walking around is fine, but you still will need a car...

I only stayed a weekend and I don't know much about Houston. A friend lives there and she told me Midtown was a good place to look.

My parents think renting is a waste of money if I can buy and I don't want to deal with the hassle of moving to a place I rent (hopefully is month-to-month) and then moving again. That can get pricey and is a headache.

I have a car. I just want a place I see people walking around. I grew up near Boston, been living in the middle of nowhere, want that city feel again.

[NewtoHouHou]

Originally Posted by Texas Ag 93

Personally, I would go with Midtown. Closer to things like grocery stores, banks, dry cleaners etc. Plus, your friend's assessment of downtown as being "deserted" compared to other cities is still fairly accurate. I don't think work location factors into it much unless you work downtown and want to walk to work. Downtown and Midtown are so close together, that drive time differences to most locations will be negligible.

I agree with elnina that perhaps renting first and then buying after you've gotten a good feel for things might be a good idea.

Thanks for the recommendation!

[NewtoHouHou]

Originally Posted by astrohip

Great advice (as usual). Do not buy yet!

As someone who lives in a condo (but with very different goals than you), one needs to get a feel for the different parts of town before committing to a purchase like this.

Thank you for your suggestion. People are making me lean towards renting first now...

But if you had to choose between Midtown and Downtown lol...?

[chris_ut]

If I wanted to see people walking around out and about I would live in the Heights because thats where I experience that the most outside of obviously downtown during lunch on a weekday. Try to find something close to White Oak Drive and Heights Blvd. Another active area is around Rive Village. Both of those are better imo then Midtown which is overrun by panhandlers.

Sample Heights rental in good location: https://www.har.com/s/89F8c8264DaC296

Sample Rice Village Rental: https://www.har.com/s/652d1F48017c6

[NewtoHouHou]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

If I wanted to see people walking around out and about I would live in the Heights because thats where I experience that the most outside of obviously downtown during lunch on a weekday. Try to find something close to White Oak Drive and Heights Blvd. Another active area is around Rive Village. Both of those are better imo then Midtown which is overrun by panhandlers.

Sample Heights rental in good location: https://www.har.com/s/89F8c8264DaC296

Sample Rice Village Rental: https://www.har.com/s/652d1F48017c6

Interesting point of view.

I've read in another thread that someone had more than one friend get mugged in Midtown. But then I also have hear about (and have seen) more transients in downtown on Main Street at higher numbers (2000ish).