Duplexes in safe, diverse areas of town? (Houston, San Antonio: real estate, crime rates)

[Tasksgirl]

Hi! I grew up in Houston (around Highway 6/290 area) and currently live in Los Angeles .. hubby and I have been looking at the DFW area .. San Antonio .. and Houston to move to sometime in the future .. Los Angeles is just too expensive .. We have family (in-laws) to think of so we need a duplex .. From looking on real estate sites most of the duplexes that are nice enough and large enough are in the inner-loop areas .. I found one I like but it's a little too close to the area I grew up in and I would like a different experience .. I didn't much like where I grew up .. Well I have a love/hate thing with it ..

Anyway .. my husband and in-laws are hispanic and I've grown more comfortable with that culture .. I know the southern parts of houston have high hispanic populations but are known as being dangerous and problem-ridden .. Pasadena seems to be a bit safer and has a large hispanic population but I can't find any duplexes ..

Is finding a duplex around the areas I want just an impossible feat? I'm not that familiar with the different areas of Houston growing up my parents kept me rather isolated to our neighborhood.. so I hope someone can give me some advice ..
Thanks

[modster]

Many east end areas are NOT more dangerous, and in fact have lower crime rates than the more trendy inner-loop places like Montrose.

Much of the inner-loop has changed significantly in the last several years. The east end is no exception:

Housing buzz fuels move to Houston's East End | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

I would run HAR for 77023 and keep an eye out for Eastwood, Woodleigh, and possibly one of the ones on the perimeter of Idylwood.

[operadivo]

Though the East end is just gross (because you're closer to the pollution) in my opinion...and boring.

[modster]

Originally Posted by operadivo

Though the East end is just gross (because you're closer to the pollution) in my opinion...and boring.

Its anything but boring. There are lots of beautiful neighborhoods over there.

[Bike4Life]

Living as few miles from around downtown is exciting. There are lots of places to go and people to meet. East End is not your same-same fairy tale suburb. Some people like the action and folktales; you don't.

Originally Posted by operadivo

Though the East end is just gross (because you're closer to the pollution) in my opinion...and boring.

[operadivo]

Originally Posted by Bike4Life

Living as few miles from around downtown is exciting. There are lots of places to go and people to meet. East End is not your same-same fairy tale suburb. Some people like the action and folktales; you don't.

I know LOL! I live in Montrose. I think I pretty much like it more than anyone else.

[operadivo]

Originally Posted by modster

Its anything but boring. There are lots of beautiful neighborhoods over there.

Well actually, I was talking about "East Houston" neighborhoods, more like Galena Park, Pasadena and Channelview but that's the problem with Houston...it's so new there's hardly any common terminology. Anyway, about the neighborhoods you were referring to, I will agree they are nice, I don't think they're really my type, though they might be the OP's. (I like as much character as I can get. )

[modster]

The near east end areas like Eastwood, Idylwood & Glenbrook Valley may lack a lot of things, but character isn't one of them.

[operadivo]

Originally Posted by modster

The near east end areas like Eastwood, Idylwood & Glenbrook Valley may lack a lot of things, but character isn't one of them.

Well, I'm talking about a different more FABULOUS kind of character here modster! Don't worry, I'm on your side!
;P

[modster]

Originally Posted by operadivo

Well, I'm talking about a different more FABULOUS kind of character here modster! Don't worry, I'm on your side!
;P

Well it may be different, but I doubt it is more fabulous!