Houston 'burbs, Rt 1960 (Galveston, Spring, Rankin: townhouses, neighborhood, buy)

[andrea_cat]

Hi All,

So my husband and I finally had a chance to take a look around the greater Houston area this past weekend. Whoa, it's huge! We took a look at a house that was in the Champions North area of Spring. It was absolutely beautiful and the neighborhood was lovely -- lush with lots of trees. The problem? It seemed ages away from downtown, north of rt. 1960.

Also checked out some fantastic townhomes just minutes away from downtown, like $50K more than house in 'burbs. Shocking, but I guess that's what you've got to pay for city living.

And hey, why does Galveston get such a bad rap? I thought it was great!

So while we were in Houston, we had dinner with some folks from my husband's work. They told us not to consider any house in the burbs that was south of Rt. 1960, that it was a bad investment, but that townhouses in the area close to town, as well as areas like Garden Oaks, are very smart investments.

So my questions are these: Is the commute from north of Rt. 1960 as much of a nightmare as I'm assuming? Also, is it true that one shouldn't consider houses in 'burbs south of 1960? Finally why is everyone in such a rush on the roads? I thought Texas was laid back?

Thanks everyone!

[tstone]

Galveston beaches = blah. The city is fairly cool though. If you think G-town is "great" I take it you've never been to California, Oregon or Florida?

Houston is a big city. Everyone has things to see, people to do..... We drive ''fast'' if you're from a smaller town, but if you're from another huge city it's been described as not fast. Visiting other cities, I can tell you we do not drive that fast.

[andrea_cat]

I'm not from west coast, from the east coast, so I've seen lots of beaches.

And no, not from a small town. I've lived in other major cities. I guess those cities just didn't have angry boys in trucks who found directionals optional -- haha!

So any feedback regarding that rt. 1960 loop?

[baggiegenes]

South of 1960 tends to be a rougher part of town so resale may be hurt there. A lot of people who live up there and work downtown take the Metro Park and Ride buses to work. Some people don't like to think of taking the bus to work, but they are full of working professionals all going to the same place, so it is no big deal. If you are going to drive, it can be kind of a headache. But that depends on where you are from, my brother-in-law from LA can't believe how fast the rush hour drive is from 1960 area to down town. But, he is used to 2+ hour commutes out west.

[andrea_cat]

Didn't realize that there was some sort of public trasport available. These Metro Park and Rides, are there quite a few locations? And do they run at night as well?

[sunny57]

Ok cat here's the skinny...

Don't buy south of FM 1960...bad investment. Stay north of Cypresswood if at all possible. The Park 'n' Ride system is wonderful...I rode downtown for many years. Safe, quite & cool...meaning a/c! You would need to check into the Kuykendahl lot...it's just south of I-45 & Rankin Road exit...on Kuykendahl. You couldn't pay me enough to drive to downtown on a regular basis...then there's the whole parking issue...lol. Happy commuting...Sunny

Originally Posted by andrea_cat

Didn't realize that there was some sort of public trasport available. These Metro Park and Rides, are there quite a few locations? And do they run at night as well?

[EasilyAmused]

Buy in Garden Oaks if that's your only other choice.

[Mr. Football]

You'll like the Champions area. Beautiful area with nice homes and good schools (I'd buy on the North side of FM 1960 as well for the schools and resale).

Garden Oaks is nice, but it's next to a pretty rough ghetto area in Houston (and the schools are horrible). The houses are old. They've got charm, but old houses aren't for everyone. Other than that, it is a rare, beautiful gem of a neighborhood that's close-in with big trees and good-size lots.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by Mr. Football

Garden Oaks is nice, but it's next to a pretty rough ghetto area in Houston (and the schools are horrible). The houses are old. They've got charm, but old houses aren't for everyone. Other than that, it is a rare, beautiful gem of a neighborhood that's close-in with big trees and good-size lots.

So where is Greenspoint exactly?

[SkyeAnjel]

Greenspoint has nothing whatsoever to do with the Champions area or Garden Oaks. I must have missed something.