Is America's suburban dream collapsing into a nightmare? (Houston, Dallas: loft, houses)

[Alphalogica]

Originally Posted by Zhang Fei

Anyone have any thoughts on how this prediction is panning out? Are the suburbs emptying out?

We still have long way to go until we see a transition. When gas is about $5 a gallon and beyond, we are going to see some changes.

I'm part of the camp that living in a higher-density area is the way to go...and I grew up in Sugar Land. As I've stated on other threads, the only real benefit about the suburbs is better schools. A good portion of my childhood friends' families in Sugar Land moved there primarily for that reason. FBISD overall is a way better district compared to HISD. Beyond that though, there's not much great about it.

[Txgal33]

Originally Posted by Zhang Fei

Anyone have any thoughts on how this prediction is panning out? Are the suburbs emptying out?

Nope not here in Northeast Houston. Wee all are still here.

[tstone]

Same old. No foreclosures, either. This gloom and doom has been complete bunk so far, at least out here.

Originally Posted by Alphalogica

As I've stated on other threads, the only real benefit about the suburbs is better schools.

There's much more to it than just this one benefit, and it's explained all over this board, as well as the General US warzone. If you're single, childless, 20-something it's not beneficial unless you're already earning good money working nearby, and really like space to yourself.

[AK123]

FYI to those who didn't read the article -- the example given in the article was a little suburb of Sacramento, CA. 70+ mile commute to the big business metro (Bay Area/SF).

Another article I saw talked about the devastation in a "suburb" of Los Angeles, but this "suburb" was something like 90 miles east in the middle of nowhere... much of the problem.

The article also mentions the subprime mortgage crisis as a large contributing factor. I think that crisis has been worse in the cheaper, newer, less-established "bedroom community" type of suburbs. Not the Clear Lake/Sugar Land/South Katy/Kingwood/Woodlands type of suburbs. The intent was never to take a swipe at any of these particular areas in the least... we have enough 'burb bashing as it is. I believe especially with all of the people and companies moving to Texas, the above named Houston suburbs will continue to grow and prosper unless something really dramatic happens.

[Zhang Fei]

Originally Posted by AK123

Another article I saw talked about the devastation in a "suburb" of Los Angeles, but this "suburb" was something like 90 miles east in the middle of nowhere... much of the problem.

That would be like calling College Station a suburb of Houston, given that it's about 80 miles from the Outer Loop's borders.

[EasilyAmused]

I'm thinking it's possible we haven't seen the worst of the housing crisis in this country. Hopefully not, but I think things could get far worse.

[Timnwendy]

Things here on the west side of Pearland seem to be weathering the recession fairly well. There are some forclosures, but growth in new housing is still happening. Infrastructure is close by, with more coming all the time, just not at the break-neck pace of a few years ago. I think one reason this area continues its growth is that it's under 15 miles to downtown or the med center, which is a short commute (relatively speaking for the greater Houston area).

[robertrulez]

duh! todays suburbs are tomorrows ghettos!

no matter how many you suburb folk deny it, things are and will change, I drove by eastwood and 2nd ward today and was stunned, 10 years ago this neighborhood was rotting to the ground, now you see a new 3 story urban townhome on every block

I hope people soon come to their senses, urbanism is IN, I predict by the end of this decade everything inside the loop will be desirable.

[robertrulez]

"The so-called McMansion, he said, will become the new multi-family home for the poor."

MY FAV QUOTE

[RCH99]

Originally Posted by robertrulez

duh!

I hope people soon come to their senses, urbanism is IN, I predict by the end of this decade everything inside the loop will be desirable.

This post is SPOT ON. He's right!!!........Everybody pile inside the loop. It'll be a hoot! There are three story urban townhomes everywhere! One for each of you stupid "suburb people".



No thanks.