City living with teens? (Houston, Rice: car insurance, condo, high crime)

[skyegirl]

Hey everyone...I have been lurking for some time now and I had a couple questions! Houston is on our list for possible relocation when I finish Nursing school, however we are not interested in living in the burbs. We have 2 kids, (they will be ages 13 and 15 when we do move) and we are interested in the Montrose/Museum/Heights areas. We would most likely send the kids to private schools, so schools wouldn't be an issue. Would anyone or has anyone lived in these areas with children? Is crime going to be a major issue? We live in the burbs now and prefer to be in a more urban area where we can walk to stores, restaurants, etc. Any advice or thoughts on the subject would be very appreciated!!!

[EasilyAmused]

You'll be fine in those areas. School and after school activites keep them busy.
You don't need to be in a burb to keep your kid out of crime and drugs, it's the parents and friends parents involvement that hinders that. Burbs have their own "bored teens" as well.

[westres1]

You will not have a problem with crime. I have many friends with teens that live in those areas. Lots to do and many activities. First Presbyterian has a great program for teens

[skyegirl]

Thank you both for the responses! I do agree that the suburbs have their share of teens with problems! I am glad to hear that other families with kids live in those neighborhoods, they seem to have a lot to offer as far as activities go. I love the thought of being in walking distance to museums and parks, and a night out on the town with the hubby! Thanks again!

[Premont]

Homes are very expensive in those areas.

[tstone]

No problem with crime in Montrose, Museum or the Heights? Likely not much problem with violent crime there, but annoying property crime is most definitely there. Moreso than the dreaded burbs simply because of the density. Things like murder are notably absent from those areas, though.

My buddy tells me there are a few wandering crackheads and a bit of a prostitution problem by his townhouse in Montrose, but he doesn't care and loves living there anyway. He says he prefers the "edginess" vs orderliness, since he doesn't have any kids yet.

Skygirl, you can use this one to do the research:

Houston Crime Maps

It says the "Greater Heights" is #7 of the top 10 for sheer # of crimes. It doesn't break it down on a per capita basis (not sure if that matters much). But in all honesty, The Heights is the city's glorified barrio. Though I must say it IS a really neat-looking area, as is Montrose. Museum district is ok.

You'll be hard pressed to ditch your car entirely though. Montrose is the only place that is really walkable, and even then a car is still pretty much needed to get out and do stuff.

[skyegirl]

Originally Posted by tstone

No problem with crime in Montrose, Museum or the Heights? Likely not much problem with violent crime there, but annoying property crime is most definitely there. Moreso than the dreaded burbs simply because of the density. Things like murder are notably absent from those areas, though.

My buddy tells me there are a few wandering crackheads and a bit of a prostitution problem by his townhouse in Montrose, but he doesn't care and loves living there anyway. He says he prefers the "edginess" vs orderliness, since he doesn't have any kids yet.

Skygirl, you can use this one to do the research:

Houston Crime Maps

It says the "Greater Heights" is #7 of the top 10 for sheer # of crimes. It doesn't break it down on a per capita basis (not sure if that matters much). But in all honesty, The Heights is the city's glorified barrio. Though I must say it IS a really neat-looking area, as is Montrose. Museum district is ok.

You'll be hard pressed to ditch your car entirely though. Montrose is the only place that is really walkable, and even then a car is still pretty much needed to get out and do stuff.

Thank you so much for the crime map, I have book marked it! It seems even Meyerland (home of the "barbie doll soccer moms") has a relatively high crime rate. That actually surprised me! I have no intention of giving up our cars, and didn't mean to give that impression. Wandering crackheads and prostitution, hmmm...sounds...lovely! I suppose we'll just have to spend some time there during the day/evening to get a feel for how safe it would or would not be. I don't scare easily, and the city we live outside of now (in the burbs!) has the 4th highest muder rate per capita (100,000) in the US. Now THAT is something to brag about, haha! Thank you so much for the insight, I really do appreciate it

[tstone]

Well that's what $200k in Montrose will get you. An old fixer-up condo with those uh, 'eccentric' types. But if you could take out stolen cars or stolen car CD players from that crime map, it would clean up quickly. That is a real epidemic in the entire metro, no matter where you live. So good car insurance coverage is a must. Otherwise, if you stay out of the most notorious areas, and aren't involved in any serious dope games, you should be fine!!

[EasilyAmused]

Meyerland and Barbie Doll Soccer Moms?

I didn't know it had transitioned that much yet.

You didn't state your price range, but you might want to look around Rice Village.

[skyegirl]

Originally Posted by tstone

Well that's what $200k in Montrose will get you. An old fixer-up condo with those uh, 'eccentric' types. But if you could take out stolen cars or stolen car CD players from that crime map, it would clean up quickly. That is a real epidemic in the entire metro, no matter where you live. So good car insurance coverage is a must. Otherwise, if you stay out of the most notorious areas, and aren't involved in any serious dope games, you should be fine!!

Y'know, I have been wanting to sell my SUV for awhile now, maybe I'd get lucky and somebody would steal the damn thing, j/k... Seriously though, I am more concerned with somebody breaking into my home when my Kids (teens) would be home alone and possibly hurting them. They can have all of my stuff, I can replace all of that!