Relocating: NH to Houston (Victoria, Kirby: real estate, townhomes, theater)

[squeakyarmadillo]

Hello!

My husband, myself and my 17 year old daughter are being relocated out to Houston. My husband lived in TX when he was young, and has been dying to go back... so he's very happy. I've always wanted to try living there, although I'm pretty much a New Englander to the bone.

My office will be downtown, 1001 Fannin Street (I believe) so I'm looking to find somewhere that will give me a short commute, but still be in a cool/trendy area.

I've been told I may like Montrose or Rice area, and I do have a good amount to spend monthly, but I'm interested in what people who live in Houston think. (I don't always trust the real estate peeps)

My daughter will not be bringing her car with her, so I want to make sure she can be near enough to public transportation to get around on her own. I also am hoping to be nearer to Museums and theaters, rather than nightlife. (I'm gettin' old and boring, I guess!)

Does anyone have any suggestions for us?

Thanks much in advance!
Jenna

[Premont]

Public transportation in Houston is pretty much just buses. We have one rail line that I think goes from downtown to near the med center. Montrose, Rice, the medical center and the museums all are near one another, just south of downtown. These are nice areas to live, but they're expensive. I would look around just south of the southwest freeway (59). There's a lot of cool older homes and nice townhomes around there.

[modster]

First, public transportation is pretty poor in Houston, you can count on your teenage daughter informing you of the need for a car very soon if she doesn't bring hers.

Close in interesting areas:

River Oaks -(77019) generally one of the toniest addresses in town, generally anything under 7 digits is considered a tear down. (That does not mean the houses are so bad they need to be torn down, but this is Houston, and, well, that's apparently what we do in areas like River Oaks).

Museum District -(77005) What is considered the museum district varies depending upon who you talk to. I would say the areas south of 59 to Rice University. Shadyside, Shadowlawn, Boulevard Oaks, Broad Acres, Southampton are all absolutely beautiful with large older homes and oak-canopied streets. Southgate, on the south side of Rice U, is also a good area.

Montrose -(77006) What was once Houston's Bohemian quadrant and Gay headquarters is fast becoming much more mainstream. It still has its funky nature and rough around the edges character, but is considerably tamer than it once was. Cherryhurst and Westmoreland are two of the nicer enclaves. Courtlandt Place is a gated private place boulevard of early twentieth century Mansions. Do not let the gate fool you, pull up to the entrance off Bagby and the gate just swings open automatically, (shhh! you didn't hear it from me!)

West U & Southside Place - incorporated villages, very upscale, a little more "McMansion-esque" as many of the homes are larger and newer. Great access to the Rice Village shopping center

Old Braeswood - Bordered by Holcombe on the north, Braeswood on the south, Greenbriar on the east and Kirby on the west. The sections to the south have larger, stately 20's & 30's era homes & some new constructions. Some of the most interesting mid-century moderns in the city. Not as well known or as trendy as some other areas, but home to some real architectural treasures.

Hieghts - Trendy but not as pretentious as the areas south of Buffalo Bayou. Small bungalows on up to Victorian Mansions. An increasing number of new constructions in various faux-Garden District styles.

You can scan HAR for these areas. There are others too, depending upon price range, style house desired, etc.

[hello13685]

Wow, modster, you are awesome. That's great info, thanks.