77018...the future (Houston, West, Van: HOA, house, neighborhoods) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

Josci · 03-03-2011, 07:58 AM

Does anyone know of any development in this area as far as restaurants? shopping? grocery stores? It seems like this is really a growing area with Oak Fores and Garden Oaks, so I am just curious what people think about the future of this area?

emirate25 · 03-03-2011, 10:09 AM

Drive around Oak Forest..700k homes are coming up throughout the neighborhood and more and more will come. Gardek Oaks has been out of reach for certain people for a while so Oak Forest is the next cheaper closer solution. Not that many people know, but Oak Forest is surrounded by nice pocket hidden neighborhoods such as Candlelight Estates, Ella Lee Forest, Candlelight Oaks, Mangum Manor, Shepherd Forest, Forest West

They are extending the nice T.C. Jester bike trail all the way into Inwood Forest so that should be another plus for that area.

On top of that, is only a 10 min drive to Galleria and 20-25 in to Downtown.

brownybaby · 03-03-2011, 11:56 AM

Well there is the shopping center in 43rd and Ella that is getting better tenants. FYI - the library just won and architectural award!

Olive34 · 03-03-2011, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brownybaby

FYI - the library just won and architectural award!

It'd be even better if that library actually, you know, opened. It's been closed for renovation since about November 2009.

The retail has a long way to go. There's some good new stuff like a wine bar, a pretty good chinese place, and a new Baskin & Robbins. But there's still dollar stores, tattoo shops, psychics, plasma centers, not to mention all the dilapidated and shuttered retail on Ella & on 43rd around Rosslyn.

I think what would really turn the tide is a better middle school. Most of the elementary schools are good, but the middle school (Black) that serves the area is one of the worst-rated ones in all of Houston the yearly Chronicle report card. Right or wrong, the people in OF, Garden Oaks, Timbergrove, with money are going to look for other options for middle school. If the middle school improved (or the boudaries were re-drawn), and people knew they could move to 77018 and the kiddos would be at good schools from K-8, I think you'd see the area REALLY take off, and the retail would quickly follow.

I moved here about 2 years ago and I love it. I live in one of the more desirable sections of Oak Forest, but I can't really see my house value going up all that much in the short-to-mid term. At some point people would rather live a little further out or somewhere else on the edge of the loop than by a 60 year old, 1500 sqft. ranch-style house starting at 200k (300k for a remodeled one). If you're moving here looking for ROI, look at some of the cheaper sections of OF near the bayou, or something on a larger lot.

Josci · 03-03-2011, 07:23 PM

Thanks for the info. We really like the areas over there (Oak Forest, Garden Oaks, Candlelight, etc...). Black Middle is definately a downer, but we don't have a kid now...we plan to in the next few years, so I guess we will see what happens with that school in the next 10 plus years! I am hoping the area gets more retail.

brownybaby · 03-04-2011, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olive34

It'd be even better if that library actually, you know, opened. It's been closed for renovation since about November 2009.

The retail has a long way to go. There's some good new stuff like a wine bar, a pretty good chinese place, and a new Baskin & Robbins. But there's still dollar stores, tattoo shops, psychics, plasma centers, not to mention all the dilapidated and shuttered retail on Ella & on 43rd around Rosslyn.

I think what would really turn the tide is a better middle school. Most of the elementary schools are good, but the middle school (Black) that serves the area is one of the worst-rated ones in all of Houston the yearly Chronicle report card. Right or wrong, the people in OF, Garden Oaks, Timbergrove, with money are going to look for other options for middle school. If the middle school improved (or the boudaries were re-drawn), and people knew they could move to 77018 and the kiddos would be at good schools from K-8, I think you'd see the area REALLY take off, and the retail would quickly follow.

Girllllll.....check our Friends of Frank Black Middle School! the movement is VERY strong! Being spearheaed by the HOA President of Garden Oaks and my friend whom I loving call an activist.

Rumor mill says Frank Black may be a Vangaurd school, and they will try to merge campuses to have kinder through 8th......Everything will be grade approriate, but will give younger children access to FM Black's indoor pool!

Friends of Frank Black just finished a month long series of meetings for the public, and it was standing room only! (one meeting a week). Carol Galloway was there, the HISD building Superintendant was there.

FM Black also placed 2nd to Lanier in HISD math contest last year!

brownybaby · 03-04-2011, 02:21 PM

FM Black will also start a preapproved 6 million dollar renovation next week!

brownybaby · 03-04-2011, 02:31 PM

Ok, I am gettign all riled up, because i am excited about Black......they were a recognized school, which is right under exemplary last year!

Josci · 03-04-2011, 03:50 PM

I am so happy to read your posts about Black. That makes me even more excited to move over there!

glorplaxy · 03-04-2011, 04:38 PM

It's already a rather populated area, and honestly, I'd prefer the things they have in the area like the awesome Fiesta, Gabby's BBQ, and the other down-home type restaurants they have in the area than the utterly crappy places like Octane wine/coffee bar that sells itself only because of its trendy, hip decor instead of focusing on fixing its terrible, overpriced drinks.

I like the area as it is. Turning it into some gentrified neighborhood with crappy restaurants and bars like the ones they are raising and with more people who spend too much money on their dogs will only make it worse and will take away from the natural charms that have organically sprouted in this area.

Also, the other bars in the area are really lame, too. I've been to at least three but I can't really remember the name of them, except for Catty Corner I think. Then again, I find a place where you go sit and watch tv and drink beer and talk with friends just like you do at home but for 5 times the price is pretty stupid anyway..