Northwest Houston Neighborhoods (Spring, Howe: HOA fees, townhouses, construction)

[DejaBlue]

Memorial Northwest and Spring Creek Oaks are both good neighborhoods which feed into the Klein school district which is really good.

MN is just old. It was spanking brand new in the 1970s so that's why the prices are so low. But there are lots of newer homes in between. A 1975 built on the corner with a 1995 right next door but because the neighborhood is 30-40 years old the prices have dropped. But it's not a neighborhood where people have moved out from.

A lot are still in the house they bought back in 1975 and if they've died they're kids are 35-50 something and live in it now.
I'd stay away from Cypress because 290 is maddening.

I don't mind the commute but I don't take 290. If that was my only option I'd scream.

[crone]

Some of those houses in MN cost a fortune to heat and cool.
Ask to see a years worth of utilities on any house you are interested in. Some of the older homes have been made way more energy efficient, some have not been touched.

Don't forget Huntwick. Older great neighborhood.

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

Austin to Houston? What a serious down-grade...
Anyway you could check out Spring Branch. That's where I lived when I lived Houston. Lots of nice homes for cheap prices, good schools, and plenty of shops.

Some of us do grow up & have families you know.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by schotzie27

My family and I are moving from Austin to Houston and are interested in the Northwest Houston/Cypress area. We are wanting good schools, safe/family friendly neighborhhods with trees. We're also hoping to stay around $200K. I've looked at Lakewood Forest and Longwood and like them but have been seeing homes in Spring Creek Forest, Prestonwood, Highland Timbers and Memorial Northwest with suspiciously low home prices. Does anyone know anything about these neighborhhoods and why the homes are listed so low? How are the schools and are they safe? Any input would be greatly appreciated!!!

I would first ask, where is work located? What area of Austin are you moving from? Are you looking for something similar to that, or something different?

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

Austin to Houston? What a serious down-grade...

I would ignore unsolicited snarky remarks such as this. I find that almost all people who have this attitude have only lived in one of the cities (Houston or Austin) but not both. And most of the time, didn't live in one of the better areas of Houston. Spring Branch and surrounding area north of I-10 is a real mixed bag, probably not somewhere I would choose to live on aesthetics alone (mainly along the main roads), but because of its relatively convenient location in town is gaining in popularity and poised to do well. Pasadena/SE Houston and Gunspoint... not good areas and not much potential either.

[portlanderinOC]

Originally Posted by sxrckr

What? Not really... Traffic is about the same, Houston's not as scenic or considered as "hip" by the mainstream media but has so much more to offer than Austin as far as culture/amenities. It's a trade off going from one to the other either way.

If you call strip malls and cookie-cutter developments as better culture/amenities, sure, why not?

Some of us do grow up & have families you know.

From what I know, Austin is safer and has much better schools. My aunt from New Jersey is also moving there soon because she feels it's better for family.

I would ignore unsolicited snarky remarks such as this. I find that almost all people who have this attitude have only lived in one of the cities (Houston or Austin) but not both. And most of the time, didn't live in one of the better areas of Houston.

Yes I have lived in Houston. I haven't formally lived in Austin, but it is also a 2nd home for me as my mum happens to commute out there for a job every month, and I tag along sometimes.
For the record, I lived in Spring Branch, which is a relatively nice area, so no, your assumptions are wrong.

But, not surprising someone from CA would take this simplistic point of view and repeat whatever the media or magazines say....

Hello? Mind reading my user name? I'm from Oregon originally. Don't group me with the shallow, Hollywood types, I'm not one of them.
And like being from California makes me an idiot...
Whatever happened to Southern hospitality?
Also, SORRY for stating my opinion, I'm just doing what everyone else here is doing

[AK123]

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

If you call strip malls and cookie-cutter developments as better culture/amenities, sure, why not?

Is that all you can come up with? Get real.

Apparently you don't realize that Houston has a museum district with some great institutions, and a theater district. You probably never took part in any of these, however.

Austin has nothing comparable. It's not a bad place, but a totally different tier of city economically and culturally.

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

For the record, I lived in Spring Branch, which is a relatively nice area, so no, your assumptions are wrong.

In your teenage (or was it middle school?) time of living in Houston, you are obviously so experienced!

BTW, like I said, Spring Branch is a mixed bag.

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

Don't group me with the shallow, Hollywood types, I'm not one of them.

You're not doing a very good job of demonstrating this. Actually, I'm not picturing you as that, but more as the snarky kid who mouths off insults with little clue and even less experience.

[portlanderinOC]

Originally Posted by AK123

Is that all you can come up with? Get real.

Apparently you don't realize that Houston has a museum district with some great institutions, and a theater district. You probably never took part in any of these, however.

Austin has nothing comparable. It's not a bad place, but a totally different tier of city economically and culturally.

In your teenage (or was it middle school?) time of living in Houston, you are obviously so experienced!

BTW, like I said, Spring Branch is a mixed bag.

You're not doing a very good job of demonstrating this. Actually, I'm not picturing you as that, but more as the snarky kid who mouths off insults with little clue and even less experience.

I'm done with this. Apparently I can't say ANYTHING on here without being insulted in a passive-aggressive manner. Just because I'm under 25 and from California does not make me an idiot. You call me ignorant? Look at yourselves.

[HoustonBornNRaised]

I lived close to 20 years in Spring (west of I45 - 77388 - 77379 area) and now live in Tomball (77377). I have to say, that I like being closer to FM 249, than I45.

I would look in 77388 and 77379 in Spring, and 77377 and 77429 in Tomball and Cypress. 77070 in Houston is also a good place to search, although it'll be more hit or miss.

If you're needing a large house at a low price, Memorial NW is your best bet. The schools are good and the development is in a good, mature area. You're in close proximity to both I 45 or FM 249 for commute (closer to 249).

[DejaBlue]

Originally Posted by HoustonBornNRaised

I lived close to 20 years in Spring (west of I45 - 77388 - 77379 area) and now live in Tomball (77377). I have to say, that I like being closer to FM 249, than I45.

I would look in 77388 and 77379 in Spring, and 77377 and 77429 in Tomball and Cypress. 77070 in Houston is also a good place to search, although it'll be more hit or miss.

If you're needing a large house at a low price, Memorial NW is your best bet. The schools are good and the development is in a good, mature area. You're in close proximity to both I 45 or FM 249 for commute (closer to 249).

249 really is better because it flows better.

MW is good for a larger house for your money and like I said above, though the neighborhood is older, there's a good deal of newer houses 1995-1999 mostly.

[crone]

Just go south on Champions Forest a little and go to Huntwick, the part in Cy Fair ISD. CyFair is a better school district than Klein, their taxes on the same value house are lower, due to exemptions, and you will get a better house. Most of the houses in Memorial Northwest are not well built. Huntwick is better than MN. And MN is in some kind of HOA fight regarding their recreation facility. Has that been resolved?