Neighborhood just east of Westbury (Houston, Sugar Land: sales, apartments, rent)

[Weatherguy]

From the time I was three until I left home at 18, we lived in the neighborhood east of Post Oak and south of Willowbend. As I look toward my move back to Houston, I'm curious about how that neighborhood is doing. It was called Willowbrook. The last time I drove through there, it looked good. In fact, it looked better than it did in the past. Prices seem to be pretty high, so it must be popular.

I'm torn between getting a new, modern home in the burbs (like Cinco) and an older, dated home in places like Westbury or Willowbrook (although I think some have been updated). I won't be working, so commuting isn't that much of an issue. But just the idea of living "in the city" is very appealing.

One thing that's a high priority for me is upkeep of properties. If you know Willowbrook/Westbury, do people keep their lawns and homes nicely maintained?

Incidentally, my price range is $250 - $300K.

[DJboutit]

This neighborhood is Post Oak Manor Homes are 1400sqft to 1600sqft I would stay away. In your price range you can get into the best parts of Westbury and get a totally remodeled home. Best parts North of the bayou to Willowbend East of Hillcroft

[testmo]

Willowbend and Willowbrook and Westbury are all mostly well maintained. the closer to the middle/core of the neighborhoods the more solid it is. the closer you get to the boundary lines the higher the chance some old homes/empty homes are still waiting to be bought/flipped. renovations and sales are happening here at a very fast clip. im afraid your budget has you basically priced out of Willowbend and willowbrook. you could get a fixer uper or get lucky. you can get a recently renovated home in westbury for your price and it is the same kind of neighborhood. i think the only difference between the two areas are the school zoning.

i have made a killing buying in westbury. im sitting on so much equity it's disgusting. i bought 2 years ago. i only see this area improving and getting more expensive. i think that will appreciate faster than any suburbs due to the location

anything further down south post oak i wouldnt deal with unless you are thinking of an investment property

[hbcu]

I live further down from Westbury but anything East of Hillcroft and North of Airport looks fine..the streets suck though but the homes have great bones...

Now to Stafford..they just opened a new area in Promenade off of Main and 1092 and it damn near sold out in seconds..and those are $300K homes

I still think where Tang City Mall is they need to turn that whole swatch into a community since homes off Main tend to go fast

[Weatherguy]

Originally Posted by hbcu

I live further down from Westbury but anything East of Hillcroft and North of Airport looks fine..the streets suck though but the homes have great bones...

Now to Stafford..they just opened a new area in Promenade off of Main and 1092 and it damn near sold out in seconds..and those are $300K homes

I still think where Tang City Mall is they need to turn that whole swatch into a community since homes off Main tend to go fast

What did you mean "the streets suck"?

Someone else mentioned staying away from further down Post Oak. What's up with that area? Haven't been south of highway 90 since I was a kid, when we would take the back roads over to the airport.

[hbcu]

the streets are bad physically...pot holes, etc.

I grew up south of main off Blue Ridge so I know all about Post Oak...

That area will come back soon as the location can't be beat...the newer homes suck but the older homes have nice-sized lots and they were well-built. Problem is, people tend to hold on to the homes and rent them. With Houston changing its density it'll pick up soon

[testmo]

Further down s. post oak (the closer you are to 90 and on the other side of 90 from Westbury) the neighborhoods get more and more poor. More delapidated homes, not kept up lawns, outdated interiors, sketchy look.

Westbury has areas in it that would need to be further gentrified before it ever really trickles down s. post oak. a lot of what i see on the other side of 90 homes would have to be 100% flipped or torn down. i wouldnt spend money down there unless it is a second investment home you rent out. neighborhoods around sharpstown i'd say would be better investment properties than the s. post oak area too

[hbcu]

I drove around Sharpstown today....I just don't see it...too many apartments nearby and no one will invest back into the school system over there....folks walk the streets constantly

Where I grew up, put those same homes in Meyerland are worth $300K.....I don't see a major change due to people holding on to the homes but in terms of proximity to Pearland, Sugar Land, Houston...you cannot beat it as there are tons of ways to get out.

[KatieKennedy]

In response to the original poster, I have a freind that used to live on Redstart in that neighborhood. The neighborhood is comprised of fifty year old ranch style homes. Most are well kept and manyhave been updated inside. There are't a lot of teardown and new builds. The zoned elementary (Red) is iffy.

[GIS_Gordon]

So I'm surprised that no one has informed the original poster that the area he's asking about is called Willowbend, which is comprised of Willow Meadows, Willow Brook, and Post Oak Manor. As a whole It's a great area, and yes it is kept up. The houses are in good shape, the lawns well kept, and the way that homes are selling I don't see any of that changing.