Yes, another neighborhoods thread: The Colonies, Bear Creek Park areas? (Houston: rental, violent crime)

[semisweetchick]

My husband and I are relocating to Houston. We like both The Colonies area and the neighborhoods a little to the south of there, near Bear Creek Park. Are these safe neighborhoods? We have no kids, so don't care about the schools.

We've driven around various subdivisions east of the area that's sort of bounded by Spencer, Hwy 6, and Clay Rd. It seems like you can be on a really nice street, then turn the corner and it looks a little iffy. Perhaps there are a lot of rental houses in these areas?

Also, we noticed a LOT of vehicles parked in driveways instead of in the garage. Is this normal for Houston? Where we come from, that would be a red flag, in terms of the neighborhood being sketchy. We don't want to bring our little prejudices with us. :-)

Thanks for any updated info. I did scare up one thread on these neighborhoods, but it was from 2009 and I know a lot can change in four years.

[cheryjohns]

Both are fine. Bear Creek Village has more retirees living there than the Colonies, which is a good thing. The issue with Bear Creek is to stay west of the area that flooded a few years ago. It was a freak thing - and had never flooded before, but still.

[texsn95]

We live in Deerfield Village at Clay and Kieth Harrow, a bit west of Bear Creek but is much nicer. Barker's Ridge is close too which is pretty good. Grand Oaks is around the corner.

[texas7]

Garages - lol. I use mine but a lot of Houstonians use their garage for storage and cars are in the driveway. Or they are a family with 3-6 cars so there are two on the driveway and rest on the street. Just the way it is.

[semisweetchick]

Thanks very much for the info! I totally understand people using their garages for storage. Like I said, different practices in different places.

I'm really surprised by the low prices of homes in the Bear Creek Village area (and actually all of the surrounding areas). We're not coming from a high-price area like California and are pleasantly surprised by the affordability of a home in Houston. My husband works downtown, so the commute issue is big for us.

I'll check Deerfield Village and Barker's Ridge, too. Thanks for the tip!

[nervouslaughter]

Bear Creek is pretty bad for crime. Granted, crime is everywhere, but Bear Creek is up there in violent crime, given its size. My source is a friend who patrols that area.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by semisweetchick

Also, we noticed a LOT of vehicles parked in driveways instead of in the garage. Is this normal for Houston? Where we come from, that would be a red flag, in terms of the neighborhood being sketchy. We don't want to bring our little prejudices with us. :-)

Driveways not so much but when junkers line both the driveways and streets to the point where it's difficult to drive, that's a big red flag.

[nervouslaughter]

Originally Posted by semisweetchick

My husband and I are relocating to Houston. We like both The Colonies area and the neighborhoods a little to the south of there, near Bear Creek Park. Are these safe neighborhoods? We have no kids, so don't care about the schools.

We've driven around various subdivisions east of the area that's sort of bounded by Spencer, Hwy 6, and Clay Rd. It seems like you can be on a really nice street, then turn the corner and it looks a little iffy. Perhaps there are a lot of rental houses in these areas?

Also, we noticed a LOT of vehicles parked in driveways instead of in the garage. Is this normal for Houston? Where we come from, that would be a red flag, in terms of the neighborhood being sketchy. We don't want to bring our little prejudices with us. :-)

Thanks for any updated info. I did scare up one thread on these neighborhoods, but it was from 2009 and I know a lot can change in four years.

Try north of 529 or closer to Cypress. You'll see quite a difference.

[cheryjohns]

Copperfield is nicer, but prices reflect that.

[LocalPlanner]

I've mentioned this in other threads - I strongly advise against commuting to the south and east (mornings, reverse in the rush hour pm) from there...the thoroughfares through the reservoir are nightmarishly congested. A drive from Eldridge to Hwy. 6 on Clay westbound during pm rush hour takes 20-30 minutes. This wears on your sanity quickly.