Houston's white flight reversal (Mart, Point: real estate market, apartment, renting)

[ipuck]

Is that one of the Sam Walton's son?

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

They came in one of these:

That was a hell of a commute

[LocalPlanner]

While at the regional scale suburban growth is much larger volume than what's going on in the core of the city, it is remarkable how many areas that white folks with disposable income shunned up until the mid-1990s have become "acceptable" at least for a growing population of pioneers. When I was growing up, the Heights was considered someplace to get away from - highly sketchy. Many assumed it would just become as bad a slum as say, 3rd Ward (just with Hispanics instead of black folks). But intrepid folks who fetishized old bungalows decided to butt in, despite the risks.

Now of course, many of the areas white folks ran to in the 1950s-1980s, they're running from now! Enough that areas such as Spring Branch, Alief, Pasadena and Inwood would now be considered to be historically Hispanic / Black neighborhoods, if you're willing to bestow such a designation after a 30-year span.

In recent research I actually found Census tracts near Downtown where the Anglo population was going up, while the Hispanic population was actually decreasing. If you think about the overall increase in Hispanic population in the region, that's really saying something.

[Glossa]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

Now of course, many of the areas white folks ran to in the 1950s-1980s, they're running from now! Enough that areas such as Spring Branch, Alief, Pasadena and Inwood would now be considered to be historically Hispanic / Black neighborhoods, if you're willing to bestow such a designation after a 30-year span.

Really??

[979Texan]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

I'm guessing that he is referring to the fact that the people who used to live in these hot neighborhoods could no longer afford the property taxes.

Gentrification marches on.

Yes, that is clearly hbcu's backhanded way of indicating gentrification is responsible but was hoping hbcu could explain why he/she thinks of this as bumping someone off their lot. Talk about hyperbole!!!

I don't get why people refuse to acknowledge the state of the city's real estate. It is simple supply and demand. Real estate in 2014 is blind to every color except green. It is a mystery to me why some folks feel entitled to land they cannot afford.

[curbur]

Originally Posted by 979Texan

Yes, that is clearly hbcu's backhanded way of indicating gentrification is responsible but was hoping hbcu could explain why he/she thinks of this as bumping someone off their lot. Talk about hyperbole!!!

I don't get why people refuse to acknowledge the state of the city's real estate. It is simple supply and demand. Real estate in 2014 is blind to every color except green. It is a mystery to me why some folks feel entitled to land they cannot afford.

I completely agree with you, but if I had to play devil's advocate, I'm imagining a lot of these people already feel like there were not dealt a good hand by society and life in general, and here come the lucky *******s again to take one of the few good things we had going for our neighborhood, being in close proximity to the city. Of course the area was undesirable at the time there wasn't invested money into it anyways, but that's not how natives to an area are going to feel.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by 979Texan

I don't get why people refuse to acknowledge the state of the city's real estate. It is simple supply and demand. Real estate in 2014 is blind to every color except green. It is a mystery to me why some folks feel entitled to land they cannot afford.

For me, it's the issue that they could afford it when they purchased it, but no longer can due to skyrocketing taxes.

Personally, I feel that someone who has lived in a neighborhood for 25 years and has roots there shouldn't be forced out due to it being the newest "great location". It's one of the reasons why I'd like to see a consumption tax replace property taxes.

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

While at the regional scale suburban growth is much larger volume than what's going on in the core of the city, it is remarkable how many areas that white folks with disposable income shunned up until the mid-1990s have become "acceptable" at least for a growing population of pioneers. When I was growing up, the Heights was considered someplace to get away from - highly sketchy. Many assumed it would just become as bad a slum as say, 3rd Ward (just with Hispanics instead of black folks). But intrepid folks who fetishized old bungalows decided to butt in, despite the risks.

Now of course, many of the areas white folks ran to in the 1950s-1980s, they're running from now! Enough that areas such as Spring Branch, Alief, Pasadena and Inwood would now be considered to be historically Hispanic / Black neighborhoods, if you're willing to bestow such a designation after a 30-year span.

In recent research I actually found Census tracts near Downtown where the Anglo population was going up, while the Hispanic population was actually decreasing. If you think about the overall increase in Hispanic population in the region, that's really saying something.

The Third Ward isn't a slum. Especially south of Elgin and north of OST. A lot of white people (and yuppies of other color, plus college students) living in those houses converted to apartments. Ride down the streets at night when everyone is home. Cars lined up on both sides.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by Trae713

The Third Ward isn't a slum. Especially south of Elgin and north of OST. A lot of white people (and yuppies of other color, plus college students) living in those houses converted to apartments. Ride down the streets at night when everyone is home. Cars lined up on both sides.

Certainly south of Alabama I wouldn't call it one. I'm mainly talking about the "Bottoms" where you've got a large number of vacant lots due to housing deterioration over time.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by Glossa

Really??

Gentrification may be occurring in areas south of Long Point, but the northern portion of the area doesn't seem to have yet become a place where Anglos are moving to instead of away from.