Fairbanks/Northwest Crossing area? (Houston: apartment complexes, crime, attorneys)

[dcavazos]

I am surprised but I am not finding much information on the Fairbanks/Northwest Crossing area of Houston. I am looking at purchasing a home that is just off 290 and Pinemont so it sandwhiched between Oak Forest and Fairbanks. I know a good deal about Oak Forest (although I would welcome your feedback on that) but I don't know much about the Fairbanks area. Any feedback is appreciated.

Background: Young couple, looking at starting a family in next few years, but still wanting to be close to the city.

[waterdamaged]

I think one of the reasons is the close proximity to the Acres Homes areas, and other run down areas around it. Truth be told a lot of the neighborhoods along 290 down that stretch are relatively quiet and safe, but they're older, smaller homes which people usually insinuate to mean ghetto in new-age sunbelt cities where new on the outside means new on the inside, and the fact that it isn't too far of a drive from some bad 'hoods. This is of course referring more to neighborhoods east of 290; it's even more quiet west of it.

[hbcu]

you may have to narrow it down as that contains everywhere from 610 to the beltway.....there are tons of options...you do better citing streets

[dcavazos]

Its very close to the intersection of Pinemont and 290 (to the east of 290) near the new FBI building. That area.

[trbstang]

waterdamaged pretty much summed it up, but it is actually further away from Acres Homes than Garden Oaks/Oak Forest are. It is just all of the apartments along Antoine and along Tidwell that are not very good in the surrounding area, resulting in crime in that area. I'ts not the best part of town, but certainly not the worst either. I'm guessing it is in the newer neighborhood by the old park n ride? I know that place sold out pretty well, but I haven't been in it. I just saw all of the construction when my bus passed by it. Being right by the FBI building might be a plus!

Good luck!

[dcavazos]

I think its strange how there is so much nice development (shopping and dining) around 290 (target, old navy, pappadeaux, Red Lobster) if it is a bad area?

[westhou]

Originally Posted by dcavazos

I think its strange how there is so much nice development (shopping and dining) around 290 (target, old navy, pappadeaux, Red Lobster) if it is a bad area?

I think all that nice development serves Inwood Forest which is a nice community. The only thing I hate about that area is the awful apartment complexes. That area is plagued with them.

[fnh]

I live near there west of Fairbanks and agree with the assessments above - generally they are quiet middle to working class neighborhoods. The apartments actually don't seem bad but I am thinking of the ones around Hollister/Tidwell, not Pinemont.

As I said we are a bit further west but we love the location and the area. Commuting to downtown on 290 is fine from inside the beltway and it's easy to get to areas of town north and west as well. For what it's worth, friends of ours recently built a home there (Northwest Crossing area) for grandma to be close to the kids in Oak Forest. They are ivy league-educated attorneys, commented to us what a surprisingly nice area it is for the price.

[waterdamaged]

I had no idea there were some newer, larger homes near where Pinemont dead ends just west of 290: [source].

[trbstang]

Originally Posted by dcavazos

I think its strange how there is so much nice development (shopping and dining) around 290 (target, old navy, pappadeaux, Red Lobster) if it is a bad area?

I would not say it is a bad area at all, just not the greatest area. My wife grew up off 290 & Tidwell, so I kind of know the area. It has older, run down apartments and strip centers in the area that bring it down, along with the nicer shopping places and good areas. I'd certainly put it in the top half of areas in Houston, probably in the top 40% range as far as "good areas", if not higher. Not a place where I would really be concerned for our safety, but we are careful anyway.