Inwood Forest....a good investment? (Houston: crime, buying a home, neighborhood)

[WhatJustHappened]

So I'm curious what people's opinions are of this area. I realize that it has a reputation of being a rough area but I've been through there a few times and at least the Inwood Forest neighborhood itself looks great. I think people sometimes lump Inwood Forest in with Inwood north. Which to me should be considered completely separate.

As far as Inwood Forest...looking around on HAR it seems like you can get a great deal as far as square footage and comparable distance to downtown. I realize that the surrounding area is really the place of concern, but the neighborhood has some beautiful trees and now that the city has purchased that golf course some of the yards have a great view for being in the city.

[hendersj31]

I agree it is a good looking neighborhood. The problem will be that you are more or less trapped in it. As you mentioned the surrounding area is quite bad and well known for crime. Going to stores and other conveniences will be a challenge. As an investment I believe it will eventually pay off. My opinion of course.

[trbstang]

Yes, there are some nice homes in Inwood, and even Oaks of Inwood. We even considered a house in Oaks of Inwood after living in Inwood North for several years in the late 80's early 90's, but after an attempted carjacking at gunpoint on TC Jester by Tidwell and being run off the road for not stopping, we wrote off that entire area. If you can put up with the surrounding area and not stand out driving to your home, then I'm sure it is a bargain area. It would be great if it became a more desirable neighborhood, but there is a lot of clean up along Antoine needed.

[WhatJustHappened]

Sorry to hear that happened. That must have been scary and I think that would probably do it for me on getting out of there as well. But I'm curious because isn't TC Jester and 43rd street considered a highly desirable area (at least now)...or maybe it is a bit further south on TC jester. My point is though that it seems like there is this bad area between 43rd and little york, and perhaps if that starts to turn then maybe Inwood Forest or Oaks of Inwood would have a chance.

[Mr. Football]

I'm certain it will gentrify. Good bones. Close in. You will see all of the older areas along 290 appreciate as they complete the 290 expansion, similar to what happened along I-10 after they rebuilt it. It's well situated for people who want to work Downtown, The Galleria, Energy Corridor, or the Northwest Corridor.

[DJboutit]

To close to Acres Homes one top 7 areas in Houston with the most crime I would wait a min of 4 to 5 yrs to see what happens to areas around Inwood Forest before buying a home there. Now if you plan to hold on to property to a min of 10 to 12 yrs might be worth it now. It is not worth for a quick buy a house remodel it and try to flip for quick $$$

[bu2]

Originally Posted by DJboutit

To close to Acres Homes one top 7 areas in Houston with the most crime I would wait a min of 4 to 5 yrs to see what happens to areas around Inwood Forest before buying a home there. Now if you plan to hold on to property to a min of 10 to 12 yrs might be worth it now. It is not worth for a quick buy a house remodel it and try to flip for quick $$$

That's the issue. Inwood Forest was really nice in the late 70s and early 80s, but it crashed quickly in the 80s.

[ipuck]

Well Acres home ain't going away anytime soon.

You are within walking distances of Acres Home so it could be another 50 years and it will still be sketchy.

[DJboutit]

Originally Posted by ipuck

Well Acres home ain't going away anytime soon.

You are within walking distances of Acres Home so it could be another 50 years and it will still be sketchy.

I do not think it will even be that long before Acres Homes turns around more like 8 to 14 yrs. That neighborhood needs a few developers to build some home in the $200k to $275k range and a few citizens that want to get rid of the crime and the area will turn around

[trbstang]

Originally Posted by WhatJustHappened

Sorry to hear that happened. That must have been scary and I think that would probably do it for me on getting out of there as well. But I'm curious because isn't TC Jester and 43rd street considered a highly desirable area (at least now)...or maybe it is a bit further south on TC jester. My point is though that it seems like there is this bad area between 43rd and little york, and perhaps if that starts to turn then maybe Inwood Forest or Oaks of Inwood would have a chance.

I was minding my own business driving from Little York towards Tidwell, right on the edge of Acres Homes, so it was a bit north of 43rd. I took it as a short cut to our church in Timbergrove, mid Sunday afternoon. Never thought anything would happen, but there was no way I would stop for those thugs.

Inwood was a great location for commuting. I had several options of going down Little York or Tidwell to Bingle down to the Pinemont park & ride when we carpooled, straight down Antoine, or over to TC Jester. I could usually get home or to work in 30 min or so. But I don't think I would go north of Pinemont now looking for a home. But who knows. We have friends that have lived in Inwood for over 35 years and won't move until they both retire, if even then.