Housing in the inner loop (Houston: foreclosure, renting, condo) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

new2houston · 01-27-2008, 02:59 PM

I recently moved to Houston (Aug 07) and have been renting in Midtown. Originally I thought I would only be in Houston for a year, but now it looks like it will be 4+ years. I am now looking into buying a house/condo/townhome. I am only 23 so I am reluctant to look anywhere outside the loop and ideally want to stay close to Midtown. After an initial look at my finances I can spend up to 180k.

What are the good areas in the loop to look at that are affordable? I have looked around a little and have not found anything that I even remotely like. Are there any realtors that deal in these areas that anyone would recommend? Another question is do you think it is to my advantage to buy over rent? I am paying ~1200 a month right now.

Thanks for any help you can give.

AGGIEZ · 01-27-2008, 08:19 PM

You're choices are EXTREMELY limited at that price range inside the loop if you don't want to live next to gang members and prostitutes.

I had a townhome a few years back in a little townhome community called Park Square. There are about 100 Perry townhomes and they are located off of Airline just a few blocks from the Heights....I refer to it as El Heights. I purchased a 1,700 sq. ft. townhome for $133K when they were brand new. A few years later I sold it for about $165K so they may still be in your price range. Worth a look...

modster · 01-27-2008, 09:28 PM

First, yes, if you are going to be here 4+ years then buying is probably a good option.

Secondly, yes, if you are lucky you might pick up a good deal from a motivated seller or foreclosure for a good price. Be sure and watch maintenance fees. If you are not able to find one in your price range in mid-town, you might consider expanding your search a little to the east-end warehouse district. You could definitely find something at that price point over there.

Grunn · 01-28-2008, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AGGIEZ

You're choices are EXTREMELY limited at that price range inside the loop if you don't want to live next to gang members and prostitutes.

Is it really that bad? What are the inner loop areas to avoid? I did a search here and found details like SW side but what are the actual area names?

Sure it would become obvious when I arrive and see graffiti, gang bangers and hookers in the streets but I'd rather not go to those places at all.

houstoner · 01-28-2008, 06:55 AM

AGGIEZ is probably referring to some (not all) of the Third Ward, Fifth Ward, the East End, basically the areas roughly due east, northeast, and southeast of downtown, inside Loop 610. Many people will probably warn you not to go east of 288.

These are primarily older majority minority low-income, working class communities, with patches of higher income minority professionals and white "New Urbanist"-type artsy folk mixed in here and there. Many of these areas are or will be gentrifying due to their location.

houguy1087 · 01-28-2008, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houstoner

AGGIEZ is probably referring to some (not all) of the Third Ward, Fifth Ward, the East End, basically the areas roughly due east, northeast, and southeast of downtown, inside Loop 610. Many people will probably warn you not to go east of 288.

These are primarily older majority minority low-income, working class communities, with patches of higher income minority professionals and white "New Urbanist"-type artsy folk mixed in here and there. Many of these areas are or will be gentrifying due to their location.

I agree, these neighborhoods mentioned gentrify because of their prime location. (People are wanting to move closer in.)

tstone · 01-28-2008, 08:34 AM

I think it's going to take a decent amount time to gentrify this part of the inner loop that isn't so nice right now. If it happens at all. Families have been in this area for generations, aren't going to get up and leave so easily, and have some resentment for the "will be gentrifying my home" statements.

There are plenty of gang-bangers, hookers, grafitti, beggars, loiterers (slinging) etc as mentioned, and that's the way many of them like it -- it's home. (Scott/Mainer area for example.) If you don't believe me, actually go and talk to some folks from those neighborhoods, and you'll learn much more than you imagined.

houstoner · 01-28-2008, 10:17 AM

It is happening already. These are pretty large neighborhoods we're talking about here. They run the gamut from pockets of wealth to pockets of abject poverty, with some areas within them being much more run-down than others. There are plenty of families and regular working joes in these neighborhoods.

tstone · 01-28-2008, 11:28 AM

When I said gentrify, I really meant "fully gentrify" in my previous post. Sorry, shoulda said that.

That's what I predict will take awhile. In the mean time, be careful out there after dark!

houstoner · 01-28-2008, 12:32 PM

Well, I just don't think it's fair to characterize entire neighborhoods as being full of gang members and prostitutes just because they're majority black or Hispanic. [MOD CUT]This is Houston. You have to be careful anywhere after dark, even in the "good parts" of the loop like the Montrose and the Heights, or else go buy your false sense of security and live outside it.