Looking to buy within loop -- would love input (Houston: real estate, rent)

[wenstinator]

Hi,

I'll be moving with my family (wife and two kids, both under 3 yrs old) to Houston over the next 6 months or so. We really value walkability, which I know is hard to come by in Houston, but I have seen some areas where the WalkScore is fairly high (>85), such as downtown and areas of Montrose.

Downtown is too expensive for a 3BR, so I've been really focused on Montrose.

-How do people feel about the area around where Westheimer and Montrose meet? Is it a relatively safe area? Seems like it has a lot of good restaurants nearby.

-I've noticed lots of price reductions lately. It seems now might be a good time to buy while oil prices are really low. Does anyone disagree?

-Are there other areas I should explore, like the Heights? West U is out of my price range.

Any other input/thoughts would be welcome.

Thanks!

[theone33]

Decent area. Still a lot of street punk kids and drug addicts. Your vehicle will be broken into around there. You should say the westside of the loop because it covers a huge area, not just the trendy spots.

[Texas Ag 93]

I would indeed consider the Heights if I were you. With 2 kids soon starting school, I think you decision will ultimately boil down to the individual elementary and maybe middle schools where you buy.

What's your budget? If you give a specific number, you will get a lot more targeted responses.

[wenstinator]

Thanks for your responses. My budget is 650-750K

[theone33]

You are the reason Houston rent has increased so much. Let me pitch a tent in the back yard as a sign of protest.

[chris_ut]

I would look at Oak Forest, its just outside the Loop but has better schools and has many small local places in the neighborhood you can walk to.

[KatieKennedy]

Look in the Heights in the area zoned to Harvard Elementary School. The Heights is very walkable and has lots of good restaurants. There are good parks for young kids. You should be able to find something nice with 3 bedrooms in your price range. If you don't have a realtor call Amanda Anhorn with Greenwood King. She is an expert in Heights real estate.

[txdemo]

Originally Posted by chris_ut

I would look at Oak Forest, its just outside the Loop but has better schools and has many small local places in the neighborhood you can walk to.

Oak Forest is a nice area to raise a family. I've used to live and have worked in the area for years and I honestly can't think of a single place to walk to.

[txdemo]

Originally Posted by wenstinator

Hi,

-How do people feel about the area around where Westheimer and Montrose meet? Is it a relatively safe area? Seems like it has a lot of good restaurants nearby.

The intersection of Westheimer and Montrose has long been a hangout for transient kids due to the nearby runaway shelter Covenant House. That said, the area around there is very safe. I'd look roughly in the area bounded by Montrose to the east, West Dallas to the north, 59 to the south and S. Shepherd to the west.
Granted that's basically all of Montrose but you can go to HAR.com and they have a map tool where you can draw to show available houses.

You can also check a few streets south of 59 but the cost of real estate grows as you get closer to Rice University.

Good luck!

[chris_ut]

Originally Posted by txdemo

Oak Forest is a nice area to raise a family. I've used to live and have worked in the area for years and I honestly can't think of a single place to walk to.

I live in Section 1. From my house I can walk to Kroger, Starbucks, Plonk!, Berryhill, Sweet Frog, the Chill and Oak Forest Park plus of course Oak Forest Elementary to get the kid. Petrol Station and Wakeforest Crow Bar are also in walking distance but you would need to cross Ella. So to put a caveat on it, Oak Forest is a big neighborhood and walk-ability is variable dependent on which part you are in.