Heights vs Washington/Rice Military vs Memorial Villages. Where should I get my next place? (townhomes, neighborhood)

[WTL63]

Looking for next home and I kind of like all 3 for different reasons (mainly location) but can't decide and need more info. Washington has great location, heights nice value and up and coming, and memorial villages is clean, safe, and nice.

Suggestions?

[jerbear30]

All of the places you mentioned are safe and pretty clean. Washington/Rice Military has the best location, imho. The new park that winds along Memorial drive is very cool. There are lots of good food options and you have all the downtown events/activities a bike ride away.

[curbur]

If money were no object, I'd live in one of the villages or Tanglewood.

[fnh]

My vote is for the Heights, and not simply to make this race more interesting. It has location, charm and a happier vibe than the other choices.

[Lowexpectations]

We looked at both rice and the heights. We really liked both but ended up in shady acres. Rice has better walkability but that also comes with a downside of even more on street parking and crowding issues. That issue pops up everywhere such as around Crisp which is closer to me I wouldn't want to live within a block of there because of the traffic but the bar/restaurant density isn't as high as Rice

[gwarnecke]

Memorial Villages would definitely be my choice from that list. Much larger lots, beautiful scenery, and a quieter, more private feel. Plus you get lower tax rates, much better schools, and (what I've anecdotally heard are) better city services.

Of course if you want walkability, Memorial Villages are out. That doesn't really bother me, but what does annoy me about the villages are that many of their streets are deliberately designed to not connect with one another, so running through/around them can be difficult.

[ToyYot]

Very odd comparison, two apples versus one orange. Given your budget which must be well over $1M it comes down to lifestyle and I just don't understand how that comparison relates...

My pick would be Rice Military out of those three.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by Lowexpectations

We looked at both rice and the heights. We really liked both but ended up in shady acres. Rice has better walkability but that also comes with a downside of even more on street parking and crowding issues. That issue pops up everywhere such as around Crisp which is closer to me I wouldn't want to live within a block of there because of the traffic but the bar/restaurant density isn't as high as Rice

I hope people generally know that walkability generally means that street parking from commercial uses will happen in nearby residential areas. The proximity of commercial to residential is what helps make it walkable. That's perfectly fine in an urban neighborhood like Rice Village. On-street parking is a good thing because it (1) slows traffic and (2) buffers the sidewalk.

[gwarnecke]

Too bad that most of the new townhomes built in the Washington corridor/Rice military area have wide curb cuts for their two-car garages, eating up nearly all of the on-street parking in some areas (and leaving what little on-street parking is left designated as permit-only, at least within a few blocks of Washington ave).

I'd consider an on-street parking problem to be limited on-street parking with permit requirements (ie Washington/Rice Military), not ample unrestricted on-street parking that is well-utilized by those patronizing businesses in the area (ie Montrose). The latter is a case of maximizing the utility and usefulness of the street space (thereby reducing the need for big parking lots and expensive parking garages).

Agree with ToyYot, this is kind of a strange comparison. I don't imagine that many buyers cross-shop the Heights/Washington area with Memorial Villages.

[Lowexpectations]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

I hope people generally know that walkability generally means that street parking from commercial uses will happen in nearby residential areas. The proximity of commercial to residential is what helps make it walkable. That's perfectly fine in an urban neighborhood like Rice Village. On-street parking is a good thing because it (1) slows traffic and (2) buffers the sidewalk.

Proximity to commercial property without adequate commercial parking is what makes the on street parking a necessity. I don't feel it's a "good" thing and I certainly wouldn't want it occurring constantly right outside my place of residence hence my choice and my posting. People who don't live in an area where on street is common or highly dense might not realize it's a potential problem until after they've moved in

You are also assuming there is a sidewalk