Moving to Houston (30s SAM): Buy a Condo in Midtown or Downtown? (West: living in, shop)

[LocalPlanner]

In general, for those looking for an urban location, I think condos have had a hard time historically competing with townhomes. In a townhome, you own the lot, and no one lives above you. You also have relatively manageable association fees. You also get pretty substantial square footage - typically 1,600 to 2,100 depending on how much you're willing to spend. The downsides: lots of stairs, and potentially minimal guest parking.

Condos often offer less square footage for a higher price (often way higher) than a comparably designed townhome, plus usually some pretty hefty condo fees - buildings with more staff and amenities can have eye-popping monthly fees. Plus folks live above and below you (unless you're on the top or bottom residential floor). On the other hand, many folks think they're more secure, and your condo fees go toward minimizing your worries on maintenance, if the building is managed well. Plus condos are more likely to be in the middle of the "action."

[NewtoHouHou]

Originally Posted by Mr. Krinkle

^^^
The Bayou Lofts and Franklin Lofts are nice. They are actually one of the few old warehouses turned into lofts. The maintenance fees though....

Also parking if you have visitors.

There isn't much going on in the Baldwin Park area.
This area is a pretty good location. https://www.har.com/s/3d5a1b9CA
Be within a few blocks of Main St. and you are good to go downtown on the train (McGowen and Ensemble/HC stops). There are more townhomes to the east of Main St. and more bars/restaurants to the west.

I used to live downtown and loved it. I live Montrose now and sometimes miss the downtown scene.

Holy hell so true. The HOA fees for the Downtown area are like 2x to almost 3x of the fees for Midtown. I can still find some with reasonable HOA fees, but definitely needed to check carefully before I declared a find a good deal in Downtown.

That area you mentioned and in Bagby park area is exactly where I am looking.

Living in Downtown would be really nice...especially since I have never lived in the downtown area of a major city, but maybe living in Midtown is a good compromise since I've heard there's more going on in Midtown and I'm not too far from what Downtown has to offer.

[NewtoHouHou]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

In general, for those looking for an urban location, I think condos have had a hard time historically competing with townhomes. In a townhome, you own the lot, and no one lives above you. You also have relatively manageable association fees. You also get pretty substantial square footage - typically 1,600 to 2,100 depending on how much you're willing to spend. The downsides: lots of stairs, and potentially minimal guest parking.

Condos often offer less square footage for a higher price (often way higher) than a comparably designed townhome, plus usually some pretty hefty condo fees - buildings with more staff and amenities can have eye-popping monthly fees. Plus folks live above and below you (unless you're on the top or bottom residential floor). On the other hand, many folks think they're more secure, and your condo fees go toward minimizing your worries on maintenance, if the building is managed well. Plus condos are more likely to be in the middle of the "action."

This is exactly what I have noticed in my search. The one major thing I don't like about Townhouses, aside from being in quieter areas, is that the multiple floors feels like it really splits up the space. That and that they tend to look alike with neighboring units and that makes me feel like I am settling down into a certain lifestyle I am not ready for yet lol.

[NewtoHouHou]

Originally Posted by jfre81

Maybe I missed exactly where in the Trey work is - was kinda assuming UH or thereabouts. If so, then it's a short straight shot, bus or drive, on Elgin. But that's about all I could say in favor of it. Midtown east of Main in general is a bit dull relative to downtown or the north/west part of Midtown. Also, all that freeway work they're doing right around there. I'd pass and go elsewhere for $300K.

I think I agree with you. Some of the best deals seem really close to that freeway and I was worried about the impact of that on my daily living and long term value of the property.

[Double L]

If you want the urban feel, downtown is best but Midtown is good too, because you can take the light rail right into downtown.

[AliefNorth]

If your budget is in the 300s why not buy a small single family house around Briarmeadow/Tanglewilde or the Energy Corridor...You will regret buying a condo or townhome with those silly monthly maintenance fees most of which don’t have all utilities included.

All of the action in Houston is on the west side centering around city center and the galleria. Just buy a house that’s maximum 15 minutes away from those hotspots. Midtown and Downtown are desolate

[Mr. Krinkle]

Originally Posted by AliefNorth

If your budget is in the 300s why not buy a small single family house around Briarmeadow/Tanglewilde or the Energy Corridor...You will regret buying a condo or townhome with those silly monthly maintenance fees most of which don’t have all utilities included.

All of the action in Houston is on the west side centering around city center and the galleria. Just buy a house that’s maximum 15 minutes away from those hotspots. Midtown and Downtown are desolate

What the hell?

[AcresHomes44]

You can't live in Houston and say with a straight face that Midtown & Downtown are desolate. Both areas have come a long way since the 90's and early 2000's. You can take a train from anywhere in Midtown and be in Downtown in no time.

[kwr]

Originally Posted by AliefNorth

If your budget is in the 300s why not buy a small single family house around Briarmeadow/Tanglewilde or the Energy Corridor...You will regret buying a condo or townhome with those silly monthly maintenance fees most of which don’t have all utilities included.

All of the action in Houston is on the west side centering around city center and the galleria. Just buy a house that’s maximum 15 minutes away from those hotspots. Midtown and Downtown are desolate

As a single person, I wouldn’t live where you suggest even if the housing was free. A large majority of the good bars, restaurants and entertainment (museums, theatres, concern and sporting venues) are located downtown or midtown (or nearby). You clearly need to explore beyond the Galleria Mall.

[AliefNorth]

Originally Posted by kwr

As a single person, I wouldn’t live where you suggest even if the housing was free. A large majority of the good bars, restaurants and entertainment (museums, theatres, concern and sporting venues) are located downtown or midtown (or nearby). You clearly need to explore beyond the Galleria Mall.

What? Why? But your so close to Westheimer which has plenty of options. There is nothing like that in midtown area