How much do houses in safe areas close to Downtown cost? (Houston: crime rate, cheap house)

[EllenOlenska]

Can you give me a range and the streets/zipcode of those areas?

I am curious as to how much cheaper the more conveniently-located houses in Houston are than in California's. I mean, if I was willing to do an hour and a half commute, there are some cheap houses in CA too. But I've always been intrigued by the Texan culture and emphasis on family values here. So can you help clarify this for me? Thanks.

[starkeshia]

The following zip codes: 77004, 77023, 77018, 77007, 77009, 77008, 77006, 77005, 77019, 77098 all contain areas that are nice and are reasonably close to downtown. They also nearly all contain some not-so-nice areas. I think the only zip codes in that list that could be considered pretty much nice all over are 77098 and 77019.

The more expensive the house is, the more perceived safety it will have. Fact is, crime happens everywhere, and as long as you're not in the super duper bad ghetto it really won't matter where you live as far as crime is concerned.

[jimboburnsy]

In very general terms and in large measure estimation, a West University (77005 et sequence) tear down will cost between $450K and $600K depending on the condition, location and lot. New construction will probably be $850K and up.

A Bellaire (77401 et al) tear down will be $350K to $550K, again depending. New construction will be $750K and up.

A River Oaks (77019 et al) tear down will be $850K and up, new construction in the millions. River Oaks would be the 90210 of Houston.

[EllenOlenska]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

In very general terms and in large measure estimation, a West University (77005 et sequence) tear down will cost between $450K and $600K depending on the condition, location and lot. New construction will probably be $850K and up.

A Bellaire (77401 et al) tear down will be $350K to $550K, again depending. New construction will be $750K and up.

A River Oaks (77019 et al) tear down will be $850K and up, new construction in the millions. River Oaks would be the 90210 of Houston.

Are those areas safe all over? Thanks.

[chris_ut]

I think West University had the lowest crime rate of any neighborhood inside Houston proper according to an article I read recently.

[brownybaby]

77018 can range from $150,000 to $1MM. It depends on your price range.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by EllenOlenska

Are those areas safe all over? Thanks.

As another poster has mentioned, this is a huge city and every neighborhood will be subject to criminal activity. West U, Bellaire, Southside, Southampton, the Heights, River Oaks and a few others are generally thought of as the most desirable inner-loop neighborhoods and will be very safe. I don't think that means that people there do not have to take common-sense precautions, but for the most part YES they are safe all over.

[EllenOlenska]

Thanks everyone

[starkeshia]

Originally Posted by EllenOlenska

Are those areas safe all over? Thanks.

Not exactly, no. A few months back, a woman out jogging in River Oaks (77019) was abducted by a couple of guys, but apparently they forgot that the trunk they threw her into had one of those emergency releases.

[modster]

Finding anything under $300,000 in an area like Montrose takes patience and looking. Stuff under $225,000 is usually not that nice in the Heights or Timbergrove anymore.

You can get closer in going east and many of those areas have lower crime rates than Montrose or some of the points west, but they do not have the retail or night life. You will pay less, but there are trade offs.

I sound like a broken record, but I encourage people looking inside the loop to look east too at places like Lindale Park (77009), Idylwood, Houston Country Club and Eastwood over in 77023