Downtown Living!! (Houston, Center, West: apartment, rent, lofts)

[texx]

Hi, I was thinking about buying a condo downtown within a year( I'm in my mid 20s and a wife-no kids) and I wanted to know if there was anyone that actually lived downtown that could give me an idea of the lifestyle. I go downtown often enough for clubs and sports but how is living there? How is the crime and the bums? I know downtown has been a long way but is it livable?

[travelguy_73]

We used to live downtown, and we have three friends who own places in Hermann Lofts, and one that lives in Bayou Lofts. They all love their spaces and living downtown (one of the three works mere blocks away).

The downsides, IMO, are that downtown is not pet friendly, there are only a few restaurants that stay open late (so you might get a bit bored, but this is changing), parking is tough for visiting friends, street noise might be high (depends on your windows and what floor you are on), and you still need your car (because this is Houston, after all). I don't think bums are bad, and parking is secure anyways.

The upside is that, at your age, this is the best (and only?) time that you will be able to experience this type of urban life. Once you get married and settle down, you will want to find something more family-friendly. And downtown is steadily moving forward...it will only get better from here I think.

If you can find the right apartment/loft at the right price, then go for it. Prices can be a bit high if you look strictly at price/sq ft, and you definitely want to watch the management fees. The resale market for downtown properties, from what I have seen, is slower than other types of properties, but it isn't like you won't at least break even. And you will gain a lot in life experience!

[texas7]

Have a lot of co-workers who live in Midtown (only one I know in actual Downtown) and all love it (all are childless couples or singles).

[westhou]

Originally Posted by texx

Hi, I was thinking about buying a condo downtown within a year( I'm in my mid 20s and a wife-no kids) and I wanted to know if there was anyone that actually lived downtown that could give me an idea of the lifestyle. I go downtown often enough for clubs and sports but how is living there? How is the crime and the bums? I know downtown has been a long way but is it livable?

I would love to live Downtown. I currently live Uptown because that is where my job is located but i've recently started working in The Texas Medical Center and would like to be closer. Does anyone know how much it costs to live Downtown? My rent in my Uptown loft is $1,100 a month. I could probably go as high as $1,500. Is that possible Downtown?

[Mr. Krinkle]

$1500 is definitely possible. I enjoy living downtown and it's very livable.

I walk or take the train to work and fill my gas tank up once every 6 - 8 weeks, so that makes up for some extra rent. Downtown is kind of like its own little neighborhood because you see the same people a lot and get to know them...especially at the bars - it’s nice to be able to stumble home after a night of drinking as well. Downtown is also central (within 10 minutes) to all of the hot spots. You have Midtown, Rice Military, Rice Village, The Heights, and the Galleria.

I would consider downtown one of the safest places in Houston. Yes there are bums, but they are harmless.

[westhou]

Originally Posted by Mr. Krinkle

$1500 is definitely possible. I enjoy living downtown and it's very livable.

I walk or take the train to work and fill my gas tank up once every 6 - 8 weeks, so that makes up for some extra rent. Downtown is kind of like its own little neighborhood because you see the same people a lot and get to know them...especially at the bars - it’s nice to be able to stumble home after a night of drinking as well. Downtown is also central (within 10 minutes) to all of the hot spots. You have Midtown, Rice Military, Rice Village, The Heights, and the Galleria.

I would consider downtown one of the safest places in Houston. Yes there are bums, but they are harmless.

thanks for the info

i have a question for you. where is rice military? i've never heard of that before.

[Mr. Krinkle]

West Military is basically the Washington Ave. area.

[westhou]

Originally Posted by Mr. Krinkle

West Military is basically the Washington Ave. area.

ok, thanks

[houstoner]

Originally Posted by westhou

thanks for the info

i have a question for you. where is rice military? i've never heard of that before.

Rice Military in Houston (http://houston.about.com/od/neighborhoods/p/Ricemilitary.htm - broken link)

Rice Military, Houston - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[westhou]

Originally Posted by houstoner

Rice Military in Houston (http://houston.about.com/od/neighborhoods/p/Ricemilitary.htm - broken link)

Rice Military, Houston - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

thank you houstoner