Lake Houston (Austin, Atascocita, Liberty: real estate, houses, college)

[AK123]

Seems like such a nice area... but don't hear about it much.

Somewhat surprising as to why not. Seems like a nice asset for Houston and the kind of place you'd see on HGTV or something (then again, HGTV seems to pretty much ignore Houston...)
13634 Elm Shores, Houston, TX 77044 - HAR.com

In Austin, everyone was clamoring to live on/near Town Lake and Lake Travis... and the real estate prices near those places reflected it. Doesn't seem the case with our big lake here... just strange. What am I missing?

[HookTheBrotherUp]

The water is not cool like the lakes in Austin, and the water is usually stagnant, lots of suspended algae. Also, unlike the topography of the lakes around Austin, Lake Houston was nothing more than a low lying area of forest that was flooded, in fact, there are old roads and railroad tracks down there, a little city was flooded when the corps built the lake. So, not only do you have algae, you also have tree stumps where they are not expected, though this makes for good fishing.

I think the main reason is that Houston is flat as a pancake for the most part, and unless you live directly on the lake, you will not get lake views, so no big market for the real estate. Austin on the other hand has property with great view because of the hills.

[tstone]

That's probably the reason. Generally speaking, the outer northeast side from 59 to Liberty is notorious for sinkholes, which likely explains the lack of development. From the description above, it sounds like Lake Houston is a sinkhole in itself.

You'd be more likely to see Clear Lake on HGTV with the fancy houses and yachts (and over-commercialization). The area is on more stable ground, but can be extremely vulnerable to a hurricane surge.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

The water is not cool like the lakes in Austin, and the water is usually stagnant, lots of suspended algae.

I don't remember people swimming in Town Lake (or Lady Bird or whatever it's called now.) Just boating. And Lake Travis is notorious for its ups and downs. One year it will flood, and then another it will almost totally dry up and turn into a canyon. I have friends who have ugly canyon views right now and their pier is sitting on dirt. But the real estate prices are still through the roof...

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

I think the main reason is that Houston is flat as a pancake for the most part, and unless you live directly on the lake, you will not get lake views, so no big market for the real estate.

True...

Originally Posted by tstone

Generally speaking, the outer northeast side from 59 to Liberty is notorious for sinkholes, which likely explains the lack of development.
You'd be more likely to see Clear Lake on HGTV with the fancy houses and yachts (and over-commercialization). The area is on more stable ground, but can be extremely vulnerable to a hurricane surge.

I see. I haven't been around the Lake Houston area much, but it looks nice from aerial views and photos. Just a little surprised it's not more popular. Houston doesn't seem to do the best job at utilizing or promoting a nice natural asset like that (big lake surrounded by tall trees).

[rigas]

a friend of mine on a fishing forum took a bunch of pics of lake travis like a month ago or so, you would not believe how the drout has decimated that lake. it is nearly empty with things like marinas sitting on dry ground. peoples boats on the ground, docks/decks 20 feet in the air or if they floated, on dry ground as well. they got hit really bad this year.

now on the flip side, i dont think you will see lake houston like that but i agree, not the best place in texas for lake living.

oh and AK, one slight correction, no such thing as a "natural" lake in texas. all texas lakes are the work of men but i get your point.

[westres1]

There is one natural lake in Texas...Caddo lake. You have to visit it at least once. It is magical!

Atascocita Shores on Lake Houston has many lakefront homes that are really nice. I think it is too far and too much traffic to live there and commute into work. That may be the reason it isnt as sought after and somewhat unknown.

[rigas]

westres, yeah, caddo lake apparently is natural, i believe the idea behind no natural lakes is based on caddo being half in tex half in La? looks interesting none the less.

[westres1]

I took Texas Geography in College so that is the only reason I know this fact. LOL