Comments on: Comment of the Day: Away from the Ropelines http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/ Houston, Texas real estate development, home buying, landscape, and design Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:44:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Charlie http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33985 Charlie Wed, 01 Jul 2009 18:42:53 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33985 I just moved here myself and faced the same dilemma. I wanted to be in Midtown near Grey and Brazos for the tiny slice of walking city but I didn't see anyplace I wanted to live. I like the modern townhomes in Rice Military but didn't like the overall area. I ended up in Montrose near Mandell and Richmond and it isn't too bad. I had one friend from out of town stay and his car was broken into overnight. That sucked but he wasn't careful about making sure there was nothing visible worth taking. I am able to walk to a lot, though not as much as I did in NY, Chicago or even Dallas. Houston is what it is and that isn't a very urban place. I just moved here myself and faced the same dilemma. I wanted to be in Midtown near Grey and Brazos for the tiny slice of walking city but I didn’t see anyplace I wanted to live. I like the modern townhomes in Rice Military but didn’t like the overall area.

I ended up in Montrose near Mandell and Richmond and it isn’t too bad. I had one friend from out of town stay and his car was broken into overnight. That sucked but he wasn’t careful about making sure there was nothing visible worth taking.

I am able to walk to a lot, though not as much as I did in NY, Chicago or even Dallas. Houston is what it is and that isn’t a very urban place.

]]> By: P-dawg http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33938 P-dawg Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:31:54 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33938 I rented in Montrose and loved it (Hazzard and Westheimer). Ended up buying in Rice Military (near Waugh and Memorial). Key thing is both areas is to live a few blocks away from hyped up areas (ie Washington Ave or Westheimer & Montrose). Both areas I lived in were quiet and virtually crime free, but still walking distance to bars/rest/etc. I got lucky with Rice Military and found a fully restored bungalow with both a back and front yard. Plus 1 block away is the park along Buffalo Bayou. I rented in Montrose and loved it (Hazzard and Westheimer). Ended up buying in Rice Military (near Waugh and Memorial).

Key thing is both areas is to live a few blocks away from hyped up areas (ie Washington Ave or Westheimer & Montrose). Both areas I lived in were quiet and virtually crime free, but still walking distance to bars/rest/etc.

I got lucky with Rice Military and found a fully restored bungalow with both a back and front yard. Plus 1 block away is the park along Buffalo Bayou.

]]> By: JPSivco http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33933 JPSivco Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:38:15 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33933 just type 77098 into the "Information Superhighway." just type 77098 into the “Information Superhighway.”

]]> By: Brian http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33931 Brian Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:30:43 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33931 I would suggest looking into Midtown near Baldwin Park. You are far from the clubs, but still close enough to walk/ride a bike to any restaurant/club/store in Midtown/Downtown/Museum District... plus you have a beautiful park nearby (http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=baldwin+park+houston) I would suggest looking into Midtown near Baldwin Park. You are far from the clubs, but still close enough to walk/ride a bike to any restaurant/club/store in Midtown/Downtown/Museum District… plus you have a beautiful park nearby (http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=baldwin+park+houston)

]]> By: BrewWench http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33909 BrewWench Wed, 01 Jul 2009 11:25:02 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33909 I live at 59 and Shepherd. There are several restaurants and a couple of pubs within walking distance. We have a park with a dog park, and I walk to the Farmers Market every Saturday morning. Crime is what you make of it - stop parking across the sidewalk or leaving valuables in your car. Lights (non-motion) at night deter people from walking up your driveway. Get to know your neighbors and watch each other's homes. I live at 59 and Shepherd. There are several restaurants and a couple of pubs within walking distance. We have a park with a dog park, and I walk to the Farmers Market every Saturday morning.

Crime is what you make of it - stop parking across the sidewalk or leaving valuables in your car. Lights (non-motion) at night deter people from walking up your driveway. Get to know your neighbors and watch each other’s homes.

]]> By: Kevin http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33855 Kevin Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:44:23 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33855 Most of the negative posts in the original discussion were from one ignorant suburban CRE jackass making predictions based on a club that was never built or planned. He understands nothing about what succeeds or fails in that part of town. RM is a great neighborhood. Just live 3 or more blocks south of Washington and you'll be fine. North of Washington west of TC Jester might be ok too, but it has the train tracks and is generally riskier. Camp Logan if you can afford it. Most of the negative posts in the original discussion were from one ignorant suburban CRE jackass making predictions based on a club that was never built or planned. He understands nothing about what succeeds or fails in that part of town. RM is a great neighborhood. Just live 3 or more blocks south of Washington and you’ll be fine. North of Washington west of TC Jester might be ok too, but it has the train tracks and is generally riskier. Camp Logan if you can afford it.

]]> By: b.s. http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33854 b.s. Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:44:06 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33854 Hyde Park Hyde Park

]]> By: hdad http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33852 hdad Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:33:52 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33852 Timbergrove/Lazybrook. All of the comments so far about Oak Forest apply (moderately priced with excellent appreciation), and they are inside the loop - closer to the nightlife you are looking for. Just hop on TC Jester across I-10 and in 2 minutes you are at Benjy's, Cova, Candelari's, El Tiempo, and everything else on Washington. Timbergrove/Lazybrook. All of the comments so far about Oak Forest apply (moderately priced with excellent appreciation), and they are inside the loop - closer to the nightlife you are looking for. Just hop on TC Jester across I-10 and in 2 minutes you are at Benjy’s, Cova, Candelari’s, El Tiempo, and everything else on Washington.

]]> By: CK http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33849 CK Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:01:43 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33849 I lived in the West End for about 5 years, moved to Oak Forest for 17 (to the day) and moved back to the West End (Rice Military). Oak Forest is one of the best buys around Houston for price appreciation, especially on the teardowns. I got tired of my trashy neighbors and finally decided to get my sweat equity out and move back inside the loop. The nightlife around Oak Forest leaves alot to be desired. Please don't misunderstand my trashy neighbors comment. By no means are all people in Oak Forest trashy. I just had really lousy neighbors who would not take care of their places. I like Rice Military much better. I have a great house with an excellent view of the downtown skyline, a small park across the street, an elaborately landscaped yard and great neighbors. I know more people in Rice Military after 4 years than I knew in 17 in Oak Forest (and I served on the board of the HOA for years there). Rice Military has been completely transformed from the ramshackle culmination of run down homes and junky shops that were there years ago. If you do a little homework in Rice Military, you can be close to the restaurant row action, yet be far enough away to avoid the parking issues. Property values are also stable, if not increasing in the the neighborhood as well. In reference to the above mentioned 30 year old crowd, I am by no means 30 any more.... if I knew then, what I know now. Rice Military will continue to escalate in value because of where it is. It is truly one of THE most convenient neighborhoods in Houston. Here's my plea to all those comm'l realtors: help me find the president of a grocery chain some affordable dirt to build on in the Washington Ave. area. I won't say the name, but it kinda sounds like siesta. I miss the store they closed and Rice Military needs a grocery store. I lived in the West End for about 5 years, moved to Oak Forest for 17 (to the day) and moved back to the West End (Rice Military).

Oak Forest is one of the best buys around Houston for price appreciation, especially on the teardowns. I got tired of my trashy neighbors and finally decided to get my sweat equity out and move back inside the loop. The nightlife around Oak Forest leaves alot to be desired. Please don’t misunderstand my trashy neighbors comment. By no means are all people in Oak Forest trashy. I just had really lousy neighbors who would not take care of their places. I like Rice Military much better. I have a great house with an excellent view of the downtown skyline, a small park across the street, an elaborately landscaped yard and great neighbors. I know more people in Rice Military after 4 years than I knew in 17 in Oak Forest (and I served on the board of the HOA for years there). Rice Military has been completely transformed from the ramshackle culmination of run down homes and junky shops that were there years ago.

If you do a little homework in Rice Military, you can be close to the restaurant row action, yet be far enough away to avoid the parking issues. Property values are also stable, if not increasing in the the neighborhood as well.

In reference to the above mentioned 30 year old crowd, I am by no means 30 any more…. if I knew then, what I know now.

Rice Military will continue to escalate in value because of where it is. It is truly one of THE most convenient neighborhoods in Houston.

Here’s my plea to all those comm’l realtors: help me find the president of a grocery chain some affordable dirt to build on in the Washington Ave. area. I won’t say the name, but it kinda sounds like siesta. I miss the store they closed and Rice Military needs a grocery store.

]]> By: Mase http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33845 Mase Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:53:28 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33845 South of Westheimer is OK, but there is a fair amount of street crime (car burglaries are the biggest but narcotics and home burglaries are higher than you would expect). Rice Military does not have nearly as much of that type of crime, thought the Washington Corridor on weekend evenings can be a real headache as you've read. Even better than Camp Logan, if you can afford it, is Crestwood and Glen Cove. But entry point is near $1M. Bernard's list is pretty decent for in the loop. Main thing is to be near, but far enough off, the main restaurant/bar area (for Washington Ave, at least 3 blocks off in my opinion). The only area I would add is the Heights. South of Westheimer is OK, but there is a fair amount of street crime (car burglaries are the biggest but narcotics and home burglaries are higher than you would expect). Rice Military does not have nearly as much of that type of crime, thought the Washington Corridor on weekend evenings can be a real headache as you’ve read.

Even better than Camp Logan, if you can afford it, is Crestwood and Glen Cove. But entry point is near $1M.

Bernard’s list is pretty decent for in the loop. Main thing is to be near, but far enough off, the main restaurant/bar area (for Washington Ave, at least 3 blocks off in my opinion).

The only area I would add is the Heights.

]]> By: Angeli Wahlstedt http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33844 Angeli Wahlstedt Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:41:44 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33844 Montrose, west of Dunlavy, is relatively quiet as well, even though I live just one block north of Westheimer. And still in walking distance of stores and restaurants. Generally, the closer you get to the Montrose Blvd/Westheimer area, the worse things get. Montrose, west of Dunlavy, is relatively quiet as well, even though I live just one block north of Westheimer. And still in walking distance of stores and restaurants. Generally, the closer you get to the Montrose Blvd/Westheimer area, the worse things get.

]]> By: Ewald http://swamplot.com/comment-of-the-day-away-from-the-ropelines/2009-06-30/#comment-33829 Ewald Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:48:04 +0000 http://swamplot.com/?p=10243#comment-33829 Depends where in Montrose you are looking. Just north of Westheimer and you will be up all night, but will have some interesting views. South of Westheimer and it is as quiet as oldladyville. (I mean, The Heights) Pick 'em! Depends where in Montrose you are looking.

Just north of Westheimer and you will be up all night, but will have some interesting views.

South of Westheimer and it is as quiet as oldladyville. (I mean, The Heights)

Pick ‘em!

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