Comments on: Porch-Sitting on the Edge in Woodland Heights

By: Tangyjoe

Tangyjoe — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 22:25:24 +0000

I used to live upstairs in a 4 plex on the other side of the Spur on 59. I never found the freeway noise bothersome even though I could practically see the whites of the drivers eyes from my bedroom window. It was a constance whooshing that I just pretened was the sound of the ocean . On the other hand I later lived blocks and blocks away from I-10 but the sound of 18 wheelers shifting gears used to annoy me when I was trying to sleep. It depends more on the traffic patterns than distance.

By: mel

mel — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 15:11:09 +0000

Following from awp, it is my understanding that certain parts of Houston Avenue, Parkview, Beauchamp, Bayland and Morrison (back then, Morrison was divided by a bayou at near Byrne) were originally 1%-er streets. But you really have to go inside the houses to appreciate the difference. Some of the houses on these streets still have the original millwork, 10+ foot ceilings, in-laid floors, transom windows, nearly floor to ceiling windows…

By: Old School

Old School — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 14:07:27 +0000

@superdave: Yeah, you’ve got it licked. Now you just have to find a way not to breath that often and everything will be fine.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:54:24 +0000

Putty, Is that you? I’m coming for ya, pal. That’s my damn dog!

By: awp

awp — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 00:53:11 +0000

movocelot

“It’s like an indicator of the hearty middle-class of the era.”

A house this size from the 1920′s is more likely an indicator of the extravagance of the 1% of that era.

By: movocelot

movocelot — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 23:33:08 +0000

Aw man! I lived in a very similar house once, in a whole other state! It’s like an indicator of the hearty middle-class of the era.
IMHO the angled fireplace has to go, the shiny polyurethane on the dark oak is atrocious, and the red drapes are weird. And if those are melamine/mdf kitchen cabinets I would have to object, but, this built-like-a-brick residence is a good one and a keeper. It’s been maintained over the years. I love it. And, yes definitely, insulated windows make your home sound as though it’s inside of a marshmallow.

By: Superdave

Superdave — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 22:24:20 +0000

@oldskewl

I live near a major hwy and could see the link with stress due to noise before I double insulated, but after I don’t even hear the white noise anymore. Don’t be skeered, just take the situation into your hands.

By: Jai Woods

Jai Woods — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:32:37 +0000

What I do know is living that close to 45 they will definitely hear the constant whirring noise from the freeway. And what is with the angled stone fireplace? It looks horrible and cheap, and cheapens the house. I can understand why it won’t sell. It’s disgusting to see how owners have treated it.

By: Buildergeek

Buildergeek — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 21:01:13 +0000

Anybody looking at this house should be very interested in the I-45 expansion that’s coming soon. Public meeting tonight (10/24) at Jeff Davis High School, 1101 Quitman, at 6:15 p.m.

By: jennifer

jennifer — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:49:09 +0000

This house was actually up for sale 7 years ago when i was house hunting. It is really an awesome house – but I-45 is your neighbor…

By: Old School

Old School — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:36:00 +0000

@crosscreek: If you have kids, you will want to be at least 1000 ft from the highway. There are studies showing that children living within 1000 ft of a highway will have higher risks of asthma and reduced lung function. There are also studies on a host of health issues in adults who live near highways, but the evidence about children is the strongest. There is a soup of toxics and particulates that come off the highway and linger near by. I have also seen a study linking road noise to increased high blood pressure.
This house is definitely taking a six figure hit thanks to I-45. The woodwork is spectacular and the double wrap around porch is a total gem.

By: Northwood

Northwood — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 20:19:08 +0000

Prospective buyers would be wise to learn all they can about TxDOT’s much-debated I-45 expansion plans.