Magnet systems were specifically designed to insulate some inner city residents from the real and ongoing conditions I brought up; and since they're necessarily finite and selective, most parents have to evaluate suburban migration as an option.
I live near city center/memorial city mall. I don't really consider it the suburbs, but others do. We don't have kids yet, but I'm assuming even when we have one, we won't jet straight to the suburbs. We're zoned to Spring Branch ISD and we have a brand new elementary school in our neighborhood, so we might stick it out.
We were lucky enough to have both our kids go to magnet middle and high schools. My daughter has one year left in high school, and my son just graduated from an excellent college with 2 degrees. Yes, magnet schools are selective. There is testing involved simply to get in, but income is not that great a factor. It certainly wasn't for us. The funny thing to me is that going to a magnet school wasn't our idea. Someone from the AISD magnet program gave a talk to the 5th graders at my son's elementary school. He came home and, out of the blue, said he wanted to go to a magnet middle school. It was a great decision. Any of you out there with kids who are in public schools, check out the magnet programs, if your district has them. Our experience has been outstanding.
I'm in Cypress. There are times that I wish we were closer to the loop so their would be less traffic issues. Other times, it is nice being away from the city.
Sure (though it is the cynical interpretation of the motives), but this thread is about us individual posters. And you said more or less that all respectable middle class families would flee to the suburbs because of the subpar educational options. And, I'm just piping up to tell you it's not so. Sure, rich people stay in town and use private schools. Sure, poor people stay in town and send their kids to bad public schools. Sure, there's plenty of middle class people fleeing to suburbs for the schools. But, it's not an impossible proposition for a middle class family that values education to stay in town too. Your assertion is overly broad, cynical, and unfounded.
Grew up in the burbs (Cypress) and loved it. Lived inside the loop (Heights) during my single days and loved it. Now married with kids and living in the burbs again (Kingwood) and loving it. To each his own. Not sure why these threads always get so contentious but it's always fun to watch.
Similar. Grew up in League City (after escaping Texas City while in kindergarten) Spent a few years in Med Center, then Memorial. Now live in NW Houston, near Copperfield/Cypress. No kids, but I've only got a couple years before I have no choice in the matter. With three (3!) dogs, having a bigger inside space + back yard was too important to stay in the Memorial area (with my salary, at least).
I didn't assert it was impossible; furthermore the OP was looking to reinforce a thesis that people were moving back to cities: which he then tried to back up by falsely insinuating racial bias on my part. Also, several people here discuss their general opinions or assumptions about city or suburban living in addition to discussing their own situation, so my stating those same opinions is completely germane to the discussion. The timing and terminology used to describe and initially magnet schools, the 50 years of subsequent suburban development and statistics regarding inner city school performance make my assertions relevant and reasonable.
You live in an area different than me. What are you going to do about it a**hole? Spoiler FWIW, I've never even lived in Houston...so technically I'm outside the loop.
I am only 23, so it was not too long ago that I grew up inside the loop. I realize its more expensive, but for me personally, I would rather be close to things and live in a smaller place/have no yard. Being able to walk places or drive no longer than 5 minutes is a huge plus for me, worth giving up the yard and space. Cost is definitely a concern, but if I could afford it (which I definitely could not arm) , I would definitely prefer to raise my kids inside the loop.
