The Mrs. and I are looking around H town for an apartment. We are Northwest now but are open to living a little closer in, especially since I work insode the loop. Looking to spend around $650 (or less), as much space as we can get. Safety is a priority. Any suggestions or "stay-away-froms" out there? Thanks!
How many bedrooms? I work for an apartment management company (Alliance) that does mostly B-grade buildings. Most of our stuff is out in the burbs, but we've got a couple close in. $650 can get you a one-bedroom in one of our places close in.
One bedroom will work. We just need to fit a king size bed in there. BTW, what is a B-Grade building?
Sorry, in the industry, there are grades of apartments that run from A to C (below that are crackhouses). A's are the new construction stuff with the granite countertops, etc. B's are older construction, respectable but nothing fancy. Cs are worn-out, delapidated buildings. Our company mostly focuses on running B apartments in a professional manner for blue-collar residents in the suburbs.
get out and drive... you may be able to find a 4-plex inside the loop (montrose) for about that much maybe... you may also be able to find something in the heights for that, but the heights can be spotty (nice homes next to trashy ones, etc) good luck.
Not really looking for rental homes or duplexes... Don't want yard work among other things. Thanks for the info though!
It's been my experience that the Houston Press real estate section is the best source for apartments inside the loop.
(Hit the Submit button prematurely) You may want to check out Camden apartments which looks for a similar market, but just a half-notch more upscale than us. Some of our places would be: Memorial Club is just east of Memorial Park. It has the best location but somehow always seemed sketchy to me. Just north of the loop on TC Jester is The Gardens which is a nice enough place. In the Galleria area, there is Tanglebrook, which is nicest but usually all booked up; Oxford on Greenridge which is removed a few blocks from Westheimer and is nice but is close to some sort of strip club or something; Carrington Court, which I haven't seen since the renovation. A little further out and south is Sterling Point, which is well-run but probably won't fit the safe criterion. We also have a number of places on Gessner that I don't think fit the 'close in' description, but you can correct me on that. We also have a place near the Astrodome called Broadmead. I've never seen it. Otherwise, we've got something like 50 more in the Houston area. I'd send you the website, but it has disappeared. I can't tell you from personal experience about many of them since I'm at corporate and don't often visit. But, if you happen to be considering one of ours, send me an email and I might be able to lend some insight.
I dont think Mrs. Mulder was talking about the apartment when she told you 'size matters'. Stay away from the Antoine apartment area.........my nephew lives over there and I had to tuck and roll all the way to his apartment.
Do you mean duck and roll? I don't understand the kids' jargon these days... someone please translate for this old man...
From my past experience, I think finding a big AND nice, safe apartment for $650 max is going to be tough.
At this point safe is the priority. I'm getting a little frustrated trying to look online. I have looked at apartmentratings.com but you never know if it is real tenants leaving the reviews. Looks like I may have to get with an apartment locator. Anybody in a complex that they like?
I Love my complex. HUGE space. Most tenants are affluent 20-40 yr. olds. Great pool. Lot's of activities set up. I probably know about 30 people here. Very safe area, and it's in Bellaire, so I'm 5 minutes from everything but my job. That said, my two bedroom is $1125/mo. A friend recently inquired for a one bedroom and the rates were $850-1250. Don't know if that's out of your price range, though.
Keyword in that paragraph "affluent". Don't know a lot of state workers that fit into that category... in all seriousness it's just over my limit. Funny part is we couldn't care less about the eminities. Pool? Get me as far away as possible. Activities? Rather have them spend the money on security. To each his own I guess. Thanks though...
Oh ya I know... That's what I am trying to avoid as well. When I lived in Austin, we were at a place off of Parmer and Metric. Apartment was really nice and the sq. ft. / dollar ratio was reasonable especially for Austin. Looks like I may have to stay out in the burbs for that to happen again. A friend suggested that I look at apartments next to HP since a lot of young professionals are likely to make up the tenants.
I used to live out there for years. I have yet to find a place in Houston I like as much as the Parmer area between Metric and 620.
