Riverpark West, nice familes or not? (Austin, Sugar Land: home, schools, zoned)

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by ftbend06

Maybe I'm beating a dead horse at this point, but I'm still waiting on the comments above to be substantiated. The facts are the neighborhood is in the same price range as Riverpark if not higher. It's zoned to the same schools. It's newer construction. On the downsides, they could have built fewer apartments at the entrance to the development, and maybe it doesn't have the same "cachet" of a Sugar Land address that the original Riverpark has. Other than that, it seems like a decent middle class to upper middle class neighborhood.

Some of the neighborhoods mentioned above are aging and have issues too. Not every part of First Colony and New Territory is great. I don't really have a dog in the fight; I like most of the general area. I do find it interesting though how perceptions, whether they're true or not, affect the housing market.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Riverpark is a bad place to live - I wouldn't have a problem living there myself. As others have said, we're comparing RP and RPW to the other neighborhoods in the area (Telfair, Greatwood, etc.) rather than, say, the 5th Ward. I am just stating what the perception of RP is in this area (whether true or untrue).

The perception is that RP has a lot of rental houses (as opposed to homeowners) and is not as well-maintained. I have also heard the infrastructure that the MUD built isn't all that great. Also, RP and RPW are thought to have a lot of Nigerian immigrants, though I haven't ever heard someone explicitly link that to the rentals and poor upkeep.

But you are right about perceptions affecting the housing market regardless of what the truth might actually be. People perceive FBISD to be a better district than LCISD even though the data doesn't corroborate the perception.

[Bad Haggis]

When I visit my cousin it seems pretty obvious there are a few instances where multiple families are living in one house. But he doesn't seem to care, $250k for 5000 sq ft is a bargain and the home although basic, is actually pretty efficient. He paid a lot less for it than the original owners did and in a few years he'll probably move again and break even on it.

[ftbend06]

Originally Posted by War Beagle

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Riverpark is a bad place to live - I wouldn't have a problem living there myself. As others have said, we're comparing RP and RPW to the other neighborhoods in the area (Telfair, Greatwood, etc.) rather than, say, the 5th Ward. I am just stating what the perception of RP is in this area (whether true or untrue).

The perception is that RP has a lot of rental houses (as opposed to homeowners) and is not as well-maintained. I have also heard the infrastructure that the MUD built isn't all that great. Also, RP and RPW are thought to have a lot of Nigerian immigrants, though I haven't ever heard someone explicitly link that to the rentals and poor upkeep.

But you are right about perceptions affecting the housing market regardless of what the truth might actually be. People perceive FBISD to be a better district than LCISD even though the data doesn't corroborate the perception.

That's fair; thanks for the information. You're right; I think you have to compare individual schools more than school districts. Saying a school district is good or bad is too broad of a stroke in most cases. Both districts mentioned seem to have a lot of variety in the quality of their schools. Greatwood is also in LCISD, but has a better perception. Of course it has its own elementary schools and the neighborhood is really well kept. I wonder what the thoughts are on the secondary education as it would serve a lot of areas outside of Greatwood as well.

[ujay]

Pray tell...


What is still the perception of riverpark and riverpark west?
Checking har,com, riverpark west sells better than riverpark....

Whats your opinion?

[ujay]

This is one year down the line...

[houston-nomad]

Isn't the rule of real estate to buy the cheapest house on a good block, not the biggest house on a cheap block? Just scale that rule up a little and I think you have your answer. If, that is, you care about appreciation.

[979Texan]

Originally Posted by Bad Haggis

When I visit my cousin it seems pretty obvious there are a few instances where multiple families are living in one house.

Bingo.

High density population and crime are long time friends.

[georgemichael]

it's more so you don't want to be the odd man out. or have something the majority of other properties don't if you're looking for value. (for example, you don't want to be the only property with a 2 story or pool and the rest of the neighborhood is 1 story/no pool).

that being said I have heard that saying.

[Houston321]

"learn home ownership?" It's not rocket science. Buy a home, take care of it, pay for it...Done.

[ujay]

so sorry...
but my question isnt still answered..