Garden Villas pics (Houston, Alpine, West: real estate market, schools, live in)

[HookTheBrotherUp]

I recall driving through there about 25 years ago and it was nice then; a friend was thinking about purchasing a home there, I wonder how much it would have been worth at this time. BTW, when were the photos taken? I don't see the signs of drought that exist today.

[westres1]

I grew up near Garden villas and learned to swim in the backyard pool of a house in the neighborhood. It and Glenbrook valley were such nice neighborhoods and it is great to see it starting to come back.

[modster]

Originally Posted by HookTheBrotherUp

I recall driving through there about 25 years ago and it was nice then; a friend was thinking about purchasing a home there, I wonder how much it would have been worth at this time. BTW, when were the photos taken? I don't see the signs of drought that exist today.

Yesterday. I guess the big rain helped.

[MrMcCoySays]

The area looks ALRIGHT. It would look better if there were sidewalks and the lots looked more manicured? But half of those homes look very post-Ike.

And where are the gardens?

[MrMcCoySays]

And the trees look like they're trying to attack the homes

[GIS_Gordon]

I grew up in Garden Villas on Cayton. It was definitely a unique experience that gave me a different perspective than alot of other people in my generation who grew up in the 'burbs. GV is almost rural, until a 737 flies 150' over your head and then you remember..."oh yeah I'm in Southeast houston". I actually went to the the elementary school you posted pictures of from 1990 to 1995...those were the days.

Great things about GV:

1. The Yards....amazingly huge.
2. The Pecans...all of the trees are huge and fruit bearing
3. The people...mostly post war oldtimers who tell you a story as you walk down the street..sadly this is becoming more rare. Lots of younger diverse couples with small children now moving in...which is great...but I miss the old folks.

I have seriously considered buying if I could find a house on Haywood, Sims, or maybe Alpine.

The are a couple of reasons my wife and I are buying our first house in Post Oak Manor rather than "the Villas"

1. My dad still lives there and I'd feel like I wasn't really leaving "home" and striking out on my own
2. My wife has become very fond of living near the ammenities of the Galleria / Bellaire/Meyerland area.
3. The age of the homes...most built during the 30's. Our house that we are buying in Post Oak Manor was built in '57, and I can tell the difference.

[jbedwell]

I live in Garden Villas and have for many years however, we are retiring to another state and will be selling our beautiful home very soon. It is hard to find such a neighborhood with very large yards with some of the homes on an acre or more. I love Garden Villas becuase of the old town charm and it's so centrally located to almost everything in the Houston metropolitan area. If you haven't had the chance to visit our neighborhood it is worth the time to do so.

[amy_s002]

Loved Garden Villas! I also have to say the church was beautiful and my husband and I got married there. Last time i went around there, I have to say the area is not so nice anymore.

[feufoma]

Nice but too close to Hobby.

[mcload]

I too grew up in Garden Villas, 1953 through about 1970, on Alpine street, near the dead end.
I attended GV Elementary, Hartman, Jones, and Ross Sterling.
And yes, I remember the great houses on Ashford, and the community center when it was first built. Heck, I even remember the civil defense horn going off every Friday at noon.

But now, GV is simply surrounded by depression and high-crime. Drive down Alpine now and most of the houses are dumps, maintained by trashy folks who could care less. Too bad.
Same thing happened to the nice houses on MacGregor Drive. And take a drive down Bellfort. Closed up shopping centers and vandalism. I'm not even sure I would risk Glenbrook Valley.

But hopefully it will come back someday....