Hey all,
My roommate got a job with FMC in Houston. He is going down Thursday to start apartment searching. Any recommendations for decent complexes, or a good real estate agent who may be helpful? Thanks! He's 24 and single, so he's looking for a good part of town, but near (if possible) work and where young people hang out. Studio or a one bedroom. Thanks for any help, but he's having no luck with his online searching or cold calling realestate agents.

-dcstudent

The hipper areas of town will be near the Galleria/Richmond and West U. Downtown has also been revitalized since the building of Minute Maid Park.

I lived in the Galleria for five years and to me it was the center of the universe. The complex I lived at (Westcreek) was older but always well maintained. It's not going to be around for much longer as it's going to be torn down and converted to mixed residential and commercial (the land has got to be worth millions).

Anyway, the Galleria is still a great area to live, especially now that the West Loop construction is about complete. There used to be some really nice complexes on Bering between Westheimer and San Felipe (the Phoenician, the Tuscany). They were brand new when I moved here ten years ago and I think they've been kept up.

Closer to West U[niversity Place], a buddy of mine lived at the Belmont on Bissonnette for a while until he bought a house. That was a good location...close to 59 and Kirby. Rice Village in West U. has some cool pubs and restaurants (the Gingerman [was my favorite], Brian O'Neil's [a favorite], Baker St. Pub [OK], and Mi Luna [awesome tapas]. Just north of 59 on either Weslayan or Buffalo Speedway there was a nice complex (I don't remember the name).

I don't know downtown too well but there's lots more stuff now compared to when I needed an apartment.

One company that seems to stay on top of their properties is Gables. Check out their locations.

What part of town will your friend be working?

If he wants to be near downtown...the Alexan Lofts are pretty nice. Alexanlofts.com

This forum has lots of posts about real estate in different parts of town...

http://www.houstonarchitecture.info/haif/index.php

A friend of my wife's lives there and we recently went to a party there. They are really nice but it's right next to a rail line and I think two trains went by in the two hours we were there.

They said they're used to it which I imagine is the case but it would suck if you have company.

He'll be at 45 and Beltway 8 on the North side of town. Thanks for all of the help so far folks.

I went to school in Houston, Texas. I love Houston ... but definitely not that part of Houston!

dcstudent, if your friend wants to live in a good part of town where young people hang out, it won't be near work. I agree with suggestions that he look into living downtown or near West U. My advice is to stay within the 610 loop (the unattractive, high strip mall density, for which Houston is so well known, gets MUCH worse beyond 610). A friend of mine recently relocated to Houston from southern California. She moved downtown and loves it!

Houston may not be that great of a place to visit, but I think it's a wonferful place in which to live!

PS - I miss the Gingerman, Duhey2!

That area is Greenspoint (unlovingly referred to as "Gunspoint"). If your friend moves inside the Loop at least he'll be going against traffic both ways (West U. might be a little tough as he'll have to navigate 59 North until he gets to downtown).

Thanks for all of the help. I've passed on all of the info and he really appreciates it. One of these days I'll get him to join flyertalk.

I 100% agree that place to be is inside the loop, with possible consideration of galleria area on a case-by-case basis. There are Wal-Marts out there!

Oh, and when we say "inside the loop" we mean "inside the west side of the loop" (I-45 + SH 288 form the boundary, though downtown qualifies).

The ideal would be to work downtown, and have your choice of all the excellent suggestions mentioned so far, but the commute would be pretty rough from anywhere inside the loop, except along the 45 corridor. If you're near the west loop, you have to deal with it's shenanigans every day (are they planning to finish that road, ever?), regardless of direction of travel. If you need 59, you've got to go through the 59-45 interchange, where 6 lanes become 2 (It seemed like a good idea at the time, ok?)

Given all that, IMHO, midtown (google map) is a no-brainer. It's a quick hop onto I45 (in contraflow) and you're to work in 15-20 minutes. For the young single (and relatively well to-do, I suppose... though he's likely quite happy about Houston rent prices. I know I miss them...) person, it's the best most active social scene, with very nearby access to all manner of scenes (upscale, dirty, everything in between).

Complexes to call would be (off the top of my head, in no particular order) Camden Midtown, Ventana, Post at Midtown, AMLI Midtown.

Alternatively, the area known as Memorial Heights (for its position between those storied neighborhoods-- google map) is an up-and-coming good choice. There are three large complexes there (AMLI Memorial Heights, Sienna, and the very affordable Archstone Memorial Heights). These are a little more removed from the action of Midtown, but have 5 minute access to Midtown and Montrose (which isn't actually all gay, as many -- mostly from outside the loop -- will imply) for stuff to do, and the rent is marginally cheaper.

If you need any other suggestions, just ask.

Portions of the post that previously appeared in this space have been deleted. I would provide you with a reason why, but doing so would likely be against the TOS.

This time, I've got your back, dog! (Confused? See this thread.) I completely agree with this and the rest of your comments. When I say that I miss Houston, Texas, it really is this and this part only to which I am referring. IMO, it really is the heart of Houston.

Thanks for all of your help guys! Matt, has taken all of your suggestions to heart and flew off to Houston today to go apartment shopping. Thanks for all of your help. I think seeing this thread has convinced him to join FlyerTalk! Thanks again.

Highly recommend (first hand) Greenbriar Ch�teau in the West University area. Phone 713-417-4044. Design is New Orleans French Quarter courtyard style. Very quiet and quaint...not a party place if that's what you're looking for. Mix of very young students (mostly), some young professionals, and some elderly. The "feel" of the place as regards to students is very much of the type of student that might want to party elsewhere, but wants something very nice and quiet to come home to.

It's a pretty popular one and occupancy is always high so they may not have a unit exactly when you need it. Manager's name is Pamela. Tell her Mark Love ("Holly's boyfriend") sent you.

DISCLAIMER: My girlfriend Holly used to work there part time for Pamela some time ago. As such I've seen the place and many units first hand and talked to many, many of the residents. All seemed to love the place.

Good Luck!

Edited to correct the phone number