Nottingham Forest, Houston
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| Home value range: | $265,000 — $469,000 USD (median $329,500 USD)[1] |
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| Constructed: | 1967[1] |
| Building population: | 932[1] |
| Education: | Spring Branch ISD: Nottingham Elementary School and Meadow Wood Elementary School Spring Forest MS Stratford HS |
| City: | Houston, Texas |
Nottingham Forest (29°46′1.9524″N 95°36′54.1578″W / 29.767209000°N 95.615043833°W and 29°45′59.3346″N 95°35′52.512″W / 29.766481833°N 95.59792000°W{{#coordinates:}}: cannot have more than one primary tag per page) is the combined name of two middle-class neighborhoods (Nottingham Forest VIII and Nottingham Forest) located on the far west side of Houston, Texas, south of Interstate 10 and west of Beltway 8. They are both bordered by Memorial Drive to the north and the Buffalo Bayou to the south and west.
The two are members of a group of neighborhoods and apartment complexes that sprung up in the 1960s in west Houston. Much like many other neighborhoods in the surrounding area, they are populated by numerous clapboard and brick one- and two-story houses shaded by what once was thick oak forest.
History
The neighborhood was first developed in 1967. The area was mainly grassland and wood, with little commercial development. Interstate 10 had recently been built north of the area, bringing more people out to the western edge of the city.
In 1973, the neighborhood's architectural restrictions were approved by the city of Houston, and most recently re-approved on May 27, 2004.
The area continued to grow through the 70's and 80's, including traffic lights at intersections, new shops and restaurants, and more residential development.
2001 saw Tropical Storm Allison. The "500 year flood" didn't reach the west side of the city, but heavy rain was reported.
In 2005, Hurricane Rita was set on a path right for Houston. Residents in the neighborhood evacuated, and Nottingham Elementary was closed for six days.
Both storms did no damage to the neighborhood.
Also in 2005, blacktop pathing was done for Nottingham Oaks Trail, beginning a new trend of road renovation to finish in the next 20+ years.
In 2006, the Houston Chronicle listed Nottingham Forest as one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the west Houston superneighborhod (outside Beltway 8) [2], with the most expensive house listed around $425,000 USD. Unlike the rest of the city, in 2007 Nottingham Forest (along with the rest of the Memorial area) reported an 8% increase in home sales, one of only seven areas in Houston to report a sales increase.[3] The poor performance in the Houston housing market has been caused by the subprime mortgage crisis.
Government and infrastructure
The neighborhood is served by the Houston Police Department's Westside Patrol Division [4].
In May 2007, representatives from Nottingham Forest VIII and Westchester met with council member Pam Holm and HPD Captain Richard Gerstner to discuss changes to the area.[5] Unlike other places in the city, crime in the area is slightly higher than earlier in 2006. Nottingham Forest and Westchester are hoping for approval from the council to increase forces.
Education
The neighborhood is located inside the Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) and has its own school, Nottingham Elementary. Middle and high school students go to Spring Forest Middle School and Stratford High School.
| Name | Location | Phone number (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Stratford High School | 1050 Dairy-Ashford Road | 281-560-7653 |
| Spring Forest Middle School | 14240 Memorial Drive | 281-560-7500 |
| Nottingham Elementary School | 570 Nottingham Oaks Trail | 281-497-2954 |
There is also one Houston Public Library branch in the area:
| Name | Location | Phone number (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Kendall Branch Library | 609 N. Eldridge | 832-393-1880 |
Sports
The neighborhood has three local sports teams:
- Stratford Spartans (American football)
- Stratford Spartans (Baseball)
- Memorial-Ashford Team (Little League Baseball)
Local destinations
A jogging trail/grass park that runs right along the Buffalo Bayou, accessible from the neighborhood.
- Nottingham Park
Large park with a water park, playground, baseball fields, tennis courts and jogging trail. Located 1 mile from the neighborhood on Country Place Drive.
- Nottingham Club
A private members-only club located on the extreme southeastern side of Nottingham Forest; includes sports facilities, a pool and playground.
Popular shopping centers.
Extremely large city park west of State Highway 6.
Another large city park and miniature zoo to the north of Interstate 10.
External links
Notes
- ^ a b c Nottingham Forest at Houston Association of Relators website
- ^ Houston Chronicle HomeFront
- ^ The Houston Chronicle, March 19, 2008. Page D1, "Real Estate" section.
- ^ Houston Police Department - Westside Patrol Division page Last accessed September 1, 2007
- ^ RAP news stories at Westchester.org
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Nottingham Forest, Houston
