Looking for some friendly advice for relocating (Houston, Sugar Land: apartment, houses)

[SpecialAngel]

We are a retired couple looking to relocate to the Houston area. We have never been to the area but could use some advice on some of the areas we have been researching online. We will not be commuting to any jobs. We just want an established neighborhood that we can feel safe and comfortable in.

We are looking in the Houston neighborhoods of Inwood and Harvest Bend. We are also looking outside Houston in Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Spring and Tomball.

We are not looking for a large home, just something comfortable for two people that will be having grandkids of all ages visiting, the typical 3 bedroom 2 bath home.

We are not millionnaires so looking for a lower priced home, probably $110k or less.

Where would you recommend we limit our searches to? Are any of the areas we mentioned better than the other? Like I said, we would like a very safe, friendly established area. This will probably be the last home we buy and we just want to feel comfortable there. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[cheryjohns]

I would suggest certain areas of Glen Cairn over Inwood and Harvest Bend. Inwood floods. Harvest Bend is changing - not for the good. Also, Copperfield and the Colonies - all much better subdivisions - not as many to choose from - but they are there. Copperfield in particular would be good - pools and parks throughout. One story.

[SpecialAngel]

Thanks for the info. Anyone else have some advice for us?

[Shadow0801]

Katy would be a great place to look. We have a friend who moved there to be close to her parents who live in Katy also. The neighborhood there is wonderful. All of the people around her home are very friendly. It has a great feel of community. If it wouldn't be such a big commute for us, we'd consider moving there as well. Good luck!

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by Shadow0801

Katy would be a great place to look. We have a friend who moved there to be close to her parents who live in Katy also. The neighborhood there is wonderful. All of the people around her home are very friendly. It has a great feel of community. If it wouldn't be such a big commute for us, we'd consider moving there as well. Good luck!

Northern Katy or south of I-10? You can't get into south Katy for $110K or less. Upper Katy, yes, with a house that needs work.

[Texascrude]

I'd look in North Houston -- there tend to be a lot more trees up there, though I suppose that's just a preference thing. Take a look at Kingwood.

[Shadow0801]

Our friend lives off of Bartlett and Hwy 90, North of I-10. It's an older neighborhood but most of the homes are in great shape. It's very quiet. I really like the neighborhood. There is a wide range of home prices.

[UpstaterInBklyn]

In your price range, you might want to consider a patio home, which is basically tailor made for the empty-nester or retired lifestyle.

The houses are smaller and typically come in two or three bedroom configurations. They are built on smaller plots of land with small backyards that often accommodate a patio or deck and not much else, so the maintenance is easy. Landscaping services are taken care of by the HOA.

The nice thing is that unlike a smaller home that is older, they are designed with modern convenience features such as a nice master suite with a huge walk-in-closet and an open floorplan for the kitchen/dining/living area.

Although we are not retired and are only in our forties, we live in a 3BR patio home in Spring and like it. It's not too big nor too small. We don't have kids and it suits our lifestyle to not live in a huge house or an older home that requires a lot of maintenance. Most of our neighbors are empty-nesters, but there are some people our age as well.

We live in one of the Candlelight Estates communities bordering Cypresswood Dr. between Mirror Lake Dr. and Duke Lake Dr. There are four communities. The general area is very nice and consists of established neighborhoods with nice homes and convenient shopping nearby on I-45. Units sell in the $100K - $130K range.

[Svensk08]

Unfortunately, patio homes in this area have two stories and aren't suited to the needs of many senior retirees. Once climbing stairs becomes difficult or impossible for them, the next move is often to a dinky apartment or assisted living facility.

It's amazing that, given the increasing number of people 65+, there aren't more small, one story houses or patio homes built around here for aging-in-place.

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by Svensk08

Unfortunately, patio homes in this area have two stories and aren't suited to the needs of many senior retirees. Once climbing stairs becomes difficult or impossible for them, the next move is often to a dinky apartment or assisted living facility.

It's amazing that, given the increasing number of people 65+, there aren't more small, one story houses or patio homes built around here for aging-in-place.

Agree totally. There are some one stories out there, but not nearly the amount that we are going to need. If there is a future building boom, it's that group.

One story houses already sell faster than the two-story homes in the same neighborhood.

As far as aging-in-place - you would be surprised at the number of people that don't think beyond right this minute. When I suggest that we look at one story homes, a client will often tell me they want a two story instead - and they could be in their late 60's or even way beyond. Sometimes it has been less than a year later that they have to sell and move into a one story. Selling that quick gets expensive