The costs of living in Cross Creek Ranch (Houston, Spring: sales, new home)

[d2mini]

Hi all, we saw CCR recently and really liked it. It seemed so tranquil compared to Cinco. So if we were to build in CCR, I have a few questions.

Our current home is in Spring Branch in an old 1960 single story ranch. 2400sq ft. It's been remodeled so the walls have new insulation and there are new windows, but it's still an old home. My electric bill in the summer with a pretty low rate is still pushing over $350 and my water/sewer bill (city of houston) is up near $250 a month. We don't pay mud so my taxes are around 2.5%.

So I'm having a hard time figuring out what my monthly bills will be like with a new home in Cinco. We are looking at 2 story, around 3300 sq ft, and maybe a Trendmaker or a Perry. Just the two of us and an infant for now. Can anyone help me guesstimate what my monthly utility bills might look like or at least share your bills from the last couple months? I'm expecting a pretty good drop in electric with all the better energy efficiency.

Also, it looks like the taxes are around 3.6%???
I'm assuming since it's a mud, my actual water bill will be lower than what I'm paying the city of houston right now? So that would help alleviate some of the tax increase. Will the mud tax drop eventually?

Any other cost differences i should be taking into consideration moving from the city to the country? Besides gas, of course. And do you feel you are getting a lot for your association dues which seem to be similar to Cinco?

I really appreciate the help. Thanks!

[jtothemak]

The only thing I can answer for you in your Mud tax, yes it will get cheaper over time as your mud zone is built out but it will take years and years. That is the cost of building in a brand new neighborhood. Got to pay for services to the area to be put in.

I just built not too far from CCR and our tax rate is 3.2% and the subdivision was started in 2005.

As far as energy cost that is a big variable depending how cool you keep your house and what energy saving construction you put in your home.

[azinwood]

FYI.

In cinco SW, 3800sqft house built in 2010, 1.5 story, 8.8c for electricity. Keep 66% of the house at 77F 24/7 the other parts we keep at 83F during the day. Never changes as we have someone home all day. In this summer heat we are seeing electricity bills around $175-190 with gas around $30. During the cold times electricity is around $70 and gas is around $120.

[trbstang]

Dennis, I don't know about that area in particular, but most of the MUD districts are about the same. We pay about $1,400 annually for the taxes, and our actual water bill runs between $30-$100, so you figure we have a total monthly "water bill" of $150-$220 or so, depending on the water usage. And if the MUD is managed well, those taxes should drop over the years, but it would probably be 20-25+ years. Our first neighborhood was in so much debt, that Houston just annexed areas around us because it would have cost them too much money to annex our area and pay off the bonds. They would not be able to cover it with the city taxes and water rates.

Boy, I'm sure not going to like driving all the way out to east SA to buy frags when you move!

Thomas

[d2mini]

LOL! Thomas, i'm beginning to think you are stalking me.

We might end up with a pool, so maybe it will be worth the trip!

[dkl1]

You are correct 3.6% taxes in CC. Sales person noted 3.4 but left out City of Fulshaer Taxes. If w/o kids there are cheaper tax districts around the area or stay in Cinco Ranch to avoid Fulshear added tax. VERY high as far as I am concerned. I too lived in Spring Branch and miss it!

[Float]

We are in a 3300 sq ft 1.5 story in CCR and could not be happier. We don't get anywhere near $350 on our electric bill. Feel free to PM me..

[chris_ut]

For water bill comparison I have a house in MUD and one nearby in City of Houston, the MUD house has a monthly water bill of around $40 + tax of $180, COH water bill is around $160 a month so MUD comes out slightly higher.