Grand Lakes, Green Trails, Kelliwood - good/bad/ugly (Sugar Land: best neighborhoods, HOA fees)

[stop-go]

Looking into these areas. Commute isn't a concern, hoping to spend around $500k. Other than what we've read on the schools we know next to nothing. We will be moving from an established part of Sugar Land, lots of mature trees, walking distance to parks. We want a pretty neighborhood! Fill me in. Commute is not a concern but we do want to be close to restaurants, grocery stores, great schools.

[HTownNearNative]

What are you looking to gain from the move that you don't currently have in the "established section of Sugar Land" you are from (which would appear to be comparable or superior to Katy in general)?

[stop-go]

Office is in Katy

[Failed Engineer]

I think Kelliwood and Green Trails are the best neighborhoods in Katy.

[stop-go]

Originally Posted by Failed Engineer

I think Kelliwood and Green Trails are the best neighborhoods in Katy.

But why? I see this a lot but nobody can explain why.

I looked at Grand Lakes specifically because it's zoned to Seven Lakes High, which ranks a lot higher than Taylor. There has to be something I'm missing here - great school but people prefer another area. Feel free to message me if you'd rather not post publicly.

Commute isn't a concern (partly in office at Katy, partly work from home), we are primarily concerned with schools and an involved neighborhood with lots of kids.

[kickingprop]

We moved to Kelliwood just over a year ago, and we love it. Easy access to the bike trails into GWB Park. Most, if not all of Kelliwood is zoned to Pattison elementary, which is one of the highest rated schools in Katy. (Even if you don't have kids, this is good for property values). Taylor is still an excellent HS, even if it's not rated as highly as Cinco Ranch.

The mature tree lined streets are much nicer I think in Green Trails and Kelliwood as they are older, more established areas.

Property Taxes/HOA fees are lower for Kelliwood as well.

[gwarnecke]

Many prefer Kelliwood and Green Trails to the neighborhoods west of the Grand Parkway because of the mature trees, generally lower taxes, George Bush Park access, and (especially) the much shorter commute to the Energy Corridor. Green Trails to the heart of the EC is 15 minutes at rush hour vs 45 mins to an hour from Grand Lakes. This may not impact you if your office is in Katy, but it does influence desireability and resale value for others.

From what I've heard, comparing the Katy schools south of I-10 is splitting hairs. They're all fine schools.

[kittyhawk]

As far as the neighborhoods go, they are really similar. Grand Lakes is newer housing stock and appears to look a little more generic than Green Trails/Kelliwood but I think it will age nicely. It may have more amenities as well because it's newer. Demographics are similar in both areas--lots of kids with parents who are there "for the schools". The older neighborhoods have more older kids and empty nesters. Both Seven Lakes and Taylor are top Texas public high schools. You're splitting hairs over the rankings.

One thing to take into consideration is that it can take 20 or more minutes in traffic to get from Grand Lakes up to I-10 whereas Green Trails and Kelliwood are right there. This is a big advantage if you are using I-10 to get somewhere regardless of whether you commute to work or not. I also think this makes the location superior in general which will bode well for property values down the road. However, I don't think you can go wrong with either one all things being equal. Consider older areas of Cinco Ranch as well (east of 99).