Great Houston Neighborhoods!!!! (The Woodlands, Katy, Jersey Village: best neighborhoods, transplants, 2014)

[FatherofTwinGirls]

So, we are recent transplants to Houston. Been here almost 6 months and have another 6 months before our lease is up, which we intend to purchase a home thereafter. I've heard many different opinions about the various neighborhoods in Houston, so I thought I would open the discussion up here.

What are the best neighborhoods in Houston with the following criteria:

• Safe
• Good Schools for pre-K to 8 (We have twin 2.5 year olds and plan to stay in home for no more than 8 years)
• Trees, lots of mature trees
• Pedestrian/bike/stroller friendly
• Price range not to exceed $225,000
• Open to any area, commute should not exceed 45 mins from 610 & 290 interchange
• Open to any age of house

Thanks

[OducksFTW!]

There are plenty if your willing to drive. But its tough to really give specific neighborhoods, I would suggest driving around Katy, Cypress, and even the Woodlands area. If it wasnt for 290 I would have said Cypress, but 290 is the worst highway in Houston during rush hour.

And you have to realize that 610 and 290 is THE most congested interchange in Texas. So take into account the traffic time that would be included in your commute.

[FatherofTwinGirls]

Yeah, I keep on hearing the horrible tales of traffic on 290, which I have yet to experience, because luckily as it stands I exit TC Jester from 610W to get to work, which from Bush International area to TC Jester during rush hour is about a 45 min commute, which I do not want to go over that if possible.

I have co-workers that live in the Woodlands and they have an hour commute, which would probably be the max for me in terms of driving time. The majority of the Woodland areas that I have looked into are out of my price range.

[cheryjohns]

Copperfield, the Colonies (Jamestown Colony, Charleston Colony, etc.), Jersey Village. The Woodlands is too far. You would like Champions, but it will take you closer to the 45 minute mark. Jerey - 15 minutes. The other two - 30 minutes. On Copperfield and the Colonies, you don't have to get on 290 - take the back roads. Look on Har for a location in each area, and drive out to see the neighborhoods. All have mature trees, family atmosphere, etc.

[Shr1ke]

If you are looking to move into an area and stay more than 3 years, then you should consider the Cypress area. Texas just allocated 1.9 billion into expanding and improving 290. Yeah, might be rough for 2-3 years, BUT once it is completed, watch both property values and commute times improve!

Here is a quote from the article listed below:

All of Hwy. 290 between Loop 610 and the Grand Parkway is slated to be under construction by 2014, and it is estimated the project will be complete by late 2016.

State allocates more funding for Hwy. 290 improvements - Community Impact Newspaper

Check out the link above. Just got approved on June 28th!

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by Shr1ke

If you are looking to move into an area and stay more than 3 years, then you should consider the Cypress area. Texas just allocated 1.9 billion into expanding and improving 290. Yeah, might be rough for 2-3 years, BUT once it is completed, watch both property values and commute times improve!

Here is a quote from the article listed below:


State allocates more funding for Hwy. 290 improvements - Community Impact Newspaper

Check out the link above. Just got approved on June 28th!

That is really good news for the Cypress area. Bridgeland, Towne Lakes and Fairfield will jump. Also Coles Crossing and adjacent neighborhoods.

[DJboutit]

Check out Westbury you can get a nice 2000sqft to 2500sqft for $215k to $250k on the southwest side just outside the loop if you have to go way out on 290 then this area is not for you

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by DJboutit

Check out Westbury you can get a nice 2000sqft to 2500sqft for $215k to $250k on the southwest side just outside the loop if you have to go way out on 290 then this area is not for you

That would not be a reasonable commute.

[Beto]

Originally Posted by FatherofTwinGirls

So, we are recent transplants to Houston. Been here almost 6 months and have another 6 months before our lease is up, which we intend to purchase a home thereafter. I've heard many different opinions about the various neighborhoods in Houston, so I thought I would open the discussion up here.

What are the best neighborhoods in Houston with the following criteria:

• Safe
• Good Schools for pre-K to 8 (We have twin 2.5 year olds and plan to stay in home for no more than 8 years)
• Trees, lots of mature trees
• Pedestrian/bike/stroller friendly
• Price range not to exceed $225,000
• Open to any area, commute should not exceed 45 mins from 610 & 290 interchange
• Open to any age of house

Thanks

Are you looking for more Resale's or New homes?

[trbstang]

I agree way out 290 is bad, but there are several areas right around the beltway & 290 that are about 45 min or less from loop 610 in heavy traffic. At 9:00am and 6:30pm I make the drive to and from the downtown area in 30-35 min. 610 is about 18-20 min or so. Jersey Village, Winchester Trails, Stonebridge, and Willowbridge are in your price range and just outside the beltway. Laurel Creek is nice too and inside the beltway. They all go to good CyFair schools (Post, Bang and Gleason elementary, Cook MS). It would be worth a look at least.