Move to Houston from Scotland finally confirmed - in 7 weeks, eeeeek!!!

[LJSassy30]

Thats the offer sorted and accepted, whoop whoop!! Houston here we come!!!!!

I'm coming over on a house hunting trip Saturday 27th July (I need an address to register my boys in school for start of term), so busy getting my list of properties ready. I know there are many opinions on living in Katy/the burbs, but it is the area that i feel suites my family needs.

The problem now being where in Katy would you recommend renting?? Some of the areas I'm considering are in Cinco Ranch, Cross Creek Ranch, Pine Mill Ranch, Silver Ranch & Grayson Lakes as I like the schools these areas are zoned to.

Does one sub division have something better/worse over the other? Are there issues with any of the areas that I should be aware of? Local amenities are important i.e. pools, playgrounds, walks as I will also need to keep an energetic 2 year old occupied. I would also like to be in an area that has organised events for the residents to go to as these seem to be a great ways of meeting other people.

Thanks for reading and any info you may provide.

L x

[Rip808]

Any of those locations are excellent choices. All zoned to the same school (with the exception of Grayson Lakes for High School, and some others for Jr. High's). They all have some sort of amenities (Cinco Ranch, CCR having the fancier of the list). If you go to Facebook and type in the community name you will find that residents often times put up a Facebook page for the residents and your able to peek in there and see what everyone is up to. All those places have strong HOA's (Home owner associations) and are located in South Katy. You should be more than safe. Excellent choice. Welcome Y'all!

[winniethepooh]

Hi.
I'm Irish and have lived in cinco ranch Katy for the past two years. We are actually heading home next week as we come to end of my husband's work assignment here.

We have really like Cinco Ranch and Katy. We choose it for good schools, low crime, nice family lifestyle, only 20 minute commute to my husbands work.

We are in the Cinco 1 area. In only the two years that we are here we've seen the area grow so much. We have seen lovely new communities out more west like Cross Creek Ranch you mention but it could be a long commute to work so bare this in mind.

Regarding schools they are all good in this area. In the newer areas west of cinco the sizes have increased a lot. I have heard that while the new areas are being built the new families there are in schools to the east of their zone. I am glad for that reason we went with cinco 1 area as right now school sizes there are smaller than the newer areas and I like that there is a fully established area here.

We have lived in an apartment the last two years. Living space is quite big, it is Texas so you can get pretty nice sized apartments, however there are pros and cons to apartment living. We had management change numerous times. Luckily we had quiet neighbors but know others in our complex who had noisy neighbors and dogs. All in all though it has been good. I have felt safe thee and for temporary two years it worked ideal for us with inside pool, gym etc as pluses. Rental price is expensive here but on the plus side you are zoned to schools all of which are good. It's a great place to live. If I can be of any help just message me.

[Lbjen]

Exciting! Welcome to Houston!

[BrianH]

Welcome to Houston, I think you'll like it here. I am from Ireland (Dublin) and love the heat and humidity. Id take 80F all year round over any sort of chill. Good luck with the house hunting. There is plenty of ex pats in the area too, ive stumbled across a few just bar hopping!

[LJSassy30]

Thanks for your welcomes. Now that the move is agreed and imminent, i'm starting to get excited!!!

I've found myself (by accident) a friendly realtor who will help up visit the rental properties we have shortlisted on our arrival next weekend. I'm really looking forward to visiting them all to allow me to get a feel for the neighbourhoods. I do keep coming back to the thought that we should stay in Cinco due the vast amount of amenities they seem to have.

Once we've decided on a home, we will then get the opportunity to visit the local schools (organised by realtor), which will calm my nerves for my boys a bit.

The plans are now being put into action, whoop whoop!!!

[bayoubengal1982]

Originally Posted by LJSassy30

Thanks for your welcomes. Now that the move is agreed and imminent, i'm starting to get excited!!!

I've found myself (by accident) a friendly realtor who will help up visit the rental properties we have shortlisted on our arrival next weekend. I'm really looking forward to visiting them all to allow me to get a feel for the neighbourhoods. I do keep coming back to the thought that we should stay in Cinco due the vast amount of amenities they seem to have.

Once we've decided on a home, we will then get the opportunity to visit the local schools (organised by realtor), which will calm my nerves for my boys a bit.

The plans are now being put into action, whoop whoop!!!

While Cinco Ranch does have everything you will need (restaraunts, shopping, groceries, entertainment), dont be fooled into thinking that you can walk to everything. Neighborhoods are huge and you could end up with a mile + walk to anything. Add in the summer heat here, walking will be the last thing you want to do. Welcome to Texas

[Supermac34]

The Heather & Thistle Society of Houston is a fun group of Scots (and Scottish enthusiasts). I recommend looking into it. They do a good Burns Supper every year.

The Heather and Thistle Society

EDIT: Oh No! I just read that the H&T Society had to dissolve this year. 60 years! I think there is still a group doing a Burns Supper though.