Falls at Imperial Oaks? (Houston, The Woodlands: renting, how much, home builder)

[wildkarrde21]

Hi all, moved here a few months ago and currently renting in The Woodlands, but I think I'm going to end up building outside of it. I'm looking at master planned communities outside of The Woodlands since the developer is charging exorbitant prices for the lots which the builders I've talked to then pass onto us... not sure I want to pay the premium for a zip code.

Any thoughts/opinions/personal experiences about Falls at Imperial Oaks or the surrounding area? I haven't seen much mention of it here. It looks like it's a newer section tucked inside Imperial Oaks, which seems to be looked favorably upon.

New Home Developers from New Home Builder in Spring & The Woodlands, TX - Falls at Imperial Oaks

[OnMyWayto30a]

We have also had an eye on that area...particularly the Holly Creek Section. Although the prices have easily jumped 25-30% since the Exxon facility construction began. Have to think prices will subside a bit once the inventory catches up.

[colcat]

If you will be traveling on I-45 everyday for work, I would highly recommend that you attempt a dry run on your commute during rush hour. Traffic is horrendous going to and from this area during these times. It makes The Woodlands traffic look like a picnic.

[OnMyWayto30a]

colcat - how about when traveling Hardy Tollroad? Same problems?

[colcat]

Originally Posted by OnMyWayto30a

colcat - how about when traveling Hardy Tollroad? Same problems?

Not sure. I do know that there are very few arteries in and out of the area. Many residences popping up with no extra roads to deal with the population. I would surely check it out, though. Maybe that direction is less of a headache.

[texas7]

yeah for some reason people seem to think exxon is going to cause 10k people to move to the woodlands. the majority of those 10k are already in houston working for exxon and not relocating.

[Rip808]

Once the grand parkway opens up from 45 to 59 (or is it 69 now?) Birnham Woods Dr. will be a direct link into the falls at imperial oaks (about 2-3 miles from grand parkway). This will help with the traffic and make going to the woodlands or hoping on 45/HTR a breeze. The grand parkway is going to run next to and in the direction of "Riley Fuzzel". This area appears to be very nice and if you work in The Woodlands and don't want to pay The Woodlands prices, I think this is a very good investment.

[wildkarrde21]

Originally Posted by colcat

If you will be traveling on I-45 everyday for work, I would highly recommend that you attempt a dry run on your commute during rush hour. Traffic is horrendous going to and from this area during these times. It makes The Woodlands traffic look like a picnic.

I do know that there are very few arteries in and out of the area. Many residences popping up with no extra roads to deal with the population. I would surely check it out, though. Maybe that direction is less of a headache.

Originally Posted by Rip808

Once the grand parkway opens up from 45 to 59 (or is it 69 now?) Birnham Woods Dr. will be a direct link into the falls at imperial oaks (about 2-3 miles from grand parkway). This will help with the traffic and make going to the woodlands or hoping on 45/HTR a breeze. The grand parkway is going to run next to and in the direction of "Riley Fuzzel". This area appears to be very nice and if you work in The Woodlands and don't want to pay The Woodlands prices, I think this is a very good investment.

I have noticed the scarcity of arteries out of the area as well. I work at home, so commute is not a concern for me, but my fiancee will have to use the highways. Rayford seems to be the closest connection to I-45 and Riley Fuzzel is the best connection to Hardy. I've seen how bad the traffic can be, but I have read that the Grand Parkway in that section will be finished in the next two years, so I am hopeful that it will greatly reduce congestion. If Birnham Woods Dr is connected soon after/when the Grand Parkway is finished there it should help a lot!

Prices are certainly significantly lower than The Woodlands... we couldn't believe how much they were charging some of the builders for the remaining lots in Creekside Village when we asked around (Timarron). Similar size houses with bigger lots were almost 170k less in Falls! I guess if you absolutely have to be in The Woodlands you're going to pay for it (even if you're in the far west territories of TW...).

Originally Posted by texas7

yeah for some reason people seem to think exxon is going to cause 10k people to move to the woodlands. the majority of those 10k are already in houston working for exxon and not relocating.

That's what I'm hearing as well. The Fairfax site only totals 2100 or so and that's not taking into account the people who are close enough to retirement and would rather not relocate. And as you say, the rest are already here in Houston and are probably split between The Woodlands and Houston proper. They probably won't get any relo packages, so there's less of an incentive for them to move up here. That doesn't stop the builders from increasing the prices though. Although as buyers, we all want prices to stay low until we get our houses and then we want them to skyrocket

[texas7]

The builders should focus on some middle income housing too. I think having large businesses like ExxonMobil move out (whose employees are mostly already employed there and established in their homes) there will bring on an influx of retail and food businesses hoping for the lunchtime, dinner crowd for dining and shopping. Those workers might be looking to move to that area but may be priced out. Although current residents probably would prefer that there not be any middle income housing in the area.

[bluelion_ms3]

Hardy toll rd would be your best option for a downtown commute... keep in mind that there will be a Walmart built on riley fuzzell...