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Old 07-16-2014, 08:04 AM
 
97 posts, read 154,670 times
Reputation: 37

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The taxes are high. Mostly because of the MUD and Pearland City taxes. Not sure if you're looking for new construction only but you should check out Silvercreek. I just helped some buyers purchase a home there and the tax rate is much lower than Southern Trails and you're right off of 288 without all of the town center traffic.
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Old 07-16-2014, 12:03 PM
 
Location: Pearland (west side)
480 posts, read 1,698,669 times
Reputation: 420
Quote:
Originally Posted by Phishman View Post
Thanks to all for the input!

According to Wikipedia:

The 2012 property tax (combined) on homes in Southern Trails is $3.725816 for every $100 valuation. This includes tax for MUD district 34.

3.73%!? That means more taxes are roughly equivalent to one's mortgage payment with 20% down. Yikes.

Do we know the combined tax rate for 2014/2015?
My 2014 tax assessment showed 3.73.
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Old 07-17-2014, 08:18 PM
 
Location: Friendswood, TX
61 posts, read 127,716 times
Reputation: 63
I don't think I'd spend that kind of money on a house to have my children in Alvin ISD. Have you considered moving your search eastward a little? It would be more of a commute for you but less for your wife. In your price range, you can get something quite nice in Friendswood and be zoned to Friendswood ISD. If you stick to the northern part of Friendswood, the Forest, or its newest section, Northfield Estates, it gives you a 35 minute commute to the Galleria via google maps-- (we all know this isn't accurate during rush hour, but I bet you can get it done in 45-50 minutes most days). Your wife would be MUCH closer to her job. Finding a new build in the northern part of Friendswood is tough, but there are some houses in Northfield Estates in the Forest that are just a couple of years old-- there might even be a lot or two still around. There are also some nice homes in the rest of the Forest that would be in your price range. Taxes are 2.69%, so way less than Southern Trails with way better schools and a nicer area in general. Full disclosure: I live in the Forest . We used to live in Lakes of Savannah (288 and Hwy. 6, very near Southern Trails). We moved to Friendswood before my oldest son started kindergarten, mainly because of the difference in schools.

Homes in Northfield Estates:
413 Northview Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546 - HAR.com
525 Northview Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546 - HAR.com

Homes still active between $400-$600K in the Forest:
613 Royal Oaks Dr, Friendswood, TX 77546 - HAR.com
606 Idlewood, Friendswood, TX 77546 - HAR.com
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Old 07-21-2014, 06:17 AM
 
97 posts, read 154,670 times
Reputation: 37
I hear people say they don't want their kids in Alvin ISD but I'm not sure why. What's wrong with Alvin ISD?
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Old 07-21-2014, 09:31 AM
 
Location: Friendswood, TX
61 posts, read 127,716 times
Reputation: 63
Quote:
Originally Posted by sentrywoods View Post
I hear people say they don't want their kids in Alvin ISD but I'm not sure why. What's wrong with Alvin ISD?
Manvel High School on School Digger: Manvel High School in Manvel TX - SchoolDigger.com

Friendswood High School on School Digger:
Friendswood High School in Friendswood TX - SchoolDigger.com

Manvel High School actually performed below the state average for state exam scores for 2014. Friendswood was well above the state average.

SAT Scores:
Manvel High School Average SAT score (2012-2013): 1385
Friendswood High School Average SAT score (2012-2013): 1625

If you've got 600K to spend on a home, you might as well buy in an area with good schools. Will the OP get less house in Friendswood? Probably, but he'll still get a very nice house in a great school district.
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Old 07-21-2014, 10:50 AM
 
Location: Pearland (west side)
480 posts, read 1,698,669 times
Reputation: 420
Alvin ISD is currently constructing a new high school right next to Southern Trails. After it opens, comparisons to Manvel HS will not be relevant for kids in the vicinity of Southern Trails and SCR, since they won't be attending Manvel HS.
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Old 07-21-2014, 03:10 PM
 
97 posts, read 154,670 times
Reputation: 37
Timnwendy is correct. If you look at the test scores for the elementary and middle schools that the SCR and Southern Trails residents attend, you'll see excellent scores. If you just look at Manvel High School, it doesn't depict the correct picture because there are students from outside of the SCR/Southern Trails area. Once the new high school is built, you'll see an increase in the scores.
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Old 07-21-2014, 03:50 PM
 
Location: Houston
2,188 posts, read 3,217,044 times
Reputation: 1551
does it really matter? scores are overrated as you can go to a competitive school and finish top 15% and miss out on easy scholarship money compared to going somewhere and finishing top 5% and get unlimited aid

If you are a minority, where do you think recruiters look first?
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Old 07-22-2014, 03:28 PM
 
13 posts, read 16,599 times
Reputation: 10
I agree with Timnwendy. The Alvin schools in the Pearland area are excellent and that's exactly why my wife will be teaching at one of them this upcoming school year. Also, check out GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community for a more reputable comparison of test scores.
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Old 07-23-2014, 02:15 PM
 
2,639 posts, read 8,287,717 times
Reputation: 1366
Stay in Montrose. You will regret moving so far out. There is absolutely nothing to do and after driving everyday for work you wont feel like going in to do fun things on the weekends. Poe is a good school and if you go Vanguard you can get a great education there.
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