Help, I can't figure out WHERE to move near Houston (Fort Worth: 2015, big house)

[confusedabouthouston]

Hi All. Thanks in advance for your time and response.

We are trying to decide what part of Houston suburbs would be right for us. We will be relocating in the next 6 months or so from the suburbs of Fort Worth...Southlake/Keller area. Here is what we are thinking...

We will PROBABLY build a house.

Looking for a couple of acres for some nice outdoor living....possibly a horse or two.

We have small children from ages 3 to 10, both boys and girls.

NEED FANTASTIC SCHOOLS!

60 to 90 minutes from Hobby.

We LOVE boating....on a LAKE...not the ocean.

Prefer not to pay crazy taxes like we do here.

I want a country life-style near a great shopping area.

Are Conroe schools ok, good, great, awesome?

Is Lake Conroe nice...no water level issues?

I like The Woodlands on paper, but I figure it is pretty similar to what I am accustomed to here. I just really want a small town, friendly neighbors, wave at passing cars, helpful, loving, patriotic type small-town vibe.

Am I dreaming????

Most people up here are not too fond of Houston...why? Do you think it is the humidity or the safety?

I would say our price range for a lot would be around 200k with about a 3000sf house, pool, stables to be built (unless we get lucky and find one ready to move in.)

So, MAINLY, great schools, some land, safe and friendly.

Suggestions please. (Or am I totally in La-La land?)

[DrD76]

Hi confused,
I am guessing 200k is your budget just for the land, right? So what is your TOTAL budget? Just curious since we too are in a similar situation (i.e. planning a move to Houston in 2015)
Thanks
DrD

[Meyerland]

It's a long way from Conroe to Hobby airport. I wouldn't suggest that area. Maybe the southern part of The Woodlands or Kingwood. Look on har.com for lots in those areas.

I think Friendswood might work for you, and maybeClear Lake.I just don't know what you can get for $200,000.

[DSL_PWR]

Originally Posted by confusedabouthouston

I would say our price range for a lot would be around 200k with about a 3000sf house, pool, stables to be built (unless we get lucky and find one ready to move in.)

So, MAINLY, great schools, some land, safe and friendly.

Suggestions please. (Or am I totally in La-La land?)

Not going to happen around here. Further out maybe but then schools are an issue.

Up your price to the $400k range and you might get lucky.

[chris_ut]

Maybe look at Benders Landing Estates but not sure about horses there. Lake Conroe area to Hobby is a bit of a trek.

[Meyerland]

I think you may get part of what you want, you just have to figure out where the compromise will be.

An acre+ horses+ close to a lake is doable. It will probably be more than $200,000. Schools will be hit or miss.

Also the commute to Hobby will be longer than an hour and a half when traffic is bad.

You will have to hunt on har.com to find what you are looking for.

[Memorialite]

Carriage Hills in Conroe

[georgemichael]

eh, Alvin sounds like the place for you other than it's lack of a lake.

do you boat all the time? or is the boating a weekends here and there thing? if so that might be the thing to take a "trek" for and be closer to Hobby.

there is Chocolate Bayou for boating though I don't know that fits your wanting a lake.
Welcome to Bayou Preservation Association

perhaps somewhere spread out from Kingwood/Humble so you have the country feel and then you could hit up Lake Houston.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park

that should be less of a drive to the Hobby area than Conroe but it will still be one heckuva drive!

[texas7]

Yes you are dreaming - you can't get all that for $200k. Property, big house, pool, stables in a good school district - not happening. If you are thinking that because people tell you Houston is cheap - well it isn't cheap any more.

[chris_ut]

He said 200k is his budget for the lot not the house.