Relocating from CT. Best Area to buy/rent a home with kids

[txdemo]

There is a large Jewish community around the Jewish Community Center and temples on North and South Braeswood between Hillcroft and Chimney Rock.

Use Texas Real Estate - 158,406 Homes for Sale and Rent- HAR.com. Search neighborhoods Maplewood, Westbury, and Meyerland. Watch for homes that recently flooded. Owners have to disclose that the home has flooded. Also search in the city of Bellaire which is actually a tiny city in Houston about 6 minute drive to JCC.

All of these are 20 minute drive to Greenway Plaza.

[ipuck]

Originally Posted by kokaadam

Thank you everyone. Yes, a Bat Mitzvah in 2017. We go to hebrew school and holly holidays so not very observant. meyereland and private schools seem out of our budget. We also want to keep the commute to under 35 miles. Being within about 30 minutes of a temple would be desirable( or we will cut class, i just know it!) . Can you recommend areas to look at in Sugarland?

With that budget, you can buy pretty much anywhere in Sugar Land. For the newer house, look in Telfair or Riverstone (the HS in Riverstone is soso but will be rezoned soon). Keep in mind, the new house lots are quite a bit smaller than the older neighborhoods. For a bigger lot and bigger house, look in the core First Colony area. Anywhere around Sweetwater or Elkins street are probably the nicest and also have the best ranked schools in the area. For the best bang for the buck, look for the older houses in Commonwealth or Avalon. For the biggest lot and within your budget, also look in Colony Park. I actually know couple jewish folks that lived there.

[Emers1234]

Hi- we moved from New Haven five years ago. We chose to live in Kingwood for its lush landscape, trees, and excellent schools. My husband commutes to downtown and takes the HOV. 59S is less congested than other highways such as 45, and I 10. Check out the neighborhood of Kings Point on HAR. This village is zoned to Willow Creek Elementary (rated 10/10 on greatschools), Riverwood Middle 10/10, and Kingwood High 9/10. Also, most of my neighbors are transplants from the Northeast.
The Woodlands is beautiful, but traffic is horrendous, unless you work in the Woodlands. Katy is nice as well, but lacks the greenery and the traffic on I 10 from the city is also horrendous. I just thought I'd give you another suggestion since Kingwood wasn't mentioned.

[Emers1234]

A few things to consider that no one has mentioned yet- property taxes are high and vary depending where you live. Almost all newer suburban master planned communities have higher tax rates as well as MUD taxes. Kingwood has a tax rate of 2.9% and with the homestead exemption we pay 2.5%. We don't have to pay MUD taxes and we don't have a huge monthly water bill. We lived in a newer master planned community when we first moved to Houston and our tax rate was 3.9% and we also paid an extra 2k a year in MUD taxes.

[ipuck]

Originally Posted by Emers1234

A few things to consider that no one has mentioned yet- property taxes are high and vary depending where you live. Almost all newer suburban master planned communities have higher tax rates as well as MUD taxes. Kingwood has a tax rate of 2.9% and with the homestead exemption we pay 2.5%. We don't have to pay MUD taxes and we don't have a huge monthly water bill. We lived in a newer master planned community when we first moved to Houston and our tax rate was 3.9% and we also paid an extra 2k a year in MUD taxes.

You do realize Texas is not the only state with high property tax. CT has one of the highest in the country and their houses are generally higher also. Plus you got the income tax thrown in.

Average Tax Rate
2.038%
(Hartford County)

[Emers1234]

Originally Posted by ipuck

You do realize Texas is not the only state with high property tax. CT has one of the highest in the country and their houses are generally higher also. Plus you got the income tax thrown in.

Average Tax Rate
2.038%
(Hartford County)

Yes, I am well aware as I am still paying property taxes back in CT. My point was for the OP to consider high tax rates if planning to purchase a new home in a master planned community as there are some very nice updated homes in established communities with excellent schools with lower tax rates. It was a money saving suggestion, that's all.

[bu2]

Nobody has mentioned Clear Lake which is near the water. Its certainly not any worse commute than Katy or the Woodlands. And it has excellent schools. Friendswood in the same general area may have a little larger lots than typical.

[alsal29]

I second txdemo. With that budget I would say Meyerland no question. Short commute, good schools, bigger than most suburban lots, probably largest jewish population in the area, and closer to all the in town amenities. Just watch for previously flooded homes.

[LocalPlanner]

Originally Posted by Emers1234

Yes, I am well aware as I am still paying property taxes back in CT. My point was for the OP to consider high tax rates if planning to purchase a new home in a master planned community as there are some very nice updated homes in established communities with excellent schools with lower tax rates. It was a money saving suggestion, that's all.

In addition to MUD tax, many master planned communities (and some other property types) also have substantial HOA fees. Those should be considered also.