Nottingham Country in Katy -- thoughts? (Houston, Taylor: wood floors, for sale, custom home)

[SWM_HTX]

We found homes online that we liked, and we have always heard great things about the neighborhood.

Then, when we drove through it, we were unpleasantly surprised by the very spotty "pride of ownership" that we saw. Beautiful home ... then gutter-falling-off home ... then decent home ... then overgrown yard ... then beautiful home ... then 17 yard ornaments ... you get the idea.

My current subdivision in Houston is about the same age but much more consistently well-kept.

So, is Nottingham Country on the brink of getting NICER or getting WORSE? Which way is it trending?

Appreciate your input.

[creekstone]

My previous home was in Nottingham Country.

You are correct, there is some variance on "pride of ownership". I blame that on the HOA. But there is also a variance on the quality of construction. Most of the homes are considered "custom". The emphasis was on appearance (custom millwork, heavy crown molding, leaded glass doors, etc.). So if you find a house you like, be sure to have a quality inspection done. For example, many of those homes have galvanized steel plumbing. (I'll never own a house with that again!)

NC is a big subdivision. It runs from I-10 all the way back to Highland Knolls. For the most part, it was developed from the front to the back (from the mid 70s to about 1990). Several of the houses have been updated and remodeled into really nice homes. Some have languished with no updates.

I don't know which way NC is currently trending. But given the desirable location, I have to believe there are some good investments in NC. Oil & Gas goes through cycles; it will come back. And the Texas Medical Center West Campus will continue to expand.

If you like the area, I suggest also looking at Green Trails. Those may be customized spec homes; but they were constructed by reputable builders for the most part.

[Sollaces]

Highland Knolls, the street, floods in the Nottingham Country area.


There is a school zone along Highland Knolls and it's strictly enforced. The reason I say that is my son had a friend living behind the Catholic Church there on Highland Knolls and he made many trips, saw many people pulled over. The speed limit on that street is 30. Cars park on it. This is the street that floods.


This friend's family had their wood floors torn up due to warping and age. Yes, it's an older subdivision. I also know they're extremely proud of their kids going to Taylor High School.


Between the catholic church and LDS across the road, there's a lot of traffic whenever they're in session. That adds to the neighborhood and access streets. Something to think about.

[Zoo2000]

I used to live in Nottingham Country. I personally think that you get the best bang for your buck there. It's got good schools, the homes are reasonably priced, and the location is excellent--lots of stores, amenities, and very convenient to Energy Corridor jobs. I'm surprised not to see more flips there. Many of the floor plans in Nc are able to be turned into an open floor plan for a reasonable reno budget. My pet peeve are the 8 ft ceilings common in homes from that era...

[96tahoe]

I still think it is a nice area. You will have homes that don't keep up with their yards in the most respected places in Katy.


As someone mentioned, Green Trails, Kelliwood and old Cinco Ranch are nice neighborhoods that are in the Nottingham area that I wouldn't mind living in. Great value in that area, established area, great schools, etc.

[Failed Engineer]

It's unfortunate that some owners have not kept up appearances, but I don't think that's a reflection of the quality of the neighborhood. It's a good choice.

[baraider]

Anyone can provide any insight on flooding situation in Nottingham Country, section 3, near I10.
Considering build a custom home there.

[Jana K]

Excellent schools, good location for commuting compared to some of the newer Katy neighborhoods. My daughter looked in that area online and when they drove to the actual open house, they never even stopped, for the same reason that you describe - sketchy neighbors. But that varies from street to street. Like a previous poster mentioned, these homes are old and can be money pits. Some of the builders did so on the cheap. But if you find one that has been restored, not just cosmetically, but the inner workings, you will get a lot of house for your money.

[Kiovo]

I don't think it's "sketchy" neighbor's or lack of pride. Seems like a lot of the homeowners are older, not having the funds or ability to keep their homes up to date. It's a really pretty area with mature trees and shade.

[kickingprop]

So we live in Kelliwood just across Fry from Nottingham and drive through the neighborhood pretty frequently. I think a number of the "lack of pride" homes are more than likely due to the aging residents in the neighborhood who are unable to maintain their homes the way they once did. In Kelliwood on our street, a number of homes have gone up for sale recently, 100% due to aging baby boomers dying off and/or downsizing now that their kids are grown and gone. Luckily for us, more young families have been moving into those homes, and I imagine that is the trend that Nottingham is going through as well.