Are Conroe and Spring part of the Woodlands? (Houston, Baytown: real estate, homeowners insurance)

[Lucy Sky]

Hello People,

We will be moving to the Houston area, and I am confused about searches for homes that I have done. From reading this board, I learned that the Woodlands would be a nice place to live. We have been caught in three hurricanes in Florida, and we want to live inland. When I do searches for property, where it asks for the area, I type "the Woodlands". I did not check the box that said "check nearby areas." Most of the homes that came up were in Conroe and Spring. Are they a part of the Woodlands?

Another question - in Florida, our homeowners insurance was so high because of the hurricanes. Is it high in Houston as well? Ours was about $4,500 for a home worth $318,000. Also, what about real estate taxes? On the $318,000 home, the taxes were $5,800.

I would appreciate hearing your comments.

Thanks a lot, guys.

[Mustang1]

The Woodlands isn't actually a city like Conroe and Spring are so you may want to do research by zip code.

[chris_ut]

The Woodlands is very far inland and in no danger of direct hurricane hit, maybe some bad rain. I can't speak for insurance there but I live away from the coast and pay about $600/yr for a $250k house (new construction). On the other hand taxes on a 318k home would be around 9-10k per year here because of the higher property taxes.

[sunny57]

Lucy,

The public side of the site is different from what we use but it looks like plugging in ... location: #107-Woodlands would get you what you want. Spring is south and Conroe is north of the Woodlands. Happy house hunting..Sunny

Originally Posted by Lucy Sky

Hello People,

We will be moving to the Houston area, and I am confused about searches for homes that I have done. From reading this board, I learned that the Woodlands would be a nice place to live. We have been caught in three hurricanes in Florida, and we want to live inland. When I do searches for property, where it asks for the area, I type "the Woodlands". I did not check the box that said "check nearby areas." Most of the homes that came up were in Conroe and Spring. Are they a part of the Woodlands?

Another question - in Florida, our homeowners insurance was so high because of the hurricanes. Is it high in Houston as well? Ours was about $4,500 for a home worth $318,000. Also, what about real estate taxes? On the $318,000 home, the taxes were $5,800.

I would appreciate hearing your comments.

Thanks a lot, guys.

[SkyeAnjel]

The Woodlands is a master planned community in Spring, Texas. Conroe ISD. It is working on becoming its own city but for now is located in Spring.

[snappy]

I lived in the Woodlands. $345,000 house (3000 sq ft and 29,000 sq ft lot) - taxes close to $10,000 and insurance around $1000/year.

[Lucy Sky]

I have learned a lot and I thank you all. I had no idea that real estate taxes were so high. Are the taxes so high because it is in the Woodlands or are taxes in Texas high in general?

[mariposa]

Originally Posted by Lucy Sky

I have learned a lot and I thank you all. I had no idea that real estate taxes were so high. Are the taxes so high because it is in the Woodlands or are taxes in Texas high in general?

The Woodlands has high taxes and various fees.

[Texas Mack]

What part of Florida are we talking? For example, if you're from southern Florida, a $318,000 home may be about 40-50% higher than what a similar home in the Woodlands would cost. OTOH, a $318,000 home in Jax or Tampa Bay may only be only a $20-$30K more than a similar home in The Woodlands, Spring, Conroe, etc.

In any case, whatever you pay, you can expect the property tax rate to be around 3.0%if not higher. Of course, with the homestead expemption, this will lower your valued property by close to 20% so there's that, too.

[dvcgal]

Please correct me if I am wrong on this but you all do not pay state taxes in Texas, right? We have friends that live in Baytown and I use to live in the Woodlands (7/8 years ago) and I cannot remember but I think they said something about that when they moved out there and if that's the case, then it makes sense why the property tax would be so high as well.