Home buying options along I10/Cinco Ranch (Spring, Alamo: rental, houses)

[StephCM]

We were hoping to buy a home in Cinco Ranch this fall, and treat it as a long term home/investment. But with how competitive new and established homes have been, I am trying to lower my expectations and expand our options.

We have 1 year old (probably another in a year or so) and were looking to be in a fun-for-the-family type of area, hopefully a good amount of established commercial and restaurant options nearby. My husband works at I10 & Hwy 6, and looking for a <25-30 minute commute.

We are open to a 3-5 year purchase or rental (with hopes to move to a longer term home after that). We are exploring options in Spring Branch (we live in the inner loop right now and this feels like a suburb-transition, close to a lot of the inner city stuff) all the way to maybe one of those fun new communities in Katy (Cane Island, Sunterra, Elyson -- would be super fun with a toddler). What would be fairly economical options here, and what would be a money sink? Any recommendations?

[sonic0boom]

Moved here around 8 years ago from the Heights. Some of our criteria: established neighborhood, close to commercial areas (but not right behind one), good proximity to the freeway in order to get into town... The last one was important since we like to go into town for amenities like the zoo, art stuff, concerts, etc. We even still see the same hairdresser (about half hour to get there). I work from home, so a commute is not a big deal. We found a place in the ”old” section of CR. Mature trees, established commercial but close to newer things like Asiatown, 5 minute drive to the Alamo Drafthouse (gotta have your priorities). I personally don't care for the homes in the newer sections. I prefer the architecture of the older homes (to be sure, they aren't all great) and the driveways run between the houses in many sections so that they don't feel stacked on top of each other. Plenty of parks for the kids, from pocket parks to the destination ones.

But you should make a list of things you prefer. Having mature trees and a more established neighborhood was important for us, but maybe not a big deal for you. Drive around in the morning and evening times. Getting to Hwy 6 isn't a big deal and you can even take Westheimer Pkway to 6 and then cut up to I-10 and just avoid the freeway altogether. If you are on the east side of 99, there are more ways to access and exit the area. We did look at homes west of 99, and i felt that if you are trying to head into town or points between, it can take you a while just to get to the highways. I don't know what fun-for-the-family type of area means for you, but there are families all over the place and plenty of parks. Hope that helps.