Cinco Ranch Living Experience (Houston, The Woodlands: homes, neighborhood, YMCA)

[jfre81]

FWIW, I have only seen alligators in captivity here, and I grew up here. Not saying they don't exist, but by no means do we have them roaming the streets of Houston or anything.

[KerrTown]

Originally Posted by citygirl2

We live in cinco Ranch. We find snakes every day out here. I am very upset because I fear snakes. A lot of the Cinco neighborhoods have bayous in them to prevent flooding, in turn it serves as a breeding ground for snakes, gators and mosquitos.

I got up one morning to let our dog out and I noticed that a gator ate through our fence. I called animal control and they came out to help but it took them a few hours to catch the gator. They had to sedate it because it was wild.

We are moving. I am scared to leave my home or let my dog out..

Good luck to you!

Hopefully you're moving back into the city not into another suburb. I would recommend to be safe from animals: Tanglewood, River Oaks, West University Place, Bellaire, and Southside Place.

Originally Posted by onyx

Is Cinco Ranch close to shopping & entertaining centers? How about Sam's Club? Is it more dominant than Costco at Houston?

How safe is living in Houston suburbs, as humans have to co-live with over-sized pests/snakes/gators... etc., hopefully in peace?

You're more likely to find Sam's Club. It's hard to find a Costco in Houston. The only I know of is at IH-10 and Bunker Hill. My Aunt and Uncle from L.A. introduced us to Costco. They said that this one is quite smaller than they are used to.

I have never encountered dangerous animals here in Cinco Ranch.

Originally Posted by Cathleen

We relocated here from out of state 5 years ago and moved into The Woodlands (The Woodlands - The Woodlands is the #1 master-planned community in Texas - north of Houston. ). It is north of Houston. There is a shuttle into downtown ( The District Park & Rides ). You can find nice housing for under $300k. Lots of parks, trails, shopping galore, highly rated schools that are part of Conroe ISD (Welcome to Conroe Independent School District. ). Two YMCA's (one with a mini waterpark) two libraries, other community centers with activities. Lots of stay at home moms. I've never heard of an alligator problem (no bayous up here that I know of), we have seen a couple snakes (poisonous), but also deer, raccoons, opposums, hawks, fish in the neighborhood lakes (catch & release).

I've heard enough stories about racism and snobbery that I wouldn't want to live there. Anyway it's too far from the cultural or economic centres of Houston. That's why I live on the West Side of Houston.

[CalBerkeley2002]

Originally Posted by mz_oz

I am researching a place I like to move to. i just got out the military and I would like a nice place for my daughter and i. I am looking to buy a home around 150 -200k. I want a safe area with good schools. I have heard great things about Katy. How is the enviornment in Katy about multicultral events....
I am just concern I am coming from the south and not everyone was friendly as they say.

You'll be fine - north of I-10 in Katy is a little more diverse than south of the freeway and will be well within your price range. As far as multicultural events - I don't see a lot of events themed around certain cultures but I do see that people generally embrace each other's culture and Katy is not a close-minded place considering its population - don't expect San Francisco or anything, but don't be fearful that multicultural values will be frowned upon. A tip: research the property taxes before moving to Katy as they are generally around 4% and that low house cost will suddenly turn into a large monthly payment! Good luck.

[allaboutangels]

There are several great communities in and around Houston; but I would send my children to private school; make that the priority in your search and find a home nearby.

[CalBerkeley2002]

Originally Posted by allaboutangels

There are several great communities in and around Houston; but I would send my children to private school; make that the priority in your search and find a home nearby.

School taxes in the Houston area are between 1-2% of your home value - whether or not you send your kids to private school you will pay this if you own a home...so, add that to whatever private school tuition is. If you live in KISD I don't think you need to worry about private school - that's why the school tax is so high (about 1.8%), there are good schools in Katy. If you live within HISD though, I'd consider private school, although I'm sure some of the public schools are not that bad (memorial, etc.).

[mom22bless]

I've never experienced racism in The Woodlands. Would you mind elaborating or is this third party information???

[person]

Originally Posted by CalBerkeley2002

You'll be fine - north of I-10 in Katy is a little more diverse than south of the freeway and will be well within your price range. As far as multicultural events - I don't see a lot of events themed around certain cultures but I do see that people generally embrace each other's culture and Katy is not a close-minded place considering its population - don't expect San Francisco or anything, but don't be fearful that multicultural values will be frowned upon. A tip: research the property taxes before moving to Katy as they are generally around 4% and that low house cost will suddenly turn into a large monthly payment! Good luck.

It think its the other way round, its more diverse below of I-10.

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by mom22bless

I've never experienced racism in The Woodlands. Would you mind elaborating or is this third party information???

I'd like to know myself; I've never heard of such a thing.

As for Cinco Ranch, it is a wonderful community. Snakes are everywhere in Houston, but it's not like you see them on a daily basis (heck, even a monthly basis!! I haven't seen a snake in years, actually). Jeez, I mean, I don't understand some of the replies here. We live in a CITY OF BAYOUS. Hello? I grew up in Kingwood and yeah, we had 'em there too...but coming face-to-face with one was very rare--and we lived right on a creek! In my entire childhood I think we had ONE that we found in a flowerbed in our side yard. Snakes don't want to be around people any more than people want to be around them, but the more we develop in these areas, the more we are going to see these critters.

I remember when we moved to Fleetwood (Memorial & Hwy 6) back in the '70s and my Mom just freaked when she heard there were scorpions around. DUH! New development + dusty prairie = unwanted bugs et al. Cinco Ranch, Seven Meadows, Grand Lakes are all seeing that right now.

Don't let it, or some folks here, scare you into re-considering. Cinco Ranch and the surrounding areas are a great place to live and raise your kids.

[Mom2Feebs]

Originally Posted by person

It think its the other way round, its more diverse below of I-10.

No...I think they have it right on the money. North of I-10 is much more diverse.

[CalBerkeley2002]

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

No...I think they have it right on the money. North of I-10 is much more diverse.

It is definitely more diverse north of I-10 - maybe more asian people south of the freeway, but other than that the north side is the more diverse part of Katy.