Family safe burbs within 30 min of Houston? (Austin, Sugar Land: real estate, house prices)

[klechner]

looks like we may be moving to Houston....We are relocating for hubbys job on HPD. We want a community outside of Houston with a small town feel that isn't going to kill us for home prices.Looking for a 4 BDRM home under 235,000 with great schools for our two girls ages 7 & 10.

We are going for four days next month to check things out.

Liked Sugarland,however it looked pricey...I am only a cops wife who sells Real Estate after all..lol.

[sbhubbell]

I highly recommend Katy...might be 45 minutes to downtown in heavy traffic but schools are excellent and house prices are great. Just stay south of I-10.

[klechner]

I was looking at Katy and Richmond..do they flood? Also,do they have that old small town feel?

[Premont]

Kingwood or Humble might be options too.

[Mr. Football]

Cypress is nice. Check out Klein and Champions as well.

[sbhubbell]

Originally Posted by klechner

I was looking at Katy and Richmond..do they flood? Also,do they have that old small town feel?

No, Katy does not flood...major flood control measures all over. As for small town feel...not really, but you aren't going to get that and still be close to the city. I will say it feels a whole lot smaller than Houston. I have only been here 6 months and already I find myself bumping into people I've met in public spots like the mall or restaurants. That's a pleasant thing for me, makes it feel small town like. And I like that I don't have to go far for everything I need, yet I can still take the occasional detour into the city easily.

[Houston456]

Though sugarland looke pricey today, I wouldn't be surprised if you both finally settle in Sugarland.

You can get 2750+ sq.ft 4BR homes that are zoned to Brazos bend elementary and Sartartia Middle school for that price.

Originally Posted by klechner

looks like we may be moving to Houston....We are relocating for hubbys job on HPD. We want a community outside of Houston with a small town feel that isn't going to kill us for home prices.Looking for a 4 BDRM home under 235,000 with great schools for our two girls ages 7 & 10.

We are going for four days next month to check things out.

Liked Sugarland,however it looked pricey...I am only a cops wife who sells Real Estate after all..lol.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by klechner

looks like we may be moving to Houston....We are relocating for hubbys job on HPD. We want a community outside of Houston with a small town feel that isn't going to kill us for home prices.Looking for a 4 BDRM home under 235,000 with great schools for our two girls ages 7 & 10.

We are going for four days next month to check things out.

Liked Sugarland,however it looked pricey...I am only a cops wife who sells Real Estate after all..lol.

Richmond has more of a small town feel than Sugar Land does, but Sugar Land has better ranked schools. The part of Sugar Land next to Richmond is New Territory. New Territory feels more like a suburb than a small town, but it is a suburb that is exceptionally family friendly and once you become acquainted with your neighbors, it does have a community feel. Houston456 is right that $235K will buy you a nice home zoned to Brazos Bend Elementary and Sartartia Middle School - both exemplary. The home will be 1990's or early 2000's rather than brand new, though. For brand new, you'd have to compromise on schools unless you move to Katy. There might be parts of Katy that feel like a small town. Other parts feel suburban like Sugar Land.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by Topaz

Richmond has more of a small town feel than Sugar Land does, but Sugar Land has better ranked schools. The part of Sugar Land next to Richmond is New Territory. New Territory feels more like a suburb than a small town, but it is a suburb that is exceptionally family friendly and once you become acquainted with your neighbors, it does have a community feel. Houston456 is right that $235K will buy you a nice home zoned to Brazos Bend Elementary and Sartartia Middle School - both exemplary. The home will be 1990's or early 2000's rather than brand new, though. For brand new, you'd have to compromise on schools unless you move to Katy. There might be parts of Katy that feel like a small town. Other parts feel suburban like Sugar Land.

Yes, FBISD generally has a better reputation than LCISD in Richmond/Rosenburg. Though it should be pointed out, the new 77407 zip in Richmond (north of New Territory) is zoned to FBISD schools, including Austin High. Some of those subdivisions across the road from places with a Sugar Land postal address have Richmond as a postal address but are actually closer to Sugar Land. I wouldn't be surprised if the whole area is annexed by Sugar Land someday down the road because it's close to the airport.

Anyway, for OP, I think you can get a 4 bedroom 2 bath for under $235k in Sugar Land, with good schools. Because of the way the market is right now. You may even be able to get a new construction inventory home, but ones at good prices go fast. Look in First Colony, New Territory, even Old Orchard. Someone else may have additional suggestions.

[klechner]

Thanks!!It is scary moving into a big city from a little town of 7,000. Although I'm not to nieve,Madison is only 30 min away and Chicago is 1 1/2 from my front door.I am wondering about silly things though...Can you leave your windows open and get a nice breeze? Can you hear the the birds sing and not have to listen to the freeway or airport? Can the kids walk back and forth from school without a problem? Can they ride bikes without the heavy traffic?