Buying a house in Sugar Land, Greatwood or New Territory? (Howe: crime, neighborhoods)

[rbchamps2]

I will be buying in the next few months, been looking at both for a while, and I'm leaning towards Greatwood. But let me know what you think? Have no kids and will not have any in the near future, so schools only mater to me for resale. Which is quieter, less crime and things like that. Thanks in advance.

[AK123]

Are you trying to decide between Greatwood or New Territory?

[xavier1774]

Are you into Golf? then Greatwood. Resale probably in the next 3-5 years New Territory. Depends on what the new HS for Greatwood is like.

[Topaz]

I am not familiar with Greatwood but I can recommend New Territory as I live there. If you are concerned about resale within the next few years, then definitely look at school ratings because the people who tend to move to this part of the world care a lot about that. GreatSchools.net is a good place to read parent reviews.

[HereItIs]

I dont know much about Greatwood either but I was in the same situation few months back and decded on Telfair. Both are great communities. Following are some of the reasons

1) $/sq ft is approaching the three digit figures for the typical 3000 sq ft house in the desirable areas of NT. That is for the 15-20 year old houses. You can get a new home for more or less the same price in Telfair

2) Schools in NT are great. I am VERY positive that schools in Telfair will also be great. Why ? because both NT and telfair has the similar audience where parents consider education a top priority.

3) Lets say you have to sell it after 10 years. By then, an NT home would be 25-30 year old whereas a Telfair home would be 10 year old. Given that choice, I think a potential buyer would go with Telfair. Also, by then Telfair will have nice landscape and bigger trees.

4)Taxes are low in NT. Telfair has higher taxes now but it would be lower once community matures as the mud tax will be gone.

5) NT has some good amenities and so do Telfair. May be little more when you think the pool , lakes (where any resident can get their kayak in) and wifi connectivity.

But, if you plan to sell within 5 years I would say NT is better because there would new construction in Telfair for another 5 years.

[predatorprey]

But, if you plan to sell within 5 years I would say NT is better because there would new construction in Telfair for another 5 years.

You know NT will also be affected by the new construction in Telfair.

[rbchamps2]

Everyone I have talked to about the differences between the two communities always comment on the school district differences. Is this really as big of a deal everyone is making it out to be?

Greatwood = Lamar Consolidated

New Territory = Fort Bend ISD

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by rbchamps2

Everyone I have talked to about the differences between the two communities always comment on the school district differences. Is this really as big of a deal everyone is making it out to be?

Greatwood = Lamar Consolidated

New Territory = Fort Bend ISD

We are in Fort Bend ISD and I don't know why people from here think Fort Bend ISD is so much better than Lamar Consolidated. I think Lamar just did really well in the last round of ratings. That being said, you should look at all the surrounding schools of any home you are considering buying. Re-zoning changes things all the time and you want to make sure that the schools in your immediate area are good ones. Many elementary schools do well, but middle schools and high schools often do less well because they draw from a wider geographic area. I'm talking ratings because people care about that for resale, but I'd also talk to parents to see if they are generally happy with a particular school, in ways that go beyond test scores.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by rbchamps2

Everyone I have talked to about the differences between the two communities always comment on the school district differences. Is this really as big of a deal everyone is making it out to be?

Greatwood = Lamar Consolidated

New Territory = Fort Bend ISD

Not sure if it's just about the school district, but perhaps because the high school Greatwood is zoned to is far away and not rated so well. Not the case with New Territory which is zoned to all highly rated schools. However, LCISD is building a new high school for Greatwood and the neighborhoods next to it soon.

[CDeb]

One of the things that swayed us from Greatwood to NT was access. The Brazos River really cuts down on access into Greatwood. You pretty much have to cross the river at 59, exit at 99, make the u-turn or turn left. The queue at the 99 exit is horrendous in the afternoons.

There are a lot more options for getting to NT, IMO.