can we revisit The Woodlands vs. Katy one more time? (Houston: low crime, houses)

[alwaysflyin]

Hi everyone,
This is such a great forum, and I've searched and read virtually all The Woodlands and Katy threads, but I'd still like opinions on my situation.

I'm not from Texas but went to Rice U. in the 90s, then lived in Houston two years after that in the West University area. Now I'm married and will be moving to Houston with my husband. We're very excited to be coming back.

We've decided that a suburb will fit us best. We were originally pretty set on The Woodlands, but now I'm having second thoughts about including Katy (the south area). The two factors making me think twice about Katy are that it appears to be about 20 miles closer to Rice and downtown, and that your money seems to go a bit farther. Here's what we're looking for:

--Home low $400Ks or under with 4 bedrooms, 3 baths
--9000+sf lot with some trees
--Pool would be a plus, as would 3 car garage
--Friendly neighborhood with life in it and neighborhood activities (not people always in their houses but outside doing things)
--Safe area with low crime rate
--Easy access to grocery stores, restaurants, etc.
--Excellent schools (no kids yet but soon)

I work from home but he is a photographer and will be traveling all over Houston to shoot, which makes me think twice about the commute from The Woodlands.

Any advice? Thank you!

[TexasVines]

the only difference in your trip to town will be that Katy has the new freeway going out there

for 400K you should just look in the Stratford area and you will be choosing a home that is in an area that you can be 99% sure will not change that much unless something drastic happens

[alwaysflyin]

Originally Posted by TexasVines

the only difference in your trip to town will be that Katy has the new freeway going out there

for 400K you should just look in the Stratford area and you will be choosing a home that is in an area that you can be 99% sure will not change that much unless something drastic happens

Thanks for your thoughts. I'll look into Stratford.

Using yahoo maps the houses I've found in Katy seem to be about 20 miles closer to the 77005 area code than those in The Woodlands. Am I mistaken that south Katy is closer?

Thanks!

[TexasVines]

well may have exaggerated a bit I forget that Katy has grown in towards Houston since I still think of Katy as where the grain elevators are (or possibly were)

but with that price range I think Stratford Schools area would be doable and you would get much better long term boost in value especially with prices down a bit

[sbhubbell]

I don't necessarily agree with the comments about Stratford (which is really a HS, not an area persay, but I get what they mean). If you like the The Woodlands or south Katy, the western Memorial area might not be your thing. It certainly wasn't mine, even though I could've afforded it and have family in that area. I just prefer the more suburban, less urban feel of the master planned community. Far less traffic locally.

Yes, south Katy is much closer time-wise to downtown than The Woodlands. Especially as a photographer (which I am part-time as well) where you might not be fighting rush hour traffic. From south Katy we have the choice of using either the Westpark Tollway OR the Katy freeway into town, depending on where you're going, time of day, traffic reports etc. Both are really great highways now.

One of the biggest differences I have heard between south katy and the Woodlands is the "snob" factor. I know several people that have moved from The Woodlands into South Katy and love that there is far less pressure to "keep up". People prefer Hondas to Lexuses, out of practicality not out of affordability. At the same time there is still access to some of the luxuries that the affluent prefer, especially at La Centerra and the Villagio.

[City Love]

You should consider the Memorial area, around 77079 and maybe 77024. The area is very nice and will appreciate(more) in the future. A little closer and is a great area for kids. Schools are excellent.

[sbhubbell]

Originally Posted by Bayou City Homes

You should consider the Memorial area, around 77079 and maybe 77024. The area is very nice and will appreciate(more) in the future. A little closer and is a great area for kids. Schools are excellent.

You might want to read the comments above before responding, that's exactly what the other comment said which I disagreed with.

[alwaysflyin]

Thank you so much everyone for your help!

I looked at 77024 and couldn't find anything in my price range with my specs. As for 77079, that's possible but the houses looked a little more sectioned off, while we prefer a more open floor plan. However, I'll check it out.

sbhubbell, I appreciate your advice. Less of a "snob factor" is definitely important to me. I'd love to be in a friendly neighborhood and community.

I'm kind of performing a balancing act here because I'd like to be closer to the city and its amenities: Rice, the performing arts, museums, sports stadiums, etc. I'd also like to spare my husband from a really long commute. However, he grew up in a town of 600 people (you read that right) and has never lived in a city bigger than 200K. He's liked what he's seen of Houston and is excited to move, but I know he'll feel more comfortable in a less "citified", more outdoorsy environment--thus I originally thought The Woodlands would be the place. We've only looked at The Woodlands and he does like it. However, the thought of the commute is really concerning me.

Please keep the opinions coming! They are so appreciated.

[EasilyAmused]

Have you thought of Kingwood at all? Smaller and closer than The Woodlands. Thick with trees and you can get your 3 car garage and the open floor plan there much easier for your price range. 77079 is great, but the construction your talking about is over a million in that zip, or your spending money to open it all up.

59 isn't that bad of a drive and it seems to have a more and genuine small town feel. But other than that, I'd go for East Katy for your list. Lots of trees and bike trails in that area.

[City Love]

Originally Posted by sbhubbell

You might want to read the comments above before responding, that's exactly what the other comment said which I disagreed with.

I saw it. I'm just adding my recommendation.