subdivision/schools/builders (Houston, Canyon Lake, Taylor: home builders, neighborhoods, buying)

[Star97137]

We will be relocating to Houston from Virginia sometime this year. We are looking at the Copper Lakes subdivision. Does anyone know if this is a good area? We have four young children, so schools and a family oriented area are important. The schools would be Copeland Elementary, Aragon Jr. High, Langham Creek High and Cy-Fair High. Any opinions on these schools?
The builders in this subdivision are Trendmaker, Taylor Woodrow, Highland, and Partners In Building. Any opinions here? We are leaning towards Trendmaker or Taylor Woodrow.
Are there any other subdivisions in this area we should look at? We want to stay in that area because some family members live near there.
Thank you!!!

[mom22blessings]

Isn't PIB custom?

[Mr. Football]

Copper Lakes will feed into Langham Creek HS in the future Cy-Fair ISD rezone. Langham Creek HS is a good high school that will further improve to quite solid as they will gain a number of nicer neighborhoods like Copper Lakes and others while losing many (if not all) of the lower income neighborhoods that were zoned to it in 2008.

As for other good neighborhoods in the area, where to start? There are literally dozens upon dozens.

You will have 3 great High Schools to choose from: Cy-Fair, Cy-Woods or Cy-Ranch (4 if you go further North into Cypress Creek territory).

Geographically, the South side of 290 is the prairie or "ranch" side of 290 (Cy-Woods, Cy-Ranch)....the North side of 290 is the forested and wooded side of 290 (Cy-Fair, Cy-Woods). All have demographics of roughly about 80% White, 12% Hispanic, 6% Black and 2% Asian with $100K+ Avg Household Income. (Higher minority population as you approach FM 1960/Hwy 6).

On the North side of 290 (personally preferred), you have Longwood, Coles Crossing, Stable Gate, Stablewood Farms, Rock Creek, Lakewood Glen, Lakewood Oaks Estates, Northlake Forest, Lakes of Rosehill and numerous other great choices (note: these neighborhoods have some of the best feeder systems K-12).

On the South side of 290, you have Copper Lakes, Stone Gate, Towne Lake, Cypress Creek Ranch, Cypress Creek Lakes, Blackhorse Ranch and Bridgeland among many others. Bridgeland will become the 800 lb gorilla as it will become a 25,000 home Woodlands-sized community someday.

In between all of these are dozens of other great communities as well as numerous 'gems' that are smaller developments offering large lots, gated communities, huge trees, stables for horses, etc. Two of which I really love are 'Secret Forest' and 'Park Forest'. Lots of good stuff going on here.

PS - as far as homebuilders go I've heard great things about David Powers Homes as well (but stay away from Perry homes).

Recommend using HAR.com for searching MLS listings.

[lookergirl76]

I found a great webite about schools called schoolfolks.com I looked up all cypress schools before deciding the area I would live in. Mr Football is so right about everything he said I cant agree more. I am looking into fairfield subdivsion great schools! Im flying out there in June as well I went out once already in April but am going to put a offer in in June now that I know so much more and drove all around Cypress. I love trees so I wont look at to new of subdivsions. Lakewood glen is gorgeous but mainly 2 stories only one 1 story on the market right now in that subdivsion and its over priced. Another tip I have to say is Im sure you have a price range in your head look about 50K-100K less then your number homes dont vary that much and you can save so much money. I started looking at homes in the 250 range but now am looking at 160K and am just as satisfied!

[Tri]

What's the deal with Perry Homes?

[maddysammy]

We are building with Coventry they seem to be good. we liked there style... but I did see david power homes and trendmaker..which we loved to... Trendmaker had alot of different things standard in there homes.. which made the prices higher though

[Star97137]

Thank you Mr. Football for all the information. We looked online over the weekend at some of the other subdivisions you mentioned. Canyon Lakes at Stone Gate is looking very nice. Coles Crossing could be an option as well. We also started looking into newer resale homes instead of building. It would get us in a house quicker. My husband's family is in the Hwy 6 and 529 area (I think) and when we visited, the drive to Copper Lakes was 10-15 minutes. So, we want to stay about that close.
Also, thank you Lookergirl76 for your advice. My husband thinks Fairfield is a little too far. He wants something in that one area, I think the zip is 77095 for many of the subdivisions he likes best. Thanks for the school website.

[Guerilla]

Hey, try buying in the Bridgeland. That will be the nicest community (I think) out there. They have some good home builders and great school zones.

Bridgeland

[ericstac]

I work for a company that installs equipment for many of the homebuilders around Houston. Out of the list you gave us I would recommend Trendmaker Homes. They are one of the finest homebuilders in the Houston area. They are building in Bridgeland as well.

[kerriear]

I also love Trendmaker, I sold new homes for 10 years in Houston & now am a REALTOR. Drive around the areas, see where you would shop, visit the schools (most are very accommodating) and drive to work during rush hour. That's the best way to tell.