Woodlands vs. living in Spring area outside of Woodlands (Houston: apartments, good schools)

[Supermac34]

I have grown up in the Spring/Klein/Champions area just South of the Woodlands for the last 27 years. I have seen the area grow from a rural farm area to a very nice place to live with great shopping/restaurants etc.

I have also used and enjoyed the Woodlands as well, but never lived there.

The trick to the Spring area for the price range you are talking about is to find one of the smaller established custom home builders and the subdivisions that they are building in. Since the area is actually becoming built out, and the track homes have pushed the custom builders price range up, you have to search a little bit.

I do know of a few places. Windrose has a custom section, but I believe it is built out now. Its in the Kuyukendahl/2920 area.

Near Klein High (a great school, etc) there is a new neighborhood called Champion Woods that is a mixed media neighborhood (patio homes/track homes/custom home section). It is developed by the same guy that developed the nice neighborhood called the Falls near Champion Forest. The gated part of the neighborhood with the custom homes has some fantastic custom homes in the 500 - 650 range, homes that would be 100-200K more in the Woodlands. I would check it out for sure. I'm building a completely custom home there right now.

I have grown up in this area and love it. Much less expensive than the Woodlands, but it is still wooded with nice neighborhoods.

[kikanakala]

Originally Posted by StepRN3

Hi! My husband and I are moving to the Houston area from Connecticut. We are newly married and in our early 30's. We don't have children yet, but plan to in the future. We are looking to spend $600 to $750,000. We really like the Woodlands but noticed that you can't get much of a yard or privacy in the Woodlands. We noticed that the Spring area outside of the Woodlands has homes with much more yard and privacy.

Our question: What makes living in the Woodlands better then living just outside of the Woodlands? Are the schools better in the Woodlands? Is re-sale going to be better in the Woodlands versus living in Spring but not IN the Woodlands?

Appreciate any advice!!!

When we were looking to purchase our house, we were looking to live in the Woodlands over Spring. The things I liked about the Woodlands were the trees (most neighborhoods in Spring, especially the newer ones, have far fewer trees than any in the Woodlands), the amenities (there are a lot of nice restaurants, fun festivals, and family friendly activities in the Woodlands, and the feel of the community in general...Spring is more spread out so there's not as much sense of community. We ended up choosing Spring, though. Mostly because we got more house for our money here, and also because my husband commutes to downtown and it's quicker for him to do that from Spring. The traffic on those roads in the Woodlands can be quite stacked up in rush hour. We live in a great, master planned community, with very friendly neighbors, trees, nice amenities, and we're in easy driving distance to the Woodlands. Unfortunately, small neighborhoods with the cookie cutter large box-type houses are going up everywhere, tearing down trees, and changing the landscape in Spring right now. If it weren't for that, I'd recommend it a little more. Personally, I like the Woodlands better than Spring in general, but Spring is a nice place to live, too.

[fitzy24]

No particular reason though. They're only a few miles apart.

"The Woodlands is a high demand area and will always be."

Well let's hope so. You never know though, in 20 years.

[Vicman]

If you move to the Spring area, try to move into Klein ISD. Spring ISD is experiencing a severe demographic and socioeconomic change, and some parents feel that Spring ISD schools are declining because of the influx of low income residents. Klein Forest High School in KISD is experiencing the same issues as Spring ISD, BUT Klein, Klein Collins, and Klein Oak are not experiencing those issues and should be fine -Therefore I would recommend a home in the Klein, Klein Collins, or Klein Oak zones.

[Turk]

Originally Posted by Guerilla

Try southern Conroe, too. They have nice homes along League Line Road. Very hilly, also.

Psst. League Line is north of Conroe.... Crighton road is south of Conroe if you meant southern Conroe.


And on topic, there are areas with spring addresses going woodlands schools, if thats a concern. But verify before you buy, don't go off someones word....

[Bike4Life]

In your 30's with no kids will make The Woodlands and all the above make you feel out of place unless you are a die-hard country/ranch style personality.

You definitely can afford to live in a very nice home inside the Inner Loop of Houston and enjoy the urban lifstyle near downtown. Coming from NE, you'll blend in better inside the city.

[Supermac34]

I think you have to basically ask yourself, is it worth $150,000 to $200,000 to live in the Woodlands to get the same quality house you could get in the Champions area (new construction; in your price range)? A lot of people think it is, a lot of people think it isn't.

[Cypressgal]

I agree Bender's Landing is awesome, great lots and lots of privacy. You can enjoy the Woodlands' amenities without paying their taxes and you have good schools too! Best friend recently moved there and he loves it!

[Seaharbour]

We can only spend 150 or less for a home,and I seen them in the woodlands too, homes that were very beautiful, homes we could keep if something happened to my hubbys good job, homes we would not foreclose on and we could sleep at night as well, I am heading to the woodlands, as they have the best schools and that is my top priority, not a huge home, but a safe area with a great school!

[gossamer1964]

Check out Benders Landing. It's 6 miles from the Woodlands, the minimum of 1 acre lots, all custom homes and is 2 miles from the Hardy Toll Road and 4 miles from I-45. Houses are between 350K-1.4mil. Very nice neighborhood.