"Over 55" communities (Houston, Austin: apartments, condos, townhouse)

[Weatherguy]

I don't know if this has already been posted or not, but I would like to move back to Houston in a couple of years. When I lived there years ago, I didn't like it, but there have been so many changes for the better that I find it to be quite the exciting place (diversity, good food, architecture, greenery, and friendliness).

Anyway, I will have $200K in cash to spend (in today's dollars) on a home. I'd really like to have a detached type home, as condos can be so noisy. I also would like to live in a community of mature adults, not young partiers, or families with young kids. Nothing against them, but I've already been there, done that and it's not for me any more. If there were a Sun City Houston, that would be perfect. If not, are there any communities developed just for older adults?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[alphajet]

My Mother in law lives in the new part of League City, Tuscan Lakes 55+ - I think she bought her detached 55+ home brand new in 2008 for 185k --I will attach the link --http://www.newhomesource.com/communitydetail/builder-123/community-33060

Not sure where you live now - but aside from being 20 miles south of Downtown, it's really very nice..close to UTMB, KROEGER, Retail Shopping, Banks, very safe and 10 min from the water -

[cheryjohns]

There are 55 Plus communities like Heritage Grand in Cinco.

[elnina]

Southwest Retirement Communities

http://www.americanhomeguides.com/ho...s/houston.html

http://www.newretirementcommunities....&mid=279&st=TX

55+ communities

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hig...k=MW_news_stmp

[texas7]

The Villages at Tuscan Lakes in League City and Bella Vita in Pearland. Most are priced at 200+

[Weatherguy]

Thanks everyone! I'll check these out. I'd really rather live in the city proper (inner loop) as I'm not much of a suburban person. But price is going to be the determining factor, which is why I'll probably end up in the burbs.

[cheryjohns]

Inner Loop under $200K, a townhouse might work - usually much lower monthly maintenance fees than condos, less noisy also. Inner Loop townhome residents do include a lot of young professionals, but they tend to move into a house when they have children.

[Weatherguy]

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

Inner Loop under $200K, a townhouse might work - usually much lower monthly maintenance fees than condos, less noisy also. Inner Loop townhome residents do include a lot of young professionals, but they tend to move into a house when they have children.

What's the difference between a condo and townhome? My impression has been that the many dozens of new complexes in the inner loop are condos. They look great but it looks like they could get pretty noisy with all the people crowded together like in apartments.

[cheryjohns]

Originally Posted by Weatherguy

What's the difference between a condo and townhome? My impression has been that the many dozens of new complexes in the inner loop are condos. They look great but it looks like they could get pretty noisy with all the people crowded together like in apartments.

Part of the difference is financial. With a townhome, you own the ground under your home, and usually you are responsible for your own roof, etc. (not always - some cover more stuff than others). Hence the lower monthly maintenance. With a condo, you own the space within your home and portion of all of the grounds. Maintenance fees are much higher - because they cover a lot more.

Another option is Oak Forest - stay east of TC Jester. Older homes built in the 50's and getting more expensive as I write this. Just north of the Timbergrove Manor subdivision of similiar homes, but now Timbergrove is way over $200K. Made up of young professionals and people who actually raised their kids there in the 50's and 60's. Again, the young professionals tend to move once baby Tow comes along, for the burbs. There are some small children there, but not tons. Nice community with nice people.

[Weatherguy]

Originally Posted by cheryjohns

Part of the difference is financial. With a townhome, you own the ground under your home, and usually you are responsible for your own roof, etc. (not always - some cover more stuff than others). Hence the lower monthly maintenance. With a condo, you own the space within your home and portion of all of the grounds. Maintenance fees are much higher - because they cover a lot more.

Another option is Oak Forest - stay east of TC Jester. Older homes built in the 50's and getting more expensive as I write this. Just north of the Timbergrove Manor subdivision of similiar homes, but now Timbergrove is way over $200K. Made up of young professionals and people who actually raised their kids there in the 50's and 60's. Again, the young professionals tend to move once baby Tow comes along, for the burbs. There are some small children there, but not tons. Nice community with nice people.

I've seen parts of Timbergrove and was really astounded at how beautiful the neighborhood is. Regarding Oak Forest, when I was born that's where we lived (on Saxon).

Lots of options, definitely. I like how those 55+ communities look (thanks to everyone who provided links), but they're so far out of Houston it concerns me. I don't have make any decisions for probably a couple of years. The prices will probably continue to go up, but so will the value of my home in central Austin, so I should still be able to get a fairly nice place when I move.