Lakemont/Grand Mission vs GrandLakes/Seven Meadows (Houston, Spring: to rent, new house)

[FletchFFletch]

Hi

My job is relocating me to Houston this spring and I am hoping to get some advice on neighborhoods between Katy and Sugarland.

Will be working in Greenway Plaza. I am used to a long commute but would like to be close to the tollway or I59. Our budget is up to $225K. Looking for SFH in the 2000sqft+ range. We have one child who is a couple years from elementary school so very good schools are at the top of our priority list. We'd like a new house that doesn't need a lot of updating. This seems to be harder to find in Sugarland?

It seems like you can get a lot more house for your money just south of the tollway(lakemont/grand mission) versus just north(grand lakes, seven meadows). What drives this? Is there that big a difference between Katy ISD and Lamar ISD? The neighborhoods to the north do appear to be a bit more established.

Thanks for your help.

[houtexas]

You're exactly right on what drives it. The schools. I'd try to stay in Katy ISD.

[cla]

I would advise you to rent for at least 6 months so that you have time to get a feel for the different neighborhoods and schools.

I wouldn't think there would be a huge difference in elementary schools between Grand Mission/Lakemont area and Grand Lakes/Cinco. The average family moves every 7 years - so when your child is ready for middle school (and if you wanted to move to another school district), you probably will be ready for a move anyway.

Visit the schools when you come down to look at homes. I would call and schedule a tour ahead of time.

[Beto]

If schools are important than Katy would be at the top of the list, but don't rule out Lamar ISD, since it has been recruiting more and more teachers from other districts.

Food for Thought:
The beginning bachelor-level teaching salary will be $45,500 in Katy ISD. Beginning 2012-13 salaries in other districts include $46,325 in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and $45,500 in Spring Branch ISD. The beginning salary for 2011-12 in Lamar CISD was $46,000.

[johnsmith]

so it mean Cypress-Fairbanks has the best teacher with high salary compared with other locations...

Originally Posted by Beto

If schools are important than Katy would be at the top of the list, but don't rule out Lamar ISD, since it has been recruiting more and more teachers from other districts.

Food for Thought:
The beginning bachelor-level teaching salary will be $45,500 in Katy ISD. Beginning 2012-13 salaries in other districts include $46,325 in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD and $45,500 in Spring Branch ISD. The beginning salary for 2011-12 in Lamar CISD was $46,000.

[Beto]

Originally Posted by johnsmith

so it mean Cypress-Fairbanks has the best teacher with high salary compared with other locations...

I would think that in these tough times many employees make decisions based on pay and the overall compensation they would receive in working with an employer they see fit. Several clients of mine and family members are teachers and some of them work in some of the worst districts, but with better pay they seem to be happy.

[swopoe]

Grand Mission is Fort Bend ISD, not Lamar. For what it's worth anyway.

[Beto]

Originally Posted by swopoe

Grand Mission is Fort Bend ISD, not Lamar. For what it's worth anyway.

That is correct, but Lakemont is Lamar ISD.

[gsmj]

The above poster's remark about elementary schools being somewhat identical is what I've also found living out here in West Oaks village, just east of the area in question.

For middle school however, and eventually high school, Katy ISD is the top choice.

[BeachBunny131627]

I haved lived in Lakemont for over 5 years and it has gone down hill fast. We are moving because we don't want our son to go to the schools.