My wife and I will be moving either Katy, or Cinco Ranch from Chicago early next year

[azinwood]

Should be possible. Don't know about the before and after school programs but that size house for 350k within 40 minutes is definitely doable.

[ryan in texas]

Originally Posted by azinwood

Don't believe this is true. I live in Cinco and don't feel this at all.

The south side of the Westpark Tollway near Mason/Peek/Fry. The Cinco sections on the East side of Grand Parkway, the older homes in Katy off Mason and Fry.

I am just making an observation, not a judgement. The area near Highway 6 and the Westpark is very populated by Middle Eastern and Nigerian people. This is only about a 5 minute drive from Cinco down the tollway.

My job involves going to every part of Houston inspecting homes, so I have a pretty good feel for neighborhoods.

The best feel for the ethnicity of a neighborhood is to get caught in school traffic and see parents picking up their kids from school.

Go by the schools in Cinco or nearby and observe the demographics. Once again, not judging, just informing of my observations.

The further west you go in Cinco, the better.

[ToyYot]

Originally Posted by Gee_Chicago

I forgot to give the full list of details were looking for
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, back garden, excellent schools for our 3 Children aged Six, Five, and Three, and the school defiantly needs to have Before and After school programs, and the price will need to be under 350K.
Is that going to be possible within a 40 minute drive of the Energy Corridor?

In which case I'd be looking in Green Trails. It's close to the I-10 which means you're that much closer to everything else. Great schools, nice neighborhood.

[azinwood]

Originally Posted by ryan in texas

The south side of the Westpark Tollway near Mason/Peek/Fry. The Cinco sections on the East side of Grand Parkway, the older homes in Katy off Mason and Fry.

I am just making an observation, not a judgement. The area near Highway 6 and the Westpark is very populated by Middle Eastern and Nigerian people. This is only about a 5 minute drive from Cinco down the tollway.

My job involves going to every part of Houston inspecting homes, so I have a pretty good feel for neighborhoods.

The best feel for the ethnicity of a neighborhood is to get caught in school traffic and see parents picking up their kids from school.

Go by the schools in Cinco or nearby and observe the demographics. Once again, not judging, just informing of my observations.

The further west you go in Cinco, the better.

This may be true (I don't spend anytime in those neighborhoods) but you've listed only one Cinco Ranch neighborhood. You original note said Cinco Ranch and not Katy.

[alwaysflyin]

Originally Posted by Gee_Chicago

I forgot to give the full list of details were looking for
4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, back garden, excellent schools for our 3 Children aged Six, Five, and Three, and the school defiantly needs to have Before and After school programs, and the price will need to be under 350K.
Is that going to be possible within a 40 minute drive of the Energy Corridor?

I think that my area would be perfect for you. I am near the corner of Mason and Westheimer in Shadow Bend. We are zoned to an excellent elementary school and it is a quiet, family-oriented neighborhood and most of my neighbors work in the Energy Corridor. I have been told that it is about a 20-25 minute drive. $350K will be the low end of housing but you may find something. Lamplight Village which is the neighboring development, still zoned to the same school, would also be a match and most of the housing would be below $350K. All of this is in Cinco Ranch.

[KatieAP3883]

We live in green trails and love it. For $350 you should easily be able to find what you are looking for. My husband works in the Energy Corridor and never has longer than a 20 minute commute. One thing that hasn't been mentioned, is that the housing market in Houston is really strong right now. We were in a multiple offer situation a couple of months ago when we bought. The areas further east zoned to spring branch isd are even worse. I'm not trying to make you nervous, just give a heads up. Best of luck!

[jameskhano]

Originally Posted by ryan in texas

The south side of the Westpark Tollway near Mason/Peek/Fry. The Cinco sections on the East side of Grand Parkway, the older homes in Katy off Mason and Fry.

I am just making an observation, not a judgement. The area near Highway 6 and the Westpark is very populated by Middle Eastern and Nigerian people. This is only about a 5 minute drive from Cinco down the tollway.

Yeah that's Mission Bend. And a 5 minute drive down West Park also takes you to Alief. Those communities aren't Cinco Ranch.

[ryan in texas]

Originally Posted by jameskhano

Yeah that's Mission Bend. And a 5 minute drive down West Park also takes you to Alief. Those communities aren't Cinco Ranch.

I know that. My point being is that Cinco is sort of surrounded by a different element. Mission Bend is one of the worst places and it basically borders with Cinco.

[deckhanddavy]

Cardiff Ranch is pretty diverse, from my observations of living here for over a year.