Best neighborhood for kids (block parties, playing in the street, etc) (Houston: custom home, neighborhoods)

[ddowns46]

I am a small business owner in East County San Diego- we have been growing rapidly and have outgrown our 15,000 square foot warehouse and are in immediate need of 30-40k square feet in order to foster our growth. It probably comes to no surprise to people in Houston, but the favorable business climate and availability of cheap industrial property in Houston is INSANE. A property that is 5M here is easily less than 2.2M in Houston on much more land that is flat and usable. Simply relocating the business to Houston will add more than 1M to the company bottom line. My team and I hadn’t really considered a move until recently but after ‘seeing the light’ that is Houston it is hard not to.

The benefits to the business would be substantial which is why we are very strongly considering making a move there. We are family of 5 (3, 1.5, one due in October) with conservative and Christian beliefs. We don’t lead a flashy lifestyle nor do we want to. What’s most important to us is living in a good neighborhood with down to Earth neighbors that have young kids too. I’d love to live in a house where I can look out my front window and see kids playing in the street. School scores are of course important to us, but here in San Diego 10/10 schools mean the kids come from wealthy families. I’d simply like my kids to go to school with kids whose parents come from all walks of life but love them deeply and make them and their education a priority... if that makes sense.

Most of the industrial properties we have our eye on are in the Conroe area or just south of there. I’d love to be within 20 minute commute of that area if possible.

Looking forward to everyone’s input! My wife and I are making a trip out there next week so if anyone has specific spots we should check out let me know. Don’t really have a budget- I’d go as high as 800 and as low as 250 depending on how we like the neighborhood.

[Coffeequeen]

What is the business based on?

[ddowns46]

We design/manufacture/assemble/ship a wide variety of products catered to the metalworking industry.

[AcresHomes44]

The Woodlands. Short drive north on 45 will put you in Conroe.

[Mr. Football]

Check out Cypress. Longwood, Enclave at Longwood for new construction. Many other neighborhoods in the area that fit that description.

[ddowns46]

I was able to make it out to Houston for a very short 24 hour trip. The main purpose of the trip was to look at a few different industrial buildings, but I had some time in between to scope out a few areas. All of the buildings were in or near Conroe.

The woodlands was of course very nice- but I was hoping to find some non-HOA neighborhoods with more ‘normal’ type houses. I found the houses to be large and close together with relatively small lots. Are there any non cookie cutter type neighborhoods there or nearby that still have access to the good schools?

[WRM20]

Originally Posted by ddowns46

I was able to make it out to Houston for a very short 24 hour trip. The main purpose of the trip was to look at a few different industrial buildings, but I had some time in between to scope out a few areas. All of the buildings were in or near Conroe.

The woodlands was of course very nice- but I was hoping to find some non-HOA neighborhoods with more ‘normal’ type houses. I found the houses to be large and close together with relatively small lots. Are there any non cookie cutter type neighborhoods there or nearby that still have access to the good schools?

What you saw is typical of the Houston area. There aren't that many non "cookie cutter" neighborhoods, regardless of where you go, and lots here tend to be smaller than those found in many places in the Northeast and other places.

[Texascrude]

Originally Posted by ddowns46

I was able to make it out to Houston for a very short 24 hour trip. The main purpose of the trip was to look at a few different industrial buildings, but I had some time in between to scope out a few areas. All of the buildings were in or near Conroe.

The woodlands was of course very nice- but I was hoping to find some non-HOA neighborhoods with more ‘normal’ type houses. I found the houses to be large and close together with relatively small lots. Are there any non cookie cutter type neighborhoods there or nearby that still have access to the good schools?

You can check out Bender Landing or Benders Landing Estates. Zip code 77386 -- great schools, acre lots, custom homes. They're still big houses, but much more spread out than what you'll find in the woodlands.

[ddowns46]

I definitely like the look/feel of the properties in Benders Landing- little more spread out. Thanks!

[ddowns46]

When I was in Houston it was about 95-97 degrees while i was there- I didn't look up what the humidity was but i was going in expecting the weather to be brutal but that was not at all my experience. I spent all day walking outside and through warehouses with no climate control. Didn't feel any hotter than where i am from where an average summer day can range between 92-105 with a few here and there getting to 110. The biggest difference i noticed is that its hotter in the morning and evenings.

Not sure if everyone is different, but i can't really 'feel' humidity. One of the agents showing me an industrial property was drenched in sweat after about 30 minutes whereas i wasn't sweating at all. Maybe i'm just lucky? Or maybe it was just really nice weather while i was there.