Looking at house in North Katy (Barker Cypress and Morton) - wanting opinons (Dallas: for sale, apartments)

[eloon]

I've seen a lot of opinions about north Katy in general but my wife went and drove around the area and liked it. The house we're looking at seems nice and what we want for a great price, although I would expect them to come down some due to it being more expensive than pretty much all of the surrounding homes. It's the Barker's Ridge HOA.

It's zoned to Schmaltz/MaydeCreek/MaydeCreek. I've read some mixed stuff about all of those - but more good than bad for sure - and what I've read kind of reminds me of the Dallas suburb I grew up in (Rowlett). No kids yet, but probably going to start trying in another 3 years.

Any good reason to not buy here? I'm working downtown and she's teaching in spring branch, so we'd like to get as far east in Katy as we could, which is why we were looking in the Barker Cypress area. I think we both would rather be in the SBISD area between 610 and BW8 but those homes are out of our price range at this point, so this area seemed like a good entry point where we can stay in the general area we like with reasonable access to BW8, 610, Galleria, Memorial City, etc. The area zoned to Stafford in SB is pretty much 350+ and some of those schools are headed south due to apartments in the area. At our age and income level a house that expensive would be foolish. The HISD schools south of the bayou seem like good prices but the schools look pretty crappy.

Thoughts? I've lurked at this forum off and on for quite some time, so I know somebody is going to tell me to move to Kingwood, or to try Sugarland, or Pearland, but I don't think EasilyAmused can dispute my assessment of the Stratford area! I'd love to be wrong though.

Also, how useful or useless is the Addicks park and ride at hwy 6 and I10? I'd be interested in riding that to/from work. My current commute is downtown to Blalock on I10 which is great, but I have noticed that traffic starts to back up around BW8 so I think it would be advantageous to park and ride (and less stressful).

[mhanigan]

Hello. I grew up in the Kingwood area and spent my adult life in the downtown area/Westheimer and West University (Rice) area. (Moved to Dallas 6 years ago.) I also spend many weekends in Katy Texas. One of my very best friends has lived there for probably 20 years. She loves the area and rants and raves about Katy schools...which are fantastic. I know you said you and your wife do not have kids now, but for in the future, providing the ratings stay the same, it might be an area to consider.

Personally, Pearland seems too far, and Kingwood, while it's nice, is also going to be too far for your wife. Sugarland, I'm on the fence with. I've got cousins that grew up there, but other than that, honestly can't say one way or the other. My vote is Katy and the Memorial Area. It's growing in leaps and bounds and property there can only appreciate in time.

I have sent an email to my Katy friend asking her what she thinks. If you have any other questions you'd like me to ask her let me know. I'd be happy to help!

[Over]

Barkers Ridge subdivision is one of the best subdivisions over in that area. Well maintained, mature trees, quiet. Good choice...

[EM1956]

Barker's Ridge is a nice subdivision, but the schools on the north side of 10 cannot compete with those on the south. Also, you can buy on the southside for what some of the houses in Barker's Ridge are selling for. We have friends who have put their house for sale in Barker's Ridge, precisely because their children are approaching school age, and they are not happy with Smaltz. Mayde Creek Jr. High and High would be last on the list of Katy schools if I was choosing. (but Morton Ranch Jr. and High would also be a close second from the bottom)

Just my opinion.

It is a nice subdivision, though.

[eloon]

Originally Posted by EM1956

Barker's Ridge is a nice subdivision, but the schools on the north side of 10 cannot compete with those on the south. Also, you can buy on the southside for what some of the houses in Barker's Ridge are selling for .

Have you looked at it lately? I've struggled to find anything less than about 225-230 on southside (around Barker Cypress/Fry) and a lot of those seem pretty vanilla.

[EM1956]

I suppose that I was thinking of further west- areas around Katy Mills-

To be sure, those are big nice houses in Barker, but I'd still try for something on the southside.

[Over]

You can look into the Grand Harbor Subdivision (Centex). It's south of I-10 and right across the street from the Katy Mills Mall. They have several models that are going for under 200

[EM1956]

Silver Ranch also has starting prices at about 150,000- smaller homes and lots,

[eloon]

Yea I definitely don't want to live that far out. Katy Mills mall area is probably out of the question. That's why we haven't looked at Cinco Ranch. Maybe if I worked in Energy corridor area or Galleria, but downtown... don't want it.

[EM1956]

my husband uses the park n ride at Grand Parkway/1-10 and he gets to downtown (St. Joseph Parkway) in about 45 min. (St. Joseph is on the far side of downtown, last stop)