Safe neighborhood in Katy (Cinco Ranch, Highland Park: sex offenders, low crime, new home)

[Lonestar2011]

Hello,

We are moving to Katy but havent decided where to live yet. Number one on our list is safety. We are looking at spending between $190k and as high as $220k.

We have had some bad experiences in the past with neighborhoods. I know there is crime everywhere, but there are also neighborhoods where you have a good feeling of safety. At least I hope there is one somewhere. After some trying times I want my family to have peace of mind. I would rather have a smaller house in a very nice neighborhood than a big house in a more average one.

I especially dont want to live where people keep dangerous dogs and there are weak fences. Is there a neighborhood that has brick fences? :0) I would certainly sign up for that house.

Also, I know there is alot of talk out there about Cinco Ranch and Grand lakes etc. But there is also alot of variation in those neighborhoods. I heard there was a home invasion in Cinco but that was in the part near the tollway. What I am looking for is not just which neighborhood(some of these are HUGE), but what PART of the neighborhood is the best.

In a nutshell: price up to $220k, min 3 bedrooms, NICE neighbors who dont act like idiots, low crime, away from highways(prefer in the heart of a neighborhood), gated preferred but not required, and a strong fence is a good selling point with me too.

Thank you all for any ideas you may have. I know I am asking for alot and this will be a long search but wish me luck.

[sbhubbell]

My part of Cinco seems to be as safe as you can get...if there is such a thing. No big dogs, no weak fences, no home invasions or even car thefts....yet. That would be Highland Park section, between Gaston Rd and west of Cinco Ranch Blvd. However I'm not sure if there are any houses left in your price range, they get snapped up fast.

[Lonestar2011]

Thanks SB. I guess I should say "safer", as you are right and there is no such thing as a perfectly safe neighborhood. Are there any parts of Cinco that I should avoid?

[cla]

I can't think of any sections of Cinco that I would consider bad. That being said, I wouldn't move to any neighborhood right off of a major roadway. Most neighborhoods around Cinco are also nice - Seven Meadows, Kelliwood, Grand Lakes and others. Just west of where sbhubbel and I both live is the newest section of Cinco. You could build something new in your price range, and if you back to a street, you will get a brick fence along the rear of your property.

[caldvn]

You may also want to do search on "sex offender" in the area. There was a site that you could use that would mark "registered" sex offenders on a map. I believe there was also a site that would mark recent crime, and what type of crime it was on a map.

[Lonestar2011]

Thanks to everyone for the helpful suggestions. So far, it looks like Seven Meadows, Kelliwood, Grand Lakes, and Cinco Ranch are the best bets. Are any of these gated communities or is that only for homes $500k and up?

What about the newer subdivisions further west I have heard about? Firethorne, Grayson Lakes, Woodcreek, SIlver Ranch etc? Any feedback on them?

Thanks again!!

[Mayor_McCheese]

Kelliwood, Firethorne are pretty high dollar. I enjoy living in Seven Meadows. Very family oriented just like most of Katy. I'd say, stick to the South side of I-10

[RVD26]

A couple of other areas you might want to consider are Westheimer Lakes North and Pinemill Ranch.
Both areas are safe and you will get more house for your money than you would in Cinco or Grand Lakes.

[pc50]

Just a couple miles west of Cinco is Cross Creek Ranch that has new homes in your price range. It is within the City of Fulshear that has its own police department for a City of about 1500 or less. All the other neighborhoods receive patrols from the sheriffs department which is spread out more because they are not in within an incorporated city boundary. Most of the other neighborhoods listed above probably pay for supplemental sheriff/constable patrols but the number of officers per household is still high compared to that of a smaller City.

[Mayor_McCheese]

I'd be surprise if you could find something in Cross Creek Ranch for $220,000

There haven't been many murders in my neighborhood lately so I consider it pretty safe