Thoughts on the future of spring branch west (Spring Valley, Stratford: 2015, houses)

[mikedjp]

Do you guys think spring branch west of blalock and north of I10 is up and coming? I’m talking about the parts close to spring valley but not zoned to Memorial High. What about the area north of HEB between blalock and Gessner? We are open to private school if we can stay within our house budget.

We are still looking for our next home. Wife works at Exxon and I work downtown. We have a small child and hoping to have another. We’d like to stay around 600k, and that seems to have priced us out of what we want in the heights and oak forest (maybe there are some in oak forest that aren’t zoned to oak forest elementary). We are looking into options other than the woodlands. We also need a yard and a full size lot.

[jd433]

I assure you that that area Is indeed up and coming. There is no question about it.

[mikedjp]

Despite the less-than-stellar schools? We are considering private anyway but it would be good to have a good public option if we have too many kids to pay tuition for.

[K LoLo]

Even with the schools, the area is definitely improving. I think as more young families move into the area, assuming they take advantage of the school, they will become better as well (can't expect schools to improve if people aren't willing to send kids there).

I live west of Gessner, and we're looking at schools right now. I think that area is zoned to Spring Woods High School. While not as good as a Stratford or Memorial, it certainly isn't a "bad" school.

A lot of the elementary schools are certainly getting more parent involvement.

[gwarnecke]

That area is definitely moving in the right direction, but if your budget is 600k, why not consider an entry-level house in Spring Valley Village or CoH but zoned to VOE/SBMS/MHS?

Also, watch out for flooding in the neighborhoods just north of I-10 and east of Gessner. Some neighborhoods, such as the one just north of Costco, flooded in the 2015 Memorial Day flood (but not during Harvey). Talk to existing residents about the area's flood history.

Also, look up the Long Point Fault and make sure to avoid it.

[fnh]

Stratford is a curious high school. Compare Stratford to other high schools with similar overall performance scores. At most high schools the overall score masks variation among sub-groups, with typically high performing sub-groups doing very well and low performing groups doing poorly. At Stratford even the typically high performing groups don't do well. Why? A high performing sub-group does better at Northbrook even than at Stratford.

https://www.greatschools.org/compare...cores&state=TX

We have close friends in Shadow Oaks. They send their child to Strake Jesuit.

[mikedjp]

Originally Posted by gwarnecke

That area is definitely moving in the right direction, but if your budget is 600k, why not consider an entry-level house in Spring Valley Village or CoH but zoned to VOE/SBMS/MHS?

Also, watch out for flooding in the neighborhoods just north of I-10 and east of Gessner. Some neighborhoods, such as the one just north of Costco, flooded in the 2015 Memorial Day flood (but not during Harvey). Talk to existing residents about the area's flood history.

Also, look up the Long Point Fault and make sure to avoid it.

I’m not seeing much in spring valley village or anything zoned to valley oaks within our budget except for town houses. We have a big dog and would prefer a full-size lot.

[fbf2006]

Originally Posted by mikedjp

I’m not seeing much in spring valley village or anything zoned to valley oaks within our budget except for town houses. We have a big dog and would prefer a full-size lot.

Yup, same here. I see people keep recommending Spring Valley but for 600K, a single family home can't be found.

[gwarnecke]

I’m seeing a handful of homes on HAR zoned to VOE/MHS but outside of Spring Valley under 500k, and a few in Spring Valley in the 600s. Admittedly, they’re smaller homes that need some updating.

[mikedjp]

Originally Posted by gwarnecke

I’m seeing a handful of homes on HAR zoned to VOE/MHS but outside of Spring Valley under 500k, and a few in Spring Valley in the 600s. Admittedly, they’re smaller homes that need some updating.

Yeah there are a couple. We’re going to check them out.