Two days to explore for home...befuddled (Houston, Sugar Land: real estate, homes)

[ma23peas]

Will be in town next week for two days...prefer not to ride with realtor because I hate small talk and just need to hit as many areas as possible. Husband's office is SW Houston just north of Sugarland. Some considerations:
Daughter is a competitive Irish dancer and most schools seem to be in North Houston/Woodlands for the classes she needs.
We homeschool (senior so this is our last year to do it) but would be interested in areas with some organized homeschool stuff.
Thinking of checking out Richmond, Katy, Cinco Ranch (Sugar Land just sounds too congested for us)
Budget is under 400k..2500-3000 sq ft and would love nature trails..I walk a lot.

Any other areas I should check out and any traffic tips??

[ma23peas]

Oh! And my son is a collegiate rower who will need access during breaks for training...found Houston Rowing Club whose boathouse is in Sugarland, any others?

[ipuck]

Sienna sounds perfect for you.

[Meyerland]

If you are taking her to the Woodlands area for dance, you will probably want to live more centrally. ( unless it's weekends or one night during the school week)

If you choose sugarland, then stay close to 59 for quicker access to their activities.

Katy is too far for all the commuting you would be doing.

It can easily take an hour or two to traverse the entire Houston area.

[Dahak]

Look in South Katy east of 99, and the neighborhoods surrounding the Westpark Tollway/99 intersection (which include Cinco Ranch).
South of the Westpark Tollway is considered Richmond, which is fine too. I think people consider the Katy schools marginally better.

You'll like George Bush Park which is just east of that part of Katy.

[lhafer]

If you want to navigate Houston in a quick manner, I suggest having a realtor show you around. You don't have to rid in the same car as them. Clients almost never rode with me, as I don't prefer it for my own safety. But you will want someone who knows their way around because the GreTer Houston area is huge.

[KatieKennedy]

The newly opened segment of the Grand Parkway provides a way to get from Southwest Houston up to the Woodlands. You might try to get a place near there. I echo what the previous poster said about using a realtor. Some of the larger real estate agencies have relocation departments and specialists. See the attached link for an example. Relocation Services in Houston, Memorial, River Oaks & West University TX

[bu2]

Having a realtor who knows their way around can be a lot more efficient. You might want some time with the realtor and then follow with some by yourself. Make sure they know the particular area. They might know Sugarland but not know Katy.

[DRob4JC]

Originally Posted by lhafer

If you want to navigate Houston in a quick manner, I suggest having a realtor show you around. You don't have to rid in the same car as them. Clients almost never rode with me, as I don't prefer it for my own safety. But you will want someone who knows their way around because the GreTer Houston area is huge.

I agree... have a group of properties to review for the day... meet the realtor at the first house, and follow them to all of the others.


As far as where you the OP wants to be - if your commitments are spread out over the city, figure out what takes priority and the frequency/duration of the commitment and do your best with it. If you are going between the Woodlands and Richmond/Katy - get a toll tag for your car and stay near the Grand Parkway.

[Meyerland]

Stay near 59 and close to Sugar land. Richmond near 59 would fit your requirements. Sienna might work too.

I love Katy, but why give everyone a terrible commute. Stay close to your husbands work, the rowing club, and the more centrally located Irish dance group in West University.

O'Maoileidigh - Houston Irish Dance
Here is the dance group. It will still take a long time to get there, but more like 20-45 minutes depending on traffic and where you live in SUgar land.