Choosing a new home in Katy or The Woodlands
Posted on Mon, Sep 28, 2009
Many of our clients have trouble choosing a home in Katy or The Woodlands. If you ask the members of this City-Data forum thread, the verdict seems clear: The Woodlands. However, the answer is not so clear-cut, and there are many factors that should go into your decision when evaluating Houston suburbia. Here's our take on the winners of each category.
Aesthetics: The Woodlands
The Woodlands has a much greater aesthetic appeal. You'll find plenty of vegetation and mature trees, while Katy is described as "a sea of roofs and concrete" unbearable in summer months. However, the rich vegetation and trees does bring risk of increased levels of insects and mosquitos.
On the other hand, there are areas inside Katy offering neighborhoods similar to The Woodlands in terms of scenery and trees, although they tend to be more expensive, in the $600k + range.
Shopping & Entertainment: The Woodlands
Within a 7 mile distance, The Woodlands offers restaurants, hospitals, schools, movie theaters, and an award-winning mall. The much popular Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion hosts many famous music acts that come through town. The Woodlands does offer more convenience when it comes to shopping and entertainment, however at a higher price tag.
Katy is working hard to catch up, especially with the recent La Centerra shopping center. The Katy Mills Mall, while not at all luxurious like First Colony Mall in The Woodlands, offers great bargains and an easy place to drop the kids off to hang out. There are drawbacks to both areas when it comes to shopping and entertainment. Typically you'll find more expensive options in The Woodlands, while Katy has more sprawl and greater affordable variety.
Hospitals & Education: Katy
Katy has a staggering number of hospitals, and the number is growing. Katy ISD is an award-winning school district backed by high taxes. The Woodlands does have a fair share of medical centers, so you need not be worried about hospitals in either area. Katy wins hands down on education.
Commute: Katy
Commuting to Downtown Houston is most certainly more convenient from Katy. The recently renovated Katy Freeway has an obscene number of lanes and a tollway/HOV running through the middle. You can reach downtown from Fry Rd in about 20 minutes in decent traffic. However, coming from The Woodlands, I-45 is much more congested and prone to traffic jams. Residents do have the option of the Hardy Tollroad, but even that can get congested.
Conclusion
The vast majority of forum respondents preferred The Woodlands as the better choice. A combination of low crime, aesthetics, quieter areas, and convenient shopping seems to be the major strong points. Schools are still high quality and the commute is acceptable if travelling on the Hardy Tollroad. Couples without children will most likely appreciate the lifestyle in The Woodlands more than Katy.
Katy's strong points are the newer schools, about $100 less in property taxes, an easier commute, and an overall lower cost of living. For us, the jury is still out. We find that different families are better suited for different areas. For a free consultation to discuss your options and find the best neighborhoods for you, download our New Home Buyers Guide. You can also read more about Katy neighborhoods and neighborhoods in The Woodlands.
Photo credit finnadat