Home Away from Houston: Katy, TX Neighborhood Guide
Located just outside of the fourth-largest city in the U.S., Katy, TX has quickly become a beloved city for its schools, homes and amenities. A little bit Southern, a little bit urban chic, see why Katy attracts people of all ages to live in the area.
Fast Facts
Population: 19K
Typical home value: $292,539
Average annual salary: $30,848
Average age: 39.1
Education level: 31.9% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher
Where to Live
Churchill Farms – The Churchill Farms neighborhood is located in Fulshear, a Fort Bend County community. Mostly built since 2013, many of the 300+ homes are two-story with four bedrooms, three baths and roughly 3,280 sq. ft. with two-car garages. This newer neighborhood features a small lake and newly planted trees, as well as a community clubhouse, playground and swimming pool. Annual maintenance fees pay for the neighborhood’s amenities and general upkeep costs ($600 – 765/year as of 2020).
Cinco Ranch – Enjoy resort-style living at Cinco Ranch, which boasts waterparks, pools, a beach club, and walking trails. Katy’s largest residential community has also been recognized as one of the top 20 master-planned communities in the country. There are 8,740 residential lots in Cinco Ranch, which are governed by more than 100 neighborhood volunteers who make up the association’s Board of Directors, Neighborhood Representatives and various committee members.
Firethorne – Firethorne offers a wide array of amenities, which includes sports fields, a scenic lake with 12 acres of greenspace surrounding it, several parks, trails and flowing creeks, playgrounds, tennis courts, an indoor exercise facility, and a resort-style family swim center. Within the exclusivity of this neighborhood, you’ll find an escape from the bustle of nearby shopping centers like the Katy Mills Mall and other major retailers. Students attend school in the highly-regarded Katy Independent School District and Lamar Independent School District.
Kelliwood – With homes ranging from $250K to $2M, the Kelliwood neighborhoods feature sophisticated homes with mature trees. Many neighborhoods have gated access, and children throughout the community are zoned to some of the top schools in Katy’s school district. The 18-hole golf course at the Willow Fork Country Club provides a beautiful backdrop to many Kelliwood homes, as well. The Kelliwood subdivision is surrounded with restaurants, educational opportunities, entertainment venues, shopping, and more.
Memorial – With the Energy Corridor to the west and downtown Houston to the east, Memorial has become a prime locale for a private, quieter home life. Within the community itself, there’s Memorial City Mall and City Centre, a highly walkable shopping center. Minutes away, there’s also the Galleria, which needs no introduction. Lastly, Memorial is home to several of Houston’s 20 most expensive neighborhoods, including Memorial Villages, Frostwood and Memorial Forest, as well as some of the most desirable real estate thanks to several factors, including lot size, schools and more.
Entertainment
Don’t underestimate Katy! Just a few miles outside of Houston’s city limits, it’s more than just a plethora of subdivisions. It also serves as home to shops, eateries, parks, and entertainment complexes. Katy has the perfect mix of activities for those looking for a night out on the town or something more laid back and family-friendly. Be sure to visit LaCenterra, a 34-acre, 300,000 sq. ft. development loaded with shops, eateries and business offices.
Shopping
Katy takes after Houston in that it is a shopping mecca. A huge mall 25 miles west of downtown Houston, Katy Mills is 1.3 million sq. ft. of retail that includes more than 175 stores. Blending uptown style and old-world charm, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch offers upscale shopping in a relaxed, Main Street-style setting. Whether you’re in search of a small boutique or a large, retailer, you’ll find what you want and need in Katy.
Outdoors
You might not think of Katy as a hot spot for outdoor adventures, but if you take a look around, you will find ample opportunities for running, biking, kayaking or climbing in and near Space City. To say the least, there are tons of activities to enjoy! Visit Bear Creek Park Zoo, learn about wildlife at the Katy Prairie Conservancy or enjoy family-friendly fun at Dewberry Farm.
Education
The Katy Independent School District is a thriving suburban school district that spans 181 sq. mi. in southeast Texas. Its eastern boundary stretches to Houston’s Energy Corridor, roughly 16 miles west of Downtown Houston, and extends along Interstate 10 to a few miles west of the city of Katy.
Dining
The Katy area is home to a new generation of food-savvy entrepreneurs who are turning the former small suburb into one of Houston’s most exciting and culturally diverse dining communities. Many unique restaurants are popping up in Katy, challenging the cookie-cutter chains that previously dotted suburban dining. Check out Antonia’s for Italian, ROKO Grill for Venezuelan or Tobiuo Sushi & Bar for sushi and Japanese cuisine.
If you are looking for more information about moving to Houston, TX, contact Armstrong Relocation – Houston today!
