My wife and are beginning the home buying process and are looking in the Fall Creek, Summerwood, Lakeshore, and Eagle Springs areas. Are there any areas to avoid? Are there any other areas you would recommend? I think at this point Fall Creek is probably our first option; however, I'd like to keep our options open.

We live in Summerwood and like it. Since they opened the HEB outside Summerwood a few years ago it has been much easier, as we don't have to go up to 1960 for groceries, but still have the option for weekend shopping and food when we feel like it. Can't say much about schools as our kids are only 3 and 2.

Area to avoid is Canyon Lakes by the Walmart across from Fall Creek. The dump is right behind and you can smell it most days. I don't think it's bad at Fall Creek. We have friends that live there and they've never had a problem.

I drive downtown at about 6:00am and it takes me right at 30min on Hwy 59.

[This message has been edited by Aggiebq03 (edited 2/26/2013 4:05p).]

Also, if you are looking to build we used Meritage in Summerwood. They moved out and over to Fall Creek. They did a good job at a reasonable price compared to other builders we looked at. I'd use them again if we were building, though hopefully next time we go through that it will be a custom home builder on our own lot.

I live in Summerwood as well. We enjoy it. I'll second the rec that you should stay away from the communities that are basically directly north of Fall Creek.

Fall Creek is larger than Summerwood and has more ameneties but I think their HOAs are higher- plus the additional cost if you want to join Redstone. I think Fall Creek is bigger than Eagle Springs too. Summerwood is a good size but smaller than the other 2. However, if you've got to commute out of the Upper East Side (if you live here, learn the terminology) Eagle Springs blows. You either have to take Will Clayton over to 59, or Atascocita to the BW or get over to W. Lake Houston and then onto the BW. Lakeshore is nice but you need to stay on the lake side (where the pool is located).

There's a lot going on out here:
http://www.bisnow.com/commercial-real-estate/houston/transwestern-markets-92-acre-residential-mixed-use-tract-the-deal-sheet/?utm_campaign=houre_022613.html&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua

http://generationpark.com/

Plus, I like the fact that immediately east of Fall Creek & almost due west of Summerwood is the 1400acre Greens Bayou Wetlands Mitigation Bank which will never be developed and is going to become a nature park with hiking trails.

There's also Duessen Park, Eisenhower Park, Sheldon SP, and a lot more green space in the very immediate vicinity which won't be developed because it's wetlands.

As for builders, Taylor Morrison built our house and my wife is their marketing director. They build in Fall Creek and have just returned to Eagle Springs & Summerwood.

I don't know the specifics on their plans here but if you email me at dfstarr at gmail dot com I'll pass it along to my wife and she'll help you out. She & her counterpart also run internet sales so she's very up to speed on everything.

Meritage is a good builder too but Taylor Morrison was voted the #1 builder in Houston by GHBA in 2010 & 2011. Taylor Morrison is also under contract to buy some raw land for a gated community immediately north of Summerwood on W. Lake Houston.


[This message has been edited by Finn Maccumhail (edited 2/26/2013 4:57p).]

Fall Creek is so ghetto. I was an apartment dweller and though it was too ghetto. Seriously don't move there.

Ghetto?? Guess living in the apartments houdinis venture in to see the amount of homes over 900k in the non gated sections. Or, maybe you say it is ghetto because Paul Wall lives in one of the gated sections?

Finn, I don't think fall creek is larger than summerwood or eagle springs, which is why the hoa is higher than eagle springs(I know). Eagle springs also has the best amenities of the three. Having grown up in the area it is crazy the amount of growth(good and bad) in the past 10 years alone.

Finn - is that why it looks like they are clearing land just north of Summerwood? Was wondering about that.

We're in Summerwood too. We're in the section zoned to Lakeshore Elem and love it. I've got a 4th grader and a 1st grader. Couldn't be happier.

We've lived there for 3 1/2 years now. Rented for two and built there. Great community. Lot's of Ags too!

TxElsie- I believe so. I'm not sure which parcel they're buying. It's also possible the owners are clearing land in hopes of a better sale.

redag- Fall Creek is 2300 acres, Summerwood is 1500, and Eagle Springs is 1360. Per the developers. I'm guessing the disparity has a lot to do with Redstone and the larger amount of commercial sites in Summerwood plus the fairly large nature preserve areas in Summerwood.

Didn't know the golf course was included in the size. With those numbers did you find out the amount of households?

I think Eagle Springs has more rooftops, then Fall Creek, then Summerwood. I don't have the totals though.

I hear Fall Creek has more chimneys but also more chimney sweepers. Go figure.

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Ghetto?? Guess living in the apartments houdinis venture in to see the amount of homes over 900k in the non gated sections. Or, maybe you say it is ghetto because Paul Wall lives in one of the gated sections?

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There are some nice homes there. I used to ride my bike throughout the development. The immediate area that fall creek is in is terrible.

The subdivision is beautiful but the surrounding area is just plain UGLY and scary. I've always thought it was embarrassing to Houston to have tour pros drive from the airport to that area, if that's all they see of Houston.

I wouldn't live there because of the immediate surroundings. When we started looking, Fall Creek was our #1. We quickly decided that it would be either Summerwood or Eagle Springs. Ended up in Eagle Springs because the house we wanted was there. If the same house was in Summerwood, we would be there.

We live in Fall Creek and I admit the neighborhood itself is in the middle of the hood. But Fall Creek is very nice, great pool, great elementary school, and great neighbors. Plus, if you are so inclined to drop $60K or whatever the fee at Redstone is now, you get to play golf a some really nice courses.

We have a 24 hour HCSO patrol, so that helps, but crime is not eliminated.

I always though Summerwood dwarfed Fall Creek in size, but I haven't really investigated that much. I am betting those acerage numbers include the golf course.

My dad is in Eagle Springs and loves it. He preferred Summerwood, but when he went to close on a house there, the builder tried to tack on an additional $2500 of "miscalculations" to the final price, and he walked out and gave them 24 hours to fix their dumbassary. They didn't and the house went back on the market for about 8 months.

As far as Fall Creek's surroundings go, I'd say it's fairly insulated and soon to be moreso. Humble ISD is very likely to rezone everything west of Summerwood and north of the Beltway except for the 2 Canyon Gate neighborhoods off Wilson and Sunset Ridge/Timberhills neighborhoods back to Humble HS away from Summer Creek HS and Woodcreek MS.

The more upscale retail development in front of Fall Creek along the Beltway will come soon. There's also no access to Fall Creek from the west and it's bordered by Greens Bayou on the south.

We looked at that area but ended up building in Long Meadow Farms in Richmond due to the proximity to the O&G companies on the West Side and we felt safer in LMF.

I get the proximity to the Energy Corridor but you felt safer out by the prisons?

Yes I feel safer out by that minimum security prison than I did in the surrounding neighborhoods and some sections of the major neighborhoods by Fall Creek.

I'm in Eagle Springs and love it. The only downside is the distance from the beltway and 59 (both Summerwood and Fall Creek are closer) but even with that I still like Eagle Springs better. I have heard some interesting stories from the hood around Fall Creek, but the areas surrounding ES aren't exactly glamorous either. No kids so can't comment on schools other than the neighbors seem to be pleased with them.

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bevokilla
posted 11:38a, 02/27/13



Yes I feel safer out by that minimum security prison than I did in the surrounding neighborhoods and some sections of the major neighborhoods by Fall Creek.

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I guess if it ain't Mayberry, it ain't safe.

Thanks for all the input, everyone. I'm not sure whethere we will be building or buying an existing home; however, its looking like our decision will be either in Fall Creek or Summerwood because of the quick access to the beltway.

If you are looking to build, stop by the Lennar office in Summerwood. Sales rep's name is Derek and he's an Ag. Really enjoyed working with him while we were building ours.

Lots of Ags in the neighborhood too.

Or you could check out the 2010 & 2011 GHBA "Builder of the Year," Taylor Morrison Homes.

If you're interested in them post here, I'll give you my email and get your info to my wife.

Been in Fall Creek since 2005. At first little of note around, but a number of restaurants have started to come in and nice Gold Gym we are member of across Beltway, Have not felt unsafe at all walking around in evenings. Love the ability to get to downtown in less than 20 minutes, Woodlands in about 35 and work on 225 in 30.

I almost put that Finn, but thought it was your story to tell.

BQ,

We are looking at building with Meritage in Fall Creek. Was their sales rep Jeff Lester when you bought your home? Did you use their lender? How long did it take for your house to be completed? Finally, have you heard anything about the Pine Grove Subdivision they are building in Fall Creek? That is where we would be building if we did go with them.

Thanks!

Pine Grove Subdivision - Meritage Homes

Thanks again for everyone's responses.

Has anyone heard anything about this neighborhood in Fall Creek. It seems to be a great location and is a smaller area surrounded by trees.

My wife and I are real leaning towards building here and are just trying to find out whether the area should be avoided. We're going to talk with Meritage today because i'd like to ask them more about their construction process and whether they have had any problems with the stucco they are using on the homes in Pine Grove.

Not familar with that subdivision since live on other side of Fall Creek in Forest Glade. Sure is fine. One bit of advice and not because any different then any other subdivisin in Houston area, but after construction watch your air conditioning units. Ours were stolen a couple of days after closing and know of a couple of others just before or after closing. Believe the crooks (members of construction crews?) figure no one will pay attention to someone taking out units so close to time when material has been going into and out of houses and usually locks have not been placed on fence gates yet.