If you were about to retire and move back to Texas and you wanted to buy a house in a golf community, which one would you pick? Not one dominated by obnoxious sips. Somewhere in the central part of the state. How about Escondido? How about Miramontno sip issue there but not sure I want to live in Bryan.

Probably some place in El Paso. That's where I'd start if I were you.

Budget?

Bluejack and Houston Oaks would be places I check out

Miramomt and Traditions will have you avoiding a lot of sips.

Budget is well within Bluejack prices. That looks interesting, but maybe more interested in a more focused golf community. I think I'll pass on El Paso.

Not sure if the 2nd part of ur response is about blue jack or not but it's outside of Houston and 100% golf

Houston Oaks is outside of Houston as well and is 100% centered on golf. They are building a new neighborhood now as well

What about something around Horseshoe Bay? Maybe Escondido?

Boot Ranch or Cordillera Ranch should be considered

What is your summer golf plan? Good courses around B/CS seem pretty slow when the weather is sweltering in June-August.

I'm building a home in Escondido. Happy to discuss…
Golf course isn't a great design but in amazing condition…. Greens are as good as anything in the world.
Building approvals are lengthy. Building costs are high. Dues are over priced.

But We like the area. Can discus offline.

I'd move to the Woodlands.

Houston Oaks. Great course and amenities plus it's an hour from Kyle Field.

When is the initiation fee increase going into effect? Is it Jan 1 or before? Might not be significant to the OP.

If you want good golf, and the country I'd look at the Big Easy outside Columbus. Not a "neighborhood" but houses are starting to be built out there....it also appears you aren't lacking for money so that brings into play multiple private courses in the area there. You got the 18 and 9 holer at Big Easy, The Falls, as well as the new course Hal Sutton is designing in Columbus which should open next year.

Kerrville is a great place to live on a golf course or at least in a golf community. Comanche Trace, River Hill, etc. are great communities. Low taxes over 65 for city and county and low energy cost.

Thanks for the responses. I'm still in the early stages.

Escondido is a really tough well maintained course. From the blue tees, second from the back, there are several holes that play longer than Fazio thought they would. 15 is a 225 yard par 3. They had to add bail out area in the front right because people couldn't get it there. 14 most can't get it over the hill so it plays like a par 5. 17 might be the best hole in Texas when you don't factor in things like water falls. Dues are really high.

Boot Ranch is great, but it is in Fredericksburg. Everyone that lives there ends up either traveling a ton or going to Austin/San Antonio more than they would like. Local avoid main street Thursday through Sunday. Dues are even higher than Escondido. With the amenities they are building, it is only go to go higher after turnover. Great place if you have the money and just want to stay past the guard gate.

Bluejack is trying to build everything in-house. That is driving up costs on what architecturally shouldn't be that expensive to build. Expensive yes, but not that expensive. I would rather see builder competition with architectural review like Escondido and Boot Ranch.

I have never been to any of the communities discussed here but if golf is important, do these places have 18-36 holes? Would you be ok with that or would you want 5 to 10 ready access golf courses?

The Big Easy in Columbus - might be Top 2 or 3 in Texas in a few years
Miramont in Bryan - best course in Aggieland and one of the best clubhouses in Texas
Traditions Club in Bryan - great layout / spotty conditioning
Houston Oaks in NW Houston (golf plus multiple other things)
Boot Ranch - fun layout for everyday play
Escondido - usually great conditioning on the course
Horseshoe Bay - multiple courses

Bluejack might be an option as well
Carlton Woods although that might not qualify as Central Texas

I don't mind playing primarily on just one course as long as it's not overcrowded and pace of play is decent. Of the courses mentioned, do any have particular issues in getting decent tee times or have lots of really bad and/or slow golfers?

I can only speak for Houston Oaks

4 hours is the longest round I've played there and tee times are every 15 minutes most of the year.

If I play by myself during the week I can play in about 2.5 hours

Buford T. Justice said:

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I'd move to the Woodlands.

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And play where? The Woodlands CC courses aren't very exciting. Maybe Carlton Woods?

Probably doesn't check the box for "central" but this one is in the process of being built near FW.

Home - Avanzada Golf & Ranch Club

Long rounds and too many people unless ur at Carlton Woods

Vaaler Creek?

Just build a house outside the gates of Whispering Pines

CarbonEmitter said:

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I don't mind playing primarily on just one course as long as it's not overcrowded and pace of play is decent. Of the courses mentioned, do any have particular issues in getting decent tee times or have lots of really bad and/or slow golfers?

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sounds like you want the falls or big easy. You and maybe five other people will be out there any time of the day. Tee times aren't even a worry around there.

I live in Fort Worth, and I would only consider Bluejack National or Houston Oaks.
1. The golf in Hill Country is great but BJN and HO are better.
2. Hill country is kind of overrated.

Both BJN and HO are beautiful. Both are beautiful enough that I would never give up the convenience of being near Houston. You can still fly directly to anywhere in the world, 45 minutes away.

It's nowhere near the central part of the state as the OP specified but Houston Oaks has been a great experience for me. I've been a member since the week after they announced the club and membership options so this is year 16 for me. One of the best things about it is the golf is great but there are many other things to do there if you want variety. The only thing they haven't gotten right in my opinion is the food. I don't know why they can't master that.

Otherwise I can't recommend it more highly. I've been there sice we didn't really have anything but the belief in the owners to actually execute the plan which they have done extremely well.

I've relocated far away so I'll be dropping my membership and honestly should have a year ago but pulling the trigger on that is hard.

I had an incredible burger and flatbread/pizza at HO. Haven't had much else on the menu, though.

If money isn't an issue, then Horseshoe Bay(including Summit Rock) and a house on Lake LBJ is always my answer(money not an issue).
Four courses and a constant level lake.

There are better courses, but not any better settings - in my opinion. The lake is the real kicker for me. Sadly, I'll never be able to afford a house on the fashionable side of the lake.

TMfrisco said:

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If money isn't an issue, then Horseshoe Bay(including Summit Rock) and a house on Lake LBJ is always my answer(money not an issue).
Four courses and a constant level lake.

There are better courses, but not any better settings - in my opinion. The lake is the real kicker for me. Sadly, I'll never be able to afford a house on the fashionable side of the lake.

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This is my plan. Plenty of courses. Close enough to Austin, and the lake.

Not central Texas, but Vaquero is awesome.

AggieDruggist89 said:

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This is unsolicited but looking at retirement area, my #1 criteria would be:

• mild winters followed by
• access to comprehensive health care then
• major airport.

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Yep. I was going to suggest central Florida. Plus the tax savings would fund the golf.