Today we are going to cover 10 Things You Should Know About Living in Katy, Texas if you are thinking about Moving to Katy, TX
Good Morning Friends!
I am so excited you found this blog post in our little corner of the Interwebs. For those of you that don't know me, my name is Jordan Marie Schilleci (aka Jo), and I am the local real estate agent behind Jo & Co. But to establish why you should trust me, and my words (opinion) about Katy, let me dive a little deeper..
I started raising my children in Katy (think Cinco Ranch) a handful of years back, and know the area very well. I still have friends in every corner of Katy, visit it weekly, and a part of me likes to call it home. It is beyond beautiful. The exact area I lived in was master planned, and catered to every luxury I needed. Including the opportunity to walk or bike to everything my little heart desires: Whole Foods, Target, Trader Joe's, Homegoods, and the list goes on.
Besides all the sidewalks, hike & bike trails, and businesses, what drew people there was and is the schools. The schools are almost all rated an A. There is a lot to know about Katy, before moving there, and I would love the opportunity to not only share these facts and opinions with you, but to also be your real estate agent. So if you are considering a move to the area, or are moving to the area, and you need a real estate agent who truly cares, please reach out to me. All of my contact information is below, but for now, let's dive in..
10 Things You Should Know About Living in Katy, Texas
1. Katy is dissected by two major highways, breaking it into four quadrants. The two highways are Grand Parkway 99 (tollway to the north and free road (through Katy only) to the south), and Highway 10 running east and west. Below I will break down the four quadrants.
1. Old Katy - This is the the northwest section. Most people choose this area because it houses the lovely elementary school Katy Elementary. There is some new and old construction, along with some larger lots in Old Katy, as well as the Downtown area. In our local MLS, this area is referred to as, Old Towne, but do know, all the time I lived there, not one single person every called it that.
2. North - This section in our MLS is partly on the west side of Grand Parkway 99 (this is a new highway), but 4/5 of it is north of Highway 10 and east of Grand Parkway 99. There is a lot of newer development in this area, but many of the schools aren't on the top of the district's list.
3. Southeast - Just as its name portrays, this section can be found south of Highway 10 and east of Grand Parkway 99. It houses some of the most beloved and original to Katy's popularity, neighborhoods, including Nottingham Country and Kelliwood. This area does include part of Cinco Ranch, and one of my favorite areas Grand Lakes. The schools in this area are all favorites, especially Nottingham Country Elementary School. If you are looking for character with great schools, this might be area for you.
4. Southwest - This section can be found south of Highway 10 and west of Grand Parkway 99. The bulk of Cinco Ranch, along with many other new communities, can be found in this area. I would go as far to venture that this area of Katy, has fueled most of its growth in the last 10-15 years. Besides Cinco Ranch and Seven Meadows, other favorites include Cross Creek Ranch, Firethorne, Jordan Ranch, Tamarron, Falcon Ranch, King Lakes, The Reserve at Katy, Trails of Katy, Willow Creek Farms, Woodcreek Reserve, and Young Ranch. This section also houses the favorite schools that anyone moving to Katy is sure to love.
Homes for Sale in Katy, Texas | LINK
Homes for Sale in Cinco Ranch | LINK
Homes for Sale in Firethorne | LINK
Homes for Sale in Cross Creek Ranch | LINK
Homes for Sale in Jordan Ranch | LINK
New Construction Homes for Sale in Katy | LINK
2. The schools of Katy, have fueled the growth of Katy. About 1/10 of the homes in these four areas of Katy zone to Katy ISD schools, while 1/10 zone to Lamar Consolidated ISD. I would go far as to estimate that 85% of the schools in the Katy area are A rated.
2019 Accountability: For the second year in a row, Katy ISD achieved an overall rating of an A. Katy ISD is a flourishing suburban school district that encompasses 181 square miles in southeast Texas. Its eastern boundaries stretch to Houston's energy corridor approximately 16 miles west ofdowntown Houston and extend along Interstate 10 to a few miles west of the city of Katy.
Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) received an overall “A” rating for 2018-2019 by the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) A-F Accountability System. Out of the more than 1,200 school districts and charter schools in Texas, Lamar CISD was one of only 301 districts to receive the "A" rating. At the campus level, 28 campuses earned one or more Distinction Designations and three campuses earned all Distinction Designations for which they were eligible.
3. Many people that live in Katy, work in "The Energy Corridor" or Sugar Land, followed by Downtown Houston. The travel time during rush hour to Downtown hovers around one hour on most days, about 25 minutes to The Energy Corridor, and about 35 minutes to Sugar Land. Low traffic hours differ greatly, so I recommend looking at your particular commute time before deciding if Katy is the right area of Houston for you.
4. The most common complaint about living in Katy, is the traffic. There are a lot of homes in a small area, with most travel meaning you must cross a major highway or take a major highway. I would just recommend staying home during rush hour, and Sunday evenings to avoid the bulk of it.
5. There are so many parks in the Katy area. So after schools, I would say, second on the list of reasons to move to Katy, would be the parks. Favorite parks in the area include.. "The one right outside your door." I would go as far to say, there is most likely a park within a 5 minute walk of your front door. Followed by: Mary Jo Peckham Park, Katy Park, Exploration Park, Willow Fork Park, and Mason Creek South (Hike & Bike Trail).
6. Katy houses the Katy Mills Outlet Mall. If you love outlet malls, then Katy has one for you. The outlet mall is also where you can find one of the many movie theaters.
7. There is still a lot of growth happening in Katy, which means new construction homes. One-third of the homes for sale in Katy, as of February 2020, are new construction homes.
8. There is a lot of growth in Katy on the outskirts. Another road that runs parallel with Highway 10 is Westpark Tollway, also known as 1093. This road also intersects Grand Parkway 99, and the south side houses lots of growth. The most popular new construction starting with a neighborhood who has sold the most homes is Aliana, Harvest Green, McCrary Meadows, Creekside Ranch, Lakes of Bella Terra, Lakeview Retreat, Talavera, Grand Mission Estates, Camellia, Fieldstone, Grand Vista, Briscoe Falls, and Imperial.
Homes for Sale in Aliana | LINK
Homes for Sale in Harvest Green | LINK
Homes for Sale in McCrary Meadows | LINK
Homes for Sale in Creekside Ranch | LINK
All Homes for Sale - South of 1093 | LINK
New Construction Homes for Sale - South of 1093 | LINK
*South of 1093 includes the communities listed in the "growth in Katy on the outskirts" paragraph above.
*These searches can be easily changed, and take you to HAR.com.
9. You will not go hungry in Katy! Katy houses some of the best restaurants in Houston. Check out the below list!
Top 20 Restaurants in Katy, Texas | Must Visit Them All
- Whiskey Cake
- Dish Society
- Tiger Noodle House
- Pho Saigon
- Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant
- Local Table
- The ROKO Grill
- That's My Dog
- Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano
- Pappa Gyros
- Grett's BBQ Shop
- Peli Peli
- Snooze an A.M. Eatery
- Alegria Brazilian Grill
- Willy Burger
- Black Bear Diner
- Hoodadak
- Tasty Ko
- Maika'i Hawaiian BBQ
- Grazia Italian Kitchen
Top 20 Mexican Restaurants in Katy, Texas | All 4.2 - 4.7 Stars!
- Ray's Mexican Restaurant
- Taqueria Tex-Taco
- Torchy's Tacos
- Taqueria El Toluca
- El Jarrito Mexican Restaurant
- Taqueria Jamay Jalisco #2
- Las Mananitas Mexican Restaurant
- Los Balito's Taco Shop
- El Asador
- Victoria's Mexican Grill and Bar
- El Ranchero Mexican Restaurant & Cantina
- Necas Mexican Restaurant
- Los Balito's Taco Shop
- Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant
- Las Tarascas
- Los Cucos
- Cafe del Sol
- Alicia's Mexican Grille
- Chuy's
- La Finca
10. Fort Bend is the most diverse county in the United States. Fort Bendhas been called themostethnicallydiverse county in America, with a population that comes close to an equal division among blacks, Asians, Latinos, and white residents. Fort Bend, home to 627,000 people, was also the fifth-fastest-growing large county in the country between 2010 and 2012, according to Forbes magazine. | NY Times Article
I hope you found this post beneficial; I look forward to hearing your story, and meeting you.
When you are ready or if you have any questions, we ask you to please free to reach out to us! My cell phone number is 832-493-6685, and I love texts and phone calls (I keep my phone on silent when I sleep, so please do not hesitate to reach out.).
Your Realtor,
Jordan Marie Schilleci, REALTOR®, Jo & Co. Realty Group
Call/Text832-493-6685 |Email|Instagram|Facebook|Reviews|Home Search App|YouTube
The Home Search App link above, is a great way to work together. You first download HAR.com, and then click the link to connect us. :)
Check out our most popular blog posts:
- First Time Home Buyer – What You Need to Know ::http://byjoandco.com/fthb-blogpost
- The Seven People I Recommend to Every Client ::http://byjoandco.com/7people
- Most Popular New Construction in Conroe ::http://byjoandco.com/conroenew
- The Most Desirable Neighborhoods to Live In in Spring and Klein ISD ::http://byjoandco.com/bestklein
- 15 Local Things to Do at Night with Kids ::http://byjoandco.com/atnight
- Where to Stay When House Hunting or Moving to The Woodlands ::http://byjoandco.com/whereto
- The Best Neighborhoods to Live in to Let Kids Be Kids ::http://byjoandco.com/kidsbekids
- Download our e-book, Moving to The Woodlands,http://byjoandco.com/downloadthewoodlandsebook
Jo & Co. Ebooks Available for Download:
- This ebook is for first time home buyers. |http://byjoandco.com/ebook1
- This ebook is for anyone moving to The Woodlands. It is updated for 2020 and shares everything you need to know. |http://byjoandco.com/ebook2
- This ebook is “The Best Neighborhoods to Let Kids Be Kids”, which is essentially a list of the most popular and favorite neighborhoods. |http://byjoandco.com/ebook3
- This ebook geographically compares Spring vs. The Woodlands. The video on this one is more informative. I really recommend watching the video. |http://byjoandco.com/ebook4
- This ebook is a silly one that is more self promotion. |http://byjoandco.com/ebook5
- This ebook is “Moving to The Woodlands”, my original ebook. |http://byjoandco.com/ebook6
- All ebooks have corresponding videos that elaborate on the topic, and you can find those here on the YouTube channel:http://byjoandco.com/youtube.
Favorite YouTube Videos:
- Moving to The Woodlands – Everything You Need to Know. |YouTube Link
- First Time Home Buyer – What You Need to Know |YouTube Link
- The Best Neighborhoods to Let Kids Be Kids |YouTube Link
- Buying in Texas? Calculate Your Monthly Mortgage|YouTube Link
- The Difference Between Spring, TX and The Woodlands |YouTube Link
- Most Desirable Neighborhoods To Live In, In Klein ISD |YouTube Link
- Playlist of “Ninety Second Real Estate Q&A” |YouTube Link
FAQs
What do I need to know about living in Katy TX? ›
Living in Katy offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Katy there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Katy and residents tend to have moderate political views. The public schools in Katy are highly rated.
Should I move to Katy Texas? ›Katy TX really does have a lot to offer to everyone. A few reasons why folks choose Katy TX are your master planned community options (plus new construction), your proximity to the energy corridor, its amazing restaurants and shopping, and the great schools. Below you will find the top four master planned communities.
How much money do you need to live in Katy Texas? ›| COST OF LIVING | Katy | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Health | 92.4 | 95.4 |
| Housing | 104.8 | 84.3 |
| Median Home Cost | $315,500 | $243,600 |
| Utilities | 92.9 | 99.2 |
...
YOU SHOULD KNOW.
| Cities with the Least Crime Near Katy, Texas | Crime Index |
|---|---|
| Fulshear, TX | 11.7 |
| Jones Creek, TX | 12.3 |
| Woodbranch, TX | 12.5 |
| Hilshire Village, TX | 13.0 |
Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 43°F to 94°F and is rarely below 30°F or above 99°F.
How far is Katy Texas to the ocean? ›There are 58.87 miles from Katy to Beach City in east direction and 63 miles (101.39 kilometers) by car, following the I-10 route. Katy and Beach City are 1 hour 11 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop .
Does Katy Texas Flood? ›Katy is a wonderful place to live. However, location, geography, and climate are all factors in occasional rainstorms that can lead to serious flooding. Flood damage is not covered by any home insurance policy. To make sure your losses are covered in the event of a flood, you need to have flood insurance.
Which airport is closer to Katy TX? ›The nearest airport to Katy is Houston (IAH) Airport which is 32.2 miles away. Other nearby airports include Houston Hobby Apt (HOU) (34.3 miles), College Station (CLL) (64.9 miles) and Austin (AUS) (114.7 miles).
What is Katy known for? ›While largely subsumed into Greater Houston, the town of Katy is still notable for Katy Mills Mall, the Katy Independent School District, and its historic town square along the former right-of-way of the MKT railroad.
What major city is near Katy Texas? ›The City of Katy is the hub of three counties - Harris, Waller and Fort Bend - and is located 30 miles west of Houston. The City was founded on rice farming in the late 1800s and was formally incorporated in 1945.
Why is Katy Texas called Katy? ›
Katy, first known as Cane Island, is on Interstate Highway 10 and U.S. Highway 90 at the intersection of Harris, Waller, and Fort Bend counties, twenty-five miles west of downtown Houston. The name Katy may have been taken from the name Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad or from the name of the saloonkeeper's wife.
Is Katy Texas tap water safe to drink? ›The City of Katy has maintained a Superior Water System rating for more than 30 years and is dedicated to continuing this superior service to you, our citizens, customers and friends.
Is Katy Texas affordable? ›Ratings above 100 indicate living costs above the national average, so Katy is a slightly more expensive place to live than average. While Katy residents typically pay less for costs like groceries, healthcare, and utilities, they tend to pay more than the average American for housing and transportation expenses.
Is it cheap to live in Katy Texas? ›Katy's housing expenses are 18% lower than the national average and the utility prices are 3% lower than the national average. Transportation expenses like bus fares and gas prices are 9% lower than the national average. Katy has grocery prices that are 6% lower than the national average.
Does it snow in Katy Texas? ›...
Climate Averages.
| Katy, Texas | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Rainfall | 48.0 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Snowfall | 0.0 in. | 27.8 in. |
| Precipitation | 86.8 days | 106.2 days |
| Sunny | 208 days | 205 days |
The City contracts with and pays West Harris County Water Authority and Blue Bonnet Water Authority for water pumped from Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties.
How far is Katy Texas from the City? ›| Distance type | Miles | Kilometers |
|---|---|---|
| Straight line distance | 61.96 mi | 99.71 km |
| Driving distance | 70 mi | 112.80 km |
Current local time in Katy, Texas, United States | Time Zone: CST.
Is Katy in Houston city limits? ›Most of Greater Katy is to the east of the city of Katy toward Houston and includes surrounding suburban areas and unincorporated areas that are not in the Houston city limits. The region includes parts of Harris County, Fort Bend County, and Waller County much as the City of Katy does.
Is Cinco Ranch a good place to live? ›Cinco Ranch, No. 8, scores As for its public schools, housing, being good for families, jobs, diversity, and health and fitness, and Bs for cost of living, outdoor activities, nightlife, weather, and commute. It ranks as Texas' second best suburb to call home, and nationwide, it's the 105th best place to live.
Can you drink Houston tap water? ›
The tap water in Houston is safe to drink according to EPA and international standards. It's also very hard and mineral rich and due to this and the chlorine treatment, it may not taste great to everyone.
Is Katy water safe in 2021? ›This boil water notice is in effect until further notice. When it is no longer necessary to boil the water, City of Katy water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.
Is Texas water contaminated? ›Most of Texas' major and minor aquifers provide safe and sufficient water for all uses. Existing groundwater quality in Texas varies among the major and minor aquifers. In a small percentage of wells, contaminants such as nitrate, sulfate and total dissolved solids have exceeded federal standards.
What is the cost of living in Houston Texas? ›| COST OF LIVING | Houston | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery | 98.1 | 93.7 |
| Health | 92.4 | 95.4 |
| Housing | 80.2 | 84.3 |
| Median Home Cost | $220,000 | $243,600 |
Katy is a wonderful place to live. However, location, geography, and climate are all factors in occasional rainstorms that can lead to serious flooding. Flood damage is not covered by any home insurance policy. To make sure your losses are covered in the event of a flood, you need to have flood insurance.
Is Katy TX A good place to retire? ›Katy designated the top place to retire in Texas in 2022 survey conducted by SmartAsset. A new report released by SmartAsset.com has named Katy the “best city for retirement in Texas” following an extensive data study. The study, released March 10, evaluates three criteria in the designation.
What are the demographics of Katy Texas? ›The racial makeup of the city was 83.98% White, 4.24% African American, 0.56% Native American, 0.50% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 8.65% from other races, and 2.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 23.75% of the population.
What growing zone is Katy Texas? ›Katy, Texas is in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a.
Does Katy Texas get tornadoes? ›The risk of tornado damage in Katy is higher than Texas average and is much higher than the national average.
What areas of Katy are flooded? ›High water affected downtown Katy and along South Mayde Creek and Kingsland Boulevard. Flooding extended from Brookshire east to the Addicks and Barker reservoirs and north to Cypress Creek communities. In the city of Katy, 112 residencies and 31 businesses sustained damage estimated at $10.3 million, Galvez said.
Does Katy Texas have hurricanes? ›
13 million people were affected by Hurricane Harvey when it stalled out over the Greater Houston area late August of 2017. The storm was one of the most devastating natural disasters in Texas history. The City of Katy experienced massive damage including sustained damage to 16 Katy ISD campuses.
How far is Katy Texas to the ocean? ›There are 58.87 miles from Katy to Beach City in east direction and 63 miles (101.39 kilometers) by car, following the I-10 route. Katy and Beach City are 1 hour 11 mins far apart, if you drive non-stop .
Is 77449 a good area? ›Katy (zip 77449) property crime is 61.5. (The US average is 35.4) NOTE: The city of Katy, Texas does not have FBI Crime Statistics. The closest similar sized city with FBI crime data is the city of Missouri City, Texas.
Is Houston TX A good place to retire? ›Houston is one of the best places to retire in Texas. Sprawling 665 square miles, Space City boasts an affordable cost of living, plentiful housing options, and a never-ending array of recreation opportunities.
Does it snow in Katy Texas? ›...
Climate Averages.
| Katy, Texas | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Rainfall | 48.0 in. | 38.1 in. |
| Snowfall | 0.0 in. | 27.8 in. |
| Precipitation | 86.8 days | 106.2 days |
| Sunny | 208 days | 205 days |
The City contracts with and pays West Harris County Water Authority and Blue Bonnet Water Authority for water pumped from Harris, Fort Bend and Waller Counties.
What is Zone 8a? ›US States in Hardiness Zone 8
Zone 8 contains two subsets: Zone 8a (with the lowest average temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit) and Zone 8b (with minimum temperatures between 15 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit).
Asters, astilbe, bee balm, cannas, coneflowers, crocus, daffodils, dahlias, glads, hibiscus, hostas, hyacinths, irises, jasmine, lilies, peonies, phlox, salvia, sedum, succulents, tulips, and yarrow are among the Zone 8 plants we recommend.
What grows best in zone 9a? ›...
Zone 9.
| Zones | Shipping Dates |
|---|---|
| Last Order Date | 11/21/2022 |