Is It Me Or Is Sugar Land Getting Too Rich For Me?

[chechnya]

With all of the new stuff thats going on, it seems like they are obviously catering to the higher class. What about the middle class? Everything is getting more and more expensive sooner or later Sugar Land wont be a good city anymore.

[DJ V Lawrence]

With all of the new stuff thats going on, it seems like they are obviously catering to the higher class. What about the middle class? Everything is getting more and more expensive sooner or later Sugar Land wont be a good city anymore.

Sugarland's goal is to be the Hollywood of Texas, via catering and calling home to many celebs and business people. I've lived near that area my whole life, and seen them build bigger, pricier, and glitzy homes, neighborhoods, and retail every year. There's no reason why they would want to slow down now.

I don't see why Sugarland would EVER want to cater to the middle class ever again. And why would Sugarland want to? The more expensive Sugarland gets, the more money-spending people would want to move or shop there

Chechnya, do you reside in Sugarland? How is the money making Sugarland worse in your opinion?

Edited January 9, 2006 by DJ V Lawrence

[editor]

Rich people gotta live somewhere, too.

[Guest danax]

I don't see why Sugarland would EVER want to cater to the middle class ever again. And why would Sugarland want to? The more expensive Sugarland gets, the more money-spending people would want to move or shop there

Chechnya, do you reside in Sugarland? How is the money making Sugarland worse in your opinion?

The transformation of Sugarland and Pearland from podunk villages to upscale suburbia is a kind of gentrification that will never get mentioned as there is not likely a "racial component". Still, some people likely have gotten displaced and others will never be able to live there, the same kinds of things we hear when the selfish yuppies move in.

[Gary]

The transformation of Sugarland and Pearland from podunk villages to upscale suburbia is a kind of gentrification that will never get mentioned as there is not likely a "racial component". Still, some people likely have gotten displaced and others will never be able to live there, the same kinds of things we hear when the selfish yuppies move in.

Selfish yuppies? I thought this was the American dream. Work hard, make money and buy a place you can raise your kids.

[sevfiv]

i think what danax is saying is that it's more related to the "selfish yuppies" infiltrating once affordable (to the average joe) areas and displacing the former residents.

it does happen everywhere, though. the same overpriced crapola houses are going up in the city.

[TJones]

i think what danax is saying is that it's more related to the "selfish yuppies" infiltrating once affordable (to the average joe) areas and displacing the former residents.

it does happen everywhere, though. the same overpriced crapola houses are going up in the city.

Thing about it is, the "average joes" sold as soon as they were showing a profit, before the "house flippers" came in to jack up the prices and do the same thing.

[sevfiv]

Thing about it is, the "average joes" sold as soon as they were showing a profit, before the "house flippers" came in to jack up the prices and do the same thing.

true enough, they are not there anymore...but, i have witnessed similar situations where people were essentially forced to sell because of rising costs (and a hefty sum for the sale i am sure). of course, their houses were bulldozed and flipped for about four times as much as they got.

Edited January 9, 2006 by sevfiv

[Guest danax]

i think what danax is saying is that it's more related to the "selfish yuppies" infiltrating once affordable (to the average joe) areas and displacing the former residents.

it does happen everywhere, though. the same overpriced crapola houses are going up in the city.

I should've put the selfish yuppies in quotes because I was being sarcastic. What I was trying to say was that, in other, typically inner-city areas, we hear the rants about how gentrification causes displacement etc. and is usually portrayed as a bad thing in that sense, whereas when it happens in suburbia, albeit to a lesser extent perhaps, nothing will be mentioned because it's not happening in "ethnic" neighborhoods, even though it might be causing similar effects.

In other words, if they had turned South Park or Channelview into something like Pearland, we would never hear the end of it.

[WesternGulf]

For some reason as suburban as Sugar Lad is I always thought of it as the urban suburb. You really do not even feel too far from Houston because the area is so established and built up already. Driving down some of the elm tree canopied streets in Sugar Lad has the same feel as if you are in the inner loop somewhere.

Edited January 9, 2006 by WesternGulf

[chechnya]

Sugarland's goal is to be the Hollywood of Texas, via catering and calling home to many celebs and business people. I've lived near that area my whole life, and seen them build bigger, pricier, and glitzy homes, neighborhoods, and retail every year. There's no reason why they would want to slow down now.

I don't see why Sugarland would EVER want to cater to the middle class ever again. And why would Sugarland want to? The more expensive Sugarland gets, the more money-spending people would want to move or shop there

Chechnya, do you reside in Sugarland? How is the money making Sugarland worse in your opinion?

My family moved here 19 years ago. Im 19 years old and i agree with what you say. Sooner or later people will get tired of the few stores that in the towne center. If you look at all of the new "master bland communities" in sugar land within the last 5 years, they have all been "upscale" in the sense of price. I honestly wouldnt be surprised if Sugar Land used eminent domain and forced all of the people behind the sugar factory to move out. Thats the likely plan

[happytown]

My family moved here 19 years ago. Im 19 years old and i agree with what you say. Sooner or later people will get tired of the few stores that in the towne center. If you look at all of the new "master bland communities" in sugar land within the last 5 years, they have all been "upscale" in the sense of price. I honestly wouldnt be surprised if Sugar Land used eminent domain and forced all of the people behind the sugar factory to move out. Thats the likely plan

They can't move them out to replace them with private developement, though. I think there's a new state law against that.

[DJ V Lawrence]

My family moved here 19 years ago. Im 19 years old and i agree with what you say. Sooner or later people will get tired of the few stores that in the towne center. If you look at all of the new "master bland communities" in sugar land within the last 5 years, they have all been "upscale" in the sense of price. I honestly wouldnt be surprised if Sugar Land used eminent domain and forced all of the people behind the sugar factory to move out. Thats the likely plan

I know what you're refering to, and that wouldn't surprise me too much either if that's what Sugarland wanted. (Though it may be illegal). The property value around ALL of Sugarland is probably rising, possibly making it a good deal for those who live behind the old Imperial Sugar mill to sell the land eventually to a developer, and remodel the neighborhoods eventually into upscale. Wouldn't surprise me if someone tries that within the next 10 years.

[HtownKid]

Can someone post pictures of Sugarland on here hardly ever go there maybe been twice. I want to see all this developement you all are talking about.

[Jeebus]

My family moved here 19 years ago. Im 19 years old and i agree with what you say. Sooner or later people will get tired of the few stores that in the towne center. If you look at all of the new "master bland communities" in sugar land within the last 5 years, they have all been "upscale" in the sense of price. I honestly wouldnt be surprised if Sugar Land used eminent domain and forced all of the people behind the sugar factory to move out. Thats the likely plan

Sounds like someone has an agenda.

[west20th]

They can't move them out to replace them with private developement, though. I think there's a new state law against that.

I don't think that law made it. I believe our illustrious state government drooped the ball on that also. Am I wrong on that?

[texas911]

My parents live in First Colony and I love all the things they are doing. The landscaping is particularly well done. The oaks are trimmed to grow fast and tall. And the commercial buildings all have at least a consistent look.

Also I do think they cater to the middle class. Even in River Stone, which is a newer big developement they have houses that start from the 100's to the 700's. 100 for a new house is pretty inexpensive. Plus you can always find a good stock of older homes in the established subdivisions. So I don't see how they are only catering to the upper middle class.

[HtownKid]

Went to Sugarland for the first time its very nice the first actual suburb I would live in. Everything is so perfectly planned. Went to Sweetwater whoah that is one neighborhood, Is it true the that celebs live there? What is with the fake guard gates?

[Jeebus]

I honestly wouldnt be surprised if Sugar Land used eminent domain and forced all of the people behind the sugar factory to move out. Thats the likely plan

I heard this yesterday - sorta.. Someone asked me if it was true that the "quarters" were being bought out and redeveloped.

Any info?

[TJones]

I heard this yesterday - sorta.. Someone asked me if it was true that the "quarters" were being bought out and redeveloped.

Any info?

I believe that is the case, even the Special Ed. school back there is gonna be gone. I think a developer is trying to buy everyone out.

[UrbaNerd]

My parents live in First Colony and I love all the things they are doing. The landscaping is particularly well done. The oaks are trimmed to grow fast and tall. And the commercial buildings all have at least a consistent look.

Also I do think they cater to the middle class. Even in River Stone, which is a newer big developement they have houses that start from the 100's to the 700's. 100 for a new house is pretty inexpensive. Plus you can always find a good stock of older homes in the established subdivisions. So I don't see how they are only catering to the upper middle class.

Actually, Riverstone is priced from the mid 200s to over 1 million.

[TJones]

Went to Sugarland for the first time its very nice the first actual suburb I would live in. Everything is so perfectly planned. Went to Sweetwater whoah that is one neighborhood, Is it true the that celebs live there? What is with the fake guard gates?

There are some sports celebs back there, Golf Course is pretty decent, those guard gates used to be functional.

[BWSchultz]

There are some sports celebs back there, Golf Course is pretty decent, those guard gates used to be functional.

I drove down Palm Royale the other day and their are some freaking huge houses along there. There was only one gated section I saw, Grand Manor drive. From zillow.com it looks like about 20 homes back there. But some of the ones in there and along Palm Royale have to be in the 12000+ sq ft range, some of the largest around. One looked to be pushing 20k based on a total random guess. It looked about 200 feet wide.

So who are these ath-lebrities?

Edited April 11, 2006 by BWSchultz

[MiDTOWNeR]

I should've put the selfish yuppies in quotes because I was being sarcastic. What I was trying to say was ...

Some of us "got it". Others like to take everything literally and start an arguement tyring to be holier than thou.

Edited April 12, 2006 by MiDTOWNeR

[icon7]

...some of the ones in there and along Palm Royale have to be in the 12000+ sq ft range, some of the largest around. One looked to be pushing 20k based on a total random guess. It looked about 200 feet wide.

So who are these ath-lebrities?

Most of the mansions on palm royale are owned by wealthy asian and european business owners. Tracey McGrady "T-Mac" lives in grand manor. ( i saw it on the news)...

i know one of the mansion's is owned by a software guy.

[Daniepwils]

I don't think there is a "racial component" at least not for Pearland. I think it is more of a $$$$ component. I lived in Pearland and graduated from Pearland High School, it is weird though, but I never worried about someones race. Hell, in pearland the majority of my black friends had bigger and nicer homes, cars, etc. than most people I knew in Pearland.

FYI I don't like what Pearland has become. Broadway is horrible as is Dixie Farm Road. I liked the old Pearland ; ; was a close community back then!

[stan the man]

There are some sports celebs back there, Golf Course is pretty decent, those guard gates used to be functional.

The guard gates were also in place in Sugar Creek up until the 1980s. Reportedly, they were taken down because the City was looking to annex the neighborhood and also the neighborhood's main thoroughfare (Sugar Creek Boulevard) is connected to a major west Houston thoroughfare (Dairy Ashford). I also saw a guard tower at the entry to Oyster Point in First Colony. Any word on whether or not they had gates in earlier times?

[VicMan]

FYI I don't like what Pearland has become. Broadway is horrible as is Dixie Farm Road. I liked the old Pearland ; ; was a close community back then!

Didn't Pearland annex a lot of areas?

With a burgeoning population, Pearland will never be a "close community" ever again.

[holden]

For some reason as suburban as Sugar Lad is I always thought of it as the urban suburb. You really do not even feel too far from Houston because the area is so established and built up already. Driving down some of the elm tree canopied streets in Sugar Lad has the same feel as if you are in the inner loop somewhere.

I grew up in Sugarland, and I rememeber it being nothing but farmers land and rice fields. Not anymore. When I think of Sugarland, i think of The Woodlands.. Just look at First Colony Mall with its trendy little shops. Things are changing drastically out in Ft Bend Co.

[sifuwong]

Many former residents of Sugarland are moving to Richmond where homes are now relatively inexpensive. However, i think in a few years, home prices will skyrocket also.

Edited November 5, 2007 by sifuwong

[TheNiche]

Many former residents of Sugarland are moving to Richmond where homes are now relatively inexpensive. However, i think in a few years, home prices will skyrocket also.

...not before traffic gets intolerable. Folks out there only have a couple ways across the Brazos River.

[wxman]

The title needs to be changed to "Is it just me, or is Sugar Land getting dangerous?" Everytime you turn around, there is a home break-in. I'd never live in Sugar Land. Personally, I think The Woodlands is far a classier place than Sugar Land. IMO of course.

[ProHouston]

The title needs to be changed to "Is it just me, or is Sugar Land getting dangerous?" Everytime you turn around, there is a home break-in. I'd never live in Sugar Land. Personally, I think The Woodlands is far a classier place than Sugar Land. IMO of course.

I guess you don't realize that Sugar Land is known for its low crime rate. Here are stats comparing the crime rate in Sugar Land vs. The Woodlands per 100,000 people (31-36 vs. 48).

See the attached 2006 crime report for Sugar Land. Crime is actually declining while remaining over half the Texas average. Violent crime is declining as well and a mere 1/4 of the Texas average.

2006 Sugar Land Crime Report

For comparison, here is Sugar Land vs. Houston (Sugar Land's crime rate is not even a quarter of Houston's):

31-36 vs. 125-371

Here is Sugar Land vs. Katy:

31-36 vs. 68-127

And for those of you who think Missouri City is crime-ridden, here is Sugar Land vs. Missouri City:

31-36 vs. 36-80

I think that proves that the SW suburbs are among the safest in the metro area. Not to mention that it was ranked #3 in the nation as the best place to live and #8 in the nation as the best place to raise your family.

[KatieDidIt]

The title needs to be changed to "Is it just me, or is Sugar Land getting dangerous?" Everytime you turn around, there is a home break-in. I'd never live in Sugar Land. Personally, I think The Woodlands is far a classier place than Sugar Land. IMO of course.

I have no idea what you are talking about. If you are referring to the development, that's personal opinion. Its all pretty plastic. If you are talking about the residents, classlessness is everywhere and I saw plenty of it in the Woodlands. I see plenty of it everywhere.

[wxman]

I guess you don't realize that Sugar Land is known for its low crime rate. Here are stats comparing the crime rate in Sugar Land vs. The Woodlands per 100,000 people (31-36 vs. 48).

See the attached 2006 crime report for Sugar Land. Crime is actually declining while remaining over half the Texas average. Violent crime is declining as well and a mere 1/4 of the Texas average.

2006 Sugar Land Crime Report

For comparison, here is Sugar Land vs. Houston (Sugar Land's crime rate is not even a quarter of Houston's):

31-36 vs. 125-371

Here is Sugar Land vs. Katy:

31-36 vs. 68-127

And for those of you who think Missouri City is crime-ridden, here is Sugar Land vs. Missouri City:

31-36 vs. 36-80

I think that proves that the SW suburbs are among the safest in the metro area. Not to mention that it was ranked #3 in the nation as the best place to live and #8 in the nation as the best place to raise your family.

Those stats mean nothing to me. I've seen the news enough times with Sugar Land Home Break-ins as the big story to know differently. There's also a difference in violent crime (Sugar Land) vs petty crime like knocking over porterpotties or drugs. Know that's one thing that Sugar Land may have over The Woodlands is a lack of drugs. The Woodlands is full of it.

Edited November 7, 2007 by wxman

[memebag]

Those stats mean nothing to me. I've seen the news enough times with Sugar Land Home Break-ins as the big story to know differently. There's also a difference in violent crime (Sugar Land) vs petty crime like knocking over porterpotties or drugs. Know that's one thing that Sugar Land may have over The Woodlands is a lack of drugs. The Woodlands is full of it.

You can't base any opinion about crime rates on news reports. Local news is in the business of peddling fear. They will report the worst of the worst, giving a skewed perspective of reality. Why would you believe them over the actual statistics?

[ProHouston]

Those stats mean nothing to me.

Huh? I guess local news loves you!

[Jeebus]

Those stats mean nothing to me.

So basically you're going to believe what you want, or rather what the news wants you to believe - no matter how many facts are presented to counter your, I mean the news' opinion.

[wxman]

So basically you're going to believe what you want, or rather what the news wants you to believe - no matter how many facts are presented to counter your, I mean the news' opinion.

There's a difference in violent crime (Sugar Land) and petty crime (The Woodlands). I'm not saying The Woodlands doesn't have violent things happen, but you sure don't hear about home burglaries the way you do in Sugar Land. The Woodlands has a drug problem. I'd rather that than the alternative.

Here is an article talking about it. Do a search yourself through the Chronicle or your favorite news channel.

http://www.sugarlandtoday.com/features/hom...e=2452883-50757

"Over the last few weeks, Greatwood and Sugar Land have been gripped by a wave of home theft, from stealing equipment in garages to kicking in doors to aggravated night robberies. Although the people and the reasons may be different, there are a number of simple things that all of us can do, without hiring a contractor, to improve the safety and security of our homes."

That's just one of many I can pull.

Here's another one:

http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/tools/np/progra...208&level=3

12 violent crims just in the last year. Yet they call themselves a safe city. I'm sure ther's more if I looked harder.

Edited November 8, 2007 by wxman

[ProHouston]

There's a difference in violent crime (Sugar Land) and petty crime (The Woodlands). I'm not saying The Woodlands doesn't have violent things happen, but you sure don't hear about home burglaries the way you do in Sugar Land. The Woodlands has a drug problem. I'd rather that than the alternative.

You can compare the personal vs. property crime for both areas by following the links I posted earlier. I'll do you the favor of checking out the cold, hard facts. Please see below:

Sugar Land

Personal (violent) crime: 24-32

Property (petty) crime: 35-36

The Woodlands

Personal (violent) crime: 36

Property (petty) crime: 56

As you can see, Sugar Land is lower on both counts. What's your next argument? Are you going to point me toward YouTube?

[VicMan]

You can compare the personal vs. property crime for both areas by following the links I posted earlier. I'll do you the favor of checking out the cold, hard facts. Please see below:

Sugar Land

Personal (violent) crime: 24-32

Property (petty) crime: 35-36

The Woodlands

Personal (violent) crime: 36

Property (petty) crime: 56

As you can see, Sugar Land is lower on both counts. What's your next argument? Are you going to point me toward YouTube?

ProHouston: Which site did it come from?

[ProHouston]

ProHouston: Which site did it come from?

www.homefair.com

[wxman]

First of all, I'm pretty sure that after typing in The Woodlands on that website that Spring is what is pulled up. Maybe you didn't notice, but two of those zip codes aren't even in The Woodlands. 77386 is considered Spring and 77385 is considered Conroe. Maybe you don't have your fact's right.

[ProHouston]

First of all, I'm pretty sure that after typing in The Woodlands on that website that Spring is what is pulled up. Maybe you didn't notice, but two of those zip codes aren't even in The Woodlands. 77386 is considered Spring and 77385 is considered Conroe. Maybe you don't have your fact's right.

Nope, I've got my facts right, and thanks for visiting the site. Type in 77382 as your zip code though.

Edited November 8, 2007 by ProHouston

[KatieDidIt]

Nope, I've got my facts right, and thanks for visiting the site. Type in 77382 as your zip code though.

I lived in 77382. There were two car break-ins,three incidents of vehicle vandalism just for fun, theft from the a few vehicles, a peeping Tom who walked into the houses during the day, a grill stole out of the summer kitchen, attempted child somethingeranother at the local park, a person in a neighbors back yard after 10pm who was not a fellow neighbor, and a domestic dispute that was pretty bad....and this was all on one street, over two and half years. I lived in 77057 for 12 years (which has a much higher number than both these areas) and the only thing that happened on our street was some cars getting tagged. My guess is because we actually HAD police coverage, they knew the area, and many did off -duty patrol for the association.

So there is my unofficial crime report from one street in 77382. The Woodlands NEVER put stuff on there Crime Watch page, it was so annoying. They don't like to report the crime, its bad publicity. Development looking out for itself at every turn.

[sjetexas]

http://www.sugarlandtx.gov/tools/np/progra...ew.asp?ID=11504

Looks good to me and the trend is improving.

Edited November 8, 2007 by sjetexas

[Jeebus]

There's a difference in violent crime (Sugar Land) and petty crime (The Woodlands). I'm not saying The Woodlands doesn't have violent things happen, but you sure don't hear about home burglaries the way you do in Sugar Land.

So again, you're choosing to only believe what the news tells you, inspite of the fact there are people posting non-biased crime stats showing a different result? You also have to take into account distance. Its far easier for any of the news stations to run south to Sugar Land to report a home-invasion, compared to going to the Woodlands to do the same. KPRC is only 10 minutes away, KHWB, KRIV, & KTRK are all only 20 minutes away from Sugar Land. The closest news station to the Woodlands is KHOU, at 45 minutes away. Nothing is going to get reported in the Woodlands unless 1. it's a major story, or 2. its an extremely slow news day.

The Woodlands has a drug problem. I'd rather that than the alternative.

All towns have a drug problem, it's called teenagers. The fact the Woodlands is known for their drug problem, IMO, is far worse that Sugar Land being known for burglaries. This basically means that the residents of the Woodlands are the criminals (drug-users), where as the residents of Sugar Land are the victims (of burglaries).

I could care less either way which town is "worse" as they are both top-tier towns in the first place.

[wxman]

I could care less either way which town is "worse" as they are both top-tier towns in the first place.

Agreed. I can leave it at that.