King of Katy

That's actually a LOT cheaper than similar houses lease for in the Waco area if you want to be in the Midway ISD which has schools comparable to Katy ISD

In any event, I don't know that leasing will be required if we can time things the way we want. But it is nice to know the option exists. I would be reluctant to buy in Katy until we are able to sell our house in the Waco area and I would rather take my time looking for the right house at the right price rather than quickly snatching up something on a weekend visit.

Actually the house next door to us is for sale or lease. 5 BR Weekly home built in 2002. Approx. 4,100 sq ft. $3300 per month lease or $395,000. We live within 1 mile of the local elementary, Jr. High, and high school and 1 mile to La Centera. I ride my bike over to Baker Street pub on the weekends.

Thanks King,

Lots of great info. What makes you think HOA is such a prob?? They had my patio cover approved in 1 week. The builders I have been meeting with have never had a problem(so they say)?? I will also check out TexSun and Platinum.

Thanks!!

First, the HOA board that approves such things meets less frequently in the summer. At least when we built our pool we were required to submit the plans along with a survey. Our pool designer drew the pool just slightly over a utility easement. I didn't see the drawing before it went out. So we had to resubmit. It wasn't a big deal, it just took a little extra time.

I've talked to other homeowners who said they had similar problems. Last year I filed to put solar screens on the West facing windows and got it back in about 2 weeks.

I don't know that TexSun builds pools, but they do maintenance work. They are very patient with pool owners and can answer any questions you might have. Platinum moved its showroom to the corner of Westheimer and Beltway 8.

We are in a similar situation and are currently evaluating Platinum Pools, Cascade Pools and our contractor's guy (haven't seen him yet). Platinum pools is the only company I found with a decent website (http://www.platinumpools.com/) that has offerings in various price ranges. Our neighbors used Cascade. It is like buying a car ugh.

Platinum Pools built our pool and did a good job. The owner does a Saturday morning radio show on KSEV AM 700 from 11am-12noon. You can listen a few times and learn a lot. www.backyardbay.com

Here are my suggestions:

* Talk to knowledgeable people at a pool store. I suggest TexSun pool on the corner of Westheimer and Mason Rd, behind the Panda Express. They are having a free 2 hour "Pool School" next week. If you've never had a pool you should go to learn more about how to take care of your new swimming pool. You can ask lots of questions without feeling like you are imposing on their regular customers.

* Cinco HOA is VERY particular about plans. Allow 6 - 8 weeks to get your plan approved. Don't be surprised if they turn you down the first time and tell you to make changes.

* Think about total ownership costs. Ask about designing an energy efficient pool. A 2-hp pump running 10 hours per day costs you $60 per month in electricity at 13 cents/kWh. There are new variable speed pumps that use much less energy and pay out in just a few months.

* Think about total maintenance time. I spend about 30 minutes a week taking care of my 20,000 gallon pool for normal maintenance. You need multiple skimmers, auto fill/level control.

* Everyone is crazy for saltwater systems, I think they are a waste of time and money. What they don't tell you is that you will be constantly adding both salt and acid to the system, and the chlorine generator cell has to be replaced every 4-5 years. We use 3" multipurpose tabs and have no problems. You need to monitor a salt system weekly to keep the pH in balance. My pool doesn't require as much monitoring once the chemicals are in balance.

* Electric heat pumps are cheaper to operate than gas fired heaters, but are slower to heat up. They aren't particularly popular in Houston, but they are available. A heat pump extends the swimming season by 1-2 months.

Good luck. I think you will really enjoy pool ownership. I had never had one until I moved into Cinco. Now I'm told I'm somewhat of an expert!

I don't think that you can necessarily say that. Restaurants and bars fail all the time. I liked A&O but I think that it had issues other than just location.

I agree, I don't think it would have done well even if it were located some other place. It seemed to draw nice crowds on the weekends, but not enough bar/food to pay for the live entertainment.

There is still Baker Street and it is close enough for me to walk to.

My opinion is that Ox & Angel's failure was threefold: the economy, the location, and industry inexperience.

I wondered about it when I didn't get an email from Amy about the weekly activities. Their website tells the tale:

http://www.theangelandtheox.com/1.html

In my opinion, it was inexperience. I tried very hard to like the place, and went there maybe a dozen times in the 5 months it was open. Bad location, not much atmosphere, so-so food, not particularly friendly. Too much spent on bands and football/rugby. Not enough attention to detail. There was a "100 pint" club, but nobody ever told me about it. They started out having a Saturday/Sunday brunch, which was actually pretty good. My wife said it was the best oatmeal she had ever had. But they cancelled Saturday brunch, and then one day we went for Sunday and were told they didn't have it because the chef had a personal emergency. They offered us the regular pub menu - I guess the chef on duty couldn't cook brunch?

Then they started closing on Mondays and opening late on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Sounds like they weren't paying the rent, but you gotta wonder about the owners of the Villagio. Businesses keep going belly up there.

La Centerra is in Cinco Ranch. Don't they have to deal with the HOA too?

Haven't been in the Mercury Bar, but what they've been open a month or two in the old location of Churchill's Cigar Bar. I'd be surprised if Mercury Bar is still there in 6 months.

On the positive side there is no smoking. I like Baker Street but sometimes it can get to be really smokey.

As spring approaches the A&O will start losing out if they don't get the patio finished. A&O is desperately in need of some atmosphere. Other businesses in the Villagio haven't fared very well. So don't expect the management company to help out. There isn't really much of draw to get you into the pub, it just seems too sterile - too many windows.

I also don't get the Football and Rugby thing. The owner may be into it, but I don't think there is enough interest generally to draw people in. There are better sports bars in the area, A&O really isn't set up for sports.

The food is pretty good. I've had the Shepherd's pie and the burger. My wife had the fish and chips both times we ate there. We want to try out the weekend brunch soon - that is a possible niche that isn't being filled. Good selection of beers and ales.

Baker St right now just hits the right notes. It has the pub feel. During the day it is more families, late evenings on the weekend it draws in the younger club set. Nice patio area. Food is OK, not great. There are a couple of items I really like, but we don't go there for the food. When we have family in from out of town they ask us to take them to Baker St. It helps that is walking distance from our house. Sometimes we ride bikes there.

I'm really pulling for the Angel & Ox. I didn't want it to be another Baker St. I really wanted a different experience. But right now they just aren't there yet. I'd encourage people to give it a try, I think it may come around eventually.

However they do fall a bit short of In-n-Out. The fries there are not like In-N-Out, It seems that here they add more seasonings.

I would agree, not as good as In-N-Out but definately much better than the area competition. For a buck or two more you get a much better product than Whataburger or Sonic.

That's why I was pleased that the new Baker Street Pub has some quality control managers walking around just looking for "training moments". A nice lady asked us how everything was, then picked up a couple of crumpled napkins off the table (from the free appetizer that a manager had given us) and took them over and waved them in our waitron's face before tossing them in the trash.

It's the little details that mean a lot in the restaraunt business, and you've got to be cruel to be kind!

When did Baker Street open? I must have missed the memo. It is within walking distance to my house. Yippeee a pub I can stagger home from.

Thanks for the insight. We will enjoy having a Whataburger closer.

Me too. I can ride my bike there!

Just a guess but:

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Put your address in and see if it is available yet.