Erick

Hey guys,

My wife and I have been looking to escape the inner city life, and have focused out efforts on finding a new home in Katy, specifically Cinco Ranch area.

One of our "must-haves" is quick and easy access to a major tollway. We are both working professionals with jobs in the Galleria area, so we need to cut down on traffic as much as possible.

Anyway, we really like Grand Lakes (Phase 3), as the homes are newer and it's very close to the Westpark Tollway.

I was hoping some the area residents could lend a few words on what they think about the Grand Lakes Phase 3 subdivision.

We were also looking at the Greenway Village subdivision, but the houses are older, and we didn't find any with a floorplan of our liking.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Sent you a PM.

Saw a cougar (or mountain lion, or puma, what have you) just last November just outside of Gatesville in Coryell county in central Texas. That is far from far west Texas.

Hey Westguy,

I am originally from Gatesville and still own a country place near Pearl. Bobcats are pretty common, but I haven't seen a mountain lion in years, but I wouldn't doubt it. What part of Gatesville area did you spot this animal? Just curious.

Is Katy-Fort Bend road the same as FM 1463?

No, Katy Fort Bend is the road that runs between Grand Harbor Apartments/Subdivision and Katy Mills Mall.

They are clearing a large section of land on the inbound I 10 feeder, just east of Katy Fort Bend Road. Does anyone know what is going to be built there?

DV8 Salon behind Walgreens on Mason at Westheimer Parkway. $20 for a man's shampoo and cut and you can walk in or make an appointment with any of the stylists. My high school junior won't let anyone else touch his hair if that tells you anything.

I have also been going there (to Amy) for about 6 years, she is a fantastic colorist.

281 347-3888 and the address is 3522 S Mason Road.

I have heard this rumor twice in the last few months, but cannot verify. I am interested because my parents are wanting to downsize and stay in the Katy area. Does anyone have more information or is it not true? Any other townhomes planned for the area?

We already have an "upscale" WalMart. It is called Target.

If you like drag racing, come over there on any late Friday or Saturday night. The races are hot and heavy on the cut-through street between the feeder and Colonial.

You might want to bring a gun though.

Well, okay, I do have first hand knowledge and there is Section 8 housing in Canyon Gate. Glad you are happy there, that is the main thing, really.

And speed bumps lower property values, so they are not a good thing.

All of Cinco Ranch, etc., should be in Katy City Limits.

That is a really bad idea.

Over the Christmas holidays we were in Los Cucos planning our catered party with a manager type and he was telling us about opening a new restaurant at the Los Rosas site and he was very excited about it. It will be called La Vida Loca and will have live music on the weekends with an expanded outdoor bar/patio setup. It sounds like it will be a fun place and those Cucos folks seem to get things right.

They are both good schools and the answer to your question would be based on what you are looking for in a school. What are your children's interests and how good are they at what they do? Because at Cinco there are so many talented, say, swimmers as an example, that they have a HUGE team. At a newer school, unless you are an elite at your sport or other endeavour, there is more opportunity to participate. Same thing with band, both strong programs, Cinco's is huge though. You might get lost in the shuffle. My suggestion would be to visit the school during the lunch hour, you will learn a lot about the personality of a school.

I personally would choose Katy HS, it still has that small town feel.

Is one of the schools haunted? Must be Katy since it is the oldest?

Yes, unfortunately Katy is becoming the new favorite destination of gangs and other riffraff. They are at the mall, they are in every Katy ISD HS, in varying degrees, from a few to a whole bunch. It breaks my heart.

Yao Ming lives there.

I think Yao lives in Windsor Park Lakes, which is nearby.

Lakeforest on Fry Road has homes in the $1 - 2 million price range. Real mansions in a quiet setting that backs to Bush Park. Very nice!

http://search.har.com/engine/dispSearch.cf...&backButton

When are the townhouses going to be built. It would be perfect for my parents. Very pretty little strip center!!!

Williamsburg Settlement is nice to drive through and in this area. North of I-10 between Mason and Grand Parkway, bounded by Franz on the North and Colonial Pkwy on the South.

I think they are trying to say that Cinco living is too homogenous.

I know street parking is forbidden in many neighborhoods, but does that apply to parking in driveways as well?

Uh, practice started on August 13th. Guess you didn't get the memo.

Found this on the KISD website. The new section identifies, among other things, where and when new schools will be built through 2015.

http://www.katyisd.org/files/services/comm..._Facilities.pdf

The motel that burned down on the I 10 feeder was a Best Western. The rumor is that the fire was intentionally set because the place was filled with non- paying Katrina evacuees. I have no way of knowing if that is true or false. I do know that there were lots of evacuees staying there at the time of the fire.

I talked to someone at Kickerillo and was told that definite plans are for townhouses and apartments at this point. I did not know that Kickerillo was in the apartment business. Houses would be so much better, but considering the proximity to the Shopping Center I am not at all surprised. They are pushing dirt around as we speak.