Galveston County is one part of the greater Houston area that has been overlooked by property investors for several years now. The property market might not be booming in this sector as it is in some other parts of Houston, but there is some huge potential in some of the best Galveston County neighborhoods.
If you are looking for some of the top places to live in Galveston County, you will be happy to know that the entire Galveston Island was rated as one of the best new places to live in Texas this year. There are a lot of new developments, and that is primarily where the market attention seems to be focusing. The older homes are still getting some buyer attention, but there is increasing demand for units in some of the nicer new developments.
This demand is something that a savvy real estate investor can really turn to their own advantage. Most of the complexes that are considered to be the top places to live in Galveston County are pre-selling units at incredibly low prices. Many of them are going in the under $200,000 price range, and you can find a lot of smaller units closer to $100,000 if you look in some of the lower-priced developments.
If you are a student and thinking about transferring to the local University, there are a lot of good student housing options up for rent or for sale. Some of the best places to live in Galveston County are actually student areas, and the culture and night life in these neighborhoods is always worth a look.
Buyers looking condominiums and lower-priced homes definitely will not be disappointed, as they can find a lot of small single or two-bedroom homes for around $100,000. When compared to prices for the same size house in a comparable area in Houston itself, this is an incredible bargain.
One of the main reasons why people are interested in buying in Galveston is that the beach and the island are great places to explore and relax. The cool sea breeze that flows over the island reduces the temperature and humidity during the day, and provides a much nicer atmosphere than you get on the mainland.
Obviously the top places to live in Galveston County are near the beach where you get direct access to the sand and surf. A lot of new developments and housing blocks are being built along the water's edge, so take a drive along the shore and see if you can pick out any bargains!
If you are worried about being isolated on an island off the Texas coast, there is no need to be. The island is connected to the mainland via a two-mile causeway and free public ferries, which can greatly reduce your transport costs. If you live on the beach in some of the top places to live in Galveston County you might have to drive or take a bus to reach the ferry departure points, but this is certainly more affordable than driving across the causeway.
Return on property investments in Galveston is a bit of controversial topic at the moment. According to CNN Money the median price for a moderately sized family home across the city is $159,600, while buying a home in one of the top places to live in Galveston County will set you back at least $259,566. The interesting thing is that across the entire city the home price gain is reported at a little over 20%, while in the best areas the gain is less than 10%.
Generally speaking then if you are looking to buy a small home to rent out, Galveston is definitely a place you should look at. Likewise if you are looking for a stunning large home at a decent price, Galveston County has a lot to offer you if you are satisfied with a lower rate of return on your investment. These rates are only short term calculations, however, and there is a lot of evidence to suggest that the Galveston property market will catch a large boost from all of the new developments taking place.
Where are the best places to live in Fort Bend County? This is a difficult question to answer simply because, dispersed throughout the county are sweet little treasures that really compete for first place. Living in this part of Texas is a treat. Traveling up Interstate 59, one can find a wide variety of homes that can fit nearly any taste in neighborhoods which can fit nearly any lifestyle.
Far enough from Houston to get out of the hub-bub, this area offers better than average wages and salaries, competitive housing options, and with a mean average age of 33, offers security with fun and style. Choosing the absolute top places to live in Fort Bend County is like picking the absolute best ice cream flavor. It probably can't be done because there are too many sweet gems hidden in the mix.
This location has established a fairly high standard of living, and it has taken leaders on many forms to get the county cruising in the right direction. Through citizen leadership, the county has experienced a significant growth in quality of life and safety in comparison to other counties.
This type of growth only happens through hard work, volunteerism, and of course, a desire to see that this area is considered on of the top places to live. This beautiful and attractive county has been carefully estimated as one of the better places in Texas, with an expected population growth of 54% in a 10 year period.
This growth is vital to the economic development, which thus far has been one of the vital keys to creating such a high quality of life. Over 40% of the residents hold at least a Bachelor's degree which is nearly double that of the surrounding counties. This in part has contributed to the higher than average wages and salaries throughout the county.
The best places to live in Fort Bend County are about as unique as the people who live in them. Each offers its special attributes and each has a pleasant figurative welcome mat at the entrance. So often, towns and communities throughout the United States reach a point in their development that they become closed off to the world outside, and adopt a negative attitude toward growth and increasing populations.
Communities are very obviously unique in their desire to promote healthy growth. This area also takes its education seriously, from the initial stages of elementary education to improving access to higher education. The school districts are in constant competition to be included on the top place to live in Fort Bend County, which means a better education for the children in the region. It also means more access to public funds for those wishing to attend higher education institutions but lack the funds. This all points to very promising directions in the county.
With the chronic efforts to create better community programs throughout the county and efforts to raise funds for better health care and education programs, the final verdict on the top places to live in Fort Bend County is still pending. But one thing is for sure, this is a county that is putting its citizens first in every way possible.
Is it utopia? Of course not. Despite the chronic efforts made within the county, there are still hassles and issues just like there is everywhere else. There is no Never Land, to speak of. What there is in this area of the world, are community programs that make a difference, governmental and educational institutions that make a difference, and communities that make a difference. This means that finding the best places to live in Fort Bend County might be one of the hardest decisions (especially considering the beautiful homes of the area) and that no one is going to unanimously agree to which community tops the list.
What is certain is that these communities are getting better and better, and they are growing by leaps and bounds. A drive up Interstate 59 reveals these efforts in the small communities tucked away here and there that are striving to become the best places to live in Fort Bend County. There may never be a winner, but everyone will, of course, naturally benefit from this type of healthy, fierce competition.
Tim Dillard has sinced written about articles on various topics from Adsense, Real Estate and Real Estate. Located in the heart of thriving Fort Bend County, the Riverstone community is over 3,700 acres of premium location just southwest of Houston's upscale Galleria area, and is masterfully planned for 6,000 homes and 18,000 residents. Visit. Tim Dillard's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.