Sugar Land: First Colony vs. Greatwood (Houston, Austin: power lines, houses, neighborhoods)

[Mescalero]

Hi All,

Longtime on-and-off again Greater Houston are person, am thinking to move back but this time to Sugar Land, which I've never lived in or near so I have no personal experience with the area.

I'm looking at First Colony and Greatwood and wanted to hear any experience.

So far the two give me this impression:

First Colony:
-Established (is this a thing?)
-Close to amenities and Asian businesses (a plus for my wife)
-Houses are older, more telephone lines in the backyard
-Close to power lines that cut through Austin Pkwy.? I tried searching to see
if these are high-tension power lines but have come up empty handed.

Greatwood:
-Bigger, newer houses. Some can be a bit McMansiony
-Fewer businesses nearby (?)
-Possibly better atmosphere
-Farther from Sugar Land amenities
-Slight flooding during Harvey

Anyone else compare these two neighborhoods recently? Thanks!

[Jtxg]

First Colony and Greatwood are very similar, as far as the homes - you'll notice a lot of the same builders from the 90s in both neighborhoods. Greatwood is slightly newer, I think it started in 1989, while parts of FC would have started in late 70s I'd guess. FC is definitely larger than GW. Flooding with Harvey happened in both developments (Off Settlers Way in FC and several home in GW). I would say it was minor, but if yours was one of the homes affected, I doubt it felt minor. I actually like the GW doesn't really have any real shopping to speak of - it's basically just the neighborhood of houses and that's it. Shopping/dining is literally two exits up 59, so not a big deal in my opinion.

[SugLandDAd]

Biggest difference is in School Districts. Greatwood attends the Lamar ISD. First Colony is in Fort Bend ISD.

[Mescalero]

Thanks for the replies, I didn't realize the ISDs were different! From what I gather Lamar is quite intense? I'm a Conroe ISD person, I'd say it was OK, not particularly rigorous but pleasant, certainly not a competitive vibe.

I'm surprised Greatwood started around '89 or so, the houses I've seen online all seem a fair bit newer than that. The FC ones are definitely on the older side, sometimes that means more character, sometimes it means spiral staircases (remember those?) and sagging fences, but the location is good. Then again I do like something quieter, originally being from Spring.

[SugLandDAd]

Actually its the other way around...FBISD, especially the schools attended by First Colony are quite intense, Lamar ISD is less so.

[Jtxg]

Originally Posted by SugLandDAd

Actually its the other way around...FBISD, especially the schools attended by First Colony are quite intense, Lamar ISD is less so.

While as a whole that's probably true, I'd say specifically the schools GW is zoned to are pretty good. Elementary schools are in the neighborhood, George Ranch High School is rated pretty well if memory serves me correctly. Having attended Clements HS many years ago in FBISD, I'd prefer my child go to GRHS over Clements.