Fort Bend Co. communities

[AstroFrog]

Curious about what impressions folks have about various Fort Bend communities.  I am looking at a position in the Westchase area of Houston (Bellaire at Sam Houston Tollway).  I imagine that in such a scenario we would be inclined to live in Fort Bend county.  Sugar Land seems far too developed and dispersed.  I live in a town of 10,000 right now and would like to preserve that feel and live somewhere with a town center as opposed to strung together suburban developments (not to disparage that - I grew up in such a milieu).

Richmond seems to have a bit of that - old grid network off of US-90, county courthouse, downtown storefronts.  But I've never been there (grew up in southeast Houston, parents now in Friendswood - its nice but would be too far from work).  Is it vibrant or run down?  Charming or just tired? 

Are other places within 30 minutes of Westchase that might also offer a bit of this feel?

[HudsonHawk]

Curious about what impressions folks have about various Fort Bend communities.  I am looking at a position in the Westchase area of Houston (Bellaire at Sam Houston Tollway).  I imagine that in such a scenario we would be inclined to live in Fort Bend county.  Sugar Land seems far too developed and dispersed.  I live in a town of 10,000 right now and would like to preserve that feel and live somewhere with a town center as opposed to strung together suburban developments (not to disparage that - I grew up in such a milieu).

Richmond seems to have a bit of that - old grid network off of US-90, county courthouse, downtown storefronts.  But I've never been there (grew up in southeast Houston, parents now in Friendswood - its nice but would be too far from work).  Is it vibrant or run down?  Charming or just tired? 

Are other places within 30 minutes of Westchase that might also offer a bit of this feel?

You'll be hard pressed to get that feel within 30 minutes of the Westchase.  You *might* be able to get to Westchase from Richmond within 30 minutes, depending on what time of day and traffic conditions.  As for the feel of the town, I'll leave that up to those who live there, but Richmond is basically surrounded by places like Greatwood and Pecan Grove, which are getting bigger every day. 

[Guinness]

You'll be hard pressed to get that feel within 30 minutes of the Westchase.  You *might* be able to get to Westchase from Richmond within 30 minutes, depending on what time of day and traffic conditions.  As for the feel of the town, I'll leave that up to those who live there, but Richmond is basically surrounded by places like Greatwood and Pecan Grove, which are getting bigger every day.  

This.  You'll likely have to go out to Wharton to get a small town feel.  Maybe Sealy (which is actually out on I-10), but neither is within 30 minutes of Westchase.  Richmond will soon be swallowed up by developments, as HH said.

It's not southwest, but Katy proper retains a small townish feel, but it too is surrounded my monster neighborhoods.  It's a great area tho.

Also, don't count on the Westpark Tollway to be speedy.  It's a parking lot most mornings.

[AstroFrog]

Thanks.  I'm not scared off by having suburban developments nearby, just would like to have some other options for living and be able to do some amount of shopping/eating that isn't chains nor involves driving into a hectic mall area  (i.e. First Colony).

A sense of place is key - something that pre-dates the suburban development. 

Katy could fit the bill.  How is I-10 between Katy and the Sam Houston Tollway?  Do the problems tend to come closer to downtown, or can it be bad even that far out  during morning and PM commute?

[HudsonHawk]

Katy could fit the bill.  How is I-10 between Katy and the Sam Houston Tollway?  Do the problems tend to come closer to downtown, or can it be bad even that far out  during morning and PM commute?

I think the worst part is between Katy and the Tollway, but it's bad everywhere.

[AstroFrog]

Hmmm...the Houston Transtar site confirms this.

Looks like US-59 in from Richmond is a far smoother commute than I-10 east from Katy.

[HudsonHawk]

Hmmm...the Houston Transtar site confirms this.

Looks like US-59 in from Richmond is a far smoother commute than I-10 east from Katy.

I think that's like say 220 grit sandpaper is smoother on my face than 100 grit.

[Guinness]

Hmmm...the Houston Transtar site confirms this.

Looks like US-59 in from Richmond is a far smoother commute than I-10 east from Katy.

59 has the absolute worst and craziest freeway drivers in the city, at least on the downtown to Sugarland route.

There are alternatives, tho;  you'd be surprised how quicklyl Westheimer moves, for example.  
The worst part of I-10 is the Highway 6 area.  Although it all depends on the time of day--if you start work early (like 7 or 7:30) you'd be fine.

And not to be a chamber of commerce for Katy but there are alternatives around that don't involve chains/malls;  even the Cinco Ranch area has a nice little grouping of shops and restaurants on 99, many of which are local.  I don't get the impression that Richmond is quite the same, but I don't spend a whole lot of time there.