Many factors go into knowing how to choose the right community when looking for a new home. It’s all about envisioning the future that you want. You need to consider the daily commute, the quality of schools, the available amenities, and the benefits of a homeowners association. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options or unsure of where to even begin, we’ve got some tips for how to choose the right community to help get you on your way!
How to Choose the Right Community
1. How’s the commute?
You know what they say: Location, location, location. Your commute is something you’ll have to do day in and day out, so it’s important to pick a community that offers an easy commute to where you work or play. The Highlands is located right off Texas Highway 99, between Interstates 45 and 69. Our beautiful new homes are just a short drive from Houston or The Woodlands. Residents of The Highlands enjoy easy access to great nearby attractions such as Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center, Lake Houston, Hurricane Harbor, Splashtown Waterpark, and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, to name just a few. It’s also close to countless opportunities for shopping, dining, entertainment, and more.
2. Are there good schools nearby?
Education is important, and children are our future. When you’re choosing a new community, you want to choose one that has access to A+ schools. The Highlands is located in the New Caney ISD, a 5A district designated as a Texas District of Innovation. New Caney ISD is a shining star of Texas education, so we’re close to some of the best schools in the state. New Caney ISD offers college credit programs, Chromebooks for grades K through 12, maker spaces on every campus, and much more. We’re also excited to share that Highlands Elementary, a new on-site elementary that will be a certified STEM school, is coming to The Highlands in the fall of 2025!
3. What about the community amenities?
A home is more than just a house. It’s a place that holds all the memories that you and your family create. For many people, building those memories means having access to some world-class amenities that make every day unforgettable. And the amenities at a master-planned community such as The Highlands come in all forms, from access to the great outdoors to planned year-round community events for residents. At The Highlands, you’ll find all that and more! Our many amenities include award-winning on-site lakes, more than 30 miles of hike and bike trails covering 200 acres of green space, swimming pools, pickleball courts, tennis courts, the 18-hole Highland Pines golf course, and so much more. Not to mention our full-time lifestyle coordinator who plans community events that will help you get to know your neighbors while having a great time!
4. Does the community have a homeowners association (HOA)?
Most master-planned communities also have a homeowners association (HOA). The HOA helps oversee the operations and maintenance of the common spaces and amenities that residents share, coordinates lifestyle activities for everyone in the neighborhood, and more. As part of life in a master-planned community, residents typically pay an annual fee to the HOA to help cover expenses, including maintaining and adding amenities, planting trees and upkeeping greenspaces, landscaping, road maintenance, and much more. If you want to learn more about HOAs and how they work, we’ve got you covered. At The Highlands, we are proud to have a homeowners’ association that is dedicated to preserving the beauty and maintaining our wonderful community.
5. Can you see yourself there?
Every community has its vibe and personality. When you’re choosing the community for your new home, visit the place and get a feel for what the community is like. Is it vibrant? Is it laid-back? Does it have a neighborhood reserved for active adults? Check the calendar for community events to see if they’re the kind you could see yourself attending. Ultimately, you’ll want to choose a community that fits your lifestyle and your vibe, one where you can see yourself living.
The Highlands in Porter, Texas is the perfect choice!
We hope that these tips for how to choose the right community will help you to find your new home, but we also hope that they’ll lead you to The Highlands, a 2,300-acre master-planned community in Porter, TX. Come visit us today or fill out the form below to be among the first to learn about all the excitement that’s coming to The Highlands!
