What's it like living in the Conroe/Magnolia, Tx area?

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would be quite a move, as all of our families are here.

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Not to sound insensitive, but anything less than a 7 hour drive is usually not “quite a move”. You’re simply one state over and not going to Alaska or far Northeast.

If Dwight David Honeycutt got elected to the Conway school board you wouldn’t have to worry about private schooling.

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She’ll still have time for sandwhiches, right?

It’s a wonderful area. If I were in your spot, I’d already be packed and leaving.

I would suggest magnolia and Montgomery over conroe area. I think the school districts may be a little better depending on the location of your home. Prepare yourself for a large increase in property taxes compared to what you pay now in Louisiana. I know everyone thinks wow no state income tax but believe me they will get to you thru property taxes. Assume your wife will be working in magnolia and conroe area so living in the area is good to avoid traffic. If youre thinking of living there and she has a job downtown or west of Houston. You will be miserable as she will bitch to you about traffic until you go insane. The area around conroe has changed immensely in the past 15 years. Once ExxonMobil moved to The Woodlands area property values exploded and a building boom ensued. If you are looking for acreage be prepared for sticker shock. You will have to move much further out to find and acreage that even somewhat reasonable in price. We have enjoyed living in the area but once my Houston region tour of duty is complete we will get out of this rat race. Good jobs to be had here though that pay very well. Lots of opportunities.

I’m in Sterling Ridge in The Woodlands.

We’ve toyed with the idea of moving to Lake Windcrest and briefly Wood Forest.

The Woodlands is the best as far as school quality; however, areas like Windcrest have really nice, large lots. Wood Forest is bullshite. It’s as expensive/congested as the Woodlands without the higher quality education and shopping conveniences. It’s funny how Wood Forest folks tell people they’re in The Woodlands.

That said, if you can get on Lake Conroe, that’s be fricking awesome. But, again, make sure school quality is there.

I've been in the area for 4 years. It's changing a lot. Really growing. In general though, it's tough to give a 100% opinion since it varies sooooo much. You can be close to the Woodlands in Magnolia and feel kind of tied into the Houston metro area. Then you can go on the other side of Magnolia and feel like you have nothing but cow pastures, state forest, and country bumpkin living. But overall, I like it. I'm in The Woodlands, but my grocery stores, etc. are all in what is considered Magnolia. Used to ride my bike up to Lake Conroe on the weekend. It's all pretty close.

Congrats on the move to TX, you'll be saving a boatload of money if salaries stayed the same.

No income tax, great schools (no need for private school tuition), car insurance is 1/2, cheap electric, most goods are cheaper as well.

Just between car insurance and electric bill we save $403 a month.

LOUISIANA: Salary100,000.00 USD
Federal Income Tax- 15,409.50 USD
State Income Tax- 3,555.43 USD
Social Security- 6,200.00 USD
Medicare Tax- 1,450.00 USD
Total Tax- 26,614.93 USD
Net Pay*73,385.07 USD


TEXAS Salary100,000.00 USD
Federal Income Tax- 15,409.50 USD
Social Security- 6,200.00 USD
Medicare Tax- 1,450.00 USD
Total Tax- 23,059.50 USD
Net Pay*76,940.50 USD

For example: A 200K home in Conroe may have a property tax of $4,000. What would the property tax be in Baton Rouge? $1,500? So your looking at a difference of $2,500. The difference in LA vs. TX with no state income tax is $3,550 at 100K. So you come out $1,050 ahead.

I was under the assumption most jobs, if same position, pay more in TX than Louisiana. I heard 20% more mentioned several times.

Hope all is well in the Woodlands for you.