The Woodlands ‘A Well-Kept Secret for Retirees’

Editor’s Note: Recently, MoneyWise revealed its list of the 40 most frugal and friendly places to retire. In a bid to provide an idea of what housing inventory is available in these cities and towns, we’re taking a look at listings in each of the cities on the list.

Not everyone can spend $1 million or more on a second home, even if it’s with the idea that eventually you’ll retire there. So when MoneyWise’s list of 40 places to retire that are more budget-friendly came out, we were curious — what kind of homes could you find in these towns?

Last week, we looked at the 39th city on the list — Cape Coral, Florida. This week, we look at the first Texas spot on the list —  The Woodlands, and found you could find a great selection well within the $300,000 to just shy of $500,000 range.

Why The Woodlands?

“This community of approximately 100,000 is a well-kept secret for retirees,” said Moneywise. “The Woodlands offers excellent housing and a low cost of living. The median rent is $1,300, and median home prices are around $300,000.”

“This town has very low crime, and the weather is lovely and warm,” it adds. “The Woodlands’ proximity to Houston gives you access to quality health care just a short drive away.”

So what can you get for less than $500,000? Let’s take a look.

RENOVATED MEDITERRANEAN CLOSE TO AMENITIES

Price: $319,000

At the lowest end of our price point, this custom home in the coveted Grogans Mill neighborhood is also — bonus — in a golf course community.

And it’s also close to a lot of city amenities, too, like Town Center, Market Street, and Waterway, as well as The Woodlands Conference and Resort Center.

The three-bedroom, two-bath home has been recently renovated with a complete kitchen remodel that includes never-used stainless steel appliances (including the refrigerator), updated cabinets, granite, fixture, and lighting.

The home has new flooring throughout, and the fireplace surround and mantel got a recent refresh, too.

The current owners also redesigned the staircase to the game room loft upstairs, and remodeled the master suite and its en-suite. And every single bedroom has walk-in closets.

Outside, a private outdoor living area with extended deck beckons, along with a sunroom for a respite from Texas summers.

The home is listed by Jo Anne Johnson with Keller Williams Woodlands.

FORMER MODEL HOME ON WOODED LOT WITH POOL

Price: $363,000

You may be in a subdivision, but this former Pulte model home feels private with its wooded lot, fenced backyard, pool, and pergola.

And you really do get a lot of bang for that mentioned Moneywise average price range of $300,000 for The Woodlands, too. The home has been very well maintained, and has three generously sized bedrooms.

An oversized study has custom built-ins and French doors for when you need a bit of quiet from the main house. Custom wooden blinds showcase the windows in the living area, too. 

The kitchen is open to the breakfast nook, and has a view of the saltwater pool and private backyard. And if the view wasn’t enough, it also has custom cabinetry and granite, including an island, and it also has updated, high-quality stainless steel appliances.

Don’t feel like a swim? The three-bedroom, two-bath home is also close to hike and bike trails, too.

It is listed by Bethany Laub with Beyond Real Estate.

TRADITIONAL ONE-STORY ON A CUL-DE-SAC

Price: $480,000

At the highest point of our self-imposed $300,000 to $500,000 price range, this four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home brings us back full circle to the Grogan’s Mill community we visited with our first home.

And while this home may have been built in the 80s, it’s not grody to the max. In fact, you might even say it was pretty clutch.

The remodeled one story home sits on an oversized, cul-de-sac lot, and has a private, fenced yard with new gazebo and grill, plus a pool, spa, and covered patio. Even the landscaping has gotten a refresh.

Inside, the updates took the form of new interior paint throughout,  new flooring in the master bedroom, and new fixtures in all the bathrooms.

Decorative stone finishes, built-ins, hardwood floors, and more beautiful finishes than you can shake a stick at punctuate the 2,928 square foot home, too.

And that kitchen. Seriously. Open concept, filled with stainless steel appliances, granite counters, and it’s open to the breakfast bar and den, which happens to have a gas fireplace.

Add to that a formal living and dining space, and four generously-sized bedrooms, and you have a perfect retreat that won’t completely break the bank. And you can totally host Thanksgiving still.

The home is listed by Mike Seder with RE/MAX The Woodlands & Spring.