Kingwood, Texas anyone?

My husband and I are relocating back to Texas.  Wondering if anyone has opinions on Kingwood versus The Woodlands or Porter?  We've lived in Conroe before but would love some firsthand knowledge on Kingwood/Porter/The Woodlands.  Can I get some opinions from you guys?  Would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
Sherry

I live in Atascocita, which is right across the Lake Houston Bridge from Kingwood. I do alot of my shopping and errand running in Kingwood. I love it there. It's so quiet and pretty. Only 2 things I don't like about Kingwood....1. the traffic in and out of Kingwood can get really bad and 2. there are no support groups in this area that I am aware of. I have to drive over to the Woodlands and Cy-Fair for my support group meetings.

I am not familiar with living in The Woodlands or Porter area.

I have posted twice in the last few days seeking kingwood area wls patients.  There is an opportunity to get a support group here if there is enough interest.  to date I have had two responses.  If I can add you as interested that would make four of us.  I do not know how many it takes to form a group.  Please let me know if you would be interested and if you could help me spread ;the word that would be great.

I would definitely be interested in a support group in this area. I would still go to the other group meetings I attend in the Woodlands and Cy-Fair area though, I have met some wonderful people in those groups and enjoy hearing them talk at the meetings. But yes, you can add me as being interested. Thanks!

Thanks for the info.  I'm wondering about the Kingwood school district.  Do you know anything about it?
Thx!

Don't know if I could qualify to be in this group, but would love to join if I could.  I had WLS 9 years ago and have gained weight again.  I am looking to have a revision done but UHC won't pay for any type of WLS.  So, I am waiting until 1/2010 to be added to my husband's Aetna policy.  So, yes, I WAS a successful WLS patient for many years...I really need the support this time around.  I live across the Lake Houston Bridge in Huffman.  When I had the surgery the first time, it was done in Bellaire and I had 3 year old twins.  It was hard to make it to the support groups.  They are 12 now and I have a lot more freedom.  Keep me posted.

I live in Kingwood and I like it.  It is easy to get downtown, the medical center, museum district etc.  I can get almost anywhere I want in 30 minutes.  I live at the front of Kingwood with great access to Hwy 59.  If you were to live in the back you would have to add travel time to whereever you want to go.  The traffic is not bad at all unless you want to be on the road at 5:00 -6:00 pm.  You will encounter traffic at that time as everyone is coming home from work.  Kingwood drive is quite busy at that time.  North Park is not as bad.  Both are East West streets.

The Woodlands definitely has more restuarants, shopping, etc. than Kingwood but the traffic is much worse.  the roads are not as logically laid out.   I think they want to discourage travel by those of us who do not live there.  The Woodlands is also on IH 45 and that is a bear.  Lots of construction all up and down 45.  of course that will one day come to an end (surely).  It really does depend on your lifestyle.  Kingwood is a quieter more laid back community whereas The Woodlands has more to do therefore it is busier.

I don't know how you make decisions but I will say that when I have had to move to a new area I have always leased for 6 months or a year before I made a permanent decision.  that gave me time to check out the areas I thought I would be interested in and determine what would be the best choice for me.  I am living in Kingwood for the third time so obviously I like it.  I also like to go out to concerts, plays, restaurants etc so would also like the woodlands.   However I would not like to fight the traffic all the time.  Have no patience for spending all my time in the car.  I do go to the Woodlands regularly because I have doctors there but I time it so I am in the area when the traffic is less annoying.

It is difficult to make such a decision based on others experiences as we all want different things out of life.  Atoscasita (sp?) is also a nice community and would have easy access to the beltway or FM1960.  Don't know if you work or if you are retired but that would come in to play as well.
Good luck to you.

Thanks for the information.  I think the main thing I'm concerned about is the school district my kids would be in.  I have an 8th, 6th and 4th grader.  I'm mainly looking for family-oriented neighborhoods with kids to play with and good schools.  I know The Woodlands can be really busy. 

I used to live in The Woodlands and I've lived in the Porter/New Caney area.  I have to say that I'd never live in the Porter area again. Yikes!  The Woodlands is great HOWEVER the traffic is incredible!!!  It's just as hectic as being in the middle of Houston.  I like Kingwood.  I've not lived there but I have a few friends that live there now or have lived there and they love it.  No complaints except for traffic on the far side away from 59.  It's really growing out there with the freeway expanding.  I hope this helps.

Thanks for the information.  Just curious, what is it about Porter that you don't like?