10 Things to Know Before Moving to Katy, TX

Katy, located on the western edge of Houston, is a great place to live for many reasons. This city has steadily risen over the past decade to become one of the most desirable areas to live in the Lone Star State. Katy is a great place for families because of its lovely weather, an abundance of fun things to do, affordable housing, and excellent public schools. 

If you’re thinking of moving here, hang around as we discuss ten things to know before moving to Katy, TX!

1. There are parks everywhere

Even if you don’t have kids, you’ll still appreciate Katy’s many parks. Depending on your location, a park could be as close as five minutes away. That’s because Katy places a premium on outdoor activities, time with loved ones, and a healthy dose of vitamin D. Mary Jo Peckham Park, Katy Park, Callegari Park, Exploration Park, Willow Fork Park, Fulshear bend Pocket park, Mason Creek Hike and Bike Trail, Katy City Park, Four Seasons Park, and Malcolm E Beckendorff Family Park are some of the best parks and green areas to visit in Katy.

2. Living costs are only 4% higher than the national average

Katy is a suburb of Houston, so you might assume that it is quite expensive, but that is not necessarily the case. No, living here is not cheap, but it’s also not ridiculously expensive. The overall cost of living in Katy is a modest 104/100, only 4 points higher than the national average.

The city’s median home price is about $370,000, which is still below the national average. So Katy might not be the cheapest place to live, but it’s certainly not overly expensive either.

3. Summers could get as hot as 90°F

Katy is unique in that it never experiences extreme cold. In fact, the city never sees snow and only experiences cold temperatures a dozen times a year at most. 

However, Katy’s summers can be extremely hot, with temperatures going as high as 92°F. Your air conditioner will be on full blast from May through September. Try not to go out when the sun is out in its full glory, and if you will, keep your umbrella and sunscreen close by.

4. Have fun with the family at Typhoon Texas 

Katy has intriguing things to do inside the city limits, so residents of all ages will never be bored. Typhoon Texas, a water park with thrilling rides and raft slides, a massive lazy river, a 25,000 square-foot wave pool, and more, is one of the most well-known staycation destinations. 

The new Momentum Indoor Climbing gym has approximately 40,000 square feet dedicated to rope climbing and bouldering, making it ideal for those seeking a high dose of adrenaline. Downtown Katy hosts a monthly Market Day, when 100 local exhibitors, food trucks, inflatables, music, and a beer garden make for a pleasant afternoon stroll.

5. Enjoy some good barbecue and great Mexican food

As a resident of Katy, Texas, you will never go hungry. Numerous restaurants can be found in the city, and given its proximity to Mexico’s border, it comes as no surprise that many of them serve Mexican cuisine. Katy restaurants serve anything from chicken-fried steak and cheese enchiladas to crab rangoon and traditional Texas barbecue. 

Check out Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, a plush movie theater with a menu that includes some of the most fantastic hatch green chile burgers, ribeye tacos, beer, and cocktails in the city, if you prefer dining while watching the big screen. Da Vinci Ristorante Italiano and Grazia Italian Kitchen have some of the best Italian food in town. If you’re in the mood for some good barbecue, check out Grett’s BBQ Shop or Maika’i Hawaiian BBQ.  Peli Peli, Alegria Brazilian Grill, Black Bear Diner, and Torchy’s Tacos are great restaurants in the city, among others.

6. Schools in Katy are top-rated in the state

Katy is home to some of Texas’ finest public, private, and charter schools. Schools in the area, such as Memorial Parkway Elementary and Mayde Creek High School, have been recognized by the United States Department of Education as National Blue Ribbon Schools and have received top ratings from Niche. Katy also houses the University of Houston’s highly regarded engineering and nursing departments in a state-of-the-art 80,000-square-foot building.

7. You get to shop as much as you want

Katy has a remarkable selection of shops, from unique independent stores to massive outlet malls.

The city is home to two enormous s hopping centers, Katy Mills Mall and LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch. At Katy Mills Mall, you can save money on purchases from nationally recognized labels, including Polo Ralph Lauren, H&M, Calvin Klein, and Under Armour. However, LaCenterra expands beyond the well-known shopping possibilities by also housing hip workout classes like Cyclebar, Peloton, and Pure Barre.

8. The Brazos River and Galveston Bay make for incredible landscape

Katy’s prime location is just another major perk for those thinking about making the move there. 

The city is located to the west of Houston, close to a number of lakes and the Brazos River, as well as Galveston Bay. With its central location in Texas, Katy guarantees its citizens a warmer year-round climate and a wide variety of outdoor activities.

9. Easy access to employment opportunities

Katy residents can reach downtown Houston in 30 minutes, giving them easy access to the city’s thriving job market without having to pay Houston’s astronomical housing prices. The city is attracting more and more Fortune 500 companies because of its skilled labor force and active port. Houston’s job market has flourished thanks to the presence of major corporations, including Phillips 66, Sysco, ConocoPhillips, and Hewlett-Packard Enterprise.

10. 76.05% of Katy’s citizens are white

The fact that most of Katy is white is neither an advantage nor a disadvantage; it is simply a truth. Some people may find this lack of variety to be slightly unsatisfactory. Houston is not far away, though, so you can easily access a wide variety of artistic expressions and cultural experiences. 

However, you may feel let down by Katy if you place a high value on teaching your kids about the world beyond their own.

To Sum it All Up

Living in Katy provides many fantastic opportunities; a great food scene, lots of family-friendly activities, an excellent school system, and opportunities for shopping. However, if you detest summer heat, you might not enjoy living in Katy.