New Caney: a rural East Texas community
The concept of what qualifies as “East Texas” can be tricky. As Houston native Markham Pyle Shaw once said, “No matter where you go in East Texas, ‘deep’ East Texas is always about 20 miles further in than wherever you are.” Most can agree that East Texas is characterized by a rural, small-town feel, even in the more urban centers. East Texas is, in a nutshell, as much a state of mind as it is a geographic area. Situated 30 miles north of Houston is a town that fits all the criteria of a true East Texas location: New Caney. In addition to its East Texas ambiance, New Caney offers residents a variety of real estate options, narrow tree-lined streets, excellent schools, convenient highway access and amenities that embrace the town’s rural ethos. “Up until about 5 years ago, most people had never heard of New Caney,” says Montgomery County native Elizabeth Harrell, a broker with Rhoden Real Estate for nearly a decade. “Houston is growing so quickly, though, and people have been moving north recently. But New Caney still keeps its rural feel.”
Tudor-inspired houses and contemporary homes are available
Prospective buyers in New Caney have a variety of options available to them in terms of house style. Both manufactured homes and traditional single-family homes are prevalent, with a mix of older and newer homes. The median price for real estate in New Caney is $275,000, and buyers can expect to pay about $150 per square foot. A three-bedroom and two-bathroom manufactured home can sell for $72,000. A three-bedroom and two-bathroom Tudor-inspired house lists for around $300,000, and prices can go as high as $700,000 for a spacious four-bedroom contemporary-style home.
Families can choose public or highly rated Houston private schools
Students in New Caney can attend Milam Elementary, Grangerland Intermediate and Caney Creek High School. Milam earns an A-minus rating on Niche. Grangerland earns a B-plus, and Caney Creek High earns a B-minus. In addition to offering more than 30 advanced placement classes, Caney Creek High School allows students to enroll in a dual-credit program. Alternatively, parents can avail themselves of some of the state’s best private schools in Houston, including St. John’s School, which is rated the best private school in Texas by Niche.
Fun at Sallas Park and Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Sallas Park on McCleskey Road is home to the annual East Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo in the fall. The park offers residents year-round access to a playground, basketball court and baseball diamond. The grounds also include Sankey Rodeo School, offering instruction in all things rodeo-related to students of all skill levels. And located 3 miles east of New Caney is Lake Houston Wilderness Park, a 5,000-acre forested area that offers visitors 20 miles of hiking trails, 13 miles of equestrian trails, an archery range and a nature center.
Shops, restaurants and entertainment at Valley Ranch Town Center
Toward the southern edge of New Caney is Valley Ranch Town Center, a concentration of shops, restaurants and entertainment. There stands a Kroger Marketplace for groceries. Storefronts include Home Goods, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Hobby Lobby and other retail establishments. Valley Ranch Town Center has restaurants ranging from Gringo’s Mexican Cantina to Dave’s Hot Chicken. And, of course, it wouldn’t be East Texas without a Whataburger, and there happens to be one in Valley Ranch Town Center. Locals can catch a movie at Cinemark Valley Ranch or read a book at the nearby RB Tullis Branch Library.
A car-dependent town with quick access to Houston via I-69
There are very few sidewalks in New Caney, and there are no transit stops in the area, so New Caney is entirely car-dependent. Houston is a 30-minute drive down I-69, which crosses through the center of town. “People are moving here because they’re looking for a quieter lifestyle,” says Harrell. “I like to describe it as a rural town with a lot of conveniences.”
![Andrew Spencer]()
Written By
Andrew Spencer
![Ashley Boyles]()
Photography Contributed By
Ashley Boyles
