Looking at possibly building a home and came across the Valley Ranch neighborhood. Don't know much about it other than it has 1/2 acre lots. Anyone have any thoughts on the neighborhood or area? I believe it is located within the Belton School District.

No thoughts really other than it can be difficult to make a left turn onto 93 going towards Belton sometimes. I would look at property taxes, is that temple city limits? Have you looked at high crest on 439 in Belton? It's an omega neighborhood similar to valley ranch and out of the city limits.

PROS: beautiful homes with big yards and nice neighbors.

CONS: it smells like sewage on 93 sometimes (ok a lot), very few trees, and the developer is subdividing the lots so the newer phases will be 1/4 to 1/3 acre lots.

[This message has been edited by templeton (edited 3/12/2014 4:45p).]

Not much to add to what templeton said

Sewage smell rarely gets that far over there but I guess it could if there is a due west wind...

As stated, houses are nice and the yards are big..

Don't know if I would want to live right off 93, but I guess it's no worse than any other highway... Watch your speed in that area, especially when the yellow (school zone) lights are flashing

Great (1-2 minute) access to 35 which surprisingly can't be said about many parts of Temple and Belton.

Yes, I think the whole subdivision is Belton schools

Didn't know that about the new lots (the smaller size)

Yes, it is city of Temple

Looked there ten years.ago.....wasn't going to pay that much money for a house in a subdivision that had ditches in the yards instead of curb and gutter.

Went and checked out high crest. It is definitely nicer than Valley Ranch

Some of those lots have a great view

Depends on your commute tolerance...

You should also keep foundation issues in mind. Most areas east of 35 are Blackland soil and shrink/swell will be an issue for your foundation. May not mean much up front but something to consider down the road.

Thanks for all the info. Problem with High Crest is that my wife wants to say closer to our church because we are very involved with the youth group...humm...

FYI on the Belton schools boundaries at Valley Ranch. If you have elementary age kids, they would be zoned to go to Miller Heights elementary. I know, it makes no sense. I'm not sure about middle schools. I'd have to guess South Belton since MH is the elementary.

For 2014-15 that's gonna be southwest elementary and Lake belton MS

You're right captain. I don't know why I mixed them up.

Well, if you got little ones, don't get too used to the lines. They'll change.

And if they're class of 2020 or later, there might be a new high school

I could say welcome to the neighborhood. The left turn isnt bad at all, certainly better than the right coming out of red rock. As for the smell, maybe once a year or two you get a faint whiff for a brief time in the back yard. It is quiet, some retirees, several families with kids from newborn to empty nesters. No soil problems so far. I like the proximity to town, price point and no thru traffic.
Temple taxes and Belton schools are accurate. The next phase will have reduced lot size. And one day they will begin between here and ctcs. I think they one day will have a light at 93 when that area gets close to filling up.

And thank you templeton - we try to be good neighbors!

[This message has been edited by coshatteag (edited 3/16/2014 6:42p).]

[This message has been edited by coshatteag (edited 3/16/2014 6:57p).]

I drove by there the other day. The current lots are very nice... Don't know how many are left...





[This message has been edited by Captain Pablo (edited 3/16/2014 7:35p).]

Thanks for the replies!! I think we are going to go with Valley Ranch.

coshatteag - you should see new home construction begining in the next month or so at the end of the cul de sac on Valley Mist Drive. After we are moved in and settled I will invite you over for a BBQ.

[This message has been edited by Ol' Rock '05 (edited 3/17/2014 10:55a).]

You'll like it over there. You will REALLY like the quick access to I-35. Getting to Austin, Downtown Temple, Waco, Killeen is a snap

Ol Rock and coshatteag, do you know if all the remaining lots are currently owned by the home builders and you have to use them, or are there lots available to purchase and use your own builder?

I believe that the current lots are either owned by Omega or Eagle Ridge Builders. I don't think you can purchase and pick your own builder. Thankfully my wife and I like Eagle Ridge Builders.

[This message has been edited by Ol' Rock '05 (edited 3/18/2014 6:02p).]