Chinese homebuyers are increasingly looking at Texas for better value properties in addition to California. The Katy area, located near Greater Houston, has emerged as a new hub for Chinese immigrants.
Nationwide moving company United Van Lines revealed that during the pandemic, California ranked second in population outflow in the United States, with 60% of moves from California being to other states. Most of the outflowing population came from Chinese communities in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles. The higher home prices prompted a shift in Chinese interest toward investment and living areas in other states.
Furthermore, the online real estate brokerage Opendoor Brokerage has published a ranking of the hottest housing markets in the United States, with Texas occupying four spots in the top ten cities nationwide. The Houston Katy area is particularly popular among the Chinese community.
Recent Redfin data shows that around 2% of people looking to buy a new home want to move to Katy from outside metropolitan areas. Of these, Los Angeles is the top city of origin, with 1,681 potential homebuyers expressing interest in relocating to Katy. New York follows closely behind with 984 interested buyers, while San Francisco also shows a significant inflow with 890 potential buyers. Additionally, Washington, D.C. contributes to this trend, with 808 people wanting to move to Katy. These figures indicate a growing interest from major cities in relocating to Katy, highlighting the city’s appeal to those seeking a new home.
Why has the Houston Katy area become a popular place for Asian homebuyers and immigrants to settle down?
1. Prime Location
Located in the northwest Houston area, Katy is one of the thriving satellite cities in the Houston area with over 310,000 residents. Its convenient transportation, coupled with its proximity to the Energy Corridor — a hub for international energy groups and oil companies — has attracted a flow of people to Katy’s Asian community, driving economic prosperity. With the local government promoting town planning initiatives and attracting investments in large commercial properties and department stores, Katy has become a desirable place to live for the Asian community in the Houston area.
2. Excellent School District
The Katy Independent School District (Katy ISD), ranked as the top public school district in the Houston area for two consecutive years in Niche’s recent rankings, offers excellent education. With a comprehensive education system and outstanding academic performance, the district boasts an average SAT score of 1240 out of 1600. The high-quality education environment has attracted many middle-class Chinese and Asian families to settle in Katy, ensuring their children receive quality education.
3. Affordable Housing and Lower Cost of Living
Houston, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States, offers more affordable housing than metropolitan areas like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. According to real estate data from Redfin in Feb 2024, the median home price in Katy, Texas, is $360,000,with an average price per square foot of $166. In contrast, the median home price in Los Angeles is $975,000, with an average price per square foot of $642. The lower cost of living and affordable housing prices are significant factors attracting a large influx of out-of-state residents to Texas.
4. Katy Asian Town: A Convenient and Diverse Dining Destination with Walking Distance Amenities
The prosperity of Katy Asian Town is not accidental. Typically, Chinese immigrants prefer to live in areas with convenient living facilities, complete amenities, and diverse leisure and entertainment facilities.
Since the opening of Katy Asian Town in 2017, it has attracted well-known domestic and international dining brands, including the popular Asian supermarket brand HMart, the international hotpot chain Haidilao, and the Michelin-starred Hong Kong-style tea restaurant Tim Ho Wan. Additionally, Katy Asian Town also features numerous Asian-themed restaurants, where you can enjoy Sichuan cuisine, Korean-style KTV bars like Soju101, Japanese sushi at Kura Sushi, as well as Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian cuisine.
You can also enjoy leisure time with your family at Katy Asian Town, such as watching movies at the Harkins Theatre or experiencing cutting-edge VR games at the karting arena owned by legendary racing driver Mario Andretti.
Grand West Condos, located near the well-developed Katy Asian Town, offers cozy apartment interiors and fully equipped appliances, providing residents with convenient home facilities such as washers, dryers, microwaves, and kitchen utensils for easy cooking, allowing you to move in hassle-free and enjoy a high-quality home life!
The surrounding area of the apartment boasts complete living facilities, with Katy Asian Town just a 10-minute walk away. Residents can enjoy coffee and breakfast at the nearby 85°C Bakery Cafe or indulge in classic Asian cuisine with their families. If you want to cook at home, you can purchase ingredients from the largest Asian chain supermarket in the United States, Hmart, which offers everything you need for your daily life!
If you want to invite friends and family over for a party, you can order from Katy Asian Town’s delivery platform “AMA On-The-Go,” which allows you to order food from multiple Asian restaurants in one go, with only one delivery fee!
In terms of transportation, Grand West Condos is conveniently located near the intersection of Interstate 10 and Highway 99, making it only a 25-minute drive to downtown for work or social gatherings. There is also a nearby Metro bus terminal for easy travel even if you don’t drive!
The Katy Asian Town district combines apartment residences, school districts, diverse Asian restaurants, Asian supermarkets, and shopping and entertainment venues, meeting your daily needs for food, clothing, housing, transportation, and entertainment! With its affordable housing prices, convenient transportation, and complete living facilities, Grand West Condos is the best choice for enhancing your home life quality.
Grand West Condos offers open house tours every Saturday for those interested! For more details, visit the official website: https://grandwestcondos.com/