Buying a Texas home offers a home buyer some of the most diverse options in the country given the sheer size of the state. Whether it’s a sprawling ranch far from civilization or a high tech modern condo in a big city that you are looking for, Texas homebuyers will likely find it in the Lone Star State. If safety is among your top considerations when choosing where to live, there are a number of Texas cities that you may wish to consider such as Plano, Frisco, and McKinney as well as Pearland and Allen. One city, however, continues to rank at the top of the list for Texas homebuyers who are looking for a safe place to live – Sugar Land.

If you are in the market  to buy a Texas home in Houston or near Houston, and a safe city is at the top of your “must have” list; then Sugar Land, Texas may be a great location to begin your search. Sugar Land has come in as number three on CNN Money and Money magazine’s list of the best cities to live in throughout the entire United States.  This hidden gem also has the distinction of being the fastest growing city in the Houston metro area. Located just 20 miles southwest of downtown Houston in Fort Bend County, Sugar Land grew 158 percent over the last decade, according to U.S. census figures which brings its population to just fewer than 85,000 residents as of 2011.

Sugar Land is predominately considered an affluent suburb of Houston. Forbes magazine named Sugar Land one of three “Top Suburbs to Live Well” in the Houston area in 2008. As of 2011, the median family income was $113,261 according to the U.S. census. As a largely planned city, Texas homebuyers will find a number of communities that boast golf courses, country clubs and other luxury amenities. Along with these community amenities, buying a Texas home in Sugar Land offers residents shopping opportunities at First Colony Mall as well as entertainment and dining at Sugar Land Town Square. In addition, Clements High School in Sugar Land has been ranked in the top ten high schools in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine.

Currently, both residents and commercial enterprises are centered in the south and southeast areas of Sugar Land; however, planned communities are growing rapidly throughout all of Sugar Land. In the south east of Sugar Land is where you will find First Colony, the largest and oldest of the planned communities. Average home prices in Sugar Land are over $300,000, although you can find condos or townhomes for less than that. Custom built homes in some of the more affluent communities, such as Riverstone, can easily run over $1 million. Buying a Texas home in Sugar Land will likely mean purchasing a relatively new home; however, your new home will be in a setting with lush landscaping and lots of green space. With plenty of community activities, Sugar Land is a great location for families. Best of all, your home will be in one of the safest cities in Texas!