3–6 months out: decide where
- Confirm your move date, budget and any employer relocation benefits (and their deadlines)
- Pick your top three priorities: commute, schools, budget, lot size, walkability, golf, lake access
- Narrow to two or three villages using The Villages page
- Map your commute from those villages at rush hour, not on a Sunday
- Talk with a lender and get pre-approved so you know your real price range
- Schedule a relocation call to talk through villages and timing
6–8 weeks out: the scouting trip
- Plan a 2–3 day visit; stay near Town Center so you can see The Waterway and Market Street at night
- Tour homes in your short-listed villages, then drive the school and work routes
- Visit a village center, a park and a grocery store in each area you like
- Check each address's school zone on the district's own lookup
- Ask for each home's tax certificate, MUD and HOA details, flood-zone status and electric provider
Contract to closing (about 30–45 days)
- Schedule the inspection during the option period
- Get homeowner's and windstorm insurance quotes early; ask about flood insurance
- Book movers as soon as your closing date is set
- Set up electricity, water and internet to start on closing day
- Begin school enrollment paperwork
First 30 days in The Woodlands
- Register your vehicles (30 days) and plan your Texas driver's license (90 days)
- Get an EZ TAG or TxTag
- Look up your village association and its next event
- Sign up for Township news and storm alerts
- Learn your nearest park, pool and pathway loop
- Make sure your homestead exemption is filed; Texas lets you apply once you've moved in, and the usual deadline is April 30
More first-month details are in the New Resident Guide.