Newcomers have seven floor plans, including studios, one bedroom (one bath) and two bedroom (two bath) units, from which to choose.  Sizes range from 440 square feet to 1,530 square feet, and monthly rents range from $585 to $820.  Basic units come with all-white appliances and carpet; upgraded units are available for additional fees and have a choice of carpet or hardwood floors, a flat top stove, a complimentary cleaning once a month and a complimentary dinner twice a month.  Leases are for seven, thirteen or twenty-six months.  All units are on one level, and the one and two bedroom units have covered patios; higher end units have larger kitchens, more closet space and large oval bathtubs.  Call 936-271-5110 for more information.

Also at the Clubhouse (13,000 square feet) residents find a library, a full-service hair and nail salon, a computer center, a coffee bar, a basketball court, a sauna, a ballroom, a billiards room, a state-of-the-art exercise room and more.  The Mansions in the Forest employs a full-time activities director, and a full schedule of events, including fitness classes, holiday parties and off-site trips, keep residents busy.

The lush 1,725-acre W.G. Jones State Forest is adjacent to the community, and walking trails within The Mansions head off into the woods, providing easy access to a wonderful spot for hiking, camping, bicycling and just enjoying nature (the park is also a great place to volunteer).  This area brims with roses, delicate dogwoods and beautiful azaleas.

Conroe (population 50,000) is pretty and very wooded with rolling hills.  Shopping is adequate, and Conroe Regional Medical Center has 360 beds and 250 physicians on staff.    The new ICU and Cardiac Care Units provide state-of-the-art care for up to 36 patients at a time. 

This area does have a high tornado risk, and the weather is hot and humid in the summer with daily temperatures reaching into the 90s; winter temperatures average in the 50s and 60s.  The area receives 4 to 5 inches of precipitation a month.