Inner Loop
Living inside Loop 610 is highly desirable because of
the proximity to downtown Houston, sporting venues,
cultural activi- ties and the Texas Medical Center.
• Astrodome/South Loop
About 25,000 people live in the shadow of one of
Houston’s world-class entertainment and convention
center sites Reliant Park. The complex is composed of
four venues Reliant Stadium, a 69,500-seat indoor
stadium that serves as the home of the National Football
League Houston Texans; Reliant Center, a convention and
exposition center covering 1.4 million square feet;
Reliant Astrodome, the world famous indoor football and
baseball stadium; and Reliant Arena, a venue for smaller
events.
The Astrodome/South Loop area is mixed in terms of both
ethnic make-up and income levels. About 1,180 businesses
with 30,000 employees are located in the area. The
Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (METRO) new 7.5-mile
light rail system connects the Astrodome/South Loop area
to downtown Houston, Midtown, the University of
Houston-Downtown, Rice University, the medical center
and the Museum District (www.gswhcc.org).
• Bellaire
Modern life merges with days gone by in Bellaire, which
offers a combination of quiet, small-town America and
the convenience of big city attractions. One of
Houston’s first suburbs, Bellaire has grown from a small
farming community to a thriving city.
Approximately 16,000 people live in Bellaire, roughly
the same number as those who work within the city
limits. The 6,000 homes in Bellaire are a mixture of
1950s and 1960s two- and three-bedroom ranch styles and
brand new Georgian brick and Mediterran-ean stucco
mansions. The practice of replacing old frame and brick
bungalows with new, larger constructions is common in
Bellaire (www.gswhcc.org).
• Braeswood/Stella Link
Recent redevelopment and revitalization efforts in the
Braeswood and Stella Link neighborhoods have made them
ideal communities for growing families. Approximately
29,000 residents include a mix of senior citizens and
young couples with families. A variety of home prices
makes the area attractive for many homebuyers.
• Denver Harbor
With a population of about 19,000, the Denver Harbor
area contains a mix of residential, commercial and
industrial property. A predominantly Hispanic
neighborhood, Denver Harbor lies just east of downtown
Houston and is split by Interstate 10. Port Houston is a
small residential community nearby.
• Downtown Houston
More and more Houstonians are choosing a downtown
address. Downtown Houston’s current residential
population of 3,000 is expected to more than triple by
2010. “The synergy that is happening downtown is so
exciting,” said Robin K. Mueck, president and CEO of
Heritage Texas Properties. “It’s clear that downtown is
now a destination. Dining opportunities are on every
block, the Theater District is exploding and downtown
has a thriving night life, two incredible sports venues
and an alluring rail system.”
Professionals working downtown, empty nesters and
reverse commuters are increasingly attracted to
downtown, with its growing opportunities for loft
living. Approximately 3,017 units have been built within
1.5 miles of downtown in the past few years. Another
4,000 are expected to be complete in the next few years
(www.downtowndistrict.org,
www.downtown-houston.org).
• Fifth Ward
Fifth Ward, with a population of approximately 18,000,
is served by Fifth Ward Community Redevel-opment
Corporation (CRC), a nonprofit community developer
striving to accelerate the rebirth of this historic
community.
Although most homes average 50 years of age or older,
the Fifth Ward CRC has developed about 250 new homes in
the past 10 years. Future developments in Fifth Ward
include a retail shopping center and a technology center
(www.fifthwardcrc.org).
• Greater Third Ward
Greater Third Ward is a predominantly African-American
community immediately adjacent to the Main Street
corridor. It is home to Texas Southern University and
the University of Houston, both largely commuter
campuses, which serve a student population totaling more
than 44,000. The area boasts Alabama Garden, the largest
and oldest community garden in Houston.
• Greenway Plaza
Greenway Plaza, a small sliver of Houston on the
Southwest Freeway between Loop 610 and Kirby Drive, is
experiencing new residential and commercial development.
For many years, Greenway Plaza has been known for its
gleaming office towers. Within the boundaries of
Greenway Plaza, 755 businesses employ more than 25,000
people. Greenway Plaza has a small but upscale
residential section. The area’s luxury townhomes,
high-rise apartments and condos are popular with empty
nesters and young professionals, offering security,
personal service and low-maintenance living combined
with a convenient location. Shopping, sports arenas,
restaurants, museums and fine arts venues are easily
accessible from a Greenway residence.
• Harrisburg/Manchester
Harrisburg was founded at the convergence of Brays and
Buffalo bayous preceding the Texas Revolution. Santa
Anna’s army burned the community just before its defeat
at San Jacinto in 1836. Later that year, Houston was
established. By 1927, the area was part of Houston.
Manchester lies to the east of Harrisburg. Its modest
homes are surrounded by Port of Houston industries.
• The Heights
The Heights has Houston’s largest concentration of
historic homes, with more than 100 individually listed
private and public buildings. Distinctive
turn-of-the-century homes, privately maintained parks,
several churches and a public library line Heights
Boulevard, which has a special City of Houston
designation as a “Scenic Right of Way.” Such charm,
coupled with its proximity to downtown, makes The
Heights an appealing place to live. The unique 19th
Street historic business district and a variety of
antique and specialty shops make the area a shopping
attraction. The Heights is favored by professionals and
families who appreciate a short commute to downtown and
the small-town quality of life (www.houstonheights.org).
• MacGregor/Riverside
Located near the medical center, the MacGregor/Riverside
communities include stately homes, small apartment
complexes and townhomes. The area, with a population of
about 14,000, is undergoing change as older homes are
refurbished and new homes are being built.
• Midtown
New construction and the preservation and restoration of
historical structures are reviving the Midtown area to
the original residential nature of the area.
Approximately 5,000 residents live in Midtown, which
consists mainly of townhomes and apartments. Midtown has
more than 200,000 jobs within its large business
community, including a Vietnamese business district,
three cultural arts museums and 40,000 square feet of
performing arts revitalization (www.houstonmidtown.com).
• Memorial Park/Washington Avenue
Memorial Park, a shady urban oasis, lies in the midst of
this scenic area that stretches from the west side of
the northern edge of downtown to the West Loop. Covering
5,081 acres, residential areas adjacent to Memorial Park
are being redeveloped with high-end, single-family
homes, high-rises, three-story condos and patio homes.
• Montrose
A burgeoning center for the creative, the Montrose area
is one of the most eclectic in Houston. The area houses
the Houston Museum District, which encompasses more than
50 museums, art galleries and other cultural
institutions. Cultural and ethnic diversity is visible
in the wide array of restaurants, boutiques and
galleries dotting the area. Two-bedroom bungalows
characterize the neighborhood. In Courtland Place, all
of the houses are listed in the National Register of
Historic Places.
• Near Northside
Immediately adjacent to downtown, Near Northside
consists of wood-frame homes surrounding commercial
properties along North Main and Fulton streets. This
area is experiencing an influx of high-rises, townhomes
and condos.
• Old Spanish Trail/South Union
With a population of about 19,500, this area near the
medical center offers an abundance of rental properties,
making it attractive to medical students. Many homes in
the Old Spanish Trail/South Union area were built right
after World War II. The area is home to the Shrine of
the Black Madonna church, which purchased and
redeveloped a number of properties near its sanctuary.
• Rice Village/Medical Center
Home to the world-famous Texas Medical Center and
prestigious Rice University, the Rice Village/Medical
Center area is one of the most vibrant and exciting in
Houston. Many residents work for one of the more than 42
nonprofit institutions of the medical center. Located
next to Hermann Park and the Museum District, the area
is now linked to Reliant Park to the south and to
downtown Houston to the north by the new METRORail light
rail (www.gswhcc.org).
• River Oaks
River Oaks, one of Houston’s most exclusive residential
areas, comprises some 1,100 acres replete with stately
white-columned mansions dating to the 1920s. Just three
miles west of downtown Houston, River Oaks also enjoys
easy access to the Greenway Plaza business district and
the Galleria area.
While a wide range of architectural styles is evident
throughout River Oaks, strict control has created
harmony with the landscaping and natural topography in
this heavily wooded area. Comprehensive deed
restrictions ensure that the River Oaks area can never
be invaded by commercial structures or multifamily
housing. Many homes were designed by nationally
recognized architects of the era. One such home, “Bayou
Bend,” was owned by Ima Hogg daughter of the one-time
Texas governor, James Stephen Hogg. She later donated
the magnificent Greek revival property, along with its
extensive collection of early American furniture and
antiques, to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Bayou
Bend now serves as the American decorative arts wing of
the museum.
• Second Ward/Magnolia Park
Today’s east end reflects a largely Latino residential
population. Second Ward and Magnolia Park, two of the
city’s oldest Hispanic neighborhoods are home to
Mutalistan Hall on Canal Street, Our Lady of Guadalupe
Church on Navigation Boulevard and the intricate
concrete bandstand designed by V. Linzano and inscribed
“From Houston Mexicans to their city” in Hidalgo Park.
Most of the housing in the area was built before World
War II. New development is taking place in the east end
with loft apartments on the western boundary and the
redevelopment of Gulfgate, Houston’s first shopping mall
(www.greatereastend.com).
• Southside Place
Shaped like a backward “L” slipped into the boundaries
of West University Place, Southside Place has 440 homes
and 1,500 residents. Only nine streets long from one end
to the other and only one block wide, Southside Place
has street names in alphabetical order from Bellaire to
Jardin (www.gswhcc.org).
• West University Place
As the name reflects, the City of West University Place
(West U) draws its location and atmosphere from
neighboring Rice University, the “Harvard of the South.”
West U’s charming mix of bungalows and new brick homes
ranks as the third-most expensive neighborhood in
Houston.
Beginning in the 1980s, West U underwent major
revitalization as young families moved into its
beautiful, tree-lined neighborhoods and replaced small
homes with large new homes. West U officials take
special care with construction, putting specific
restrictions and codes on the development of lots in the
area and assuring that West U homes are attractive and
maintain their value (www.gswhcc.org).
North Houston
Areas north of the city core contain a mixture of
cultural influences and new and older housing. North
Houston residents can enjoy an easy commute, thanks to
the Hardy Toll Road.
• Acres Homes
Once considered the South’s largest unincorporated black
community, Acres Homes is situated between downtown
Houston and Greenspoint. The area developed around the
time of World War I, when landholders began selling off
home sites in plots big enough to allow for small
gardens and raising chickens or farm animals. The town
derived its name from the fact that land was sold by the
acre and not by the lot. New, resale and rental homes as
well as apartments are available.
• Aldine
This area of about 14,000 residents is located near the
Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8) and Interstate 45 North.
Via the Hardy Tollway, residents have easy access to
employment centers, especially in the Greenspoint area
and downtown Houston. Housing options vary.
• Garden Oaks/Oak Forest
This quaint and architecturally unique neighborhood of
approximately 1,400 homes offers a diverse array from
cottages and bungalows to plantation, ranch and
traditional style homes. Homes have larger than usual
lot sizes (www.gardenoaks.org).
• Greater Greenspoint
The Greater Greenspoint District, which includes a
12-square-mile area, has more than 17 million square
feet of office, retail and industrial properties. Fifty
thousand people work in the area, and there are some
75,000 residents (www.greenspoint.org)
• Inwood Forest
This community offers some of the most affordable golf
course housing in the Houston area, with many
contemporary and Spanish-style homes. It features the
Inwood Forest Country Club with 27 holes and a
distinctively different design for each nine-hole
course.
North of Houston
Areas further north of the city offer restful
suburban/rural living as well as immense shopping and
recreational opportunities. The forested beauty of the
region, with its lakes, rivers and parks, is a major
factor in the area’s popularity.
• Conroe/Willis/Montgomery County
Conroe, with a population of more than 43,000, is the
largest city in Montgomery County. The county has a
total population of more than 360,000. Conroe has a new
58,000-square-foot convention center, and the downtown
area is being completely renovated with brick pavers and
new lighting. New neighborhoods are being developed.
There are new schools, new parks, a new chamber of
commerce building, a new fire station and a new police
station. There also is a new terminal at Montgomery
County Airport.
Lake Conroe, a 22,000-acre lake just seven miles west of
the City of Conroe, offers water sports, fishing,
skiing, sailing, boating, pristine campgrounds and three
resorts. Thirteen golf courses are located in the Lake
Conroe area.
Some of the many master-planned communities in the area
include The French Quarter on Lake Conroe and Grand Lake
Estates, home to the first Gary Player Signature Golf
Course in Texas. Nearby Sam Houston National Forest
houses various wildlife species. Willis, a lumbering and
agricultural market town on the Missouri Pacific
Railroad eight miles north of Conroe, has a population
of more than 4,000 (www.gcedc.org,
www.lakeconroecvb.org).
• The Woodlands/South Montgomery County
Nestled in 28,000 acres of forest just north of Houston
via I-45 or the Hardy Toll Road, The Woodlands is the
best-selling community in Texas since 1990. The
Woodlands includes eight villages with a wide variety of
home styles and price ranges, including family homes,
custom and estate homes, townhomes, urban lofts and
brownstones, condos, apartments and homes designed for
active adults over age 55. Prices range from the
$100,000’s to $3 million plus.
Amenities include The Woodlands Town Center, downtown of
The Woodlands and home of The Woodlands Waterway®, The
Woodlands Mall, The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel
and Convention Center, The Woodlands Resort & Conference
Center, The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, more than
40 restaurants, two Cinemark movie theaters and Market
Street shopping, dining and event venue.
Outdoor recreation includes 200-acre Lake Woodlands and
numerous lakes and ponds; 100 parks featuring BMX bike
tracks, skateboard facilities, water parks and dog
parks; 140 miles of hike and bike trails; seven
championship golf courses, including courses designed by
Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Tom Fazio,
and two public courses; plus two private country clubs.
Education is top priority with 19 Conroe ISD public
schools, 25 preschools, four private schools, and higher
education at Montgomery College and The University
Center. Medical campuses of Memorial Hermann-The
Woodlands and St. Luke’s Woodlands Community Medical
Center; 38 places of worship of virtually every
denomination; and seven village shopping centers add to
the convenience of living in The Woodlands (www.thewoodlands.com).
Northeast
Northeast Houston is made up of a mix of communities.
Located within about a 10-mile radius from where U.S. 59
and F.M. 1960 intersect, these seven communities share
an abundance of natural beauty. Residents take advantage
of the fishing and boating opportunities that Lake
Houston and the San Jacinto River create. These
amenities attract many buyers. Proximity to George Bush
Intercontinental Airport (IAH) contributes to the area’s
attractiveness.
• Atascocita
On the shores of Lake Houston, Atascocita encompasses
more than 15 subdivisions and has become one of the
fastest-growing residential communities in the nation.
Formed by the damming of the San Jacinto River, Lake
Houston offers excellent opportunities for swimming,
fishing, boating and skiing. With access from numerous
public boat ramps, fishing enthusiasts are drawn to more
than a dozen varieties of fish found in the lake (www.humbleareachamber.org).
• Eagle Springs
Eagle Springs residents have easy access to U.S. 59 and
Beltway 8 and are just minutes from Lake Houston and IAH.
Amenities in the community include a 15-acre community
sports park, swim complex, central nature park, a series
of lakes, hike-and-bike-trails and a village square.
• Fall Creek
Located near major employment venues, including the east
energy corridor, Greenspoint, the inner loop, the
medical center and the Galleria, Fall Creek offers
convenient, suburban living. Shopping, cultural,
entertainment and dining adventures abound, with many
downtown and suburban attractions less than 25 minutes
away. Quiet streets and carefully planned villages
complement an aquatic center, trails and greenbelts in a
1,261-acre community offering an abundance of
recreational opportunities, including Redstone Golf
Club, home to the Shell Houston Open PGA Tour Event (www.fallcreekhouston.com).
• Humble
The City of Humble offers a small-town feel just 20
miles from downtown Houston. Located in the northeast
quadrant of the Houston metropolitan area, the Greater
Humble area includes Atascocita, the City of Humble,
Kingwood and Spring, all of which are currently
experiencing population and economic growth. With the
imminent completion of upgrading on U.S. 59, local
growth has been facilitated by the reasonable commute to
the huge job base in downtown Houston. Additionally,
robust commercial growth in the area has created
thousands of jobs locally. The highly acclaimed Humble
Independent School District (ISD) serves the area (www.humblearea.com).
• Kingwood
Conveniently located near Houston area businesses and
recreational destinations, Kingwood consists of 26
villages, with more than 63,000 residents. More than 75
miles of private greenbelt and hike-and-bike trails, 23
swimming pools, a private boat launch, equestrian
centers and more than 55 acres of private parks enhance
this 14,000-acre community. METRO’s Park & Ride service
provides transportation to downtown Houston, Greenway
Plaza and Greenspoint. Kingwood residents have easy
access to IAH, and with the widening and completion of
U.S. 59 to Humble, Kingwood Drive, Northpark Drive and
the newly completed Lake Houston Parkway, commuting has
become even faster (www.kingwoodonline.com).
• Summerwood
Located in Houston just off Beltway 8 near Humble,
Summerwood encompasses 1,500 acres in a setting among
lakes and tree-lined trails. Wired for the future, every
home comes ready with a state-of-the-art, fiber-optic
network. Other amenities include 17 acres of lakes, more
than 150 acres of woodland and open spaces, nearby Lake
Houston and proximity to Deerbrook Mall as well as major
employment and business centers (www.summerwoodonline.com).
• Walden on Lake Houston
Walden on Lake Houston is located on the shores of Lake
Houston, just south of F.M. 1960. This growing 750-acre,
master-planned community of 2,000 homes boasts 11 inland
lakes, an 18-hole championship golf course, lighted
tennis courts, Olympic-size swimming pool, racquetball
courts and clubhouse.
Northwest
The Northwest section of Houston is a high-growth area.
The completion of Beltway 8, the upgrading of Texas 6
and F.M. 1960, and improvements to U.S. 290 have
enhanced accessibility to the region. Area neighborhoods
are attractive to employees who work on the west side of
Houston.
• Bear Creek/Texas 6
Bear Creek and the Texas 6 area have experienced
significant residential development as well as major
office and industrial activity. The area between the
Katy Freeway and U.S. 290 is referred to as Bear Creek
and is one of the three distinct areas that make up
Houston’s northwest sector. Master-planned communities
in Bear Creek include Fairfield and Deerfield Village.
Other subdivisions include Glencairn, Bear Creek
Plantation and Pine Forest.
• Bridgeland
The 10,000-acre Bridgeland community embraces a
lifestyle packed with natural amenities. Over 3,000
acres are devoted to lakes, trails, parks and open
space. Sixty miles of trails will connect neighborhoods,
recreational facilities and a future town center.
Opening this year: The first phase of a six-mile scenic
trail along the historic Cypress Creek Corridor and
Lakeland Activity Center with resort-worthy pools,
community center, fitness room, tennis courts,
playgrounds and more. Located 2.5 miles south of U.S.
290 on Fry Road, Bridgeland will be home to 65,000
residents. Visit www.bridgeland.com.
• Coles Crossing
Located at U.S. 290 and Barker-Cypress, Coles Crossing
is close to work, shopping and top-rated
Cypress-Fairbanks (Cy-Fair) schools. The 1,200-acre
master-planned community has 175 acres devoted to
recreation (www.colescrossing.com).
• Cypress
Cypress is located northwest of Houston, 21 miles from
Houston’s Central Business District. Jersey Village is
an incorporated city located within the area. More than
200,000 people in 68,000 households have been attracted
to the Cypress area, which includes approximately 186
square miles within the highly ranked Cy-Fair ISD. In
addition to being within a reasonable commute of the
huge job base in Houston, much of the land is reasonably
priced. Willowbrook Mall is nearby (www.cyfairchamber.com).
• Champions/F.M. 1960
The Champions/F.M. 1960 area is close to The Woodlands,
Willowbrook and Greenspoint malls, golf courses and
country clubs such as Champions Golf Club, Sam Houston
Race Park and the Aerodome Ice Skating Complex. IAH,
Highway 249 and Beltway 8 have sparked growth in the
area.
• Fairfield
Friendswood Development Company recently added another
1,000 acres to the 3,200-acre community of Fairfield. To
be completed by 2011, Fairfield will be home to 6,500
families. The area’s 13,400-square-foot athletic club
includes a full-size basketball court, fitness room,
special events room, locker rooms and classroom areas.
Outside the center are a competition-size swimming pool,
tennis courts and a 20-acre sports park with baseball
and soccer fields. Currently, Fairfield has six lakes,
five neighborhood parks and five neighborhood pools plus
numerous pocket parks and greenbelts winding through the
community. Fairfield is located in the highly acclaimed
Cy-Fair ISD (www.visitfairfield.com).
• Gleannloch Farms
Founded in the 1950s as a home for Egyptian Arabian
horses, Gleannloch Farms today is known for paths,
parks, ponds, a lakeside eight-acre recreation center, a
27-hole golf course and an equestrian center providing
myriad family activities. The immediate area also boasts
a burgeoning technology corridor, the F.M. 1960 shopping
district, the large regional Willowbrook Mall only
minutes away and important venues for the arts (www.gleannlochfarms.com).
• High Meadow Ranch
Located off Texas 249, High Meadow Ranch is a
master-planned community offering a championship golf
course, junior Olympic-size swimming pool, horseback
riding, a fishing lake and nature trails. Homesites
range from one to 10 acres (www.highmeadowranch.com).
• Magnolia
Magnolia is situated 20 miles southwest of Conroe in
southwestern Montgomery County, at the junction of F.M.
1774 and F.M. 1488. The Greater Magnolia area, which is
experiencing a high growth rate, spans roughly 12 miles
in all directions, encompassing a population of more
than 65,000 (http://ci.magnolia.tx.us).
• Northpointe
Located off Texas 249 outside F.M. 1960, Northpointe is
a heavily wooded community with lakes, recreational
facilities and fiber-optic capabilities. The Villages of
Northpointe are close to Willowbrook Mall.
• Riata Ranch
Riata Ranch, located south of U.S. 290 on Barker-Cypress
Road, is a family oriented community nestled in the
countryside of northwest Houston. Residents enjoy
18-plus acres of parks, a recreation center with a
swimming pool and children’s pool, lighted tennis courts
and a unique, figure-eight tricycle park and playground
for toddlers.
• Spring/F.M. 1960/Klein
The Spring/F.M. 1960/Klein area offers a suburban
quality of life for those who want to live near the city
but long for a hometown feel. Housing options vary from
one-story, ranch-style homes to large two-story,
colonials. The area has several townhome and apartment
communities. Spring residents draw from several
employment centers, including IAH, The Woodlands and
downtown Houston. It is home to Old Town Spring, a
quaint turn-of-the-century shopping town composed of
more than 150 shops, restaurants, museums and art
galleries. The highly ranked Klein ISD serves the area (www.oldtownspringtx.com).
• Tomball
The Tomball area, just north of F.M. 1960, is known for
its open rural territory as well as abundant forested
land. The availability of ample scenic land at
reasonable prices has been a strong factor in attracting
homebuyers. Local growth also has been facilitated by
the reasonable commute via Texas 249 to the job base in
Houston (www.tomballtexas.com).
• WindRose
WindRose, a heavily forested 1,121-acre community
southwest of Spring off Interstate 45 North, will have
about 2,000 homes upon completion. The master plan
includes a championship 18-hole golf course, green space
and parks. Offered in a variety of price ranges, homes
feature amenities, including a junior Olympic-size pool,
tennis courts, meeting house, volleyball court, soccer
field and parks (www.visitwindrose.com).
West Houston
Houston’s west side has experienced immense growth. The
area offers high-quality living, good schools, excellent
freeway access and a range of shopping and recreational
activities. Demand has exceeded the supply of residences
here because of proximity to freeways, the Galleria area
and the appeal of wooded, established neighborhoods.
• Galleria/Uptown
The Galleria area’s high-rise offices and hotels, fine
restaurants and shopping centers serve as host to
200,000 office workers, shoppers and out-of-town
visitors daily. Houston’s Uptown district, the
Galleria/Post Oak area, has been called Houston’s urban
village.
The Galleria-area lifestyle appeals to active adults and
families looking for suburban comfort and security in an
energetic urban setting. Residential construction is
still continuing, and in the past 10 years, more than
1,800 new single-family homes and townhomes have been
built. Uptown is itself a growing neighborhood with
continued construction of a wide variety of upscale
homes and apartments. Almost 5,000 high-rise condominium
and other multi-family units are located Uptown.
Intimate patio homes constructed on limited-access
courts offer a cozy and secure urban retreat, while
luxury subdivisions feature in-town estates with some of
Houston’s most prestigious addresses (www.uptown-houston.com).
• Memorial/Spring Branch
The Memorial area is synonymous with large, manicured
lawns, huge oaks and some of the most expensive homes in
Houston. Although Memorial Drive originates in downtown
Houston, the Memorial area generally refers to
neighborhoods that lie between Loop 610 on the east and
Texas 6 on the west from Interstate 10 south to the
natural boundary of Buffalo Bayou. The opening of
Beltway 8 has provided Memorial residents quick access
to many parts of the city. Both airports are within a
30-minute drive, and Interstate 10 and U.S. 59 are just
a few minutes away. Most of the area is served by the
award-winning Spring Branch ISD.
• Memorial Villages
Clustering near west Memorial Drive (a former Indian
trail) are the “Villages.” This term refers to the
incorporated municipalities of Bunker Hill, Hedwig,
Hunter’s Creek and Piney Point, all located south of
Interstate 10 West, and Spring Valley and Hilshire
Village, north of the freeway. Many homes in this area
fringe Buffalo Bayou. Older homes built in the 1960s as
well as more modern homes can be found here.
• Briargrove Park
Old oak trees shadowing the streets, flickering gas-lit
lamps and child swings hanging in the front yards
describe this picturesque neighborhood of more than
1,400 homes. Located just inside Beltway 8 between
Memorial Drive and Westheimer this family friendly
neighborhood has a community pool, tennis courts,
community playground and numerous neighborhood
organizations.
• Walnut Bend
A beautiful neighborhood of more than 900 homes, Walnut
Bend borders Beltway 8, to the east, and Westheimer
Boulevard to the south. This tucked-away neighborhood
offers its residents numerous amenities including
neighborhood organizations, three pools, tennis courts,
a playground and park, and volleyball courts (www.walnutbend.net).
• Royal Oaks
Offering a unique resort lifestyle, Royal Oaks is a
gated community of luxury homes surrounding a private
country club and the Fred Couples Signature Golf Course
in the heart of Houston, just eight miles west of The
Galleria on Westheimer Road. The 490-acre community
features an 11,000-square-foot clubhouse, spa, gym,
aquaticcenter and tennis complex with a stadium court
and croquet lawn (www.royaloakscc.com).
• Tanglewood
Located just outside Loop 610 and on the border of
Memorial, Tanglewood has remained one of Houston’s most
exclusive and desirable neighborhoods during its
50-plus-year history. In recent years, two-story homes
have replaced many of the older homes in the
neighborhood. The Tanglewood area is home to former
President George Bush and Barbara Bush.
• West Memorial
Farther west on Memorial past Wilcrest Drive is
subdivision after subdivision of homes built in the late
1960s and early 1970s. These areas offer private,
secluded, near-bayou living. Memorial Thicket, Fleetwood
and Barker’s Landing are newer subdivisions built within
the past 20 years. Home styles are typically New Orleans
Colonial, Cape Cod, traditional and contemporary.
Townhomes in the west Houston area are more often leased
than purchased. Retirement communities include
Tarrytowne, an assisted living complex at Briar Forest
and Dairy Ashford. Recreational activities include the
Westside Tennis Club, selected by World Tennis magazine
and the U.S. Tennis Association as one of the top 20
tennis clubs in the nation.
West of Houston
During the past few years, Houston’s west side has
experienced immense growth, due to the area’s
high-quality living, good schools, excellent freeway
access, and range of shopping and recreational
activities.
• Cinco Ranch
A 7,200-acre master-planned community, Cinco Ranch
offers residents their own Beach Club with crystal-clear
water and a white-sand beach. Other nearby amenities
include a water park; the Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, an
18-hole championship course; and a wooded Bayou Nature
Trail preserving nearly 70 acres of wooded habitat.
Cinco Ranch’s master plan devotes hundreds of acres to
recreational amenities, including six, major
neighborhood recreation centers offering swimming,
tennis, basketball, sports fields and more. All Cinco
Ranch neighborhoods and amenities are connected by
greenbelt trails for jogging, hiking and roller-blading
(www.cincoranch.com).
• Fulshear
Fulshear, at the junction of Farm Roads 359 and 1093 in
northern Fort Bend County, is a small farming community
with roots in agriculture. Fulshear is home to Riverwood
Forest, a gated community just west of Houston’s Grand
Parkway overlooking the Brazos River. The highly rated
Lamar Consolidated School District serves the Riverwood
Forest community.
• Firethorne
Firethorne is a 1,400-acre master-planned community
being designed to carefully combine the vibrancy of West
Houston with the small-town charm of Katy/Fulshear.
Blending with the best nature has to offer, Katy/Fulshear’s
newest community boasts 150 acres devoted to parks and
recreational amenities and will be highlighted by a
scenic 12-acre lake with surrounding greenbelt, hike and
bike trails, parks and playgrounds, wildlife observation
areas and more. Family amenities include a resort-style
multi-level family swim center, sports fields, tennis
courts, a competitive swim center, plus a neighborhood
Community Center with a meeting room and fully equipped
fitness facility. Firethorne’s strategic location near
the 1-10 West corridor, the Westpark Tollway and the
Grand Parkway offers its residents a variety of
transportation options to areas around the city. Its
residents, served by the acclaimed Katy Independent
School District, will enjoy the vibrancy of one of the
fastest-growing, most desirable areas in Texas, with
special touches of days gone by, including a milkman who
delivers milk to one’s very door step (www.firethorne.info).
• Grayson Lakes
Located five miles west of the Grand Parkway and south
of Interstate 10, Grayson Lakes offers some of the
largest average home sites in the area, including large
waterfront lots. Grayson Lakes includes 30 acres of
lakes and fountains, parks, hike-and-bike trails, a
recreation center, tennis courts, a swimming pool and a
children’s splash pool and playground. The new Westpark
Tollway will provide another route for Grayson Lakes
residents who commute to Houston (www.graysonlakes.com)
• Katy
The City of Katy offers the charm of a small town and
the sophistication of suburbia. Housing options in Katy
range from apartments and condominiums to large estate
homes with acreage to enjoy and maintain horses. Some
have championship golf courses as their backyard. The
area also is home to Katy Mills Mall. Katy is accessible
from the Interstate 10 West corridor, Grand Parkway and
Beltway 8 (www.katytexas.com).
• Lakes on Eldridge
Offering lakeside living within minutes of Houston’s
cultural, business and shopping centers, Lakes on
Eldridge is a 456-acre community featuring a
million-dollar recreation center. Located north of
Interstate 10 West, Lakes on Eldridge is near major
shopping centers, employers, medical facilities and
recreational opportunities such as Bear Creek Park and
Golf Course. Laguna Falls Estates offers custom-designed
homes on oversized waterfront lots (www.TheLakesOnEldridge.com).
• Seven Meadows
Offering unique amenities, including a Greg
Norman-designed Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club, a tennis
center, miles of trails and area parks, Seven Meadows is
located at the Grand Parkway and Fry Road. Each home
features “structured wiring,” which gives the ability to
connect to the Internet from every room.
Residents of Seven Meadows are serviced by the Katy
Independent School District, one of the finest school
districts in Texas. Minutes away from the community are
shopping centers, METRO Park & Ride and convenient
highway access (www.sevenmeadows.com).
• Weston Lakes
Weston Lakes is a gated estate country club community
with 24-hour manned security. Amenities include: large
lots; stately homes; a private, 18-hole championship
golf course; adult and family swimming pools; and
lighted tennis courts. The golf course winds through the
lakes and ancient pecan trees of Weston Lakes, where
excellent fishing is available. More than 11 miles of
lakes are stocked with trophy-size bass and other game
fish (www.weston-lakes.com).
• Windsor Park Lakes
Private piers for boating and fishing and
Mediterranean-style homes mark the Windsor Park Lakes
community located south of Interstate 10 West outside
Texas 6. Rock-landscaped waterfalls, lighted sprays,
gated entrances, tennis courts, athletic fields and
other amenities are offered in this all tiled-roof
enclave (www.wplakes.com).
• WoodCreek Reserve
A 500-acre community at Interstate 10 West and F.M.
1463, features a wooded environment with more than 160
acres devoted to nature parks and other recreational
amenities. The community’s centerpiece is The Reserve
naturepark, which borders Buffalo Bayou and features
nature trails, a fish-stocked lake, soccer fields and
other amenities (www.woodcreekreserve.com).
Southwest
One of the most expansive areas in Houston is the
southwest region – encompassing parts of Harris County
and Fort Bend County.
• Fondren Southwest
With more than 41,000 residents, Fondren Southwest is a
microcosm of the Greater Houston community – a mixture
of multi-family dwellings and residential subdivisions.
Its easy access to the medical center, downtown, the
Beltway, Southwest Freeway and Braeswood has helped to
contribute to the area’s steady growth during the past
few years (www.gs-whcc.org).
• Gulfton
Many different nationalities live in the Gulfton area,
north of Bellaire. Most of the 46,000 residents live in
apartment homes, although the number of single-family
homes is growing. Gulfton also is home to Benavidez
Community Garden, the largest urban harvest garden in
Houston. Westpark, bordering the Gulfton area, recently
opened and is now a major east-west toll road that is
attracting businesses (www.gswhcc.org).
• Meyerland/South Post Oak
Located just south of Bellaire, the combined Meyerland/South
Post Oak community boasts excellent accessibility,
beautiful parks and serious deed restrictions. While
some of the homes are original 1950s bungalows, others
are new construction. The southwest Houston neighborhood
is served by three synagogues and the Jewish Community
Center (www.gswhcc.org/meyerland.asp).
• Sharpstown
Sharpstown is a predominantly middle-class community
with good freeway access, more than 7,000 homes and wide
diversity. The area is noted for its winding streets,
large yards and quiet neighborhoods (www.gswhcc.org/sharpstown.asp).
• Westbury
Westbury is a vibrant and active middle-class community
with more than 39,000 residents. Accessibility is a big
key to the success of Westbury. The medical center,
downtown Houston and Reliant Park are within easy reach.
At least another 7 percent growth in population is
projected over the next few years (www.gswhcc.org/westbury.asp).
Fort Bend County
Fort Bend County is home to more master-planned
communities than any other county in the state. The
total designed development population for these 32
planned communities is almost 370,000 residents. During
the past few years, Fort Bend County has experienced a
new home sales surge fueled by low mortgage rates and
strong job growth. The population of Fort Bend County is
expected to increase from 380,200 to 447,457 persons by
2007.
• Alief
A culturally diverse area in southwest Houston, Alief
offers a variety of homes, restaurants and shopping
opportunities. Alief ISD is one of the state’s
fast-growth districts, serving more than 45,000 students
who cumulatively speak 59 languages (www.alief.com).
• First Colony
A 9,700 acre community, First Colony boasts an array of
recreational facilities. Amenities include numerous
neighborhood pools as well as a 50-meter pool facility,
a water-spray park, neighborhood playgrounds, lighted
tennis and volleyball courts, miles of paved jogging
trails, 89 acres of lakes for fishing and non-motorized
boating, 23 athletic fields, and a private country club
with a 36-hole golf course (www.firstcolony.org).
• Greatwood
Hundred-year-old trees flourish among more than 3,000
homes in a small-town atmosphere. Greatwood offers a
championship golf course, more than 32 acres of lakes, a
trail system, three recreation complexes and a four-acre
nature park (www.greatwoodonline.com).
• Lake Olympia
Located off Texas 6 near Missouri City, Lake Olympia has
miles of greenbelt trails, 130 acres of natural lakes,
nature and wildlife reserves, parks and a marina. The
Fort Bend ISD serves the community.
• Missouri City
Missouri City residents enjoy urban amenities in a
small-town atmosphere. With a population of almost
59,000, Missouri City is home to several award-winning
master-planned communities and the highly acclaimed Fort
Bend ISD. Missouri City also boasts one of the largest
and most extensive park systems in Fort Bend County (www.ci.mocity.tx.us).
• New Territory
New Territory is a 2,300-acre master-planned community
of 4,600 homes in one of the fastest-growing counties in
the United States. Opportunities for both indoor and
outdoor activities abound for New Territory residents
and their guests. These include parks and playgrounds,
swimming pools, baseball and softball fields, tennis
courts and soccer fields, indoor and outdoor volleyball
and basketball courts, and an indoor fitness center (www.newterritory.org).
• Pecan Grove Plantation
This 1,400-acre country club community is built around a
27-hole golf course set in the natural beauty of huge
oak and pecan trees. Pecan Grove offers its residents
neighborhood parks, playing fields, jogging paths,
swimming pools, tennis courts, a fitness center and a
private country club (www.fortbendcounty.org/plan.html).
• Richmond
Located on a bend in the Brazos River, Richmond is the
oldest city in Fort Bend County, with a population of
approximately 12,000 residents. Surrounded by many of
Fort Bend County’s newest master-planned communities,
Richmond often is the central meeting place for
government business as well as a favorite site for the
film industry to produce movies and commercials. Close
to the state’s most visited park – Brazos Bend State
Park and The George Observatory – the community supports
its local parks and green belts for family recreation,
bird watching and camping (www.roserichchamber.com).
• RiverPark
RiverPark, located near U.S. 59 and Grand Parkway,
offers large homes on oversized lots. Consisting of 800
acres, this community has more than 160 acres of Brazos
River frontage for parks.
• Riverstone
This 3,700-acre planned community will contain 6,000
single-family homes and include 250 acres of lakes and
more than 500 acres devoted to open space, parklands and
recreational facilities, plus an 18-hole golf course (www.riverstonecommunity.com).
• Rosenberg
The City of Rosenberg and its almost 26,500 residents
are hosts to the Fort Bend County Fairgrounds and the
Fort Bend Railroad Museum. Antique shops, museums and
restaurants have become the center of downtown trade.
Nearby community parks include Brazos, Travis and
Seabourne Creek – adjacent to Rosenberg’s Convention and
Civic Center. Rosenberg’s housing prices are lower than
the Fort Bend County average (www.ci.rosenberg.tx.us).
• Sienna Plantation
A master-planned community near Missouri City, Sienna
Plantation features the largest private, resort-style
water park in the South. The pool covers more than an
acre and includes an eight-lane competition pool,
multiple diving areas with a three-board diving well, a
water tower with more than 200 feet of slides, a
zero-entry pool and Sienna “waterworks.” Club Sienna
also includes a half-acre children’s playground, a
tennis center with eight lighted courts and an outdoor
amphitheater overlooking Waters Lake. There’s also a
7,500-square-foot southern plantation-style community
center featuring two multipurpose meeting rooms, a
fitness center and cabana (www.siennaplantation.com).
• Stafford
The City of Stafford made national headlines when it
eliminated its property tax in 1995 for residents and
businesses. More than 15,000 residents live in the city,
and more than 50,000 people come to work in Stafford
each day. Residents enjoy 35 acres of green space
dedicated as parkland throughout the city and five city
parks, with another on the way. The parks feature
playground equipment, picnic benches, jogging trails and
well-maintained fields for competitive sports (www.cityofstafford.com).
• Sugar Land
Sugar Land is an economically strong and culturally
diverse city of about 71,000 residents. According to the
2000 Census, Sugar Land ranked first in growth both in
the Houston metro area and among the state’s 45 largest
cities. Recreational opportunities include numerous
parks, athletic complexes, hike-and-bike trails,
greenbelts, aquatic centers and three highly regarded
golf courses (www.ci.sugar-land.tx.us).
South of Houston
Areas just south of Houston are among the fastest
growing in the entire region, and newcomers can find a
variety of lifestyle options.
• Alvin
The City of Alvin has more than 22,000 residents and is
within easy access of Houston, the Johnson Space Center,
Gulf Coast petrochemical industries and Galveston. A
city of trees, parks and Victorian homes, Alvin is known
for its hometown atmosphere and economically diverse
population. Alvin ISD has a “Recognized” rating from the
state for academic achievement (for more information see
chart on page 86). Attractions include Texas Thunder
Speedway, Nolan Ryan Center Exhibit and Bayou Wildlife
Park (www.alvintexas.org).
• Galveston
Many newcomers are surprised to learn that Galveston, a
barrier island on the Texas Gulf Coast, is less than an
hour’s drive from Houston. Galveston is home to many
commuters who work in Houston. In addition, many
Houstonians maintain property along the Gulf of Mexico
in Galveston for their weekend getaways.
A diversity of housing options ranging from stately
Victorian mansions and beachfront villas to bungalows
and high-rises adds to the city’s charm. With hundreds
of structures on the National Register of Historic
Places and thousands of historic houses, Galveston is
one of the country’s most important concentrations of
late 19th- and early 20th-century architecture. From
quaint cottages to the conversions of downtown buildings
to residential lofts, Galveston’s older neighborhoods
offer a wide range of housing options to fit any budget
(www.galveston.com).
• Pearland
Located in northern Brazoria County and southern Harris
County, Pearland shares a boundary with the City of
Houston and is about 10 miles from Hobby Airport.
Residents enjoy big-city amenities with a country
atmosphere. Pearland ISD has more than 14,000 students
and an “Exemplary” district rating – the highest rating
given by the state. Many well-maintained, economical and
conveniently located multi-family units serve the area
as well as master-planned communities such as Shadow
Creek Ranch, a 3,300-acre, lake-themed community (www.ci.pearland.tx.us).
• Silverlake
Silverlake, located at Texas 288 and F.M. 518, has a
29-acre lake with a surrounding park and eight
recreational facilities, including four tennis courts,
walking trails, junior Olympic-size swimming pool and
community center. Served by Pearland ISD, the 1,700-acre
community will have 4,000 homes upon completion and a
championship golf course with clubhouse.
Bay Area Houston
Halfway between Houston and Galveston, Bay Area Houston
is the third-largest boating center in the United States
and home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC). The
nearly 200,000 residents of 11 separate municipalities
and unincorporated areas enjoy a highly diversified,
balanced economic structure with a strong base of
aerospace, high-tech, petrochemical, commercial fishing
and marine/boating industries.
Attractions such as Space Center Houston have promoted a
tremendous growth in tourism in recent years.
Originally dependent on fishing and agriculture, the
area’s primary industry today is aerospace, with a focus
on JSC. Aerospace-related companies employ about 27
percent of the area’s residents. Boating, recreation and
tourism industries employ an additional 25 percent.
Neighborhoods and communities in Bay Area Houston
include Clear Lake, Clear Lake Shores, El Lago, League
City, Kemah, Naussau Bay, Seabrook, South Shore Harbor,
Taylor Lake Village, Victory Lakes and Webster (www.clearlakearea.com).
• Clear Lake
A unique master-planned community of about
57,100, has been annexed by the City of Houston. It is
home to JSC and many JSC employees, including
astronauts.
• Clear Lake Shores
A small island community, has about
1,200 residents.
• El Lago
Located on Clear Lake, is home to about 3,100
residents.
• Kemah
A bayside community of about 2,400 residents,
boasts the Kemah Boardwalk, which features amusement
rides, waterfront dining and quaint shops.
• League City
The largest city in the bay area, with a
population of about 52,000, is continuing to experience
robust growth.
• Nassau Bay
Located directly across from JSC, is home
to about 4,100 residents. Many residents live along the
Clear Lake waterfront.
• Seabrook
One of the larger residential communities
with an estimated 10,500 residents, features parks,
marinas, fresh seafood markets and restaurants along
Clear Lake and Galveston Bay.
• South Shore Harbor
Located on the south side of Clear
Lake, features 800 single-family homes surrounding a
27-hole golf course, country club and marina.
• Taylor Lake Village
With a population of about 3,600,
is a quiet community that accesses Clear Lake.
• Victory Lakes
A master-planned community, features
seven lakes, walking trails, a golf course and a
recreational center.
• Webster
The gateway to NASA and Bay Area Houston, has
more than 9,100 residents.
Deer Park
Deer Park, a quiet community of about 28,000 residents,
is located about 20 miles southeast of Houston. The area
has a solid job base with 14 major firms and several
smaller light industrial companies. Quality schools,
affordable houses and low taxes characterize the area,
which also features golf courses, recreation centers,
parks, sports fields and swimming pools (www.ci.deer-park.tx.us).
• Edgebrook
Edgebrook offers several single-family home subdivisions
on both sides of Edgebrook Boulevard. Many of its
subdivisions were developed in the 1950s. Large
apartment complexes are found along Interstate 45 South
and Edgebrook Boulevard.
• Friendswood
The City of Friendswood, halfway between Houston and
Galveston, offers single-family residential housing in
shaded, park-like settings tucked away from the busy
stream of vehicular traffic. Choices abound with
master-planned communities for new homes, resale homes
in a variety of architectural styles and several
communities offering seniors the finest in independent
and assisted living in Texas (www.ci.friendswood.tx.us).
• La Marque
This Galveston County city of nearly 14,000 offers many
quality-of-life and vacation activities. La Marque’s
Highland Bayou Park, with more than 230 acres of lush
recreational area, and Mahan Park offer picnic areas,
ball fields, tennis courts, camping and playgrounds. La
Marque is home to a bird sanctuary, Gulf Greyhound Park
and Factory Stores of America, a discount outlet center
(www.ci.lamarque.tx.us).
• La Porte/Bayshore
Gateway to Galveston Bay, the La Porte/Bayshore area
includes the cities of La Porte, Morgan’s Point and
Shoreacres. History abounds in the area, as La Porte is
home to the San Jacinto Monument and Battleship TEXAS.
Shoreacres is home to the Houston Yacht Club, the
state’s oldest yacht club. Other amenities include
Sylvan Beach Park, a wave pool, a golf course and the La
Porte-Bayshore Historical Trail (www.laportechamber.org).
• Pasadena
To house a population of more than 141,000, Pasadena
offers new construction and a range of homes that are
more than 40 years old. Pasadena is the center of the
local petrochemical, manufacturing and shipping
industries in an area southeast of Houston encompassing
the Port of Houston. Recreational facilities abound,
including fields for Little League and adult league
baseball at Strawberry Park, Southmore Park and Ben
Briar Park. Fishing is available at Crenshaw Park, where
the pond is amply stocked with catfish, bass and, in the
wintertime, rainbow trout. There also are numerous
playgrounds and botanical parks and gardens located
throughout the area (www.pasadenachamber.org).
• Texas City
Texas City, located on the upper Texas Gulf Coast in
Galveston County, has a huge petrochemical complex and
is a major hub for world energy supplies. The Port of
Texas City•currently exceeding 78 million net tons of
cargo•is the ninth-largest port in the United States and
the third largest in Texas. The area’s approximately
42,000 residents enjoy many amenities, including a
shopping mall with several major department stores, a
wide variety of specialty shops and restaurants. Texas
City also has many types of recreational opportunities,
including 38 parks, four swimming pools, an 18-hole golf
course and a shooting range (www.texas-city-tx.org).
East of Houston
Home to the Port of Houston and several petrochemical
complexes, the area east of Houston is an important
trade and industrial region.
• Baytown
The third largest city in Harris County, with a
population exceeding 75,000, Baytown offers many
opportunities for employment, housing and recreation. To
house the many employees who work at several industrial
complexes in the area, more than 20 subdivisions
offering affordable housing have been planned in the
past five years.
Amenities in the area include public boat ramps at a
marina, two major parks, the Goose Creek Greenbelt
Project with walking trails and picnic and playground
facilities, stops on the Great Texas Coastal Birding
Trail, Houston Raceway Park and several golfing and
dining facilities (www.baytown.org).
• Crosby/Huffman
Crosby and Huffman sit on the east side of Lake Houston
on 150 square miles of piney forest and open grassland.
This area, just 35 minutes outside downtown Houston,
offers a relaxed, hometown atmosphere and many of the
cultural, recreational and sports activities and
facilities of a larger city. A variety of housing
choices is available in the Crosby/Huffman area east of
Lake Houston, including new custom homes, rural homes,
farms, ranches, apartments and residential subdivision
resales (www.crosbyhuffmancc.org).
• North Channel Area
The North Channel area, with a population of more than
190,000, includes all the unincorporated areas of
Sheldon, Channelview and North Shore plus the cities of
Galena Park and Jacinto City, part of the City of Humble
and a small portion of the City of Houston. The North
Channel area is unique in that it offers a suburban
setting where major industry, commercial concerns,
retail establishments and bedroom communities flourish.
The newest community in the North Channel area is
commonly known as North Shore. Composed of several
smaller neighborhoods, North Shore has seen steady
population growth during the past 30 years. Most new
home construction in the North Channel area is focused
here (www.nortchannelarea.com).
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