The Houston suburb of The Woodlands is more than just your average planned community. No, with a population of about 100,000 people, one could easily mistake The Woodlands for a grand resort, if an unusually large one. That’s no coincidence seeing as The Woodlands is home to a number of hotels, including a resort and conference center, a popular mall, numerous athletic facilities, and a wide variety of entertainment and shopping sites.
How does The Woodlands balance its identity as a destination and inherently residential nature? It’s all about embracing the mixture of work and play. If you’re considering a move to The Woodlands, here’s what you need to know.
Located about 30 miles from Houston, The Woodlands is an award winning planned community, integrating both urban and suburban development styles. Interestingly, though, The Woodlands was born out of a specifically industrial area that was part of Mitchell Energy & Development, established in 1974. It wasn’t until the last two decades that the area has grown into the residential haven we know it as today.
Since the area was taken over by several development companies, The Woodlands has grown rapidly. Median household income is twice that of the rest of Texas and average home values are on an upward climb, currently registering at around $350,000 for individual homes and condos.
On the whole, The Woodlands offers a diverse assortment of housing options. In addition to single-family suburban homes, the area features multiple luxury apartment complexes, such as Millennium Waterway and One Lakes Edge. With an emphasis on green living, resort-style amenities, and even lake views, these are unlike your typical Texas apartment building.
Families raising children in The Woodlands have a number of educational options including both public and private schools and a variety of preschool and childcare centers. Currently, public school students are split between Tomball, Magnolia, and Conroe ISDs, all of which feature excellent programs. Specifically, the schools to which children from The Woodlands are sent rank a 10 out of 10 from GreatSchools.
The majority of private school programs in The Woodlands are secular programs with high academic expectations. Top among these is The John Cooper School. Cooper offers a pre-k through 12th grade education premised on their motto “From Curiosity to Wisdom,” a concept that’s fostered by hands-on math and science education in the lower grades, extensive arts offerings, and a college preparatory curriculum. Though expensive, Cooper is a national leader in education.
For those seeking a private, religious education, there are a few choices in The Woodlands. These include the St. Anthony of Padua School, Trinity Episcopal Day School, and The Woodlands Christian Academy.
Past the secondary school level, there are several college campuses in or immediately surrounding The Woodlands, including several Lone Star College campuses and the Sam Houston State University. Though many do leave the area for undergraduate and graduate programs, these colleges attract a vibrant energy to The Woodlands.
Because The Woodlands is such a bustling area, it’s no surprise that it’s also home to numerous employment opportunities. Among the leading employers in the area are Anadarko Petroleum, The Lone Star College system, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, US Oncology, and The Woodforest National Bank. That’s a diverse set of employers and, as such, the occupants of The Woodlands are equally diverse in their interests and commitments.
Many residents of The Woodlands work in the medical industry, oil, energy, chemical manufacturing, or education. Couple those fields with necessary support staff such as clerical and HR and anyone can easily find a great job in The Woodlands.
People in The Woodlands work hard, but they also play hard and the community offers plenty of activities to keep people of all ages busy. For example, this year the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion will reopen after renovations to play host to everything from pop concerts – think One Republic and John Legend – to the Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Ballet. Because so many high-profile acts play at The Pavilion, residents of The Woodlands rarely have to travel to see great live performances.
Another favorite event in The Woodlands is the annual Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival. The event is a key community fundraiser supporting the education-oriented Because Art Matters and caters to attendees of all ages. Every year, the event includes live music, visual art, culinary demos, and even craft beer. A good time is always had by all.
Finally, this wouldn’t be Texas if The Woodlands didn’t play host to some outstanding barbecue – and that’s where the Throwdown Texas Burger & Music Festival comes in. A fairly new addition to The Woodlands, the event benefits the Montgomery County Food Bank and features celebrity judges, vendors, music, and kids activities. It’s the perfect kick off to summer.
The Woodlands in renowned for its shopping scene throughout the area, drawing people from Houston and other suburbs who want to visit The Woodlands Mall. Why travel to go to a mall? Simply put, The Woodlands Mall has everything you could want – staples like the Apple Store, Brookstone, and Macy’s sit alongside more uncommon but well-loved shops such as Pottery Barn, Kiehl’s, and Vera Bradley. Most other suburbs can’t support such a diversity of shops.
Finally, you can’t have a thriving, exciting city without a great food scene, and on that front, The Woodlands won’t let you down. This small city is home to the mid-range French La Madeleine, several Thai restaurants, a high-end tapas bar, and great sushi and steak, in addition to other standard dining options. There are also numerous fine bars and breweries – this is a town that takes its craft beer seriously.
Are you ready to find a perfect home in The Woodlands? Head over to the Green Residential home search tool and see what’s available in the area. From the urban center to more suburban offerings, we put it all at your fingertips.
For the cultured, driven individual or family looking for a thriving city to call home, The Woodlands is the perfect place. With incredible schools, great jobs, and a wide array of social events and entertainment opportunities, living in The Woodlands is an immersive experience comparable to any big city.
In fact, when you include amenities, school quality, income, and other factors, it’s a far superior experience to most urban centers. Why make your home anywhere else?
Plus, when you do start your search, our robust home search tool will make the process simple.
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