A fast-growing community
Situated on the northwestern outskirts of Greater Houston, Cypress may not have legal recognition as a distinct city, but it has all the amenities of a small city packed into its expansive boundaries. Nearly 185,000 people call Cypress home, most of them living in recently developed suburban subdivisions and all of them having easy access to shopping, retail and transportation hubs. Even the local “Cy-Fair” school district, with its A rating from Niche, adds to the allure of living in one of Houston’s largest suburbs. With the big city just a 24-mile drive down US Route 290, and plenty of amenities to enjoy within Cypress, residents can reap the benefits of suburban living while living just a short drive from America’s seventh-largest city.
Homes just outside Houston
Cypress has come a long way since its founding as a small German farming settlement in the 1840s. Greater Houston’s suburban explosion during the 1980s and 1990s brought a wave of new life to this formerly rural area as master-planned communities sprung up. These communities are home to the bulk of Cypress’ homes; communities like Blackhorse Ranch and Enchanted Valley branch off from main roads, and warrens of quiet, residential streets are lined with recently built residences. Homes vary in price from $200,000 for ranch and bungalow-style homes to $250,000-$350,000 for larger family homes in communities like Canyon Lakes West and Towne Lake and over $1 million for new-traditional lakeside homes and contemporary homes with 5 bedrooms. In a state with an average home price of $300,000, Cypress offers a competitive array of price ranges welcoming to homebuyers of diverse means. Regardless of home style, size or price, almost every residence sits on a winding residential street flanked by sidewalks and shaded by trees, making for pleasant strolls down the block and providing residents with a quiet, suburban life.
Outdoor adventures in Cypress
Cypress is full of opportunities for outdoor recreation, from large public parks to small green spaces in each subdivision. Bud Hadfield Park, located just north of the Northwest Freeway, is home to the Texas Army Trail along the fishing venue of Cypress Creek, while the park is also popular for its large disc-golf course. Across the street, Telge Park invites nature lovers to walk down boarded trails and immerse themselves in the wetland habitat of Cypress Creek for a quieter outdoor experience. The park also includes a playground and an open space for sports and playful frolicking. Most of Cypress’ subdivisions have their own small parks which may include playgrounds, pools, or even green spaces sitting beside manmade lakes. Other outdoor activities include paintball at TXR Paintball and golfing at one of BlackHorse Golf Club’s two public, 18-hole courses.
A taste of Cy-Fair’s culture
While Cypress is a mostly residential suburb with easy access to Houston’s many festivals and entertainment opportunities, Cypress occasionally puts on its own events to bring the city's community together. Every year, the “Taste of Cy-Fair” festival combines the menus of 30 Cypress and Houston restaurants, wine and craft beer displays and a market to raise funds for charitable causes. In addition, new traditions like the recently inaugurated Rodeo Round-up at the Boardwalk bring out the best of Texan culture with live country music, mechanical bull rides, boot shining, Western artisan markets and Texas-style barbecue.
Shopping along Route 290
The Northwest Freeway is lined with shopping centers big and small, fulfilling every retail desire that residents may have. Smaller outlets like the Cypress Village Station shopping mall are home to local restaurants and businesses, while the larger Cypress Towne Center has a selection of brand-name retail giants like Target and T.J. Maxx in addition to popular chain restaurants. The Fairfield Town Center includes the local H-E-B supermarket as well as a “CUT!” dine-in theatre for moviegoing entertainment.
Taking the highway into Houston
Cypress developed just off the Northwest Freeway, a major transportation node for the Greater Houston area. As a result, residents can access downtown Houston within a 24-mile and approximately 35-minute drive, while the George Bush Intercontinental Airport lays just 23 miles to the east. Houston-bound commuters not only drive into the city but can choose to utilize the Cypress Park & Ride bus for trips into Houston that operate every 8 minutes from Monday to Friday. Cypress has its own hospital, HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress, which sits just 6 miles from the center of the city and is easily accessible along Route 290.
A-rated education at Cy-Fair
Most Cypress students attend the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District, better known as “Cy-Fair”; the high quality of Cy-Fair’s instruction is a major draw to the neighborhood. Not only do students attend a school district with an A rating from Niche and recognition as Texas’ ninth-most diverse district, but Cy-Fair High School surpasses the district’s reputation with its own A-plus reputation. Cy-Fair High has both an excellent academic reputation and plenty of opportunities for students to explore their passions through extracurriculars such as Future Farmers of America, Future Business Leaders of America, Animation Club and even anime and Magic: The Gathering clubs, building a stronger student community.
Crime and environment
Because Cypress is an unincorporated community, it shares its law enforcement department with several surrounding communities; the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) includes Cypress in its Precincts 4 and 5. A 2022 FBI report indicated that Harris County experienced 9,199 violent crimes and 50,747 property crimes that year, with violent crimes experiencing a slight dip from 2021 and the property crime rate increasing. The HCSO offers several community engagement resources – from youth programs to women’s self-defense classes and Citizen’s Police Academy classes – to make the city safer and more educated about how to deal with common challenges. According to Risk Factor, Cypress has a major risk of flooding over the next 30 years, but late 2023 saw the creation of of a new flood control project to keep thousands of homes safe.
