With large lots, well-organized subdivisions, and dozens of local cafes and restaurants, visitors to the Oak Forest neighborhood could easily mistake it for the suburbs. Instead, it is one of the largest residential subdivisions in the hub of northwest Houston. Locals know the neighborhood as Garden Oaks Oak Forest – or just GOOF for short. The area has three distinct sections – Oak Forest, Garden Oaks and “The Plazas,” which includes Candlelight Plaza and Shepard Park Plaza. Together, all sections of the community have short commute times, leafy parks, and a know-your-neighbor feeling. “I’ve been in this area my entire life and knew I wanted to live here,” says Kristi Kolmetz, owner of Oak Realty and a resident of Candlelight Plaza. “We have some people who don’t want to live in the suburbs but want that overall community feel. People will visit their friends who live in Oak Forest, and then they want to come here. It kind of sells itself.”
Oak Forest-Garden Oaks is the perfect place for families to settle down.
Sunday Press is a favorite local spot in Oak Forest-Garden Oaks.
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Oak Forest trades old homes for new upgrades
In Oak Forest and Garden Oaks, many of the original bungalows, ranch homes, and split levels from the 1940s and 1950s have received modern upgrades or have been torn down to build larger, contemporary properties in their place. Due to quick growth, areas with heavy construction have small yards, tight spaces between homes, and very few sidewalks. The Plazas, which were the last of three subdivisions to be built, have several original houses from the 1960s as well as some new townhome buildings from the past decade. Like the housing stock, the price range of the GOOF area varies widely. Midcentury properties with modern renovations range between $400,000 to $800,000, while brand-new construction can reach up to $2 million for 4,000 to 5,000-square-foot custom builds.
Updated ranch homes are a common style of home found in the Oak Forest-Garden Oaks area.
Oak Forest-Garden Oaks is full of new construction.
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Sand volleyball and cocktails at Wakefield Crowbar
Oak Forest has several eateries, like Slowpokes on West 34th Street, which has become a favorite community gathering place since it was founded in 2016. The shop sells specialty lattes, locally made pastries and a breakfast and lunch menu of fresh-made sandwiches. Wakefield Crowbar on Wakefield Drive is one of the most popular destinations in the neighborhood. Part bar and part party venue, the restaurant serves a full menu of burgers, pizza, cocktails, and draft beers and has sand volleyball courts and play areas for guests of all ages to enjoy after their meal. The GOOF area also has several small shopping plazas, like the Oak Forest Shopping Center, home to a Kroger and a local library.
Oak Forest-Garden Oaks residents enjoy the quirky and fun atmosphere of Slowpokes.
Visit Wakefield Crow Bar for a drink and play volleyball with friends in Oak Forest-Garden Oaks.
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The sought-after Oak Forest Elementary School
The GOOF neighborhood is zoned for the Houston Independent School District. The most popular local school is Oak Forest Elementary School, which is the only neighborhood school with an A-minus score on Niche. “Within the area, people try to move into the Oak Forest neighborhood just for the elementary school. The school is newer and has a very good reputation within the school district,” says Nicole Fowler, a Realtor with Compass RE Texas LLC and an Oak Forest resident. Black Middle School has a B on Niche, while Scarborough and Waltrip High Schools have a C and C-plus on Niche, respectively. The University of Houston – Downtown is 10 miles away from the Oak Forest area.
Oak Forest Elementary School serves students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth.
Frank Black Middle School has outdoor space for students to enjoy.
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Bike from T.C. Jester Park to downtown Houston
T.C. Jester Park is the neighborhood’s main green space and runs along T.C. Jester Boulevard for several miles. The large park includes a playground, dog park, community pool, and a 21-hole disc golf course. The park’s bike trail also connects to the White Oak Bayou Trail, which runs for 7 miles into downtown Houston. The area is also dotted with several small community parks, including Candlelight Park and Community Center on Candlelight Lane. This park has basketball courts and a playground, and the community center hosts activities like pickleball, Zumba classes, yoga and a walking club.
Local residents of the Oak Forest-Garden Oaks area play disc golf at TC Jester disc golf course.
The playground at TC Jester Park is where many Oak Forest-Garden Oaks kids play after school.
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Quick commutes on Interstates 10, 45 and 610
Oak Forest is close to Interstates 610 and 10 to the south and Interstate 45 to the west, making it well connected to uptown and downtown Houston, both within 10 miles of the area. The neighborhood is also 20 miles away from two airports -- George Bush Intercontinental Airport on North Terminal Road to the north and William P. Hobby Airport on Airport Boulevard to the south.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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Oak Forest-Garden Oaks Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Oak Forest-Garden Oaks, Houston sell after 39 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Oak Forest-Garden Oaks, Houston over the last 12 months is $484,950, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This elegant home in the sought after Oak Forest neighborhood is a one of a kind for those who love to entertain.Custom built by Ashwood designs, this residence features open concept first floor living dinning and kitchen area, with a chef’s kitchen ,double ovens,2 dishwashers, a huge island with extra storage, farmers sink, and a wall of windows overlooking the courtyard pool, spa,& outdoor
Nestled in a quiet neighborhood on a dead-end street, this home offers both privacy and convenience—just minutes from the loop and downtown. Recent updates include a brand-new roof, a tankless water heater, and fully replaced water lines for peace of mind. Inside, you’ll find modern finishes with recent remodels throughout, plus added living space: a spacious living room (2019) and a stunning
LOCATION, STYLE & CONVENIENCE! Nestled in highly desirable Garden Oaks, this stunning home offers modern living with NO HOA! One of the larger floorplans in the area, it features a private driveway, oversized garage, guest parking, and a fenced patio plus balcony with gas hookup for grilling. Inside, soaring ceilings, rich wood floors, granite kitchen counters, and lots of storage set the tone.
Beautifully remodeled and extremely well taken care of home in Mangum Manor. This home has something most homes don't, which is 2 additional conditioned rooms in the garage - perfect for office space, a gym, or extra bedrooms, all while maintaining the 2 car garage. Tons of upgrades, including recent PVC sewer lines, roof replacement, HVAC, insulation, double-hung windows, recessed lights,
Experience the best of Oak Forest living in this thoughtfully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bath + study home. Designed for today’s lifestyle, the open floor plan features hardwood floors, designer finishes, and an abundance of natural light.The dedicated study offers a quiet retreat for remote work or creative pursuits. The chef’s kitchen boasts quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a
Beautifully remodeled home in the highly-sought-after Oak Forest subdivision! 453 SQFT BONUS DETACHED AIRCONDITIONED FLEX ROOM!! Storage shed in the backyard! This open floor plan was taken down to the studs and rebuilt with city permits! This home now offers a Primary Suite with walk-in closet and private bathroom. All plumbing and electrical have been updated including new PEX lines inside
Fabulous townhome in desirable Dominion Estates, located in the heart of Garden Oaks/Oak Forest! This 3-bed, 2.5-bath home offers rare backyard space, added privacy, and a prime central location. Features include wood floors in hallways, stairs, living, dining, and kitchen, plus new carpet in bedrooms and fresh interior paint. The open kitchen boasts ample cabinets, stainless steel appliances &
Available for $1,495.00/mo without furnishings or $1,695.00/mo furnished.Landlord pays water, electric, and internet utilities, tenant pays all else. All tenants will be screened with TransUnion SmartMove of which tenant will pay $47.00 for.
Adorable cottage freshly updated with brand new bath, HVAC & ductwork, windows, interior paint and refinished hardwoods! Off the beaten path right in the heart of all the fun Garden Oaks and Oak Forest have to offer. 1 bedroom with an office - bright and sunny - excellent landlords - and one covered, off street parking spot. This one says HOME SWEET HOME. Tucked behind a Garden Oaks original,
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
