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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
Written By
Delaney Murray
Video By
GL Moses
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
Anastasia Pena
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene - Corporate
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Oak Forest-Garden Oaks neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Oak Forest-Garden Oaks
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
5
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Oak Forest-Garden Oaks Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Oak Forest-Garden Oaks, Houston sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Oak Forest-Garden Oaks, Houston over the last 12 months is $499,900, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience true luxury in this stunning contemporary new build home, in a particularly sought-after part of Garden Oaks. The home features soaring ceilings, oversized windows & WHITE OAK flooring throughout. The open concept is complimented by wide walkways. The chef's kitchen includes top-of-the-line appliances, custom cabinetry, a spacious island with generous seating and a large walk-in
Charlie Bingham
Nan & Company Properties - Corporate Office (Heights)
Welcome to The Reserve at Oak Forest - a unique community built by the award winning builder CitySide Homes. This exclusive, gated community offers a collection of meticulously crafted homes featuring lavish finishes, from stunning flooring to gourmet kitchens equipped with premium Samsung appliances. Each residence showcases unparalleled attention to detail, combining modern elegance with
MLS# 44853453 - Built by Homebound - Ready Now! ~ Homebound proudly presents one of its newest floor plans—The Cora—nestled in the heart of Oak Forest. This elegant, modern home offers a thoughtfully designed layout ideal for today’s lifestyle. The first floor features a spacious home office, a guest bedroom with a full bath, and a dramatic two-story stair hall. The open-concept living area flows
Welcome to this charming single-story home on a spacious oversized corner lot with curb appeal. The brick exterior, covered porch, & wide driveway with two-car garage make a warm first impression.Inside, the open living area highlights vaulted ceilings with wood beam, high-grade laminate flooring, & cozy fireplace. The oversized primary suite includes large windows, crown molding, & an
This charming home offers so much and is ready for immediate move-in. As you enter the home you have the sense that this home has been loved and well-maintained. The spacious living room is open. All the windows in the home flood the rooms with natural light. You will love the updated breakfast room and kitchen. All new stainless appliances, quartz counter tops, subway tile backsplash and tile
Charming 4-bed, Home Office & 2-bath home in one of Houston’s most sought-after neighborhoods! This spacious home sits on a 9,247 sq. ft. corner lot & features upgraded finishes. Recent updates include new A/C & furnace (2024), interior & exterior paint (2025), new wood fence (2024), and a beautifully remodeled primary bath & closet (2022). Enjoy cooking on a new gas stove - with built in
Traditional home located minutes from 290.PLEASE NOTE: This home is list for 1600 a month that includes electricity, water and internet. Tenant will be responsible for gas. Please also not that this listing is for the home and front yard access only. The backyard is a tile business that the homeowner still owns and operates, that he will still access to through a side gate and will access
Stunning 2 story home with lots of natural light and rare first-floor living. Very open floor plan. Kitchen with large breakfast Carrera marble island and Carrera marble counters. Harwood floors throughout; marble floors in primary bath & tile in laundry and secondary baths. High 10' ceilings on both floors. Cabinets in kitchen & dining with built-ins, butler's pantry & wine cooler. Marble in
Welcome to this beautifully remodeled 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath, 2 car garage home in the desirable Candlelight subdivision. Step in a double door grand entry to a bright living room w/ high ceilings, a sleek modern fireplace & lots of windows for natural light! The stunning chef’s kitchen w/ new cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops, & a center island w/ a gas cooktop & wine
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
