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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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Parks in this Area
Candlelight Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Community Center
Shepherd Park
Trails
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Oak Forest Park
Basketball
Pool
Tennis
Graham Park
Picnic Area
Tennis
Playground
Mangum Manor Park
Basketball
Tennis
Playground
T.C. Jester Park
Baseball/Softball
Disc Golf
Dog Park
Watonga Parkway Park
Skateboard
Playground
Multi-Purpose Field
Forest West Park
Baseball/Softball
Football
Playground
American Legion Park
Baseball/Softball
Playground
Parking Lot
Transit
Airport
William P Hobby
35 min drive
Bus
Antoine Dr & Pinemont Dr
Bus
W 43rd St & Oak Forest Dr
Bus
W 34th St & Mangum Rd
Bus
W 34th St & Kings Wood Ln
Bus
Ella Blvd & Wilde Rock Way
Bus
N Shepherd Dr & Curtin St Mb
Bus
W 43rd St & Donna Bell Ln
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Oak Forest-Garden Oaks
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
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 40 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 $485,000, down 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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
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
Fully complete July 13th 2025! An Elevare rare find in floorplan featuring 6 bedrooms with 5.5 baths. Set on a rare 12,000+ SF lot, this estate offers a timeless blend of elegance and innovation on one of the most coveted streets in Garden Oaks, on Sue Barnett. The exterior features mortar-washed brick and a rebar-reinforced foundation. Two Navien tankless water heaters with two Trane 5-ton 16
Nestled in a peaceful cul-de-sac within the highly sought-after Shepherd’s Plaza neighborhood, this beautifully updated brick home offers exceptional curb appeal, a spacious layout, and modern finishes throughout.Situated on an oversized lot, the property boasts an open-concept floor plan flooded with natural light, thanks to expansive windows and a charming central courtyard. The primary
Nestled on a tranquil corner lot in the historic and highly sought-after Oak Forest neighborhood, 1730 Hewitt Drive presents a timeless and spacious 4-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home. Built in 2008 by Hatteras Homes, this residence spans 3,979 square feet and is situated on an oversized corner lot, offering both elegance and functionality.The home's inviting portico entrance and meticulously
Beautiful recent construction in highly sought-after Oak Forest, zoned to Oak Forest Elementary. This thoughtfully designed home offers 4–5 bedrooms, 5 full baths, a first-floor study or 5th bedroom, plus a temperature-controlled wine room & oversized garage. The kitchen is a showstopper with a huge island, quartz counters and backsplash, custom cabinetry, designer fixtures, a 48” Wolf range,
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,
Beautiful renovated one story home in the desirable Candlelight Woods. Great location, minutes away from 610/290. 4 Bdrm, 2 bth home with high ceilings and an open spacious floor plan. Granite countertops in kitchen and bathrooms. New Stainless steel appliances. Freshly painted throughout. Double pane windows. New Blinds Lighting fixtures & ceiling fans. Two car garage with hardy plank siding.
Beautifully restored home in 2014, ready for move in, wood floors in living and all bedrooms, upgraded kit and baths with granite counter tops, tiled back splash, stainless steel appliances, gas range and hot water heater, lots of french doors, double pane windows, ceiling fans throughout, some 2 inch blinds, over sized converted garage apartment at the rear with an additional 475 sq ft with wall
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Evan Compean,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
44,390
Median Age
39
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
26.1%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$75,015
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$108,068
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
87.7%
College Graduates
46.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
19%
% Population in Labor Force
71.3%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
95°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
56/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
50/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
33/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
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.
