Mont Belvieu

One might dismiss Mont Belvieu as an industry town — it’s practically impossible to ignore the presence of Enterprise Products, a natural gas giant. However, this city east of Houston has much more going for it than that. A growing stock of stylish homes, a sprawling park and one of the state’s best school systems all contribute to its recent influx of residents. “We’re growing a very pretty city here,” says the city’s Communications & Marketing Director Brian Ligon. “You’ve got good jobs, good schools, new homes and a high quality of living.”

Mont Belvieu and the surrounding area have skyrocketed in popularity in the past decade or so. Along with a booming slice of the natural gas industry, this small city along Interstate 10 is home to over 7,600 Texans, nearly double its 2010 population. Roughly 26,000 more fill the land between the city and Trinity Bay to the south. Many new homes have sprouted up to accommodate newcomers in Mont Belvieu. These vary between brick-and-stone ramblers with Craftsman touches, larger contemporary Colonials and brand-new transitional designs. Older homes can be found here, too, including mid-to-late-20th-century ranch-style homes. For one that’s livable but needs updates, you might expect to spend in the mid-$100,000s. New constructions range from the $200,000s to the $700,000s, while the area’s most impressive properties — say, a six-bedroom log cabin on 14-plus acres — can near $3 million.

Among the area’s main draws for many residents is the Barbers Hill Independent School District. Niche has awarded this nine-school collective an A-plus overall and placed it among Texas's top 30 school systems. Most Mont Belvieu students are zoned for the Barbers Hill ISD, starting at Barbers Hill Elementary School, whose North and South campuses accommodate over 1,900 first through third graders. Barbers Hill Intermediate and Middle Schools — for grades four through six and seven and eight, respectively — also operate two campuses each. Finally, students arrive at Barbers Hill High School, proud to be home to the Eagles since 1929. Along with 14 athletic teams, Barbers Hill High is home to a robust arts program, including the esteemed and highly competitive Soaring Eagle Band. Barbers Hill Elementary and Middle Schools have As from Niche, while Barbers Hill High has an A-minus. (Barbers Hill Intermediate is so new that it has yet to earn a grade.)

Whether you’re a three-season Barbers Hill athlete or an everyday outdoors enthusiast, you’ll find something to enjoy at Mont Belvieu City Park. This sprawling green space east of the city fills much of its acreage with well-kept baseball and softball diamonds, plus a set of soccer fields. However, it isn’t just for the competitive crowd. Visitors can stroll or bike along the paths around the park or toss a line into the fishing pond. Meanwhile, adrenaline seekers can shred at the skate park as little ones run loose on the playground and splash pad. A couple of miles north of the park is Eagle Pointe Recreation Center, featuring a large wave pool and a golf course, which has hosted Southern Texas PGA tournaments.

A few minutes south of the park, you’ll find Craft 96 Draught House + Kitchen, one of the area’s most happening hotspots. A row of 60-plus beer taps stretches behind Craft 96’s bar, a constantly rotating selection that’ll satisfy any palette. Toss in 45 bottles of wine, burgers, fries and other American favorites, and you’ve got a whole evening bursting at the seams with flavor. Nearby, Lee’s CK Seafood announces itself as Mont Belvieu’s “Crawfish Headquarters,” offering savory crustacean fare at low prices that locals love. If you’d like to grill up some seafood yourself, visit the H-E-B supermarket just off I-10.

The interstate will take you to dozens more culinary options in downtown Houston, typically a 30- to 40-minute drive west. This also makes for a relatively hassle-free commute, though Ligon says many locals easily work from home thanks to the city’s MB Link broadband service. “It’s Texas’s first municipally owned gigabit broadband network,” he says. “If you live inside of the city limits, it’s available to you, and the charge shows up on your typical utility bills.”

Written By

Tina Davis

Video By

Gabriel Miller