Rosharon

Cherokee roses were first introduced to the southeastern United States from their native China in the mid-1700s. Because of the plant’s affinity for heat and humidity, it did especially well in southeast Texas. At the beginning of the 20th century, an engineer named George Wetmore Coles purchased land near the Gulf Coast and named his new estate Rose of Sharon, in homage to the bounty of flowers that surrounded it. He may have mistaken the abundant Cherokee roses for rose of Sharon (a completely different species). Regardless, the name stuck, though locals shortened it to Rosharon. Today, residents are drawn to the town because of its location. “Rosharon is close to Pearland Town Center for shopping and close to the Texas Medical Center in Houston. Plus you can get to the coast in half-an-hour. But it’s still a quiet area with lots of land. The location is just great,” says Chandra White, a Realtor with HomeSmart who has nearly two decades of experience in the area.

Homes in Rosharon reflect a variety of architectural sizes, and you’ll find ranch- and farmhouse-styles alongside newly-constructed Tudor- and Colonial-inspired homes. The median price of real estate in Rosharon is $353,000, and buyers can expect to pay around $172 per square foot. A typical three-bedroom/two-bathroom ranch-style home sells for around $174,000, and a spacious four-bedroom/four-bathroom Tudor-inspired home can list for up to $655,000. If you’re seeking something more along the lines of a personal estate, a stunning five-bedroom/seven-bathroom contemporary on 30 acres of land with a private lake and horse barn lists for $3.5 million. “One of the really nice things about Rosharon is that you can get large lot sizes,” says White. “There are some houses in the area with huge lots. And you can’t find that in a lot of areas this close to Houston.”

Students in Rosharon can attend Don Jeter Elementary, Danbury Middle and Danbury High School. Don Jeter earns an A-minus rating from Niche.com, Danbury Middle earns a B and Danbury High earns a B-plus. Students at Danbury High can participate in school-sponsored groups ranging from Future Farmers of America to the UIL Computer Science competition team. Alternatively, parents can choose to send their children to area private schools, including Angleton Christian School in Angleton, which is approximately 15 miles south.

Adrenalin junkies can get their fix at Skydive Spaceland Houston. Offering opportunities to jump out of a plane at 14,000 for first-timers and experienced skydivers alike, Skydive Spaceland Houston has a private airfield and world-class instructors experienced in parachuting, wing-suiting and just about any other skydiving-related discipline you can name. For those who prefer their outdoor recreation to be more on terra firma, Brazos Bend State Park is a quick 15-minute drive west of Rosharon on FM 1462. With 37 miles of trails and multiple fishing areas, nature lovers will be right at home in this 5000-acre wonderland. Be sure to check out the George Observatory for stargazing alongside expert astronomers. For those seeking fun on the Texas Gulf Coast, Freeport and Surfside Beach are about 35 miles south on Highway 288, which hugs the town’s eastern border. Because there are no sidewalks or transit stops in the area, potential buyers need to be aware that Rosharon is an entirely car-dependent area.

For groceries, residents of Rosharon tend to go to Kroger in Alvin, about a 10-minute drive east on FM 1462. For home necessities, both Target and Walmart are about 20 minutes north on Highway 288. When you don’t feel like cooking at home, try Jees Wiz BBQ, where you can get barbecue smoked by a world-class pitmaster in a casual, family-friendly setting. Heading north on 288 for 30 miles will bring you to Houston, where a variety of amenities – from professional sports to world-class shopping and dining – are available for you to choose from. And if you’re plans include airplane travel, George Bush Intercontinental Airport is just over an hour’s drive north on 288.