Spring

Country-style living comes with the territory in Benders Landing. With huge homes on estate-style lots, Benders Landing sets a soothing scene with lakefront views and private sitting parks. Tucked away in the woods of Spring, Texas, Benders Landing is a community on the rise. Comprised of master-planned subdivisions, Benders Landing uses its wooded surroundings and breathtaking lakes as the backdrop for upscale living. “People in Benders Landing really appreciate the access. It draws in folks who want the city at their fingertips without actually being in the mix of it all,” says Marco Brito, a Huston native and Realtor with Ray Larson Real Estate Group. Locals stroll through the neighborhood’s sidewalk-lined streets to admire the scenery. Vibrant fountains dance in the middle of the community’s lakes, and water cascades down the rocks of manufactured waterfalls. “The acreage estates are another plus. It provides that country-style living that Benders Landing residents enjoy, and the tax rates are lower than surrounding areas,” Brito says. As acreage estates are prevalent in Benders Landing, Millennial mansions populate the area in various styles, including Victorian, French and Mediterranean. Traditional is another popular home style, with new custom builds regularly available. But for the most part, homes are custom to the original owner and are between 4,000 and 6,000 square feet. Homes are priced as low as $800,000, while others are well over a million dollars. A few exceed $3 million. In the center of the community is Liberty Lake Park, a massive outdoor green space with a bit of everything. The park features ample green space, covered picnic areas, tennis courts and a lighted 1.1-mile pathway around the lake, which remains stocked for catch-and-release fishing. Just across Spring Creek, locals will find the Spring Creek Nature Trail. Connecting several parks between the Creekside Park West Trailhead and the Montgomery County Preserve Trailhead, the 14-mile-long trail is ideal for hiking, biking or birdwatching. Along the banks of the community’s central lake is Benders Landing Estates Clubhouse. Community members enjoy the clubhouse’s amenities, like tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground and a lakeside pool. Kids growing up in Benders Landing attend schools served by the Conroe Independent School District, which Niche gave an overall A and ranked as the best district in Montgomery County. Students attend Snyder Elementary School before advancing to Cox Intermediate School, which both earned an overall A on Niche. Students head to York Junior High School for seventh and eighth grade. The school also earned an overall A on Niche. Students head to Grand Oaks High School to earn their diplomas. High schools can join various clubs, like chess, creative writing and Dungeons and Grizzlies gaming clubs. Niche gave the school an A. Along Grand Parkway are a few commercial centers with big-box retailers and restaurants. Locals head over to Birnham Woods Market Place for groceries and everyday essentials. The shopping center features Kroger, where shoppers grab groceries, and ample service businesses and stores, like Great Clips, GNC and PetSmart. While there, locals enjoy American fare at Woodson’s Local Tap & Kitchen or Fuego. Known for its giant pretzels and chicken wings, the restaurant also features a beer bar with various craft beers. Down the street at Fuego, tacos, tapas and tequila are all the rage as locals settle in for savory Mexican cuisine. Benders Landing is about 5 miles from the heart of Spring, and Houston’s heart is about 30 miles south. Residents primarily drive to get around, and Grand Parkway leads toward Highway 45, so drivers have proximity to major roadways. In case of an emergency, HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest is about 11 miles away. And George Bush International Airport is about 20 miles away.

When residents walk along the colorful streets of Old Town Spring, they can briefly leave the 21st century behind and get a glimpse of what Spring looked like around 200 years ago. The area is known for its dozens of unique shops inside the Spring Cottage Gallery, which has many original buildings from Old Town’s past as a flourishing railroad station in the 1800s. The area’s many old buildings have earned it the nickname “The Ghost Capital of Texas,” and stories from the neighborhood’s past await at the Spring Historical Museum. Whether they’re looking for a unique shopping day or to settle into the growing housing developments just outside the Cottage Gallery, Old Town offers a friendly greeting to anyone who comes by. “The one thing that always sticks out to us is that everyone always says how Old Town Spring reminds them of home, wherever home may be for them,” says Seth Sanders, president of the Old Town Spring Improvement Development. Old Town Spring is a popular venue for community events that draw visitors across Houston. In April, dozens of 1950s and 1960s automobiles fill Old Town’s streets for The Longhorn Rod weekend. The Texas Wine & Art Festival comes to Old Town twice a year, once in April and again in October, and offers samples from Texas wineries and creations from local artists. When locals need to pick up gifts during the holiday season, they are also treated to dozens of decked-out trees, parades and breakfast with Santa as the merchants of Old Town Spring show out for the Home for the Holidays celebration between mid-November and Christmas. Over 100 family-owned shops line Main Street, and the street’s colorfully decorated cottages are home to businesses ranging from craft supply shops and tattoo parlors to florists and specialty grocery shops. A few shops have become must-visit attractions, including Thad’s, the area’s oldest antique shop, and The Doll Hospital, which sells and repairs vintage dolls. The entrance to Main Street is flanked by the Spring Historical Museum as well as Immanuel Church of Spring, which was first founded in 1916 and is one of the area’s oldest churches. Old Town is equally loved for its many unique restaurants and bars. CorkScrew BBQ on Keith Street served its coveted wood-smoked meats from an old-school trailer. The restaurant was ranked in the top 10 on Texas Monthly’s list of 50 Best Barbecue Joints in the World in 2013. Wunsche Bros. Café & Saloon on Midway Street has been in Spring since the turn of the 20th century, and the former hotel and saloon now serves classic American fare like burgers and fries. Charlie and Dell Wunsche, the saloon’s original owners, allegedly still hang around the place, making it one of Old Town Spring’s many reportedly haunted locations. For more everyday shopping, locals can drive down Interstate 45 to Louetta Center, a more modern retail plaza anchored by a Walmart and several clothing shops. In contrast to the Old Town shopping district, which has some of the oldest buildings in the city, the residential part of the neighborhood has some of Spring’s newest homes. “There’s a lot of development going on in The Woodlands that’s really making it a prosperous area, and that’s trickling down to Old Town Spring and adding to its popularity,” Sanders says. Contemporary houses and townhomes built in the 2000s and onwards make up most of the well-organized suburban streets west of Old Town Spring’s boutique shops. The average cost of a home in this area is between $250,000 and $350,000. The CAP Index Crime Score for Old Town Spring is a 3, lower than the national average score of 4. Families living near the Old Town area may send their children to Spring Independent School District schools, including Salyers Elementary School, which has a C-minus grade on Niche, and C-rated Springwoods Village Middle School. Spring High School, first built in 1932, has a C-minus grade on Niche and is the oldest school in the area. Spring is about 6 miles from the Lone Star College North Harris campus for students who want to attend college close to home. Preservation Park on Spring School Road is the only park directly in Old Town Spring, and hosts most of the neighborhood’s events, including monthly concerts. Only a mile north of Old Town Spring, Dennis Johnston Park on Riley Fuzzel Road is a 45-acre portion of the Spring Creek Greenway, which stretches nearly 40 miles from Rayford to just north of the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Dennis Johnston Park has a walking trail that loops around a fishing pond and hummingbird gardens. Old Town Spring consists of flat, walkable streets, so many locals can explore the historic shops on foot or by bike. There is no public transportation available nearby, but the neighborhood is situated between Hardy Toll Road and Interstate 45. These highways both lead to downtown Houston, which is about 25 miles away, as well as HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest, which is the nearest large hospital, and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Northgate Crossing is a conglomerate of subdivisions on the northside of Spring, Texas. Four distinct communities comprise the Villages of Northgate Crossing — Crossgate, Eastgate, Westgate and Southgate. Each community may have separate names, but they all benefit from proximity to bustling neighborhood parks, acclaimed eateries and Old Town Spring — one of the area's premier destinations for shopping and dining. Spring is conveniently located just east of Interstate 45, but lifelong Spring resident Jordan Schilleci says that's only half of the draw. "It really is this big, beautiful community that's legitimately a melting pot of people from all walks of life who have come together to live a really great life." Each of Northgate Crossing's tree-lined, cul-de-sac-heavy subdivisions feature New Traditional-style properties with brick facades, though smaller bungalows and ranch homes are also mixed in. Most homes price between $200,000 and $500,000, but some larger properties with ample square footage may top out closer to $600,000. Homes in Northgate Crossing usually sell within a month or two, which aligns closely with the national average. However, local Real Estate Broker Zach Richmond of Richmond Realty Group notes that the housing market varies considerably from neighborhood to neighborhood throughout Spring. Students in Northgate Crossing are served by the Spring Independent School District. Kids might go to Northgate Crossing Elementary School, which earns an overall grade of B-minus from Niche, then go to the C-rated Springwoods Village Middle School. Teens attend Spring High School off Interstate 45. Earning a C-minus Niche grade, the high school offers a host of extracurricular clubs and organizations from the Texas Association of Future Educators to NJROTC. Northwood Pines Park is a popular spot for outdoor recreation just north of Northgate Crossing in the Northwood Pines community, while Dennis Johnston Park is a hub for fishing and strolls through the butterfly and hummingbird garden. The Spring Creek Greenway is another top attraction. Containing 12,000 acres of green space, the nature preserve attracts guests from across town for picturesque adventures along its network of trails. Another attraction is Texas Axe Throwing, just off Interstate 45 on Northgate Crossing's west side — an area staple since 2019 offering glow-in-the-dark axe throwing on Fridays. Kroger at The Market at Springwoods Village is the go-to place for fresh meats and veggies, but there's also an H-E-B 2 miles north. Sawdust Road is also lined with big-box retailers, including Walmart and Hobby Lobby. National restaurants can also be found along Sawdust, though acclaimed locally owned eateries are only a short drive away in Old Town Spring. CorkScrew BBQ, just south of Northgate Crossing on Keith Street, has been serving brisket and ribs since 2010, while the adjacent Puffabelly's Restaurant offers rustic vibes and regular musical performances. Northgate Crossing is walkable, though vehicle access is recommended to reach nearby amenities, especially with no reliable public transportation options in the area. Luckily, the neighborhood offers outstanding access to Interstate 45, which runs along its west side and feeds directly into downtown Houston about 30 miles south. Per the CAP Index, Northgate Crossing also experiences lower crime than the average U.S. neighborhood, boasting a crime score of 3 out of 10.

Along the busy Grand Parkway, or Route 99, is a master-planned community that started its construction journey in 2003. Diane Lominac is a Broker Associate and Realtor at Century 21 Realty Partners and has lived in Spring Trails from the beginning of its development. "The area has grown around us tremendously. We used to have a drive a bit to get to entertainment and shopping, but now we have the option to get to three grocery stores in two minutes," she says. "The addition of the Exxon Mobil campus close by and Route 99 has led to that growth. Also, our tax rate is affordable compared to other areas," Spring Trails is known for its commitment to retaining a natural, green atmosphere and providing its residents with on-site amenities. Houston-based Midway Builders built the homes in Spring Trails under the leadership of Jimmy Pappas. "He was the main player in developing the neighborhood and was a big advocate for it," Lominac says. "He designed it so that none of the homes face the major roadways, each little subdivision is named after a tree, the parks are named after birds and the streets after a person's name. He had a personal hold on the neighborhood." Architecture styles range from contemporary brick cottages to large New Traditional homes. Properties built before 2010 and under 2,500 square feet typically sell between $300,000 and $400,000, while homes built post-2010 and surpassing 3,000 square feet easily sell for $450,000 to $650,000. Springs Trails falls under the Conroe Independent School District, which is highly rated and receives an A from Niche overall. Sue Park Broadway Elementary School is located within Spring Trails off Spring Trails Bend, so many students can easily be walked over when it's time for class. Students move on to Cox Intermediate School before heading to York Junior High and Grand Oaks High. All three schools are graded with an A on Niche, noteworthy for their renowned academics, diverse extracurriculars and extremely high graduation rates. At the north of the neighborhood, bordered by Route 99, is a large mixed-use commercial and business area where residents can easily reach daily stops like H-E-B, LA Fitness and Chase Bank. Several small shops are interspersed throughout, from massage parlors to vitamin stores, alongside more essential stops, such as a veterinary hospital and the Spring Emergency Room. Both national and local eateries line the sidewalks, with locals picking up hot coffee in the morning from Trilogy Brew or reserving a dinner slot at The Republic Grille for steak and house cocktails. Residents of Spring Trails have access to a community pool, with sections for toddlers, general swimming and lanes for lap swimming. There's also an indoor recreation center and a playground nearby, while Cardinal Sports Park has two pickleball courts and courts for basketball and tennis. Pappas, the forerunner of designing the neighborhood, was inspired by the surrounding area's natural beauty. Spring Trails is named after the nearby nature preserve, where there are over 400 acres of hiking trails, fishing opportunities at the glimmering Spring Trails Lake and education programs at Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center. The Spring Trails Community Association ensures that residents have events to attend and participate in year-round. Smaller-scale events can be found weekly, such as bingo nights at the recreation center and movie nights hosted at the pool, where locals float along on inflatable chairs while watching projected films. On a larger scale, significant holidays are big for community spirit, from the Fourth of July Bicycle Parade to the Christmas Party with Santa. For those who need to consider commuting, Spring Trails is 30 miles north of downtown Houston. "Rush hour here can be brutal. A 30-minute drive can easily turn into over an hour," says Jared Greenberg, a Realtor with Keller Williams Premier who's been working in real estate for just over a decade. "Basically, anytime between 6:30 and 9 in the morning, it's going to be slow. But that's just city reality." The George Bush Intercontinental Airport is 19 miles away, and 33 miles south is the world-renowned Texas Medical Center.

Just over 8 miles north of The Woodlands, the master-planned community of Harmony gives meaning to its name. Even though several of the neighborhood's residential areas are gated, there isn't a siloed feeling in this community. Events are huge here, bringing neighbors together regularly. A balance between work and life can be met, as shopping, dining, walking trails and schools are all embedded into the neighborhood's framework. Ample trees create a scenic backdrop to daily life, bringing shaded pathways that support active residents. "Kids are out on their bikes and playing in the yards. People are walking and jogging. A lot of people are outdoors unless it's 110 degrees," says Realtor Bill Smith, who's sold homes in Cypress and greater Houston for over 40 years and works for EXP Realty. Students attend A-rated schools on Niche within the highly regarded Conroe Independent School District (ISD). The South Montgomery Fire Department, Spring Emergency Room and Texas Children's Pediatrics Rayford are conveniently all in the neighborhood. The Grand Parkway, the largest loop around Houston, is immediately north of the community when residents want to travel far and wide. Shopping is one of the first things people see when they enter Harmony off the Grand Parkway, even if the neighborhood is mostly residential. "We have an Indian Kitchen, a frozen yogurt place, a Crust Pizza and a Sonic," says Harmony's lifestyle coordinator and administrative assistant, Anna Gonzalez. There's also an H-E-B in this commercial coridoor. Farther south of the highway, on Birnham Woods Drive, Scooter's Coffee is the local spot to grab a cup of joe any way they like it. For major retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods and Forever 21, residents head to The Woodlands Mall and the open-air Market Street. They might also head to Hughes Landing in The Woodlands to dine by the water. Locals have several parks to choose from in Harmony. Barefoot Park is in a gated section, but that doesn't stop everyone from using it. Gonzalez says residents reserve the right to use all amenities. "We have a proximity reader installed at Barefoot Park. This allows non-gated residents to scan their amenity access cards at the callbox, and they can trigger the drive-in gate to open this way." The park offers a resort-style pool, splash pad, playground and walking trails. Locals meet at the basketball and tennis courts for casual games with friends. The community's main park is Thicket at Harmony. It's open to the public, and its clubhouse offers a gym, kitchen area and a lounge to kick back in. This park brings another splash pad and spot to swim on those extra hot Texas days. Another open-access park is Wander Park, which is mostly a small playground between residential areas. Trails wind through Harmony and connect to its residential streets, creating a commuter pathway that's hike and bike-friendly. “We have a very full event schedule this year. We probably have one every other week,” Gonzalez says. She adds that her team is focused on creating kid- and adult-friendly events, from family game nights to beer and wine tastings. The neighborhood hosts a food truck weekly at 5 p.m. outside its main office at The Thicket at Harmony. Residents look forward to monthly movie nights. During Halloween they happen on the park’s lawn. Come summertime, locals float to watch the flicks. “We set up a giant movie screen projector, and the movie plays while people get to swim.” The lawn is also the site of holiday festivities, including egg hunts and Christmas gatherings. “The events really tie everyone together. We have huge turnouts at a lot of them.” There are 12 sections in Harmony, and a selection of them are gated. “We have our gates here at our Allegro section, Harmony Creek section, Harmony Forest and Harmony Oaks,” Gonzalez says. Allegro is broken up into two sections. “Both sides are pretty similar, but one is significantly smaller than the other.” Homes in Harmony are from big box builders: CastleRock, D.R. Horton, Lennar, Beazer Homes and more. “Harmony started in 2010, but there is some newer construction from as recent as 2020 and maybe even 2021,” Smith says. Homes range from brick and stone neotraditionals to townhouses. Prices depend on square footage and mostly range from the upper $300,000s to the $700,000s. Residents pay an annual maintenance fee of $960. New homeowners automatically opt into an internet and security service that costs 756 annually. The CAP Index Crime Score in Harmony is also lower than the national average, at 3 out of 10 versus 4. A flood map shows homes closer to Spring Creek, just south, are more prone to flooding. There’s also a significant flood zone that passes through the center of the neighborhood. Though Harmony is exceptionally pedestrian-friendly, it does not have public bus transportation. Cars are important here for commuting and getting around. Harmony is connected to greater Houston through the Grand Parkway, Harmony's northernmost boundary. Residents can easily connect to the highway via the neighborhood's main thoroughfare, Rayford Road. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a local house of worship. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is about 20 miles away, and downtown Houston is around 30 miles in the same direction. Students may attend Snyder Elementary School, Cox Intermediate School, York Junior High School and Grand Oaks High School within Conroe ISD. The elementary school, serving kindergarten through fourth grade, fosters a love of reading by participating in Texas’ Bluebonnet Award Program. After reading a series of books selected by librarians, students vote to choose the best read of the year. Then in October, Snyder brings narratives to life at its annual Storybook Parade, where students dress up like their favorite characters. Cox Intermediate School serves fifth through sixth grade, offering a range of student clubs, including a meditation club. York Junior High School serves seventh through eighth grades, and Grand Oaks High School serves eighth through 12th. All earn A ratings from Niche.