Stafford

The small city of Stafford has a rich history of innovation. The quickly growing area has recently attracted thousands of everyday residents and business owners for the financial incentives that the local government offers. “The biggest reason people are moving to Stafford is because there’s no property tax here for residents, businesses, anyone that has a building here. You still have to pay for school taxes and an increase on sales tax, but this is still one of the major reasons people are coming into the city,” says Dany Lopez, a Realtor with eXp Realty who relocated his family to Stafford in 2019. Even the local schools reflect this independent spirit -- Stafford Municipal School District, which is the only municipal school district in Texas, meaning the state superintendent does not oversee it. The Fountain Lake in the northwestern quadrant of the community reflects the strong local economy with a wealth of local retail centers and business campuses surrounding the neighborhood’s namesake park. The streets to the left of Fountain Lake Park are filled with a mix of single and multi-story homes averaging around 2,000 square feet. These properties range greatly in style, from flat ranch homes to Tudor and French Revival-influenced builds with steeply gabled windows, curving doorways and cross-hipped roofs. The defining feature that brings all these homes together is the exteriors laid with red and tan brick, which is common across most Fountain Lake properties. These homes are built in neat neighborhoods filled with sidewalks, fully-grown oak trees, and wide, bright green lawns. Most Fountain Lake homes sell for between $300,000 to $400,000. The Stafford Municipal School District operates almost all its schools out of one main campus on the south side of the city. “I currently have my own kids enrolled in Stafford Schools, and one of the things I like about it is that all the schools are within reach of each other on a big campus. It really gives a safe, community feel for the kids,” says Lopez. Stafford Elementary School and Stafford Middle School both have a C-plus score on Niche, and Stafford High School, which has a B score on Niche. High school students may also enroll in the science-based Stafford STEM Magnet Academy or the Early College and Career High School, which is a dual-enrollment program located on the Houston Community College Stafford campus, which is less than 2 miles from the main school campus. Both the STEM Academy and Early College and Career High School are unrated on Niche. The neighborhood gets its name from Fountain Lake Park, a swath of green space shaped like a backward L along Fountain Lake Drive. This 8.5-acre park has a half-mile jogging trail, a small pond and a playground. Fountain Lake is also north of two country clubs, Sugar Creek Country Club and Riverbend Country Club. These side-by-side clubs along Fairway Drive offer their members private golf courses, tennis courts and pools. In the center of town on Cash Road is Stafford Centre, a performing arts venue that hosts concerts, orchestra performances and live theatre throughout the year. Fountains on the Lake outdoor mall on Fountain Lake Drive is a prominent part of the area, and offers sit-down dining chains, an AMC multiplex and clothing and furniture stores along manmade ponds. On nearby South Kirkwood Road is an Aldi, a Sam’s Club, and eateries like Suya Hut, which is known for its meat kebabs. Even further up Interstate 69 is Sugar Park Plaza, another shopping hub with chain restaurants and bars and a few retail shops. Located further south on Dairy Ashford Road, it is a local favorite. Live Oak Grill. Sugar Land residents have been ordering at this eatery’s casual counter for over a decade. The eatery’s chicken fried steak was named the best fried chicken steak in Houston by The Houston Press in 2020. There is almost no access to public transportation in Fountain Lake, meaning most residents get around with their own cars. I-69 and Highway 90 are both located nearby and connect to Sugar land, just 6 miles away, and Houston, which is 20 miles away. Sugar Land is also the home of Global Select at Sugar Land Regional Airport, which is a mainly private airport for aviation enthusiasts. The closest public airport to Stafford is William P. Hobby Airport, which is 20 miles away.

Fifth Street is a suburb in Stafford, Texas, about a 30-minute drive from downtown Houston. Close to various amenities, including community parks and grocery stores, Fifth Street also offers easy accessibility for commuters. "Route 59 is the main artery to get into downtown, and Stafford sits right on top of it," says Jay Thomas, Broker of the Jay Thomas Real Estate Team at eXp Realty, who grew up in the area and has been selling homes since 2006. "It's a small, quiet town with hard-working people." Established ranch and manufactured homes sit along Fifth Street itself, while larger New Traditionals with brick facades and arched entryways can be found in nearby subdivisions like Promenade. Many homes price between $200,000 and $400,000, though some larger residences with ample square footage can sell for more than $600,000. Local Realtor Lisa Baer of Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty notes that homes within the 610 Loop tend to be expensive. However, Fifth Street sits outside of the Loop, making for a more affordable price point without sacrificing proximity to city amenities. Fifth Street students are served by the Fort Bend Independent School District. Kids may go to Dr. Lynn Armstrong Elementary School, which earns an overall grade of B-minus from Niche, or the B-rated Missouri City Middle School. Teens attend Thurgood Marshall High School, which earns a C-plus grade and offers a host of after-school clubs and organizations along with a competitive athletics program that has produced several NFL players. Fifth Street is not walkable, and without reliable public transportation options, vehicle access is paramount. As noted by Thomas, though, Route 59 offers easy travels around the area, while Highway 90 also connects residents closer to Houston. There are plenty of recreation options in Fifth Street. Stafford City Park is a top spot for pickup basketball games under its covered courts, neighbored by the Fifth Street Community Center. American Legion Park and Independence Park also sit nearby, offering looped walking trails that circle the area's small ponds. For an indoor attraction, Main Event is a mecca offering bowling, laser tag, mini golf and virtual reality experiences. Fountains on the Lake is a premier shopping destination just 5 miles west of Fifth Street, containing big-box retailers from Ross to Burlington. The shopping center also neighbors Walmart and Sam's Club off Interstate 69, which are both top spots for grocery runs. Good eats are also just a short drive away. Tornado Burger has been serving specialty burgers and fries to the area since 2007, while TJ Birria y Mas is a local favorite for Mexican fare.