Sugar Land

Greatwood is one of the sweetest spots in the city of Sugar Land, Texas. Community residents appreciate the tranquility of the 30-mile distance from Houston, top-ranked schools and proximity to shopping. “It’s a nice area. The neighborhoods are quiet and well-kept. You can find homes for the average family income or a million dollars on the same street. There’s a lot of fluctuation as far as price goes, but everyone who lives there wants the same things — a quiet space for their kids and good schools,” says Arianna Soares, a Realtor with NB Elite Realty, who lives in the area. “Sugar Land, in general, is very family oriented. People who want to get to the city for work or entertainment have the option of going in, but it gives you a more suburban feeling. It’s a very popular area.” There are homes for every budget here. Homebuyers have their pick of modest ranch homes, newer traditional brick homes with two-car garages, and Mediterranean-style mansions with red tile roofs and lake views. On some streets, the homes sit huddled together, while on others, houses may rest on properties up to 7 acres. The average list price hovers around $450,000. A three-bedroom, two-bath may run in the low $200,000s, while a sprawling Greek Revival mansion could fetch more than $3 million. “How quickly things sell really depends on price. It could be a few weeks or several weeks," Soares says. "Anything over $400,000 or $500,000 tends to stay on the market longer than the lower-priced homes. Most people are buying homes for $400,000 or under. When it goes over that people tend to get more picky.” Public school students may attend the neighborhood’s Campbell Elementary, which earned the "No Hate Designation" for its school-wide commitment to eradicating bullying on campus, before moving on to Reading Junior High and George Ranch High. Part of the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District, all three schools earn A Niche grades. Groceries and other essentials can be easily picked up at H-E-B, Target and Home Depot, which are all located a few blocks east of the neighborhood. For dining out, The Flying Cow on Agnes Road is the go-to spot for locally sourced burgers and fried pickles, delivered to patrons by a robot. Sunrise Sports Bar, on Crab River Road, is where residents can catch up with friends over a beer and play a game of darts, pool or poker. At Greatwood Knoll Playground, on Knoll Forest Drive, residents can walk their dogs along the paved trails or rest a while on the benches while their kids tire themselves out on the playground. And for those who enjoy spending their free time putting around, there’s the public 18-hole Greatwood Golf Club on Greatwood Parkway. Popular outings include attending the murder mystery events and Christmas candlelight tours at the historic 1883 John M. and Lottie D. Moore House on Houston Street. For something more action-packed, there’s Tank’s Paintball Park on Southwest Freeway, and thrill seekers can visit REDRUM Fear Park on East Highway 90 for haunted attractions every year during the Halloween season. Interstate 69 runs along Greatwood’s northern border, making the neighborhood a convenient 5-mile trip to places like Sugar Land Town Square. Visitors here can shop, dine and attend regular community events like 5ks, Free Fitness Fridays and the annual Christmas tree lighting. Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land offers dinosaur fossils, an aquarium and a dig pit where kids can search for “dinosaur bones.” The Smart Financial Center at Sugar Land is a 6,400-seat, indoor venue that hosts nationally known comedians and musicians.

Tucked away just south of the Sugar Land Town Square, Avalon allows potential homebuyers to purchase a lakefront property just 26 miles southeast of Houston. Developed between 1999 and 2005, the neighborhood features a community association, which oversees many shared amenities, including a community pool and hosts a handful of events. Avalon is located just south of most of the hot spots in Sugar Land and is about a 30-minute drive into Houston for work or play. “Everyone wants to live in Avalon,” says Kristen Manz, a Realtor and team lead of the Greater Houston Living Team at EXP Realty. “The homes are newer compared to the rest of the area and are very well built and well known throughout the area.” On the banks of multiple lakes, homes sit on compact well, manicured lots, most featuring stunning water views. Neighborhood streets are lined with sidewalks shaded by scattered trees in front yards. While there is a chance to purchase townhouses, most home inventory includes brick Craftsman and Colonial Revivals to larger estate homes with Mediterranean touches. Buyers can find a townhouse for around $500,000, while the price of a Colonial Revival rises to nearly $700,000. Some larger estate homes also can eclipse the $1 million mark. “The market is hot because it's a well-known neighborhood. Most of the homes in the area are custom or semi-custom built with top-line finishing,” Manz says. Avalon’s CAP Index Crime Score is a 1-out-of-10 across the index’s metrics, which is lower than the national average. Avalon is part of the Fort Bend Independent School District, rated as an A on Niche and has almost 80,000 students. While the neighborhood has multiple paths, most students attend the A-rated Colony Meadows Elementary and Fort Settlement Middle before advancing to earn their diplomas from Clements High School. Clements scores an A-plus, is within walking distance for some children and offers dual credit programs in English and Economics through a partnership with Houston Community College. The University of Houston at Sugar Land is nearby for those looking to continue their education. The campus offers graduate and undergraduate coursework in multiple fields, including nursing. Being a member of the Avalon Community Association provides resident-only amenities throughout the area. In the summer, residents have access to a community infinity pool, while year-round, they can use small pocket parks, tennis courts and designated walking areas. Sugar Land Memorial Park spans 150 acres along the Brazos River and is a destination for neighborhood residents and the entire population of Fort Bend. The park offers a little something for everyone, with 2.5 miles of trails for outdoor enthusiasts, canoe access points for water lovers, multiple playgrounds for young ones, and its Pawm Springs Dog Park, is a favorite among four-legged residents. While the Avalon Community Association's primary responsibilities are the upkeep of the shared amenities and beautification of the neighborhood, it does put on community events. One of its largest events is the Fourth of July Parade, where local children decorate their bikes in the best combination of red, white and blue and stroll through the streets. A little further from home, The Sugar Land Towne Square has events throughout the year, like the Music on the Square concert series, Movies on the Square and even smaller events like Yoga and Zumba on the Square. Avalon is primarily residential but only a few miles from the Sugar Land Town Square, First Colony Mall and other nearby essential amenities. Less than 5 miles away is the Sugar Land Town Square, which provides multiple boutiques, like Loft and House of Blooms and is a hot restaurant spot. Within the square, locals can dine on Tex-Mex at Escalante’s, try the Southern cuisine at State Fare or the Asian fusion spot Japanerios with sushi and Latin dishes. “Our restaurant selection represents the diversity of the area. We respect our cultural differences and celebrate our human similarities in Fort Bend County,” Manz says. More retail can be found at First Colony Mall, which has upscale fashion stores like Lululemon, and the latest technology at the Apple Store. The mall puts on local events and has multiple restaurants. Locals have plenty of shopping centers, like Colony Square, which has a Target, but the furthest drive is to a traditional grocery store like Whole Foods Market, just north of Sugar Land Town Square. The county operates Fort Bend Transit, a commuter bus system that provides rides for residents to nearby Houston. Those needing to get into the city Monday through Friday can park at the University of Houston at Sugar Land Park and Ride station. Avalon is just south of Interstate 69, which leads directly into Houston and State Route 6, which runs from the Oklahoma-Texas state line through Sugar Land to Galveston. The Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital is just north, a 347-bed facility that employs more than 2,200 people. Smart Financial Centre, a state-of-the-art indoor entertainment space, puts national touring acts practically at residents' doorsteps. The venue can seat up to 6,400 people and offers an annual lineup of concerts, comedy shows, and Broadway shows. It is also available for private rentals as well.

Lakeside living is a way of life in Riverstone, a master-planned community in Sugar Land that continues to expand. Built in 2001, Riverstone is home to 6,400 houses along with 200 acres of lakes, 500 acres of green space and resort-style amenities for its residents. Its residents also benefit from a stellar location, offering easy access to both downtown Houston 25 miles north and Galveston Island just an hour southeast. "I think the water attracts a special breed of people, and we all have that love for the water in common," says Realtor Sharron Hensley of HomeSmart and native Houstonian who now lives in Galveston. "It really brings out the best in people when there's a shared love for the water and wildlife in the area, and being right by the Seawall provides a lot of opportunity for adventure on the bay." Lavish homes and luxurious estates are found throughout the neighborhood. Mediterranean is the most popular home style, displaying signature shingled rooves with stucco facades. Traditional homes with both brick and stone facades feature arched entryways, manicured lawns and backyard patios. Standard four-bedroom homes average around 3,000 square feet, while estates boast up to 9,000 square feet of living space with lakes sitting just steps away. As the community continues to grow, custom builds continue to pop up, starting at 4,000 square feet. Multilevel terraces grace the rear of some homes, providing a setting to take in the amazing lakeside views. The community also features several onsite resort-style pools, complete with splash parks and winding waterslides. Single-family homes can range from $400,000 to $900,000, while sprawling mansions and estates start at just over $1 million and soar to nearly $4 million. Several educational institutions serve the students of Riverstone, including Anne McCormick Sullivan Elementary School and First Colony Middle School. Sullivan Elementary — onsite within the subdivision — provides a modern learning environment with technologically advanced resources and tools, while First Colony focuses on academic achievement and talent development. For high school, students can attend Lawrence E. Elkins. Known for its academic excellence, Elkins holds two University Interscholastic League state academic championships and counts several National Merit Scholars among its graduates. All three schools hold a Niche score of A. Over 500 acres of green space are incorporated throughout the community, offering ample opportunities for residents to get up and get out. About 20 miles of walking trails along the lakes connect several parks, including Shadow Mist Park and Riverstone Dog Park. All the parks within the community come with play areas for children, while the dog park has 3.5 acres of open space for furry friends to frolic freely. The waterside walking trails, which lead to the Wetlands Park at Riverstone, have benches for watching the wildlife in the area, like egrets and Dalmatian pelicans. Established to replenish some of the natural environment that was lost to the area’s residential development, the Wetlands are filled with wildlife and have informational placards placed along its walking trails for educational purposes. Riverstone has plenty to do within the community, and it doesn’t stop with the parks and pools. The homeowners association hosts regular events for residents, including family bingo, senior bingo, wine tastings at the clubhouse and Sunday Sweets, a Riverstone-wide weekly ice cream social. In the center of the community, next to Lake Riverstone, is a Kroger for everyday essentials. You can also find an ALDI nearby, along Highway 6. Wings ‘N Wine provides a unique way to pair wine with chicken wings. At Thai American Bistro, enjoy a mesh of the two worlds with delicious dishes like Siam Wings and wonton cheese bites. Public transportation options are scarce in Riverstone, but commuters benefit from solid access to Highway 6. Downtown Houston is about a 25-mile drive from Riverstone, making for easy trips to the city. However, expect occasional delays due to traffic.

A dynamic, multicultural Sugar Land community, Huntington “is one of the best places to live if you’re looking for diversity," says Liliana Murillo, Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens. "You have virtually every demographic you can think of in that area, and the people living within the community are extremely welcoming.” Established homes, an A-rated elementary school and proximity to Interstate 69 add to the reasons buyers are flocking to Huntington. Townewest, Glen Laurel and Covington Woods are three of the largest subdivisions within Huntington. Each has a mix of ranch homes and split-levels selling for roughly $350,000. The primary option for homes developed in the early 2000s will be four- to five-bedroom Traditional brick houses priced around $600,000. Sprawling networks of sidewalks throughout the subsections make for a peaceful way to stretch your legs. Still, you’ll need your car to navigate the surrounding area—many of the houses in Huntington feature one- to two-car garages and small driveways. Local eateries add to Huntington’s diversity. Stop by Sicilian’s Pizza and Pasta for authentic Italian food, or indulge at one of the nearby restaurants specializing in homemade pho. Travel along West Bellford Boulevard on the area’s northern side to find popular spots like Tacos Tu Tierra and A&N’s Halal Kitchen. When you’d rather cook at home, head to the Walmart next to Eldridge Park. The 43-acre green space is action-packed with a large playground, nearly a half-mile of trails and a 5-acre pond with a fishing pier. The park gets particularly crowded when recreational league teams compete on one of the 10 soccer fields on-site. Locals living in Huntington’s southern end can venture to Sugar Mill Park. Looping around a serene pond is a quarter-mile trail frequented by hikers and bikers. It also gives parents a more lowkey option to take their kids to the playground. Students living in Huntington may attend Sugar Mill Elementary, which boasts an A rating from Niche. The school is part of the Fort Bend Independent School District, highly regarded for its academics and student diversity. Niche rates the district as the 5th most diverse in Texas. Students later filter into Sugar Land Middle School and Kempner High School. The schools have earned B-plus and A-minus ratings, respectively. Kempner High School also offers a lengthy list of clubs, from thespian troupes to a journalism honor society and a floral club. Adjacent to Interstate 69 and State Highway 6, Huntington helps residents easily navigate the surrounding areas. You can travel roughly 5 miles south to Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital when you need medical care. The campus sits near Sugar Land’s Towne Square. The vibrant scene is teeming with locally owned restaurants and boutiques mixed with a few larger chain retailers. The city also regularly hosts exercise classes, tribute concert series and other community events within the square. With a melting pot of cultures, ample outdoor opportunities and accessibility to all Sugar Land has to offer, you’ll rarely want for more in Huntington.

Among the biggest animals in North America is the alligator, often seen burrowing along White Lake in Cullinan Park, known for its abundant wildlife. "The park was one of the biggest reasons we moved here," says Charles Beyl, an illustrator and children's book author who has lived in the community for nearly a decade. "We love to look for alligators in the summertime and bird watching." Just 25 miles west of the "Bayou City," the area consists of several subdivisions, with homes on winding forested roads, offering private parks, pools and clubhouses. The location provides a nature-immersed lifestyle just 5 miles from Sugar Land Town Square and within walking distance of highly ranked schools within the Fort Bend ISD. Though the area is primarily residential, locals are just a short drive away from shopping, dining and grocery stores. Kroger, Walmart and Sam's are about 2 miles away. On Farm to Market Road 1464, tucked away in a gas station, is a local favorite, Express Taco House, known for its savory breakfast. Crypto Burger is on Addicks-Howell Road, with its digital-inspired menu, including the NFT burger and the metaverse monster fries. Down the street is Elite Indo-Pak Restaurant, a fine dining spot serving a fusion of Pakistani and Indian dishes. Additionally, the area is 5 miles from Sugar Land Town Square, with dozens of big box stores. "The neighborhood is very green, with lots of huge shady pecan trees that make your skin feel cool in the summer," Beyl says. "All this natural stuff but so close to the city, the best of the worlds." The community's centerpiece attraction is Cullinan Park. The Cullinan Park Conservancy overlooks this greenspace and has donated over 2.8 million dollars to revitalize it, with more funds added in 2023. The park has several trails where Northern Cardinals and Red-bellied Woodpeckers soar through the sky. Ponds allow for catch-and-release fishing and kayaking but no swimming. About 5 miles west of the park are two of the most notable recreation stops, a pair of sister golf courses, Black Hawk Country Club and Shadow Hawk Golf Club, which are next to each other and total 450 acres. A few subdivisions that stand out are Park Pointe, Pheasant Creek, Stratford Park Village and Orchard Lake Estates. Beyl and his wife moved to Pheasant Creek in 2015. "We came from a big old farmhouse and wanted something smaller. Our current house was built in 1984. I have my art studio, and there's just enough space for me and my wife to live," Beyl says. Homes span in age from very recent construction to homes built in the early 2000s and 1980s. These neighborhoods are filled with tree-shaded sidewalks along winding roads leading to cul-de-sacs and surrounding small ponds or lakes. Pheasant Creek residents have access to a neighborhood pool and park, along with l-shaped ranch-style homes and cape cods accented by stone and brick masonry. Summerfield's homes are bigger, offering new Traditional and Colonial Revival styles with attached two-car garages. Similar home styles are in Park Pointe, which has a recreation center with a park. Prices in this area typically range from $365,000 for 2,000 square feet to over $675,000 for homes over 4,000 square feet in Orchard Lake Estates. Students in the neighborhood may be a part of the Fort Bend Independent School District in the top 3 districts in the county and rated with an A, according to Niche. Within the neighborhood are Oyster Creek Elementary, Garcia Middle and Austin High School, all highly ranked with Niche grades of an A-minus or above. The middle school has after-school clubs centering on robotics and coding. In contrast, the high school offers career and technical education courses in pathways such as agriculture, computer science, and health science. Constellation Field is east of Texas State Highway 6 and is home to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, the Triple-A minor league affiliate of the Houston Astros. The Farmers Market at Imperial on Matlage Way runs every Saturday, rain or shine, and draws locals with its seasonal produce, meats and baked goods. Sugarland Town Square also brings the community together during the Fall Fest in September. A car-dependent community with no public transit, Cullinan Park is sandwiched between State Highway 6 and Farm to Market Road 1464 with U.S. 90 Alternate along its southern edge. Locals who commute to the city for work can get to Houston in just over half an hour via I-69. The neighborhood is home to a corporate flight hub, Sugar Land Regional Airport, which services private flights. For non-private flights, the neighborhood is 33 miles from William P. Hobby Airport and 5 miles from Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital for medical care.

East of where Highway 6 and Interstate 69 converge in Sugarland, First Colony embraces 10,000 residents within a carefully maintained master-planned community. The community’s well-tended streets meander alongside lakes, parks, and greenbelts, evoking the same sense of openness found on a sprawling golf course. Unsurprisingly, First Colony’s contours were shaped in the 1980s by someone well-versed in that kind of terrain, Roger Packard – a golf course architect. The landscaping and architecture of this community are safeguarded by deed agreements, while association fees sustain shared amenities from Pickleball courts to its parks, trails, pools and aquatic center. Meanwhile, local schools, hospitals, and shopping centers create a life of convenience. First Colony subdivisions, aside from Plantation Settlement – which is technically in Missouri City – are governed by the First Colony Community Association (FCCSA). Residents pay an annual assessment fee starting in the $400s and sign up for aesthetic property agreements, where even the shape and color of an added security camera, is considered. Some neighborhoods have specific contracts that prevent certain additions, like the addition of walls and fences. While the predominant style across subdivisions is brick traditionals with A frame roofs, there is the occasional outlying Neo-French Provincial-style home and Sweetwater Estates has opulent mansions on golf courses. There are a few townhome and condo communities as well. Some neighbors, including those in Crescent Lakes, live by lakes and neighborhood parks. Single-family traditional brick homes with 3 bedrooms range from $300,000 to $600,000 while the most opulent homes head toward the millions. Properties currently spend around 27 days on the market, faster than the national average of 41. Fort Bend Independent School District serves First Colony, including residences in Plantation Settlement. Within this district, students may attend Colony Bend Elementary School and First Colony Middle School, both are in First Colony and earn A ratings from Niche. Homes are also zoned for either Dulles High School or Clements High School. They both earn the highest Niche score: A plus. These schools are just steps from some homes and short drives from others as they are all conveniently located within First Colony. There are several shopping centers along Highway 6 and at the juncture of Highway 6 and I-69, including First Colony Mall and Sugarland Town Square, which both have popular chain restaurants and retail shops, like Chipotle, Macy's, Apple and Loft, along with some trend-setting brands local to Houston, like 139Made. First Colony Marketplace off Highway 6 has local restaurants like Renu's Kitchen for Indian Classics and Keeper's for Japanese while also offering an H-E-B for groceries. There's also a Target, Petco, Home Depot and more in Riverstone Shopping Center. Most neighbors drive in and around First Colony for everyday essentials. The Fort Bend Transit does have a park and ride location at the AMC Theatre on Town Center Boulevard South. Its bus routes take locals downtown, to Greenway Plaza, the Galleria area and the Texas Medical Center. The local hospital, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, is right by the theatre as are a swarm of other medical facilities. The nearest airport is William P. Hobby, around 30 miles away via the Sam Houston Tollway. "We like to get the families out for Chinese New Year, Juneteenth, July 4th celebrations and things like that," says Bill Grantham, the director of operations at FCCSA. "You see a lot of friendly faces at them. Most folks have lived here for 20 years." Neighborhoods also have their own specific HOA events, from holiday decorating contests to dive-in movie nights at their community pools. First Colony has several neighborhood parks with playgrounds and sports fields. The most popular recreational site, according to Grantham, is the Aquatic Center Lap Pool – which is heated year-round, has a lazy river, waterslide, splash pad and more. Family fun can also be had at Altitude Trampoline Park in First Colony Marketplace and at the ice rink at Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center next to Fort Bend ISD’s Edward Mercer Stadium. Trails wind throughout First Colony and feed into Sugar Land Memorial Park where they loop around its lake and through its butterfly garden. Locals kayak along the water and the waterway at Oyster Creek Park, off Highway 6.