Tomball

When Texas oilman George Mitchell first began building The Woodlands in 1974, he envisioned eight unique but united villages. In 2007, Creekside Park turned the original eight into nine. Fully finished as of 2021, Creekside Park is not only The Woodlands' newest village, but it also has some of the best amenities, including dozens of local parks and a large shopping center. Creekside Park is a bit removed from its neighbors; it is the only Woodlands village located in Harris County, and it is separated from the other villages by the expansive George Mitchell Nature Reserve. However, the village’s elegant homes, manicured parks and convenient shopping still align with the rest of The Woodlands' communities. Unlike the rest of The Woodlands, homes in Creekside Park are exclusively zoned to Tomball Independent School District instead of Conroe ISD. Tomball ISD has an A-plus grade on Niche and was named the best school district in Harris County. Timber Creek Elementary School, Creekside Forest Elementary School and Creekside Park Junior High School all have A-plus grades on Niche. A-rated Tomball High School offers an in-school College and Career Center that lets students take detailed assessments and receive counseling to find the best college choice or career path. Creekside Park is also home to the Lone Star College Creekside Center and is 8 miles away from the Lone Star College Tomball campus. The George Mitchell Nature Preserve, one of the largest urban forests in the country, serves as a natural barrier between Creekside Park and The Woodlands’ older villages. This 1,800-acre preserve on Flintridge Drive has miles of hiking and biking trails, fishing spots and sports facilities. On the other side of the nature preserve are several houses of worship, The Club at Carlton Woods Creekside golf course, and Creekside Park’s biggest public park. Rob Fleming Park on Creekside Forest Drive is most popular for the Texas TreeVentures climbing course and waterpark-like pool. The Spring Creek Nature Trail loops through the entire village, connecting Rob Fleming with over a dozen parks inside Creekside Park – totaling almost 2,000 acres of green space in the entire village. “When my clients wanted me to pinpoint what they would lose without living in the Woodlands, it’s the hike and bike trails,” says Betsy Russell, a Realtor for Zarco Properties and a former teacher at McCullough Junior High School. Creekside Park Village Center on Creekside Forest Drive is one of the largest and newest shopping centers in The Woodlands. “In Creekside, they tried to mimic the main shopping mall at the town center,” says Beth Ferester, a Realtor with Corcoran Ferester Realty who has worked in The Woodlands for 42 years. “My office is there, and people can walk to the stores, they’ve got all sorts of shops, and cinemas, so it’s a miniature Woodlands Town Center.” It is anchored an H-E-B and has two major local restaurants – The Refuge Steakhouse & Bourbon Bar and Fielding's Local Kitchen and Bar. The Refuge serves one of the widest bourbon selections in the Houston area, while Fielding's Local Kitchen and Bar is noted for cutting and aging its steaks and baking its bread all in-house. Across from Fielding’s is the Creekside Park Village Green, an on-site playground with a turf field and splash pad. Most of the homes in The Woodlands' youngest village were built in the 2010s and onward, with a contemporary look featuring pitched, layered roofs and large lot sizes. The streets are well organized, and the brand-new sidewalks are built opposite houses as opposed to alongside them, so pedestrians can be safely out of the way of driveways. The average price of a Creekside Park home is between $500,000 and $800,000. There are also several gated communities within the village. Carlton Woods is the area’s largest luxury community and is filled with Mediterranean and Spanish-style estates that are priced between $2 million and $5 million. All of Creekside Park has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2, lower than the national average score of 4. Creekside Park is an equal distance between two major local highways – Texas State Highway 99, one of the largest state highways in the country, and Interstate 45. Both these highways provide a route into downtown Houston, which is 37 miles away, and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, 30 miles away. The Energy Corridor, one of the largest employment hubs in Houston, is about 40 miles from Creekside Park. Energy and fuel industry professionals can pay a small fee to take the daily Woodlands Express bus service into the corridor.

Founded in 1872 as a railroad stop between Spring and Navasota, Hufsmith is a steadily growing haven for semi-rural, community-focused living outside of Houston. Now, Hufsmith benefits from strong schools, affordable housing compared to homes within "The Loop" and proximity to numerous attractions. "Tomball kind of has that small-town vibe. It has a main street — a very charming single street where they do a Christmas parade and the homecoming parade. All locally-owned shops and lots of antique shops," says local Realtor Natasha Tessier of eXp Realty, who was born and raised in the area. About 1,600 people live in Hufsmith today, primarily in three growing residential subdivisions that have emerged in the last decade. Main-level living is the name of the game here, with brick-and-stone ramblers of various sizes dominating the housing stock. These start in the $300,000s in Raleigh Creek, the largest neighborhood in Hufsmith, which also features Colonials and Prairie-style homes pricing around $500,000. Two gated communities nearby, Twelve Oaks and The Reserve at Spring Lakes, offer single-level homes up to 4,000-plus square feet from $600,000 to over $1 million. Many of the most expensive properties feature sleekly designed pools and patios. A few two-story custom builds also appear in these communities, adorned with wood pillars and high ceilings. As noted by local Realtor Cesar Martinez of BlueRoof Real Estate, who has sold dozens of homes around Greater Houston, properties within Houston's 610 Loop are among the most expensive in the city. Further outside the Loop, prices begin to decline. For this reason, more homebuyers are flocking to areas like Hufsmith for their relative affordability. The Tomball Independent School District began in 1908 as a one-room, 15-student schoolhouse. It’s continued nurturing young minds for the century-plus since, though its reach has expanded considerably. Today, it operates four schools serving all Tomball-area students. Young learners in Hufsmith are about 10 minutes from Tomball Elementary and Intermediate Schools, while 7th and 8th graders are a tad closer to Tomball Junior High School. Tomball High is the local high school. As the water tower just east of campus declares, Tomball High is “Cougar Country,” where over 2,300 Cougars can participate in 14 athletic teams on well-kept facilities. Each school earns A grades from Niche. Juergens Park is the oldest city-owned park in Tomball. Some Hufsmith residents are less than two minutes from this railroad-adjacent green space, which offers a half-mile walking path, three playgrounds and public pickleball courts. “We have a lot of people drawn there in the evenings,” a Tomball city employee told Homes.com. “They’ll come in from The Woodlands and the Spring area to utilize those.” Across Ulrich Road, the 10-acre Jerry Matheson Park will soon have pickleball courts of its own, along with several other additions. “We’re going to be adding quite a few things, specifically a splash pad, new fencing, and we’re doing some pool repairs as well as general site development,” the city employee said. Mel’s Country Cafe has been an area staple since 1977. Known for its classic country setting complete with checkerboard tablecloths, Mel's sustains the generous spirit of its late original owners, Charles and Mary Weirich. Their daughter, Melody, is the restaurant’s namesake, and her family carries on the restaurant’s rich legacy today. Another dining option nearby is Dumas’s Taco, a traditional Mexican spot with a donkey as a mascot. Tomball’s nearby business district comes in handy for grocery runs with big-name supermarkets like H-E-B and Kroger offering a wide range of products and services. Houston is just a 40-minute drive away without traffic, so you needn’t venture too far for a trip to the big city. Highway 249 runs just west of the neighborhood, which leads directly to downtown Houston. Public transportation options are scarce, but with so many amenities around, there's little reason to venture too far from Hufsmith.

What was once a farm and grazing pastureland for champion Arabian horses is now a master-planned community walkable to schools, recreational facilities, swimming pools and parks. A notable feature is a horse statue, paying homage to the area's equestrian past, while the numerous lakes and ponds add to the serene atmosphere. "I feel like it has it all," says Jordan Schilleci, a Houston native and Jo & Co. Realty Group broker with seven years of local real estate experience and extensive knowledge of the Spring, Klein and Tomball areas. "It's a great established community with what most people are looking for these days." Driving onto Champion Forest Drive, a wood lap fence lends to the neighborhood's rural yet suburban atmosphere. But this isn't a community filled with farmhouses and working homesteads. The Texas sun reflects atop the shining lakes and the manicured course of the Gleannloch Pines Country Club, where residents are just a walk or bike ride away from games. Loblolly pines and oaks shade small backyards and modest front lawns. The community comprises several sections with deed restrictions and style guidelines to support the surrounding ecosystem and promote beautification. Manor Lake Estates is a gated subdivision where large Mediterranean-style homes surround a body of water spanning over 4,000 square feet, with prices ranging from over $800,000 to over $1.5 million. Nearby, The Manor and The Woods feature smaller, brick new traditional houses with double-car garages and large radius windows, typically priced between $400,000 and $500,000, with homes reaching over 2,000 square feet. The community association is upheld by an elected, five-member board that oversees the community and maintains its low 2 out of 10 CAP Index Crime Score, below the national average of 4. Even the best golfers might work up quite an appetite by the 27th hole at the golf club, and luckily, there are many fast-casual, chain and locally owned eateries nearby. Karma Kolache & Dessert serves pillowy Czech pastries filled with various flavorful fillings. Iza Robata offers a mixed Asian cuisine menu from miso ramen to pork belly bao. Many Texans' favorite grocery store, H-E-B, is near Grand Parkway, but there's also a Kroger in Stables Town Center. Developers broke ground at the intersection of Grand Parkway and Highway 249 on The Grand at 249, a 65-acre development with a mix of restaurants and retailers, including several big-box stores, anticipated to be the largest retail center in the area. Additional dining options include local favorites like Black Walnut Cafe, Rudy's BBQ and The Union Kitchen. Paved sidewalks lead locals to neighborhood recreational amenities. Lakes and ponds are scattered throughout the community, with three recreation centers providing various facilities. The Recreation Center on Gleannloch Forest Drive features fishing lakes, a canoe and a boathouse. Over 300 residents are members of the Gleannloch Gators, a swim team that participates in competitions and hosts swimming lessons. When school is out, neighborhood kids are often found at the Gleannloch Farms Recreation Center, which features a 21-acre sports complex complete with a competition pool, a sand volleyball court, and a basketball pavilion. "I love the amenities that Gleannloch Farms has to offer and that there's so much history around what that land used to be," Schilleci says. "They bred world-famous racehorses there, which is so cool. And it's nice that all the equestrian amenities still exist." Neighbors saddle up for riding lessons at the Equestrian Center on Champions Forest Drive. The Farm League Park is where youngsters and adults sign up for games, including baseball, flag football, and volleyball. Gleannloch Pines Golf Club is a semi-private club with a 27-hole course inspired by Europe, featuring rolling greens dotted with trees. Geronimo Adventure Park offers an afternoon of thrills with zip-lining, rock climbing and axe-throwing activities within five miles. The Klein Independent School District is home to around 50 schools that serve over 50,000 students, garnering an overall grade of an A from Niche. The district is well-regarded, highlighted by its full accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and in 2024, high schoolers earned $64 million in scholarships. Locals can walk to Frank Elementary School and Hassler Elementary School, both rated with an A-grade, ensuring students are active in taking part in music and art. "My favorite thing about Gleannloch Farms, specifically, is that it has two onsite elementary schools, Hassler and Frank," Schilleci says. "I love that children who live in the neighborhood can walk and bike to school." Students can start taking career and technical education courses to help earn high school credits at Doerre Intermediate School, which also gets an A. This academic preparatory focus continues at Klein Cain High School offering courses in STEM, business, art, public service and multidisciplinary studies. Providence Classical School on Stuebner Airline Road educates pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. This private, faith-based institution gets an A-plus grade and splits its student body into three sections: Grammar School, Logic School and Rhetoric School. Social groups are a significant aspect of the culture of Gleannloch Farms such The Women's Committee. The Pet Committee helps find lost pets and place strays in neighborhood homes and also enforces deed restrictions that prohibit livestock on the property, allowing only cats and dogs, which should not freely roam. In the morning, neighbors line up for the D that cruises through the neighborhood. The event is packed with activities, and the party continues with families making splashes at the community swimming pool. On July 5th, locals gather for a picnic with live music, face painting, food, and bounce houses. Gleannloch's proximity and access to Texas 99 and Texas 240 cuts some travel angst for commuters by making the 30-mile drive into downtown Houston or George Bush Intercontinental Airport. "It's perfectly situated just south of Grand Parkway and east of Tomball Parkway," Schilleci says. "And it's really easy to navigate in and out of the community." Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center in Spring is 5 miles from the neighborhood.

Thirty miles north of downtown Houston and chock-full of amenities, accessible highways and sought-after schools, Klein Crossing is a family-oriented area that's fairly established but still growing. "There's been steady growth over the past two years," says Houston native Jesse Burton, managing partner of Get Realty. "People tend to settle in with all its conveniences like shopping, dining and banking. There aren't many homeowners getting up and moving." Located in Harris County, various planned subdivisions are close enough to walk the kids to school. "The top selling point is the school district," says Brandi Brantner, a real estate agent and team lead with Re/Max Integrity for seven years. "There is a wide variety of homeowners in the neighborhoods and all kinds of families."  The highly rated Klein Independent School District (ISD) is ranked in the top 10 districts in Harris County. Mueller Elementary is rated an A-minus by Niche, and Hildebrandt Intermediate gets a B-plus. After Hildebrandt, students move on to Klein Oak High School, which earns an A grade and offers an International Baccalaureate program for juniors and seniors. The high school also offers five pathways for students, including STEM. "The schools are a draw," Burton says. "At an open house, a couple I met told me they were interested in the neighborhood because of Klein ISD. It was important to keep their kids in this district."    The Farm League Park is a big athletic complex home to The Farm League, an organization for local kids to excel in flag football, soccer, volleyball and baseball. Membership at WindRose Golf Club offers 18 holes of tree-lined fairways, a golf academy and a lively social calendar filled with dinners and holiday events.    Well-maintained subdivisions offer traditional-style, brick-front properties on modest-sized lots, predominantly built between the 2000s and 2015. Many homes feature pitched roofs, arched entryways, and front-facing two-car garages. Lakes at Avalon Village, Spring Terrace, Northcrest Village and Oakwood Village are prominent planned subdivisions in the community. Driving onto Alvin A Klein Drive, a large wooden sign and long entryway lend a secluded feel to Lakes at Avalon Village. "It's nice because it is within walking distance of the nearby elementary school and junior high," Brantner says. Sizes range from 1,500 to 4,000 square feet, and sale prices fall between $235,000 and $450,000. "Even with the higher interest rates right now, the homes in that area are still moving," Burton says. "They're on the market for an average of 30 to 40 days." According to Burton, home values in Klein Crossing subdivisions appreciate quickly. "You wouldn't have an issue reselling property in the area."     Klein Crossing is home to Grand Parkway Marketplace, an open-air retail district with Target, PetSmart and Five Below. Grand Parkway Marketplace II offers more retail and restaurants just across the street. "There's no shortage of restaurants in Houston," Burton says. "And the Klein Crossing area is no exception." Aside from strip mall ventures and a handful of familiar chains like Olive Garden and Dutch Bros, there are also locally owned -options. Nadia's Mediterranean Grill is a fast-casual, family-operated spot that has been around for decades, serving homemade hummus and fresh falafel. Sourcing local and seasonal fish for their sushi, Bloofin has an intimate ambiance for lunch and dinner. Locals can choose from the Walmart Supercenter or the Sprout's Farmers Market on Kuykendahl Road for groceries.   Grand Parkway, also known as Highway 99, is located just north. Commuters can easily access all parts of the metro area, including downtown Houston and George Bush Intercontinental Airport 20 miles north. "The area is close to some major highways so that you can get around pretty easily," Burton says. "Highway 99 is very convenient. It's a toll road loop around the metro, so it's not a bad drive into The Woodlands or downtown Houston. You'd probably spend more on gas on other roads than the toll you pay on Highway 99." Memorial Hermann Convenient Care Center is 2 miles north of the community, offering around-the-clock emergency care and physical therapy.

Hockley shines with open land, creating a fertile home ground for hunters, anglers and people who enjoy living on acreage. This is an everybody-knows-everybody type of town situated between the agricultural community of Waller and the bigger city of Cypress. Hockley is remote but well connected as it's bisected by Interstate 290, providing a direct path to Houston and intersects just east with Interstate 99, Houston's outermost beltway. "There are certain parts of this area that are still very rural. Especially the closer you get to Waller, which is further out on I-290, but we are starting to see it fill in right off I-99," says Realtor Staci Russell, who has sold homes in the area through eXp Realty for three years. "It's amazing how much land the builders have claimed, and it's growing like there's no tomorrow," adds Realtor Asma Tyebally, who specializes in residential and commercial properties in the Houston metropolitan area for Keller Williams Preferred. Hockley is currently not known for its retail or robust entertainment options, but locals have all of that and more just 15 miles from home in Cypress.  Hockley's homes range from rural hideouts to those integrated into a social setting. "You're going to see a mix of different home types," says Russell. "A lot of these older homes out there sit on more acreage and are more of your traditional style ranch. But with the new construction that's popping up everywhere is more master-planned communities from builders like Lennar and Long Lake." One of these new communities is Cypress Green, where there's mostly brick neo traditional homes, though some have a modern farmhouse feeling. The communities Amenity Village is currently in construction, but will eventually bring pickleball courts, a lap pool, waterpark, dog park and more to a central location. Homes in Cypress Green range from the $200,000s to $500,000s. Russell says that housing prices are similar for established homes in Hockley. "Though obviously, there are homes that are more expensive depending on acreage," she adds. Residences on 2 to 5 acres price from around $600,000 to $2 million. Russell says inclement weather is rare but severe storms happen from time to time bringing tornados and flash flooding. Additional insurance is always worth looking into.  Served by the Waller Independent School District (ISD), students in Hockley may attend Roberts Road Elementary School, Waller Junior High School and Waller High School. Academically, the high school prepares students for college through their dual credit and advanced placement courses. Creatively, it nurtures them vis-a-vis a robust fine arts program, and students compete each year at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Competition and the Waller High School Art Exhibition. The elementary school earns a B minus rating from Niche, the junior high school scores a B plus, and the high school ranks with a B rating.     Cars are important in Hockley as most amenities are outside the neighborhood and public bust transit is nonexistent. Locals can get to downtown Houston in 40 miles and around 40 minutes via I-290. When care is needed, Memorial Hermann Cypress Hospital is around 10 miles and 12 minutes along the same route. A railroad lines I-290 in Hockley and Backdoor Pizzaria has seating facing the tracks. Regulars enjoy watching the train pass by as they chow down on New York-style slices. There are a few Mexican spots near the highway as well, including Taqueria Lolita. And grocery stores nearby, both small and large, are all nearby. The 2920 Food Mart is on Waller-Tomball Road, less than 4 miles north of Hockley, and is part of a Shell gas station. There's a Kroger Marketplace and an H-E-B 15 miles southeast in Cypress. Locals can also buy fresh, farm-grown beef at Warren Ranch. Cypress is also known for its retail options, with several malls offering familiar chains from Dick's Sporting Goods to J.Crew and more. Zube Park is a popular destination featuring standard amenities, including a playground, picnic areas and a space where you can kick a soccer ball around. What sets it apart is that there's also a splash pad for instant refreshment on hot days. Every third Saturday of the month, there's a chance to take a train ride put on the Houston Area Live Steamers, a group dedicated to live steam train modeling. Hockley is also home to a historic cattle ranch called Warren Ranch. In operation since the 1870s, the ranch spans over 6,000 acres with five miles of streams and allows hunting on its ground through a lease with Hockley Hunting Club. Anglers are drawn to the Hockley Recreational Complex for its fully stocked lake. And The Clubs at Houston Oaks is there for casual days on the greenway. For a night out, locals might go to Hockley's drive-in theater. "It's been around forever. It's called The Showboat Drive-In," Russell says. "It's really cool to have that charm of going back in time and seeing newer movies that have been released from your car. They also have a full concession stand where you can get popcorn and hot dogs." Local houses of worship include Community of Faith and Champion Cowboy Church.