The Best Areas in Houston for Families

By Gretchen Pille, Storage.com

Finding your place in this world can be pretty difficult, not to mention how hard it can be to move there. Storage.com is here to help with the moving process, either by providing storage or helping you find the ideal place to call home.

Houston is arguably one of the best places to live right now. Beautiful weather, ample job opportunities, and some of the most affordable neighborhoods and suburbs await the families who are packing up and heading to the energy capital of the world. Houston is undoubtedly a great place to raise a family. But Houston is huge, and knowing what neighborhood or suburb is right for your family can be difficult. So we’ve done the research for you and compiled a list of the best family neighborhoods and suburbs in Houston. Like the families moving to Houston, each area is unique. At the end of the day, you really can’t go wrong with any of them.

NEIGHBORHOODS

1. THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE MOST CONVENIENT LOCATION:
SPRING BRANCH

pool
Photo by Taylor White

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 2.3% less than national average
  • Median home price: $189,742
  • Crime rate: 51% higher than national average
  • Teacher/student ratio: 1:16

Families who live in Spring Branch have a lot to enjoy about their location. First, this formerly rural community sits right outside the 610 loop, giving these residents the space and privacy of a suburb with easy access to the bustling inner loop. But the people of Spring Branch don’t have to travel at all to find good food, as their neighborhood is increasingly becoming recognized as a foodie paradise. With exciting restaurants like Vietnam Poblano and EurAsia Fusion Sushi, it would be hard to disagree!

2. THE HOUSTON NEIGHBORHOOD THAT’S FUN FOR EVERYONE:
GALLERIA-UPTOWN

skating rink
Photo by Roy Luck

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 23.8% higher than national average
  • Median home price: $392,765
  • Crime rate: 21% lower than national average
  • Teacher/student ratio: 1:18.6

There’s truly something for everyone in Galleria-Uptown. Families can stretch their legs in one of the spacious ranch-style sprawls of the Del Mont subdivision and enjoy unique activities, such as family skating at Ice at the Galleria. And when mom and dad need a break from the kiddos, parents needn’t travel far from home to find grown-up entertainment like fancy restaurants and upscale shopping. For a fun night out, go to Masraff’s for dinner and Pinot’s Palette for some BYOB painting!

3. THE BEST HOUSTON NEIGHBORHOOD WITH A SUBURBAN FEEL:
MEYERLAND

sunset
Photo by mario

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 8% higher than national average
  • Median home price: $195,100
  • Crime rate: 19% higher than national average
  • Teacher/student ratio: approximately 1:15

Located in southwest Houston, this established neighborhood lies just outside of the 610 loop, yet inside Beltway 8. Homes in Meyerland are a mix of covetted 50s and 60s era designs as well as newer constructions, all surrounded by mature trees. Homes in Meyerland often have large yards, so you’ll have room to stretch your legs while staying in city limits. Meyerland is also home to some Houston favorites: Fainmous BBQ and Fioza Cafe. The center of Houston’s Jewish community, Meyerland houses Houston’s Jewish Community Center as well as several synagogues of various sizes. On top of that, Meyerland has consistently been recognized for its great public, private, and magnet schools.

4. THE HOUSTON NEIGHBORHOOD WITH THE BEST CHRISTMAS
LIGHTS: WOODLAND HEIGHTS

christmas lights
Photo by Theresa Quintanilla

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 7.3% higher than national average
  • Median home price: $268,936
  • Crime rate: 21% lower than national average
  • Teacher/student ratio: 1:18.6

This neighborhood goes all out at Christmas. Woodland Heights is a destination on many Houston and Texas Christmas lights tours, including the tour hosted by Houston’s jitney shuttle service, The Wave. And if holiday decorating isn’t your top priority, Woodland Heights is also one of the closest (a 10-minute drive) residential neighborhoods to the high quality entertainment of Downtown Houston, which includes family favorites Discovery Green and Astros baseball games at Minute Maid Park.

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SUBURBS

1. THE BEST UP-AND-COMING HOUSTON SUBURB:
FULSHEAR

bike path
via The City of Fulshear

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 16% higher than national average
  • Median home price: $345,400
  • Crime rate: 86% lower than national average

In the last few years, Fulshear and surrounding areas have seen an unprecedented population surge in their quiet communities. Fulshear has always been primarily a ranching and farming community, but since the population boom, Fulshear’s commercial industry is steadily expanding. Come for the charming rural landscapes, and stay for the ever-increasing economic opportunity. And Yong’s Asian Fusion & Sushi, of course! Weekend excursions could include visits to the variety of specialty shops in the area, like Red Potato Market that always seem to be popping up around town. Families are choosing Fulshear for its safety and affordable home prices. But if you want to live here, you’ll have to act fast. The only drawback to Fulshear is that housing struggles to keep up with current demand.

2. THE HOUSTON SUBURB WITH THE BEST MUSIC:
THE WOODLANDS

waterway
Photo by Joel Olives

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 7.2% higher than national average
  • Median home price: $264,600
  • Crime rate: 54% lower than national average
  • Teacher/student ratio: 1:17

Exposing your children to music at a young age is important, and a great place to do that is The Woodlands. Kids can learn to make their own music at local studios like Prelude and the Woodlands Academy of Music. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is host to famous performers throughout the year, and is the summer home for the acclaimed Houston Symphony. Free concerts are given throughout the spring, summer, and fall around The Woodlands, including those at North Shore Park and Central Park.

3. THE HOUSTON SUBURB WITH THE MOST CONVENIENT LOCATION:
SUGAR LAND

crowd party
via Sugar Land Town Square

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 10.2% higher than national average
  • Median home price: $253,700
  • Crime rate: 33% lower than national average
  • Teacher/student ratio: 1:16

Just under a half hour’s drive to Downtown Houston, Sugar Land can boast easy access to the hustling excitement of one of America’s most populous cities, as well as the safety, space, and amenities of a well-developed suburb. But you don’t even have to leave Sugar Land to have fun. Finding things to do that both you and you kids will enjoy is easy. Sugar Land favorites like Jupiter Pizza & Waffle Co. and Guru Burgers & Crepes are sure to please even the pickiest eaters in your family. The Sugar Land Town Square is a shopping and entertainment center in the heart of the city and regularly hosts concerts with live music and community events like their annual family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration.

4. THE HOUSTON SUBURB WITH THE BEST SENSE OF COMMUNITY:
SPRING

houston suburb

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 10.7% less than national average
  • Median home price: $112,600
  • Crime rate: 21% higher than national average
  • Teacher/student ratio: 1:16

Those who work in Houston but find the pace of the city exhausting may find that coming home to Spring every evening is the perfect remedy. Many Spring residents love their city because they get a small town feel with big city opportunities just 25 minutes down the road. Bigger homes for less money are an attractive for growing families who need space. But make no mistake – this suburb is anything but boring. Old Town Spring is home to dozens of little shops and restaurants, like the always popular Ellen’s Cafe, to explore with your kids. Spring, Texas also hosts many festivals, including the popular Texas Crawfish Music Festival and Texas Wine and Art Festival.

5. THE HOUSTON SUBURB WITH THE BEST SCHOOLS:
KATY

football
Photo by Phillip Shoffner

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 5.4% less than national average
  • Median home price: $150,400
  • Crime rate: 14% higher than national average
  • Teacher/student ratio: 1:16

Not only are Katy Independent School District’s test scores regularly making headlines, but they’ve got award-winning teachers, and a great relationship with parents, as evidenced by the district’s positive reviews on both Niche and Great Schools. And post-secondary options in Katy are great as well. Those wanting to continue their education can take classes at the Katy campus of Houston Community College or the ever-growing University of Houston Katy Campus.

6. THE SAFEST HOUSTON SUBURB:
FRIENDSWOOD

house
Photo by Mike Fisher

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 3.5% higher than national average
  • Median home price: $220,500
  • Crime rate: 62% lower than national average
  • Teacher/student ratio: 1:17

The crime rate here speaks for itself. Safety is important for you and your family, and you can’t do better than Friendswood. Friendswood was recently listed as the 3rd safest city in Texas by Safewise. There is also a positive relationship between the people of Friendswood and the Friendswood Police Department. The Friendswood Police Officers Association regularly holds events for the benefit of their police, including an annual golf tournament in May.

7. THE MOST EXCITING HOUSTON SUBURB:
LEAGUE CITY

lighthouse
Photo by Mike Fisher

Quick Facts:

  • Cost of living: 2.3% less than national average
  • Median home price: $176,300
  • Crime rate: 27% less than national average
  • Teacher/student ratio: 1:15

For the outdoor enthusiast, this Houston suburb may be your best bet. Proximity to the beach and quick access to dozens of parks make League City a great place to explore with the kids. You and your family can experience Texas nature and wildlife hands on at Armand Bayou Nature Center. You can kayak and compete in sand castle competitions in the 32 miles of beach at Galveston Island. And this suburb is just getting started. The city’s population is growing fast, and plans are in the works to further develop their waterfront areas. If the great outdoors aren’t your thing, there are plenty of indoor options like Space Center Houston or the Butler Longhorn Museum.

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Do you have any other recommendations for the best areas in Houston for families? Let us know in the comments section!

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All images have either been provided by a listed organization or are licensed under the Creative Commons.
Quick Facts statistics were found at AreaVibes.com.

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