Lazy Brook-Timbergrove - Houston, TX

Lazy Brook-Timbergrove remained an undeveloped piece of land post-World War II, while suburban Houston sprang up in surrounding areas. Families began to settle the land around the 1950s and 1960s, building ranch-style brick homes on large lots. Now sitting on the outer northwest edge of Loop 610, the neighborhood has become a high-demand area close to Houston’s metropolitan center.

The neighborhood has seen regrowth in the area with the remodeling and tear-down of the original mid-century homes. With its close proximity to The Heights, one of Houston’s most desired neighborhoods, residents enjoy the amenities of The Heights without its high cost of living.

Just to the east of Lazy Brook-Timbergrove, the Heights hosts the First Saturday Arts Market. On the first Saturday of each month, the parking lot between Gen’s Antiques and YogaOne fills with unique art. Live music and food trucks add to the fun atmosphere.

Though most dining and entertainment options lie in nearby The Heights, Lazy Brook-Timbergrove provides a few neighborhood dining options and unique nightlife spots. A local favorite near TC Jester Boulevard and 18th Street, Pappa Geno's serves up the best Philly cheesesteak in Houston. The sandwiches don't skimp on the flavor or the calories. The meaty cheesesteaks drenched in gravy or cheese sauce leave patrons more than satisfied. Get the disco fries if you've got room for more. A few blocks west on 18th street sits Hughies Tavern and Vietnamese Grille. Known for the Shaking Beef, a popular dish of flame broiled filet mignon bites, the Vietnamese/Asian-fusion grill also delivers a tasty Banh Mi. Service is quick, making it a great stop for a weekday lunch. The craft beer selection draws in the after-work and weekend crowd as well. For a casual dive bar, locals frequent The Spot Club, where the drinks come cheap and the atmosphere stays relaxed. The small dance floor and pool tables provide additional entertainment while country music plays in the background. Head west in the neighborhood to Neon Boots Dancehall & Saloon for some cold beer and line dancing. Not your average cowboy crowd, the dance floor fills with an eclectic mix of people but the country music and dancing remain authentic. Come for Wednesday Bingo Night and enjoy a $10 ribeye as the numbers are called out.

Residents traveling in and around Lazy Brook-Timbergrove prefer to get around via personal cars. Some shopping and dining in the neighborhood may be done on foot, but most locals complete errands or commute to work by car. Some biking infrastructure exists in the neighborhood. About eight city metro bus lines run through the neighborhood. Residents enjoy close proximity to two major Houston highways, Loop 610 and Highway 290, making travel to other parts of Houston simple. To hail a cab, call the cab company to request a ride, or schedule a pickup with Uber.

The Lazy Brook-Timbergrove neighborhood provides Jaycee Park as a place for residents to enjoy some green space. Located at Seamist Drive and Grovewood Lane, the park underwent a complete renovation in 2012 and now includes amenities including a walking trail and a splash pad. Locals bring their young families to swing on the playground sets. Fitness buffs enjoy the stretching area before exercising. The friendly park provides ample parking and well-maintained grounds, making it a safe place to relax outdoors.

Just south of the neighborhood, residents also frequent the 1,500-acre Memorial Park. A favorite among Houston joggers, the trail runs about 2.88 miles. Within the park sits the Memorial Park Golf Course, one of the top-rate municipal courses in the nation. Park-goers also enjoy visiting The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center with wildlife sensory gardens and 5 miles of walking trails. Open daily with free admission, this nature haven provides a unique park experience.

Lazy Brook-Timbergrove has seen an impressive growth in value and home prices, but the neighborhood remains an affordable option for those looking to live close to the Houston metropolitan center. The cost of living in Lazy Brook-Timbergrove averages about 11 percent less than the national average, and a one-bedroom apartment runs about $1,018 per month. A single ride on the city metro bus costs about $1.25, and local gas prices sit about 6 percent less than the national average. With a few pub options in the neighborhood, locals pay about $3.50 for a domestic beer.

Though a few shopping options lie in Lazy Brook-Timbergrove, most residents venture outside the neighborhood to surrounding major shopping areas. Local shopping resides mostly along Highway 290, with occasional neighborhood boutiques in the area.

Locals favor Empire Tool Traders, on 34th Street near Hempstead Highway, as an alternative to the big box home improvement stores. The family-owned hardware store stocks everything from power tools to office supplies and the knowledgeable staff make finishing a DIY home project much less daunting.

Another local favorite, Darlene’s Flower and Gift Shop, provides locals a trusted place to order a flower arrangement or purchase unique home décor and gifts. The owner takes the extra step to ensure your flower arrangement perfectly suits the occasion and patrons love the selection of handbags and jewelry.

Residents typically travel to adjacent Spring Branch or The Heights neighborhoods for grocery shopping. Lazy Brook-Timbergrove houses a Wal-Mart that includes a grocery department, but for greater selections, Kroger’s and HEB prove more popular.

Though Lazy Brook-Timbergrove doesn’t host any farmers markets, The Heights provides the opportunity to stock up on fresh produce with shops such as Revival Meats for high-quality butcher shop needs and Canino Produce for farmer’s market fare.