Northview - Houston, TX

Kingwood started as a master-planned neighborhood in 1970. King Ranch and Exxon’s Friendswood Development Company developed the land after they acquired it from the Foster Lumber Company as a joint venture in late 1967. The first village opened in 1971. In 1996, the city of Houston annexed Kingwood after much resistance from neighborhood residents. The process of annexation began in 1994, and community members fought against it with lawsuits and attempted negotiations. Many residents believed that the annexation tainted the neighborhood’s reputation as the "Livable Forest." While there are no museums in the Kingwood community, the Kingwood Branch Library operates arts and crafts programs for adults and children. The Painted Elephant, a local art studio, also hosts classes that cultivate artistic skills. Registration and fees apply for certain classes and activities.

Kingwood has several dining options to choose from. You can't go to too many places in Texas without stumbling across a Tex-Mex restaurant, and Skeeter’s Mesquite Grill serves as a popular Tex-Mex option in the Kingwood neighborhood. It has classics such as mesquite grilled burgers and tacos. Try its famous “Katie’s T-Sip Dip," queso with fresh beef and guacamole, which has made many locals into dedicated fans of this neighborhood favorite. Kings Harbor, a multipurpose development that lies right on Lake Houston, houses many great restaurants. As one of those restaurants, Chimi Churri’s South American Grill pairs fresh ingredients with South American flavors and spices to provide its patrons with an exhilarating Latin American culinary experience. Its popular lunch menu includes Entranas De Res, an Argentinean steak basted with the restaurant's signature Chimichurri, accompanied with green pepperco. Other menu selections include Chuleta de Cerdo, Causa De Cebiche and Pollo Maracanã. Chimi Churri’s also has an impressive wine menu to complement its dishes. Another restaurant to check out at Kings Harbor, Zammitti’s specializes in Italian cuisine. From its location on Lake Houston, it provides an exclusive, peaceful atmosphere. House specialties include grilled salmon, chicken parmesan and linguini with clam sauce. Its signature chicken saltimbocca consists of an herbed demi-glazed chicken breast stuffed with goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes, sage and spinach, served alongside grilled vegetables. For a mellow night out on the town, Kings Harbor once again has you covered. The Tasting Room wine café makes its home there, providing guests with over 150 wines to choose from and the option to “try before you buy." Guests also enjoy live music and chef-prepared gourmet food. Many Kingwood residents frequent Nico’s Bar and Grill, a popular happy hour spot that also provides nightlife and special events. Whether watching the big game at the bar, enjoying live music or breaking in your dancing shoes on the dance floor, Nico’s has weekly entertainment options to suit various tastes.

Kingwood Harris residents enjoy several options for transportation. A lot of people travel via automobile, but public transportation remains a very popular option. The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County services this neighborhood with its buses. I-69 skirts around this neighborhood, making commutes to other cities and neighborhoods convenient. This pedestrian friendly community comes equipped with sidewalks, and it also maintains several bicycle lanes for safe cycling. Most residents and businesses have private parking. You can call and arrange for a taxi or catch an Uber. The wait time for an Uber, excluding peak times, ranges between five to 10 minutes.

There are many parks in the Kingwood neighborhood. Deer Ridge Park, a 63-acre expanse within the neighborhood, includes a shaded picnic area, a playground area and a gazebo. Park visitors who want exercise love this park's two tennis courts, basketball court and volleyball facilities. The park leases a section of the land to the Kingwood Horsemen’s Association, which uses it for various equestrian activities. River Grove Park supplies the Kingwood community with another nature and recreational area. This 74-acre park has a boardwalk and access to Lake Houston, so many park attendees visit it to go fishing. The 18-hole disc golf course provides a fun afternoon activity, while the picnic areas and playground area make this park perfect for the family. This park also has restrooms. Kingwood also houses the Dylan Duncan Skate Park, Houston’s first public skate park. Other neighborhood parks include Rustling Elm Park, the Lake Houston YMCA and Town Center Park, where the annual Christmas in the Park event takes place.

The cost of living in Kingwood Harris tends to run lower than in the rest of the city of Houston. The mean rent for a one-bedroom unit in Kingwood runs at $662, compared to $1,191 for the city proper. You can catch a MTA bus to downtown Houston from Kingwood Harris with a $3 bus pass. Gas in this neighborhood costs less than the national average by 6 percent.

There are no large shopping malls in the Kingwood neighborhood, but the popular Woodlands shopping mall is just up I-45, and the area does have a few specialty shops and boutiques in Kings Harbor. You can't forget that you are in the great state of Texas when you shop at Dirt Road Divas. Located on W Lake Houston Parkway in Kingwood, this women's fashion boutique sells women's clothing and gift items with a little southern inspiration. It also stocks popular brands such as BCBG, Miss Me denim, and Big Buddha. Jennika's is a fun shopping boutique in Kings Harbor. It specializes in selling home decor pieces, gifts, and limited apparel with a bohemian vibe. You can also check out some of its special events, such as its art nights and holiday previews. Grocery stores in the neighborhood include Kroger, H-E-B., Jack's Grocery Store, and Randall's. If you are looking for a farmers market, the Kingwood Town Center holds the Kingwood Farmers Market every week.