Willow Meadows-Willowbend - Houston, TX

Before the neighborhood became a bedroom community in the 1950s, farms and ranches dominated the land. Since the development came, little has changed, largely because active civic associations and strong deed restrictions have kept it as it is.

Annual neighborhood picnics and events add to the feeling of community. Don’t miss the Willow Meadows Baptist Church's annual block party in September. It’s a great opportunity to socialize with area residents. Bigger events, such as the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show, are easily accessible at nearby Reliant Park. The art scene is limited to live music at local pubs, and there are no museums in this neighborhood, but the museum district is just a short drive up Main Street.

In keeping with the rest of Houston, Willow Meadows-Willowbend offers a range of dining choices. From Asian to barbecue to vegetarian and fast food, even picky eaters will find something to whet their appetite. The central restaurant district can be found along South Post Oak Road at the neighborhood’s western edge. So if you’re not sure what you’re in the mood for, you’ll no doubt be inspired after a quick jaunt down the restaurant row.

One place not to be missed is Fainmous BBQ. It’s one of those Houston treasures you might pass by due to its unassuming location in the city’s ubiquitous strip malls. But taste the pulled pork sandwich and cole slaw and you won’t fail to notice it again. Proprietors the Fains family are Tennessee transplants who do their part to make Houston one of the barbecue capitals of the world.

If you’re more of a breakfast person, try Cue's Burgers. Photos of locals line the classic mom and pop diner’s walls. You can’t go wrong starting your day with the giant breakfast tacos, the friendly service, the warm neighborhood vibe and the latest gossip. And for classic Mexican, don’t miss Super La Mexicana—the authentic barbacoa has a devoted following.

Relax after a long day at Emmit's Place, the very definition of a neighborhood bar. Watch your favorite sports on the television, play shuffleboard or brave the open mic. Emmit’s also hosts live bands--everything from blues to country to rock-n-roll to zydeco. If the open mic doesn’t appeal to your inner performer, you can always try karaoke on the weekends. A bucket of Lone Stars will set you back only $10. The nearby Hunter's Pub offers a great patio. Other bars, restaurants and a movie theater can be found in nearby Meyer Park.

Most Willow Meadows-Willowbend residents commute to work. One of the area’s greatest amenities is its easy access to main roads. Major thoroughfares bound all sides of the neighborhood, making it easy to get from Willow Meadows-Willowbend to nearly any part of town. Public parking is cheap and plentiful. Numerous Metro bus lines run along Post Oak Road as well. Additionally, Uber and various taxi companies serve the entire city of Houston.

For those with a more green bent or those interested in burning some calories, getting around the neighborhood on foot is easy. The residential areas are relatively safe for bikers, despite the lack of bike lanes, but biking is not recommended on major thoroughfares.

Residents of Willow Meadows-Willowbend while away their weekends at Willow Park, a charming and free neighborhood green featuring a number of amenities. Parents can use the picnic tables and barbecue grills to prepare a feast while their children play on the swings and slides. The athletic types can make use of the tennis and volleyball courts. You and your neighbors will find a good reason to put together informal soccer or softball teams when you see the sports field and bleachers. Joggers, bikers and walkers will find themselves drawn to the lovely exercise trail that circumnavigates the park, and dogs are allowed in the park. All sit next to the school, providing children a great place to play after the school day.

Those with a more naturalist bent will enjoy the future improvements to nearby Willow Waterhole Greenway Park. City of Houston improvements to the park will turn it into a home for migratory birds as well as an improved flood protection system. Additionally, the large fields running between the nearby railroad track and the neighborhood's eastern residences provide even more natural ponds and wildlife.

Residents of Willow Meadows-Willowbend have a somewhat higher cost of living than the city's average. Expect to pay $776.77 on average for a one-bedroom apartment making the neighborhood accessible for those looking to live near the city. One-way bus fare is $1.25, and gas prices are about 10% lower than the national average.

The major business strip sits on South Post Oak’s west side, where you can find everything you’ll need, such as furniture, clothing, dollar stores and florists. A little more exploring will reveal some pleasant surprises. Fonza Smith operates Allen's Banjo Company, where he makes high-end instruments. His shop sits a mere half-mile away from the factory for the biggest drumstick maker in the world–ProMark. (World famous rocker Neil Peart of Rush swears by them.) There's also Broughton's Horn Shop, specializing in school instrument rentals and piano lessons. Drive another 10 minutes, and you’ll find the Galleria, a world-famous high-end shopping center featuring major department stores and even an ice skating rink.

A quick five-minute drive takes you to nearby neighborhoods that host a number of discount department and big box stores. For your groceries, the area includes Texas-founded Randall’s as well as Kroger, Fiesta, Foodarama and La Michocana, but there are no farmers markets in the immediate area.