Woodlands - Magnolia, TX

The Woodlands sits about 28 miles north of Houston along I-45 and was designated as a master planned community in 1974. The area was conceived after George P. Mitchell, an oil industry investor, came to attend a symposium by American City Corporation on how to develop HUD financed Title VII towns such as Columbia, Maryland. The land was dedicated by Mitchell in 1974 and managed by the Woodlands Corporation as an extension of Mitchell’s company, Mitchell Energy, and Development. Mitchell planned for the land to house a conference center, hotels, office parks, shopping malls, schools, and golf courses. The idea was successful and now the Woodlands is ranked as one of the biggest and best suburban master communities.

The current population of the area is estimated at just over 110,000, which is almost double what the population was in 2000.

The neighborhood is home to the Woodlands Children's Museum, a place where young kids can learn and explore. Open exhibits allow kids to interact with the exhibit and each other for an imaginative play experience. Best of all, admission is always free.

For food and entertainment, the Woodlands residents flock to the Town Center. The popular destination area covers over 1,000 acres and brings an exciting urban feel to an otherwise suburban neighborhood with its shops, hotels, office buildings, lofts and town homes.

For a great meal within the Town Center, make sure to visit Jasper’s Restaurant, where award-winning chef Kent Rathburn has created a wonderful menu categorized as gourmet backyard cuisine. The restaurant serves many popular dishes, with the most famous being its baby-back ribs, which were voted the best ribs in America by Bon Apetit Magazine. For those who prefer seafood, Babin’s Seafood serves fresh fish all caught in the nearby Gulf Coast. In addition, it offers authentic Louisiana style with its famous gumbo, blue crabs and catfish straight from the Atchafalaya swamps.

To enjoy live entertainment, head over to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, one of the area’s most popular destinations for a night out. As one of the world’s most popular outdoor amphitheaters, it plays host features a variety of performances from plays to contemporary music, and seats an astounding 19,500 people.

The Woodlands features many transportation options. Biking and walking is a great way to get around the neighborhood, especially for people who want a little exercise. Additionally, a waterway featuring a waterway trolley and taxi system provides easy travel around the neighborhood. A full day pass can be purchased for just $5, with unlimited trips throughout the day. For travel outside of the neighborhood area, a cab can be called, and Uber and Lyft can be used in the area with each company's phone application. I-45 also runs directly adjacent to The Woodlands, making the commute to Houston or any other city very convenient.

Over 40 different parks sit inside the boundaries of The Woodlands area, including Evergreen Park, Sawmill Park and Grogan’s Point Park. Evergreen Park features a large pavilion area, picnic tables and a tranquil lily pad pond. People who work across the street from the park along Evergreen Circle or in the Town Center Plaza stop at Evergreen Park for some fresh air during lunch. Sawmill Park in the Village of Grogan’s Mill has always been a favorite destination for local kids, due to the large pool, splash pad, enormous playground area and five separate tennis courts. Grogan’s Point park is home to a heavily wooded area with a playground for children situated underneath, featuring two slides and a climbing wall. The park hosts the annual Spring Fever 5k, sponsored by Grogan’s Point Charitable Giving Foundation and The Woodlands Township.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the area costs approximately $988 per month, just over the Montgomery County median of $930 and under both the Montgomery County average of $1,430 and the Texas state average of $1,080. The average two-bedroom rental cost sits at $1,680, above the Texas state averages and Harris County averages of $1,430 and $1,430 but below the Montgomery County median of $1,780.

There are many different shopping options available, all conveniently located in the neighborhood area. Some of the more popular options include the Woodlands Mall and the Market Street shopping area.

The Woodlands Mall was built in 1994 and has been constantly adding stores over the years. The mall currently features over 160 stores and retail outlets including favorites such as Apple, Brighton, Coach, Forever 21, and Michael Kors, as well as anchor stores Dillard’s, Nordstrom, JCPenney, and Macy’s.

The Market Street area has more than 75 different types of shops and businesses, ranging from law offices to retail shops such as Eddie Bauer, J Crew and Lululemon. The area has many different boutique shops to purchase the most fashionable outfits, including Mainstream Boutique and Diva Boutique, both specialty clothing stores.

For food and grocery shopping, the Woodlands residents enjoy easy access to several gourmet options, including the local favorite, Randall’s bakery. Another frequently visited grocery store is Oil and Vinegar, which provides more of a gourmet shopping experience. Many other grocery stores are also located in the area, including the bargain favorite Trader Joes and H-E-B grocery.