As a fourth-generation Houstonian, Heather Fordham has a deep interest in the history and culture of the neighborhoods she grew up in and continues to serve. Having built lasting local relationships based on trust and integrity, she enjoys sharing her wealth of regional knowledge about the neighborhoods that make the greater Houston area such an exciting place to live and work. We've compiled a list of the top six Houston communities that prove time and again just how rich the Houston real estate market truly is.

Located 24-miles northwest of central Houston, Cypress is right in the middle of the top 100 highest-net-worth urban regions according to 2010 census data. Surprisingly, this area was almost entirely undeveloped rural land in 1980. But by the 1990s, extensive land deals and luxury real estate construction skyrocketed to create the community as it is today. Cypress is a beautifully balanced urban cluster of spacious lots in a wide-open region that has become one of Houston's largest affluent suburban neighborhoods. This distinction marks Cypress as a warmer and more neighborly choice as far as advanced real estate options go in America.

 

Being unincorporated, there are no official boundaries for Cypress, but the community's natural perimeter extends from thick forests in the northeast to grass-prairie lands in the southwest. The lands are sparsely populated with ranches and occasional patches of oak trees that intersperse the expansive grasslands. At the other end of the spectrum and further north, the Cypress economy once played host to tech giant Hewlett Packard, who ran a facility along Highway 290 that is now owned by networking giant Sysco. This is another example of how Cypress balances a unique blend of modernity and tradition.

 

There is no mistaking the unique character and history that makes Cypress distinct from your average luxury real estate market. The Cypress Historical Society proudly preserves artifacts that show human activity as far back as 7500 BC. A rich history is contained in the lands of this beautiful subtropical community in countless ways.

Though few people outside of Houston have heard of it, Piney Point Village is consistently ranked one of the wealthiest Houston neighborhoods. With a population well under 10,000, it's not hard to see why. Though a few other Houston neighborhoods outmatch Piney Point Village in terms of property-value appreciation and other specific metrics, the Piney Point real estate market has impressive lasting power and steadiness, making it one of Houston's crowning gems.

Another hallmark of Piney Point Village is the dynamic between its rural feel and the opulent estate properties, manors, and ranch houses that boldly populate the smartly used lands. As part of the Memorial Villages collection of neighborhoods near the Interstate 10 and Interstate 610 junction, many are surprised to see such a thoroughly rural but stunningly upscale setting so close to Houston proper for the first time. Nevertheless, the ultra-luxe community has created a niche for itself as a slow-paced and quiet getaway with large, sprawling lots in stark contrast to its compact 2-square-mile boundaries. True to its almost totally domestic form, Piney Point Village hosts several award-winning public and private educational institutions that continually earn high marks, including the renowned Kinkaid prep school.

Many retirees are attracted to The Woodlands for its proximity to major Houston amenities and its gorgeous, accessible natural bounty. Aptly named, this master-planned community hosts an astonishing 28,000 acres of natural forest; locals never tire of having such priceless natural offerings at hand. Residents enjoy the expansive forest trails and waterways with endless kayaking, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and outdoor activities that are guaranteed to keep you young forever. More than 220 miles of trails and 150 parks ensure that there is always an adventure waiting for you just an afternoon away.

The Woodlands city center frequently hosts events and festivals in its many public spaces and main amphitheater, where world-class music, ballet, theatre, and opera talents enthrall local audiences throughout the year. Those seeking the timeless splendor of a leisurely day in the sun with their loved ones will gravitate to the community's several pools, country clubs, and lakeside activities where stress and worry melt away. Just as readily, The Woodlands' downtown nightlife and fine-dining options round out its Mainstreet feeling with a metropolitan touch of class.

The residential areas of The Woodlands are subdivided into eight villages, all with their own share of amenities. Each village is a network of neighborhoods replete with luxury condos, ranch-style homes, and high-end estates. Where Houston neighborhoods already show an advanced ability to utilize space efficiently, real estate options in The Woodlands are unrestrained by spatial limitations due to its strategic foundations as a master-planned city.

As far as Houston's many satellite communities go, Sugar Land consistently ranks as one of its most affluent communities — and not just financially. Though Sugar Land hosts incredibly influential companies such as Western Airways and CVR Energy, it also ranked highly as the Fittest City in Texas for five years running in the 2000s and 2010s, making it an extremely well-off city in terms of its residents’ health.

The city gets its name from its history as a leading force in the sugar industry during the early 1900s. By 1959, Sugar Land became a city-wide master-planned community. It began in 1823 as a chartered settlement of only 300 families, and it's incredible to wonder how the land must have looked in its frontier days when you set foot in the ultra-modernized city. For those with just such curiosity, the Sugar Land Heritage Foundation provides historic walking tours to reveal these former frontier lands' rugged and sweet history.

As one of the fastest-growing Houston suburbs, Katy has maintained its small-America charm and hometown feel. Throughout the early 2000s, the former railroad town has been busy building and expanding upscale communities, such as Pin Oak Village, Grand Lakes, Pine Mill Ranch, and Seven Meadows. Katy's wide range of affluent yet approachable offerings has made its real estate market a great fit for retirees seeking the good life as well as busy professionals wanting to raise their families in idyllic, family-friendly settings.

The region's healthy growth has given Katy a highly desirable market for those seeking brand new luxury homes. Some of the most recent such communities include The Falls at Green Meadows, Cane Island, The Enclave, and Pin Oak Village. Katy's development of public spaces is not far behind — in 2020, the local government set its sights on an elaborate redevelopment plan for downtown Katy. Though much of the unincorporated land seemingly belonging to Katy may be annexed by Houston at a later date, it is certain that in any event, the neighborhoods in and around Katy have big-development pockets with a small-town feel that's here to stay.

Known as the most walkable neighborhood in Houston, Montrose is a four-square-mile area developed in 1911 and known for its eccentric nightlife, fine dining, and world-renowned art scene. Being a short distance west of downtown Houston, you'll be surprised that such a unique cultural statement is so close to the high-powered oil capital of America.

If you've never been to Montrose, a walking tour is a must to get acquainted with its almost overwhelming mix of urban offerings. However, the hip, youthful flair of downtown Montrose does not outdo its depth of class. The Menil Collection is at the heart of the artistic prestige that Montrose is known for. This globally significant museum is free to the public and hosts almost 20,000 unique pieces of artwork — including the world's largest collection of René Magritte surrealist paintings, an assortment of one-of-a-kind sculptures, and antiques dating up to 5,000 years old. Further on in your Montrose wanderings, find your way to the Rothko Chapel, and see if its enormous murals don't give you pause in its deliberately crafted octagonal space.

Once you've sated your curiosity about the Montrose art scene, you can follow the main river west until you reach the natural serenity and cheer of the 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park. You'll find breath-taking gardens, wide-open space, thoughtfully xeriscaped features, and enough riverside recreation to make you wonder if you'd enjoy living in Montrose. Your appetite will find endless satisfaction in the myriad of dining options that even the inhabitants of Montrose don't take for granted. Take your pick from the edible cultural intersection of countless unique restaurants, pubs, and cafe bistros. Here, you'll find sweet delicacies, fun microbreweries, good old Texas BBQ, South American cuisine, and much more. In nearly every way, Montrose is sure to inspire your imagination and overall zest for life.

As a Platinum Realty agent, Heather Fordham applies her love of Houston to her service as an unsurpassed local realtor. She works tirelessly by leveraging relationships built on integrity and trust with some of Houston's most affluent individuals to land the most advantageous deals possible. If you wish to enhance your real estate portfolio with a highly valuable Houston property in an invaluable setting, contact Heather Fordham today.