The Definitive Ranking of the Best Houston Suburbs in the West and Southwest

See our honest assessment of the best west and southwest Houston suburbs to live in.

The Houston communities in the West and Southwest feature homes on expansive lots with great accessibility to the Energy Corridor, the Galleria, the Texas Medical Center, and Downtown Houston.

They also boast highly rated public schools and fantastic community amenities.

If you're one of the countless people who are wondering where to live in Houston or what the best suburbs in Houston are then this ultimate guide created by Houston’s best Realtors is for you.

We created this list of the best Houston suburbs in the West and Southwest by ranking both independent cities and suburban regions within the city of Houston using a proprietary method based on these four criteria:

• Commute Times

• Employment

• Public Schools

• Amenities

Check out the 20 best West and Southwest Houston suburbs below and see where they're located using our best West Houston neighborhoods map and best Southwest Houston neighborhoods map.

If you’d like to see any specific homes in west Houston or if you want to learn about southwest Houston neighborhoods that are best for you, please contact Paige Martin at [email protected], ranked #1 Agent with Keller Williams in Texas and #5 Worldwide.

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Table of Contents

1. The Best West Houston Neighborhoods / Best Southwest Houston Neighborhoods
2. By the Numbers: The Best Suburbs in Houston in the West and Southwest
3. Ranking the Top West and Southwest Houston Suburbs
4. Methodology
5. The Best Houston Realtor to Help You Buy a Home

The Best West Houston Neighborhoods / Best Southwest Houston Neighborhoods

These suburbs represent the "best of the best" that West and Southwest Houston have to offer, ranked by our expert agents from the Houston Properties Team. If you're interested in buying one of the many affordable new homes in Houston located in any of the suburbs in this list, contact us for recommendations.

The west and southwest of Houston are some of the best places in Texas to live in because of their excellent public schools, variety of amenities, availability of affordable homes, and easy accessibility to key business districts.

We compiled the suburbs in the west and southwest of Houston and then ranked them to show the "best of the best" that this area has to offer. Check them out below.

1. Katy North

2. Sugar Land South

3. Sugar Land West

4. Katy Old Towne

5. Sugar Land East

6. Fort Bend County North/Richmond

7. Katy Southeast

8. Katy Southwest

9. Sugar Land North

10. Memorial West

11. Missouri City Area

12. Fort Bend South/Richmond

13. Fulshear/South Brookshire

14. Sienna Area

15. Rosenberg

16. Fort Bend Southeast

17. Brookshire

18. Needville

19. Energy Corridor

20. Bear Creek South

By the Numbers: The Best Suburbs in Houston in the West and Southwest

You can find here the summary of the real estate statistics for Houston's Best West and Southwest Suburbs. If you're looking to buy a house in Houston and you're interested in a more in-depth analysis of which suburb is right for you, don't hesitate to contact the best Realtor in Houston and we'll be more than happy to help you out.

Ranking the Top West and Southwest Houston Suburbs

If you're looking for a suburb with great amenities, award-winning schools, and easy access to key employment hubs, then you will find that the suburbs in the west and southwest of Houston contain all of these and more. You can use our expert guide to browse the best places to live in Houston and see which one is the perfect fit for you and your family.

1. Katy North

HP Team Ranking: A+

Katy North is composed of several popular master-planned communities such as Cinco Ranch, Firethorne, Seven Meadows, Grand Lakes, and Falls at Green Meadows. These communities offer incredible amenities, award-winning schools, and great access to major highways like Grand Parkway, Interstate 10, and Westpark Tollway.

These, coupled with the fact that some of the most affordable houses in Houston are located here, helped Katy North get the designation as one of the best neighborhoods in Houston for families according to online real estate investment management firm HomeUnion.

Homes in the area usually feature 3-4 bedroom floor plans and start at around $150,000.

Katy North Commute Times

The Energy Corridor is only 20 minutes away from Katy North. The Galleria, on the other hand, is 45 minutes away, while Downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center are 50 minutes and 60 minutes away, respectively.

Katy North Employment

Katy North’s proximity to the Energy Corridor gives it great access to companies headquartered in the area, like McDermott International, Shell Oil Company, Dow Chemical Company, Foster Wheeler, and Gulf States Toyota.

Katy North Public Schools

The Katy ISD serves homes in Katy North. Notable schools include Roosevelt Alexander Elementary School, Rodger and Ellen Beck Junior High School, and Cinco Ranch High School.

Katy North Amenities

For shopping, retail, and dining you can’t go wrong with Katy Mills Mall and LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch.

For outdoor activities, there are Thomas Park, VFW Park, Malcolm E. Beckendorff Family Park, and Mason Creek South Hike & Bike Trail. There are also The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club, and The Club at Falcon Point for golf enthusiasts.

2. Sugar Land South

HP Team Ranking: A+

Nestled along Southwest Freeway and State Highway 6, Sugar Land South is an affluent city with rapid growth over the last few decades. It’s also one of Houston’s premier neighborhoods, with numerous master-planned communities, fantastic amenities, and high-ranking schools.

Its master-planned communities include Riverstone, Brazos Landing, First Colony, Avalon, and Commonwealth.

In 2023, the area that Sugar Land South is part of was included in Livability.com’s Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.

Sugar Land South homes have a wide variety of architectural styles, from traditional to contemporary/modern designs. Sizes range from over 1,000 square feet to around 5,000 square feet. Prices start at around $70,000 and can go up to as much as $5.6 million.

Sugar Land South Commute Times

Going to the Galleria from Sugar Land South will take only 20 minutes. Add 5 minutes and you’re in the Energy Corridor; add another 5 minutes and you’re in Downtown Houston or the Medical Center.

Sugar Land South Employment

Sugar Land Business Park is a 1,000-acre employment hub found northeast of the city. It’s home to companies like Schlumberger, Tramontina, CVR Energy, NalcoChampion, Fluor, Minute Maid, and Imperial Sugar Company.

Sugar Land South Public Schools

Homes in Sugar Land South are zoned to the Fort Bend ISD and Lamar Consolidated ISD. Schools that serve the community include Commonwealth Elementary, Fort Settlement Middle, Clements High, Dulles High, and Stephen F. Austin High.

Sugar Land South Amenities

Sugar Land South has the most number of master-planned communities in the country, and each community offers a wide variety of amenities, from parks and trails, lakes, golf courses, playgrounds, and retail centers.

Parks include Crescent Lakes Park, Brazos River Trails, and Brazos River Park.

Retail centers include Lexington Square, Journeys, Windsor, Marshalls, HomeGoods, and RetailAlly.

3. Sugar Land West

HP Team Ranking: A+

Sugar Land West is another affluent neighborhood that’s home to beautiful master-planned communities like Aliana, Telfair, and New Territory.

It has a great location which gives it easy access to major roads like Grand Parkway, Westpark Tollway, US 90 Alt, FM 1464, and the W Airport Boulevard.

Homes for sale in Sugar Land West range in size from 1,000 square feet to 4,000 square feet and typically offer 4 bedrooms. Lot sizes, on the other hand, range in size from 6,000 square feet to over 60,000 square feet.

Sugar Land West Commute Times

Sugar Land West is only 35 minutes away from the Energy Corridor and the Galleria, and 50 minutes away from Downtown Houston and the Medical Center.

Sugar Land West Employment

Major employers in or near Sugar Land West include Schlumberger, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, Fluor Enterprises, Accredo Packaging Inc., and Champion X.

Sugar Land West Public Schools

The Fort Bend ISD and Lamar Consolidated ISD serve the community. Highly rated schools include Brazos Bend Elementary, Bess Campbell Elementary, James Bowie Middle School, Fort Settlement Middle School, George Ranch High, and William B. Travis High.

Sugar Land West Amenities

For outdoor activities, there are parks, lakes, and nature trails that residents can enjoy. There are also 3 golf courses for golfing enthusiasts: Black Hawk Country & Golf Club, Shadow Hawk Golf Club, and Greatwood Golf Club.

For retail, dining, and nightlife, residents can’t go wrong with the Sugar Land Town Square, a 1,400,000-square feet dining and shopping complex.

4. Katy Old Towne

HP Team Ranking: A

Katy Old Towne is known as one of the best neighborhoods in Houston, Texas for fun family activities, and for good reason. It features numerous recreational facilities, hike-and-bike trails, and parks such as Katy Park, Katy Oaks Community Park, and Katy National Park.

It’s also known for its beautiful master-planned communities like Katy Pointe, Cane Island, Elyson, and Falls at Green Meadows.

Anyone looking to purchase property in Katy Old Towne can choose from a wide variety of options, from single-family homes and townhouses to large estates and new construction custom-built homes. Prices start at around $150,000 and can go up to as much as $2 million.

Katy Old Towne Commute Times

Katy Old Towne is 20 minutes away from the Energy Corridor, 35 minutes away from the Galleria, and 45 minutes away from Downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center.

Katy Old Towne Employment

Those looking to reside in Katy Old Towne can find employment in Texas Food Solutions, Heinzmann Company, Moore Control Systems, Inc., PCL Industrial Construction, U.S. Silica Company Corporate Headquarters, Continental Carbon Nanotechnologies, Inc., Baker Steel Co. Inc., and Orizon Industries.

Katy Old Towne Public Schools

Homes in Katy are zoned to the Katy ISD. Notable public schools include Katy Elementary, Katy Junior High School, and Katy High School.

Katy Old Towne Amenities

Residents of Katy Towne can enjoy the numerous parks that are located in the neighborhood, such as Katy Park, Katy Oaks Community Park, Katy National Park, Town Park, Rick Rice Park, Willow Fork Park, Katy City Park, Mary Jo Peckham Park, Malcolm E. Beckendorff Family Park, and VFW Park.

There are also golf courses such as The Club at Falcon Point, The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, Meadowbrook Farms Golf Club, Willow Fork Country Club, and Pine Forest Country Club for golfing enthusiasts.

For shopping and retail, there’s Katy Mills Mall, which is only a short drive away from the community.

5. Sugar Land East

HP Team Ranking: A

A 24.9-square-mile independent city, Sugar Land East is home to the best master-planned communities like First Colony, Riverstone, and Sugar Creek.

It was named one of the top cities in Texas for business expansion by Texas Business and Outlook Magazine. It was also in Forbes’ list of the top suburbs to live well in the Houston area.

Sugar Land East homes for sale typically have 1,000 to 4,000 square feet of living space. Lot sizes, on the other hand, range in size from 6,000 to over 60,000 square feet.

Sugar Land East Commute Times

Sugar Land East is only 20 minutes away from both the Energy Corridor and the Galleria. Going to Downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center, on the other hand, will take 25 minutes.

Sugar Land East Employment

Residents of Sugar Land East can find gainful employment in companies located in the Sugar Land Business Park, such as Tramontina and Schlumberger. Other companies in or near the neighborhood include Minute Maid, the Imperial Sugar Company, CVR Energy, Greenway Plaza, and Westchase.

Sugar Land East Public Schools

Many schools in Sugar Land belong to the Fort Bend ISD. Some, however, belong to Lamar Consolidated ISD. Some of the best schools in Houston are zoned to these ISDs, and they include Walker Station Elementary, First Colony Middle School, and Clements High School.

Sugar Land East Amenities

Sugar Land East’s 13 master-planned communities offer a wide variety of amenities such as lakes, parks, hiking and biking trails, and golf courses.

In fact, one of the best golf course communities — Sugar Creek — is located in Sugar Land East. Other golf clubs in the area include Greatwood Golf Club, Riverbend Country Club, and Sweetwater Golf Club.

6. Fort Bend County North/Richmond

HP Team Ranking: A

Fort Bend County North/Richmond is a small independent city that’s composed of the master-planned communities of Harvest Green, Pecan Grove, Lakes of Bella Terra, and Aliana. Each community features incredible amenities that residents can enjoy, such as scenic lakes, community farms, fishing ponds, parks, outdoor pools, country clubs, and shopping centers.

And it’s not just the amenities. The city is also known for being easily accessible to other communities around it such as Rosenberg and Sugar Land. This is because it’s located along US Highway 90 Alternate, and is near other major roads like the Southwest Freeway and the Grand Parkway.

The beautiful master-planned communities, variety of amenities, and great accessibility make Fort Bend County North/Richmond one of the best southwest Houston neighborhoods out there.

Homes for sale in the neighborhood range from $100,000 to over $3 million and feature various designs, from ranch-style homes to waterfront estates and golf course homes.

Fort Bend County North/Richmond Commute Times

The neighborhood is located 30 minutes away from the Energy Corridor and the Galleria, and 40 minutes away from Downtown Houston and the Medical Center.

Fort Bend County North/Richmond Employment

Major employers near the neighborhood include Chevron and Exxon. Its proximity to the Energy Corridor and the Galleria also allows residents easy access to employers in those areas.

Fort Bend County North/Richmond Public Schools

The neighborhood is zoned to two independent school districts: Fort Bend ISD and Lamar Consolidated ISD. Schools that serve the community include Stephen F. Austin Elementary School, James Bowie Middle School, and Foster High School.

Fort Bend County North/Richmond Amenities

Outdoor recreational facilities abound in the neighborhood. For hiking trails, sports, and playground spaces there are the City Hall Park, Wessendorff Park, Keith A. Crawford Memorial Park, Clay Park, Old Oak Tree Park, Freeman Town Park, and George Park. There are also the Fort Bend Country Club and the Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club that offer more outdoor amenities.

7. Katy Southeast

HP Team Ranking: A-

Located at the crossroads of Waller, Fort Bend, and Harris counties, Katy Southeast is considered one of the best suburbs of Houston because of its accessibility to key business districts and amenities while still having a small-town feel.

It’s home to several master-planned communities like Firethorne, Seven Meadows, Grand Lakes, and Cinco Ranch.

Homes in Katy Southeast usually feature 3- to 4-bedroom floor plans and are made up in various architectural styles that range from bungalows to modern designs. Prices range from $150,000 to $2 million.

Katy Southeast Commute Times

One of Katy Southeast’s selling points is the ease with which residents can commute to major Houston business centers, helped in large part by its proximity to the Katy Freeway.

The Energy Corridor is only 10 minutes away, the Galleria and Downtown Houston are only 30 minutes away, and the Medical Center is only 40 minutes away.

Katy Southeast Employment

Since the neighborhood is only 10 minutes away from the Energy Corridor, residents can easily find employment in companies located in the area, such as Baker Hughes, the American Petroleum Institute, Conoco Phillips, McDermott, Kiewit, and CITGO.

Katy Southeast Public Schools

Katy Southeast schools are zoned to the Katy ISD. Top-ranked schools within the district include Pattison Elementary, Memorial Parkway Jr High School, and Cinco Ranch High School.

Katy Southeast Amenities

Katy Southeast residents can enjoy playgrounds and picnic spaces at Katy Boardwalk, Falcon Point Park, and Falcon Point Neighborhood Park. There are also community pools like Laguna Pools, Waterside Poolscapes, Falcon Point Pool, and Falcon Point East Community Pool.

For golfers, there’s The Club at Falcon Point, State of Golf, and The Golf Club at Cinco Ranch.

8. Katy Southwest

HP Team Ranking: A-

Situated along Interstate 10 (Katy Freeway), Katy Southwest is composed of premier master-planned communities such as Cypress Bend, Silver Ranch, and Oak Forest.

The neighborhood’s location gives it great access to key employment districts and urban amenities.

But it’s not just urban amenities. Residents of Katy Southwest can also enjoy parks and hike-and-bike trails, sports and fitness facilities, and scenic views from creeks and lakes.

Lot sizes in the area range from 5,000 square feet to more than 21,000 square feet. Various styles are available, from traditional single-family homes to patios, townhomes, and sprawling estates.

Katy Southwest Commute Times

From Katy Southwest, going to the Energy Corridor will take only 20 minutes, while going to the Galleria will take 40 minutes. Downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center are a bit further away, with the commute taking 45 minutes each way.

Katy Southwest Employment

Since the Energy Corridor is only 20 minutes away, residents of Katy Southwest can find employment in companies located there, such as Enbridge, Petroleum Geo-Services, S&B Engineers and Constructors, and Shell, among others.

Katy Southwest Public Schools

Katy ISD and Lamar Consolidated ISD serve portions of Kathy Southwest. Highly regarded schools in these districts include Griffin Elementary, Beckendorff Jr High School, and Seven Lakes High School.

Katy Southwest Amenities

For running, hiking, or biking, you can’t go wrong with Cinco Ranch II Park at Pine Forest, Cross Creek Ranch Park, Buffalo Bayou Nature Trail, and Willow Fork Park.

For swimming, sports, and fitness, there’s the Cinco Ranch Recreational Center and Water Parks, Typhoon Texas Waterpark Houston, Momentum Indoor Climbing Katy, Times Square Entertainment Bowling Alley, and Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park.

For shopping and dining, there’s LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch and Katy Mills Mall.

9. Sugar Land North

HP Team Ranking: A-

Sugar Land North is part of Sugar Land, one of the best places to live in the U.S. according to Livability.com. It’s located only a few miles away from major highways such as Southwest Freeway and Westpark Tollway. This gives it easy access to key business districts such as the Galleria and the Energy Corridor.

The area is also known for the historical landmarks that are located nearby. There’s the Sugar Land Heritage Museum and the Imperial Sugar Refinery, both of which offer a window into the rich history of the city.

Homes in Sugar Land North range in size from 900 square feet to 4,800 square feet. Most of them are set on wooded lots. Lots range in size from 3,200 square feet to as large as 83,000 square feet.

Sugar Land North Commute Times

Commuting from Sugar Land North to the Energy Corridor or the Galleria will only take you 20 minutes. Commuting to downtown or the Medical Center, on the other hand, will take you 25 minutes.

Sugar Land North Employment

The neighborhood is near the Sugar Land Business Park, a 320,000-square-foot state-of-the-art commercial area that is home to several large corporations such as SLB, Accredo Packaging Inc., Champion X, Fluor Enterprises Inc., and ABM.

Sugar Land North Public Schools

Sugar Land North is part of the Fort Bend ISD. Students can enroll in top-ranked schools such as Highlands Elementary School, Macario Garcia Middle School, and Clements High School.

Sugar Land North Amenities

Sugar Land North is home to run and bike trails like Duhacsek Park, Cullinan Park, Weldon Park, Brooks Lake Trails, and South Aliana Parks & Trails.

There are also world-class golf courses in or near the community, such as Black Hawk Golf Club
and Shadow Hawk Golf Club.

If it’s shopping centers and entertainment venues you’re after, there’s First Colony Mall, Sugar Land Town Square, West Oaks Mall, and the Smart Financial Center.

10. Memorial West

HP Team Ranking: A-

Memorial West is a famous neighborhood that’s known for having some of the most luxurious houses in Houston. Those houses are nestled within well-established communities and newer developments like Talia Trails, Westchester, Yorkshire, Frostwood, Nottingham, and Memorial Forest.

It’s considered one of the best areas to live in Houston because it’s not only accessible to key employment districts like the Energy Corridor and the Galleria, but it also boasts a number of recreational areas and leisure spots that cater to a wide variety of interests.

Homes for sale in Memorial West range from $150,000 to more than $2 million. Ranch styles and modern designs are available.

Memorial West Commute Times

Those looking to live in Memorial West will find that it’s easy to go to the Energy Corridor and the Galleria from the neighborhood, since the commute only takes 10 and 15 minutes, respectively.

Downtown is a bit farther at 20 minutes, but still pretty manageable. The Medical Center is the farthest at 25 minutes.

Memorial West Employment

Employers in or near Memorial West include BP, CITGO Petroleum Corporation, ConocoPhillips, J. Ray McDermott, McDermott International, MD Anderson West Houston, Petroleum Geo-Services, SBM Offshore USA, Shell Oil Company, Topgolf Houston West, and WorleyParsons.

Memorial West Public Schools

The Houston and Spring Branch ISDs serve the community. The top public schools within these districts include Frostwood Elementary, Memorial Drive Elementary, Spring Branch Middle School, and Stratford High School.

Memorial West Amenities

For outdoor activities, there are parks like Molly Pryor Memorial Orchard, Terry Hershey Park, George Bush Park, Nottingham Park, Bendwood Park, and Bear Creek Pioneer’s Park.

For shopping and dining, there’s Rice Center, Memorial City Mall, Town & Country Village, CityCentre, Lanter Lane, and Gateway Memorial.

11. Missouri City Area

HP Team Ranking: A-

Missouri City is an independent city that’s home to premier master-planned communities such as Lake Olympia, Westpoint Estates, and parts of Riverstone and Sienna.

A few years back, it was named as one of the best places to live in Houston for young adults by ranking and review website Niche. It’s unsurprising, given that the city is highly accessible to major employment centers while boasting a wide variety of recreational and entertainment options.

Lots in Missouri City range in size from 1,000 square feet to over 10,000 square feet. Prices start at around $100,000 and can go up to as much as $2 million. Various architectural styles abound, from traditional to colonial, contemporary, Spanish, and Mediterranean.

Missouri City Area Commute Times

Missouri City is only 15 minutes away from both the Galleria and the Medical Center, and 20 minutes away from Downtown Houston and the Energy Corridor.

Missouri City Area Employment

Since the city is so close to all major employment centers, residents can easily find work in companies headquartered in Downtown Houston, the Energy Corridor, the Galleria, and the Texas Medical Center.

Companies such as Chevron, JP Morgan, McDermott International, Shell Oil Company, Enbridge, and BHP Billiton are all easily accessible to residents of Missouri City.

Missouri City Area Public Schools

Most of the homes in Missouri City are zoned to the Fort Bend ISD. Some, however, are zoned to the Houston ISD.

Notable schools that serve the community include National Blue Ribbon schools such as First Colony Middle School and Elkins High School.

Missouri City Area Amenities

For retail, dining, and entertainment, residents can’t go wrong with the Riverstone Shopping Center, a 200,000-square-foot retail hub.

If it’s outdoor activities you’re after, there are dozens of parks, athletic centers, hike-and-bike trails, swimming pools, golf courses, splash pads, and theme parks.

12. Fort Bend South/Richmond

HP Team Ranking: B+

Fort Bend South/Richmond is located within the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land area and is one of those suburbs of Houston, TX that’s known for its accessibility to other neighborhoods, parks, amenities, retail, dining options, schools, hospitals, and businesses.

This accessibility is due in large part to its proximity to major thoroughfares such as US Highway 90 Alternate (Avenue H) and 59.

Single-family homes in the neighborhood sit between 6,000 square feet to over 38,000 square feet and feature modern, ranch, and traditional styles. There are also waterfront estates and golf course homes.

Fort Bend South/Richmond Commute Times

Fort Bend South/Richmond is located pretty far from Downtown Houston and the Galleria, with the commute taking 50 minutes and 55 minutes, respectively. It’s easier to go to the Medical Center and the Energy Corridor, with the commute taking only 40 minutes each way.

Fort Bend South/Richmond Employment

Oak Bend Medical Center, Seatex LLC, OCuSOFT, and LGM Pharma are the major employers located in or near Fort Bend South/Richmond.

Fort Bend South/Richmond Public Schools

Homes in Fort Bend South/Richmond are zoned to the Fort Bend ISD and Lamar Consolidated ISD. Notable schools include Manford Williams Elementary, Reading Jr High, and George Ranch High.

Fort Bend South/Richmond Amenities

Residents of this neighborhood can enjoy hiking, biking, and picnicking in Wessendorff Park, George Park, Mirabeau B. Lamar Homestead Park and Archeological Reserve, Pecan Grove Park, Richmond City Park, Fort Bend Office Park, and South Aliana Parks & Trails - West.

Other amenities in the community include tennis courts, swimming pools, and sports facilities.

For golfers, there’s the Pecan Grove Plantation Country Club which boasts a designer golf course with three 9-hole layouts.

13. Fulshear/South Brookshire

HP Team Ranking: B+

Known for being one of Houston’s most affluent neighborhoods, Fulshear/South Brookshire is a small incorporated city in Fort Bend County. It features rolling terrain, tree-lined streets, and beautiful homes.

It’s also home to award-winning master-planned communities such as Cross Creek Ranch and Weston Lakes. Those communities feature parks, water parks, lakes, and hike-and-bike trails.

Homes in Fulshear/South Brookshire sit on large lots with sizes ranging from 6,000 square feet to more than 50,000 square feet and are priced between $180,000 to over $2 million. Architectural styles vary, with some homes leaning toward Mediterranean and French styles while some are made up in traditional, colonial, and contemporary modern styles.

Fulshear/South Brookshire Commute Times

Going to the Energy Corridor will set you back only 25 minutes, while going to the Galleria will set you back 30 minutes. Downtown Houston and the Medical Center are the farthest, with the commute taking 40 minutes each.

Fulshear/South Brookshire Employment

Major employers in or near the neighborhood include McDermott International, Shell Oil Company, Dow Chemical Company, Foster Wheeler, and Gulf States Toyota.

Fulshear/South Brookshire Public Schools

Fulshear/South Brookshire homes are zoned to the Katy and Lamar Consolidated ISDs. Students in this area may attend Huggins Elementary, Woodcreek Jr High, and Tompkins High School.

Fulshear/South Brookshire Amenities

Nature lovers will enjoy the lakes, water parks, and hike-and-bike trails located in or near the neighborhood. There are also numerous parks such as Primrose Park, Flewellen Creek Park, Polishing Pond at Cross Creek Ranch, Cross Creek Park, Arbor Park, Jade Springs Park, and Greenthread Park.

For golfers, there’s the Weston Lake Country Club which features an 18-hole Hale Irwin-designed championship golf course.

14. Sienna Area

HP Team Ranking: B+

Located near Highway 288 in Fort Bend County, Sienna Area is known for its accessibility to major highways, proximity to major employment centers, and top-notch amenities.

Residents can enjoy water parks, pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, an 18-hole golf course, a sports complex, and miles and miles of hike-and-bike trails — all within or near the neighborhood.

Homes for sale in Sienna Area range in size from 1,500 to 4,000 square feet. Various architectural styles are available, although most lean towards traditional styles. Prices range from $170,000 to over $1 million.

Sienna Area Commute Times

Commuting from Sienna Area to the Medical Center and the Galleria will take you only 30 minutes while going to Downtown Houston and the Energy Corridor will take you 35 minutes.

Sienna Area Employment

Residents of Sienna Area can easily find employment in the Texas Medical Center and in companies headquartered in the Galleria, such as Landry's, 3D/International, Air Liquide America, and AON Risk Services of Texas.

Sienna Area Public Schools

Sienna Area schools are zoned to the Fort Bend ISD, one of the largest school districts in Texas. Top-ranked schools include Sienna Crossing Elementary, Quail Valley Middle School, and Lawrence E. Elkins High School.

Sienna Area Amenities

Want to go golfing? Sienna Area boasts the Sienna Gold Club, an 18-hole golf course with a fitness center and a library.

If you’re into other sports and hike-and-hike trails there’s Camp Sienna, a 160-acre sports complex that offers several youth and adult sports leagues.

If, on the other hand, you’d prefer to shop and dine, there’s the Sienna Shopping Center.

15. Rosenberg

HP Team Ranking: B+

Situated in Fort Bend County along US Route 69, Rosenberg is a beautiful neighborhood that’s known for its historical charm and fantastic master-planned communities such as Kingdom Heights and Summer Lake.

If you enjoy outdoor activities, the neighborhood is a good place to reside in. It’s home to parks like Sunset Park and Seabourne Creek Nature where residents can walk, jog, and bike.

Homes for sale in Rosenberg range from $230,000 to $550,000. Various architectural styles abound, from traditional and colonial to ranch-style and contemporary.

Rosenberg Commute Times

Expect to spend 30 minutes on the road when you’re going from Rosenberg to the Energy Corridor or the Galleria. If your destination is downtown or the Medical Center, on the other hand, expect the commute to be around 40 minutes.

Rosenberg Employment

Rosenberg’s proximity to the Energy Corridor or the Galleria means that residents can easily find employment in companies located in those areas. These companies include McDermott International, Shell Oil Company, Dow Chemical Company, 3D/International, Air Liquide America, and AON Risk Services of Texas.

Rosenberg Public Schools

The Lamar Consolidated ISD serves the community. Highly rated schools in this district include Frost Elementary, Brazos Middle, Foster High, and George Ranch High.

Rosenberg Amenities

There are a lot of indoor and outdoor activities that are available to residents of Rosenberg. For walking, jogging, or biking there’s Sunset Park and Seabourne Creek Nature.

For shopping, dining, and entertainment there’s Brazo Town Center and Riverpark Shopping Center.

There are also museums and theaters such as ​​Fort Bend Museum and Cinemark Rosenberg 12.

16. Fort Bend Southeast

HP Team Ranking: B

Located in Fort Bend County, Fort Bend Southeast is an exciting neighborhood that offers a variety of amenities for its residents. For nature lovers, there’s the 4,897-acre Brazos Bend Park where you can go hiking, biking, fishing, picnicking, or horseback riding.

Those who are looking for retail, dining, and entertainment options will find that restaurants, shops, and entertainment establishments are easily accessible via Interstate 10, Southwest Freeway, and FM 762.

Homes for sale in Fort Bend Southeast range from 2,000 square feet to 4,500 square feet. Architectural styles vary, from French and Mediterranean to contemporary and modern designs.

Fort Bend Southeast Commute Times

Commuting from Fort Bend Southeast to the Energy Corridor will only take you 30 minutes. Downtown, the Medical Center, and the Galleria will take a little bit longer, with the commute taking 40 minutes.

Fort Bend Southeast Employment

If you’re looking to work in the Houston Methodist Hospital at Sugar Land, University of Houston at Sugar Land, Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital, Oakbend Medical Center - Williams Way Hospital, Oakbend Medical Center - Jackson Street Hospital Campus, and Sterling McCall Toyota Fort Bend then Fort Bend Southeast would be a good place for you to live in.

Fort Bend Southeast Public Schools

Fort Bend Southeast schools are zoned to the Lamar Consolidated ISD. The school district features National Blue Ribbon and multi-award-winning schools like Dickinson Elementary School, Reading Junior High School, and George Ranch High School.

Fort Bend Southeast Amenities

Parks, lakes, town centers, community pools, courts, sports fields, and hike-and-bike trails abound in Fort Bend Southeast. There’s also Brazos Bend Park, a 4,897-acre sanctuary where you can go picnicking and horseback riding. Other parks include Thompsons City Park, Smithers Lake, Tara Park, Tesla Rae Park, and Greatwood Neighborhood Park and Pool.

For golfers, there’s River Pointe Golf Club and Greatwood Golf Club.

17. Brookshire

HP Team Ranking: B

Brookshire’s location along major freeways such as Interstate 10 and US 90 gives it great access to the Energy Corridor, a key commercial district, and Katy and Fulshear, two of Houston’s top suburbs.

Its convenient location coupled with an active community that regularly sets up events such as Teen Hang Time, the After-School Program for Teens, and Breath for Women makes it one of the best west Houston neighborhoods out there.

Homes in Brookshire range in size from 1,300 square feet to over 4,600 square feet. These are mostly single-family homes, but there are also townhomes and country homes that can be found in the neighborhood. Different architectural styles abound, such as Mediterranean, Colonial, French, traditional, and ranch-style.

Brookshire Commute Times

Going to the Energy Corridor will only take you an easy 20 minutes. Going to the Galleria will take longer, with the commute taking 30 minutes. Downtown Houston and the Medical Center are even farther away, with the commute taking 40 minutes and 45 minutes, respectively.

Brookshire Employment

Major employers near Brookshire include Chevron Corporation and the Texas Children's Hospital. You can also find gainful employment in companies located in the Energy Corridor, such as the MD Anderson Cancer Center, Petroleum Geo-Services, and SBM Offshore USA.

Brookshire Public Schools

Brookshire is zoned to the Royal ISD. Top-rated schools in this district include Royal Early Childhood Center and Royal High School.

Brookshire Amenities

Brookshire boasts several outdoor recreational areas such as Longenbaugh Park, Jordan Ranch Park, Bostick Park, and Brookshire City Park.

For groceries and retail, there’s Cricket Wireless Authorized Retailer, Dixie Dingoes, Dickies, Brookshire Brothers, and DG Market.

And for dining options, you can’t go wrong with Ernesto's Mexican Restaurant, Orlando's Pizza, Denny's, Wingstreet, and Jack in the Box.

18. Needville

HP Team Ranking: B

Located 40 miles southwest of Downtown Houston, Needville is a small city in Fort Bend County that relies heavily on agriculture for its economy. Farmlands surround it in all directions, and this gives the city a tranquil atmosphere that you won’t be able to find anywhere else.

In 2019, it was recognized by the Houston Business Journal as one of the neighborhoods that deliver the best returns on investment, making it one of the best neighborhoods in Houston to buy a house.

Needville homes for sale range from 1,000 square feet to 3,500 square feet and come in different architectural styles, from traditional to ranch-style.

Needville Commute Times

Needville is pretty far away from key business districts in Houston, with the Energy Corridor and the Galleria being 40 minutes away. Downtown and the Medical Center are even farther away, with the commute taking 45 minutes.

Needville Employment

Major employers near Needville include the OakBend Medical Center, University of Texas Health Science Center, Kindred Hospital Sugar Land, Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, and Fluor Corporation.

Needville Public Schools

Schools in Needville are zoned to the Needville ISD. Needville Elementary and Needville Middle School are the top-rated schools within the district.

Needville Amenities

Parks and trails abound in or near Needville. These include Needville Heritage Park, Schroeder Park, Barbara Jordan Park, and Harvest Park.

For retail, there’s Family Dollar, Needville Feed and Supply, Xplode Fireworks, Moda Boutique, and Fuelmaxx 83.

For dining, there’s Los Charros Mexican Restaurant, Sonic Drive-In, and Bayou Boys PoBoys.

19. Energy Corridor

HP Team Ranking: B-

Established in 2001, the Energy Corridor is a 2,000-acre commercial and residential district that’s known for being one of the largest employment centers in Houston. It’s home to several energy firms and Fortune 500 companies, and has great access to Downtown, Memorial City Medical Center, the Galleria, and Greenspoint by way of Interstate 10, 610 Loop, Highway 290, and Beltway 8.

It’s one of the best neighborhoods in Houston to visit because of the plethora of entertainment and recreational options that are available in the district. There are numerous restaurants, hotels, and shopping centers as well as 26,000 acres of parks and hike-and-bike trails.

Energy Corridor homes range in size from 5,000 square feet to over 16,000 square feet, and feature Mediterranean, Spanish, traditional, modern, and contemporary architectural styles. Prices start at around $100,000 to more than $2 million.

Energy Corridor Commute Times

It will take you 20 minutes to go from the Energy Corridor to Downtown Houston and the Galleria. Going to the Medical Center, on the other hand, will take you 30 minutes.

Energy Corridor Employment

Those looking to work in BP America, Shell, Nouryon, ConocoPhillips, Sysco, Equinor, Becks Prime, and Gulf States Toyota Distributors will find it beneficial to live in the Energy Corridor.

Energy Corridor Public Schools

The Energy Corridor is zoned to the Houston, Katy, and Spring Branch ISDs. Schools that serve these ISDs include Nottingham Elementary, Barbara Bush Elementary, Spring Forest Middle School, West Briar Middle School, Westside High School, and Stratford High School.

Energy Corridor Amenities

The Energy Corridor is home to hundreds of retail, dining, and entertainment options. Restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, day spas, garden centers, family-owned gift shops — all of these and more can be found in the district.

There are also numerous parks and hike-and-bike trails, such as the Tim Hersey Hike Trail, Buffalo Bayou Trail, Ray Miller Park, and George Bush Park.

20. Bear Creek South

HP Team Ranking: C

Situated north of the Energy Corridor, Bear Creek South is an established neighborhood that’s known for its vintage homes and tree-lined streets. It boasts several well-loved parks and recreational areas, such as Bear Creek Pioneers Park, Mayde Creek North Hike & Bike Trail, and Boy Scout Field Trail.

It’s also one of those Houston, Texas suburbs that are conveniently located along major roads such as Grand Parkway, Highway 6, US 290, Interstate 10, and Beltway 8.

Lots in the neighborhood range from 5,000 to over 10,000 square feet, and homes feature traditional, English-style, contemporary, and modern designs.

Bear Creek South Commute Times

If you’re going to the Energy Corridor then you’re in luck; Bear Creek South is only 10 minutes away from this key business district. But if you’re going to the Galleria, Downtown Houston, and the Texas Medical Center you’ll have to allot 25 minutes, 30 minutes, and 35 minutes, respectively, for the commute.

Bear Creek South Employment

Major employers in or near Bear Creek South include Ambridge Hospitality, Mindvalley, Calm, and Randstad. You can also find employment in companies located in the Energy Corridor such as the American Petroleum Institute, BP, Shell, McDermott, etc.

Bear Creek South Public Schools

The Katy ISD serves the neighborhood. Top-tier schools in the district include Bear Creek Elementary School, Cardiff Junior High School, and Mayde Creek High School.

​​Bear Creek South Amenities

For nature lovers, Bear Creek South offers parks and trails such as Bear Creek Pioneer Park, Boy Scout Field Trail, Mayde Creek North Hike & Bike Trail, and Terry Hershey Park Hike & Bike Trail.

For golf enthusiasts, there’s Bear Creek Golf World, Hearthstone Country Club, and Pine Forest Country Club.

For dining, retail, and entertainment there’s the Memorial City Mall and City Centre.

Methodology

West and southwest Houston are probably some of the best places to buy a home in Texas, but there's so much information about this area out there so it's easy to get confused and make a mistake when it comes to making a decision on which suburb to buy a property in. Thankfully, you can easily reach out to the best Realtor in Houston so you can avoid making mistakes when shopping for the best suburb for you and your family.

We created this list of the best suburbs in the west and southwest of Houston by looking at population centers above 10,000, both independent cities and suburban regions, that are located within the west and southwest of Houston. Then we evaluated each location and gave it a letter grade (the HP Team Ranking) based on the following quantitative criteria:

• Commute Times (Google Maps)
• Accessibility to Major Employment and Business Hubs
• Quality of Public Schools (GreatSchools.org rates schools depending on standardized test scores. We included schools within 5 miles of each city/neighborhood with “above average” 8 to 10-star ratings. Find out more about GreatSchools’ methodology.1)
• Variety of Amenities

Each of these best west and southwest Houston suburbs was graded on these items. The list was then ranked from top to bottom based on their combined score. We included the 18 with the best scores in our Top West and Southwest Houston Suburbs List.

Median home sale prices are based on single-family home sales from this year.

Median land value prices are based on both homes sold at lot value and lot sales.

5-year appreciation rates compare 2019 to 2023 and are based on median sales price per square foot.

10-year appreciation rates compare 2014 to 2023 and are based on median sales price per square foot.

Data is deemed reliable, but not guaranteed. All source material from HAR MLS sold information.

Additional Sources:

http://www.greatschools.org/about/ratings.page

The Best Houston Realtor to Help You Buy a Home

The Houston Properties Team has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member. Each member is a specialist in their role – which is why our homes sell faster and for more money than average.

Paige Martin, Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty, and the Houston Properties Team are ranked among the top residential Realtors in the world.

They have been featured on TV and in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Reuters, Fox News in the Morning, Money Magazine, Houston Business Journal, Houstonia, and Houston Chronicle.

Paige Martin was just ranked as the #5 agent in the world with Keller Williams, completing over $1 Billion in Houston residential real estate sales.

Her recent awards include:

– 2021 Best Real Estate Teams in America, RealTrends.com
– 2021: Top 100 Women Leaders in Real Estate of 2021
– 2021: America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents
– 2021: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
– 2021: Best Houston Real Estate Team, Best of Reader’s Choice
– 2021: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
– 2021: #1 Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Memorial
– 2020: America’s Best Real Estate Teams, Best of America Trends
– 2020: Best Houston Real Estate Team, Best of Reader’s Choice
– 2020: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
– 2020: #6 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
– 2020: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas (Top Keller Williams Realtor)
– 2020: #1 Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Memorial
- 2019: Top Residential Realtors in Houston, Houston Business Journal
- 2019: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2019: #5 Individual Agent, KW Worldwide
- 2019: #1 Individual Agent, KW Texas
- 2018: #5 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2018: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2018: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2018: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2018: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, Houston Business Journal
- 2018: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
- 2017: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2017: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2017: #10 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2017: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2017: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, Houston Business Journal
- 2017: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
- 2016: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2016: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2016: #20 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
- 2016: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
- 2016: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, HBJ
- 2016: Five Star Realtor, Featured in Texas Monthly
- 2016: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2015: #9 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, United States
- 2015: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
- 2015: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
- 2015: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2015: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, HBJ
- 2015: Five Star Realtor, Texas Monthly Magazine
- 2014: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
- 2014: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams Memorial

...in addition to over 318 additional awards.

Paige also serves a variety of non-profits, and civic and community boards. She was appointed by the mayor of Houston to be on the downtown TIRZ board.

Benefits Of Working With The Houston Properties Team

Our team, composed of distinguished and competent Houston luxury Realtors, has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member.

We find team approach as the most effective way to sell homes. We have dedicated people doing staging, marketing, social media, open houses, and showings. Each Houston Properties Team member is a specialist in their role—which is why our homes sell faster and for more money than average.

The benefits of working with a team include:

• the ability to be in two or three places at one time; a member can handle showings, while another answer calls
• collective time and experience of members
• targeted advice and marketing of agent expert in your area
• competitive advantage by simply having more resources, more ideas, and more perspectives
• a “checks and balances” system; selling and buying a home in Houston is an intensely complex process
• more people addressing field calls and questions from buyers and agents to facilitate a faster, successful sale
• efficient multi-tasking; one agent takes care of inspections and repair work, while another agent focuses on administrative details
• multiple marketing channels using members’ networks
• constant attention: guaranteed focus on your home and your transaction
• lower risk for mistakes. Multiple moving parts increase oversights. A team approach handles these “parts” separately
• flexibility in negotiation and marketing
• better management of document flow
• increased foot traffic through more timely and effective showing schedule coordination; and
• increased sphere of influence and exposure to more potential buyers.

To meet all the award-winning members of the Houston Properties Team, please go here.

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• How To Avoid Buying In Houston's Flooded Zones
• An Ultimate Guide to the Best Active 55+ Communities in Houston
• Best Houston Neighborhoods With Top Houston Schools
• Veranda (Master Planned) Homes For Sale & Real Estate Trends
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