14 Houston Neighborhoods And Masterplanned Communities With Best Amenities
Photo courtesy of Sienna Plantation
With over 112 master planned communities in Houston, home buyers have more options that ever before.
To make our top list, neighborhoods needed to have:
- Top ranked schools
- Great neighborhood amenities
- Affordable homes, with good resale trends
- Be within 45 minutes of Houston
- Builders with quality reputations
Some of the most popular new “wow” amenities include: sports pavillions (basketball, soccer, tennis, Olympic size swimming pools, full fitness centers), water parks, equestrian centers, running and hiking trails / cycling routes, dog parks, and recreational centers with planned, weekly community activities (chefs, yoga, farming & onsite instructors).
For appreciation trends, flooding information and custom recommendations, contact Paige Martin, ranked #1 Individual Agent In Keller Williams for the entire state of Texas for the last 4 years.
“Paige Martin is the best Realtor. She is highly experienced and very knowledgeable. She made our buying experience an enjoyable one, not only for us, but for our daughter, son-in-law and several of our friends. We have bought and sold many houses, and Paige has been the best Realtor we have ever worked with. We highly recommend her and The Houston Properties Team.”
| Neighborhood | Median Home Price | Unique Amenity | School Rankings | Inner Loop Commute Time |
| Sienna Plantation | $275k (3 bed); $335k (4 bed) | Club Sienna Water Park | Top Ranked (10/10 GreatSchools) | ~40 – 50 mins (Southwest) |
| New Territory | $242k (3 bed); $303k (4 bed) | 18,000 sq ft Clubhouse | Top Ranked (10/10 GreatSchools) | ~30 – 40 mins (Southwest) |
| Riverstone | $412k (3 bed); $420k (4 bed) | The Club & Splash Lagoon | Top Ranked (10/10 GreatSchools) | ~30 – 40 mins (Southwest) |
| Harvest Green | $275k (3 bed); $385k (4 bed) | The FarmHouse | Top Ranked (10/10 GreatSchools) | ~30 – 40 mins (Southwest) |
| Cinco Ranch | $261k (3 bed); $356k (4 bed) | The Lake House | Top Ranked (9/10 GreatSchools) | ~30 – 40 mins (West) |
| Cane Island | $335k (3 bed); $365k (4 bed) | The Cane Quarter Treehouse | Top Ranked (10/10 GreatSchools) | ~30 – 40 mins (West) |
| Cross Creek Ranch | $277k (3 bed); $363k (4 bed) | Adventure Island | Top Ranked (9/10 GreatSchools) | ~40 – 50 mins (West) |
| Aliana | $341k (3 bed); $352k (4 bed) | The Club At Aliana | Top Ranked (9/10 GreatSchools) | ~30 – 40 mins (Southwest) |
| Lakes of Bella Terra | $264k (3 bed); $313k (4 bed) | Two Recreation Centers | Top Ranked (10/10 GreatSchools) | ~30 – 40 mins (Southwest) |
| Shadow Creek Ranch | $238k (3 bed); $293k (4 bed) | Lake-Themed Neighborhood | Top Ranked (10/10 GreatSchools) | ~20 – 30 mins (South) |
| Towne Lake | $336k (3 bed); $395k (4 bed) | Private Recreational Lake | Top Ranked (9/10 GreatSchools) | ~30 – 40 mins (Northwest) |
| Bridgeland | $287k (3 bed); $360k (4 bed) | Town Center | Top Ranked (10/10 GreatSchools) | ~40 – 50 mins (Northwest) |
| Creekside Park Village | $340k (3 bed); $430k (4 bed) | Aquatic Center | Top Ranked (10/10 GreatSchools) | ~50 – 60 mins (North) |
| Balmoral | $217k (3 bed); $320k (4 bed) | Crystal Lagoon | Top Ranked (9/10 GreatSchools) | ~30 – 40 mins (Northeast) |
MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITIES WITH
BEST AMENITIES IN HOUSTON
BEST MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITIES
SOUTH / SOUTHWEST OF HOUSTON
Sugar Land/Missouri City: Sienna Plantation
Photo courtesy of Sienna Plantation
- Amenities: Club Sienna Water Park (4 resort pools), Amphitheater, Camp Sienna Sports Complex, Equestrian Horse Center, Lake Clubhouse, 18 hole golf course, walking trails all included with annual HOA fee.
- Median home price: $275,000 (3-beds); $335,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $117
- School rankings: 7 Top Ranked Fort Bend County ISD schools (with very active parental involvement, these schools are feeders into top colleges across the nation.) Notable schools with high rankings from Greatschools.org: Sienna Crossing Elementary (10/10); Billy Baines Middle School (7/10); Ridge Point High School (7/10).
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: Southwest
- Approx. commute time to Inner Loop: 40-50 mins (Good commute option to Texas Medical Center)
See All Sienna Plantation Homes For Sale
Sugar Land: New Territory
Photo By: New Territory
- Amenities: 18,000 square foot Clubhouse (pool, full size gymnasium, fitness rooms, tennis courts & cabana), Sports Complex (9 soccer fields, 4 baseball fields, playground & pavilion) and Dog Park
- Median home price: $242,500 (3-beds); $302,750 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $117
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high rankings from Greatschools.org: Brazos Bend Elementary (10/10); Sartartia Middle School (10/10); and Clements High School (10/10).
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: Southwest
- Approx. commute time to Inner Loop: 30-40 minutes
See All New Territory Homes For Sale
Sugar Land: Riverstone
Photo By: Riverstone Community
- Amenities: The Club (17-acre recreational hub with an 8,000 sq ft clubhouse, 8 tennis courts, fitness center & resort-style pool), Splash Lagoon
- Median home price: $412,000 (3-beds); $420,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $131
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Commonwealth Elementary (10/10); Fort Settlement Middle School (10/10); and Dulles High School (8/10).
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: Southwest
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 30-40 minutes
See All Riverstone Homes For Sale
Richmond: Harvest Green
Photo By: Harvest Green Community
- Amenities: The FarmHouse community center / on-site farm, “ready-to-grow backyards,” 30 acres of lakes and waterways, 280 acres of greenbelts and open space, 50 acres of parkland & “walkable trail system.”
- Median home price: $275,000 (3-beds); $385,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $121
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Frost Elementary (10/10); Macario Garcia Middle School (9/10); and Stephen F Austin High School (9/10)
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: Southwest
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 30-40 minutes
See All Harvest Green Homes For Sale
Katy: Cinco Ranch
Photo By: Newland Communities
- Amenities: The Lake House & Water Park, Tennis Courts, The Children’s Garden, The Beach Club & The Golf Club
- Median home price: $261,000 (3-beds); $356,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $119
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Joella Exley Elementary (9/10); Cinco Ranch Jr High (9/10); and Cinco Ranch High School (9/10).
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: West
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 30-40 minutes
See All Cinco Ranch Homes For Sale
Katy: Cane Island
Photo By: Cane Island
- Amenities: The Cane Quarter which houses a two-story cafe shaped like a treehouse, the yoga studio, fitness center, a nature-themed party room, recreational pool, and picnic grounds for bonfires and events.
- Median home price: $335,000 (3-beds); $365,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $130
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Katy Elementary (9/10); Tays Junior High (10/10); and Katy High School (7/10)
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: West
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 30-40 minutes
See All Cane Island Homes For Sale
Fulshear: Cross Creek Ranch
Photo By: Cross Creek Ranch By Johnson Development Corp
- Amenities: Resort style pool “Adventure Island” with splash & spray park, 4 wading &/or lap pools, 140 foot water slide, Italian Maid Cafe, 32 miles of trails and 650 acres of lakes and parks, and the award-winning Polishing Pond.
- Median home price: $277,000 (3-beds); $363,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $124
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Huggins Elementary (8/10); Dean Leaman Jr High (9/10); and Fulshear High School (7/10).
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: West
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 40-50 minutes
- Note: Lakes of Bella Terra (gated community), and Westin Lakes are luxury subdivisions within Cross Creek Ranch.
See All Cross Creek Ranch Homes For Sale
Richmond: Aliana
Photo By: Aliana
- Amenities: The Club At Aliana (houses ballroom, two party rooms, dual commercial-grade kitchen, swim center, tennis court, 24-hour fitness facility, and large covered patio for outdoor events), The Westmoor Club at Aliana (houses room rental spaces; game room with ping pong table, arcade basketball, and foosball; event lawn with summer “Movies On The Lawn”; community pool and splash pad; fitness center; play area; and tennis courts), and Parks & Trails.
- Median home price: $341,000 (3-beds); $352,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $125
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Carolyn & Vernon Madden Elementary (9/10); James Bowie Middle School (9/10); and Travis High School (7/10)
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: Southwest
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 30-40 minutes
See All Aliana Homes For Sale
Richmond: Lakes of Bella Terra
Photo By: Lakes Of Bella Terra
- Amenities: Two Recreation Centers: Recreation Center I houses pool, gym, volleyball court, and lighted tennis courts; Recreation Center II has world-class pool with water slides and an outside pavilion. Dog parks, community ponds, nature trails.
- Median home price: $264,000 (3-beds); $313,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $114
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Griffin Elementary (10/10); Seven Lakes Jr High (10/10); and Seven Lakes High School (10/10)
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: Southwest
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 30-40 minutes
- Note: There are three separate communities: Lakes of Bella Terra, Lakes of Bella Terra West and Lago Verde Estates. The data above is the median of all properties, but the specific price points of each vary. Most homes here are 2012 or newer. Contact us for details.
See All Lakes of Bella Terra Homes For Sale
Pearland: Shadow Creek Ranch
Photo By: Shadow Creek Ranch
- Amenities: Entire neighborhood is “lake-themed,” with 300 acres of lakes. Four recreation centers with pools, and facilities for volleyball, basketball, and tennis.
- Median home price: $238,000 (3-beds); $292,700 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $105
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Mary Burks Marek Elementary (7/10); Nolan Ryan Jr High (8/10); and Glenda Dawson High School (8/10)
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: South
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 20-30 minutes
See All Shadow Creek Ranch Homes For Sale
BEST MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITIES
NORTH OF HOUSTON
Cypress: Towne Lake
Photo By: Towne Lake
- Amenities: Slalom water skiing course on a 300-acre private recreational lake. 14 miles of shoreline, community’s water park with a sandy beach, water slides and a lazy river, amenities center water park, towne lake boardwalk (restaurants, shopping, etc), free pontoon boat tours.
- Median home price: $336,000 (3-beds); $395,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $125
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Woodard Elementary (9/10); Aragon Middle School (8/10); and Cypress Ranch High School (9/10)
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: Northwest
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 30-40 minutes
See All Towne Lake Homes For Sale
Cypress: Bridgeland
Photo By: Bridgeland
- Amenities: Town Center (retail and dining) and Nature Reserve (3,000-acre network of lakes, trails, and parks with kayaking, canoeing, and paddle-boating)
- Median home price: $287,000 (3-beds); $360,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $122
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Swenke Elementary (10/10); Goodson Middle School (8/10); and Cypress Woods High School (9/10).
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: Northwest
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 40-50 minutes
See All Bridgeland Homes For Sale
The Woodlands: Creekside Park Village
Photo By: Creekside Park Village
- Amenities: Rob Fleming Aquatic Center (20 acres of community pool complex with a lazy river, network of water slides, interactive aquatic structure, and 3-lane lap pool).
- Median home price: $340,000 (3-beds); $430,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $137
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Timber Creek Elementary (10/10); Creekside Park Jr High (9/10); and The Woodlands High School (9/10)
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: North
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 50-60 minutes
See All Creekside Park Homes For Sale
Humble: Balmoral
Photo By: Balmoral
- Amenities: Crystal Lagoon (2 acre, man-made lagoon and water theme park)
- Median home price: $217,000 (3-beds); $320,000 (4-beds)
- Median home price per square foot: $116
- School rankings: Top Ranked. Notable schools with high ratings from Greatschools.org: Groves Elementary (9/10); Timberwood Middle School (7/10); and Quest Early College High School (9/10)
- Direction from Houston Inner Loop: Northeast
- Approx commute time to Inner Loop: 30-40 minutes
See All Balmoral Homes For Sale
Sources And Methodology
- Data covers single family home sales within communities listed above
- All Houston property sale information was sourced by the HAR MLS database
- Schools rating taken from GreatSchools.Org
- Data is deemed accurate, but is not guaranteed. Information is provided for informational purposes only
