Best Neighborhoods In The Woodlands

See the best places to live in the Woodlands area for strong property values, amenities, schools, and great access to retail, dining, and entertainment.

Best Neighborhoods In The Woodlands

The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre community divided into 10 “villages”. One of Houston’s Best Suburbs, The Woodlands ranked highly in “Best Places To Live” list due to its strong property values, neighborhood amenities, golf courses, top-ranked schools, and access to commercial centers.

All of The Woodlands' villages have their own village association elected by residents of each village. Those looking for a nature-centric alternative to Houston’s more urban environments will find big-city comforts amidst a lush and green space.

True to its name, The Woodlands features 7,665 acres of open green space. Residents enjoy access to forested nature preserves, 146 neighborhood parks, around 214 miles of winding hiking trails, and world-class culinary and entertainment venues.

Facilities are available for kayaking, tennis, and outdoor activities. Home to several golf course communities, The Woodlands is the only community in the US with seven world-class golf courses (See Houston’s Best Golf Course Communities).

The Woodlands is home to a number of large companies including ExxonMobil, Huntsman, Hewitt Associates, Maersk Sealand, Chevron Phillips, Anadarko, Lexion Pharmaceuticals, and Woodforest National bank. Two of Houston’s main job centers, Downtown Houston (30mins) and the Energy Corridor (45mins) are also just a short drive away.

Some of Houston’s highest-rated public and private schools are located in The Woodlands. School districts that serve The Woodlands include Conroe ISD, Magnolia ISD, and Tomball ISD.

In an effort to help you identify the best of The Woodlands neighborhoods, we completed an analysis ranking:

For personalized homes for sale and neighborhood recommendations in The Woodlands based on your budget, school preferences, and commute, please contact Paige Martin, lead of the Houston Properties Team and ranked as the #1 Keller Williams Realtor in the State of Texas.

If you’re considering selling your home in The Woodlands, get a free The Woodlands home valuation and learn why our listings sell for 7.2% more and 43.7% faster than average.

“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.” - Jeremy & Lynn Greene

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Table of Contents

  1. The Woodlands: Neighborhoods Near Top Schools
  2. The Woodlands: Neighborhoods With Best Amenities
  3. Most Accessible Neighborhoods In The Woodlands
  4. The Woodlands Neighborhoods With Best Appreciation
  5. Most Expensive Neighborhoods In The Woodlands
  6. New Construction The Woodlands Neighborhoods
  7. Flooding Information on The Woodlands Neighborhoods
  8. Data Sources & Disclaimers

The Woodlands: Neighborhoods Near Top Schools

For more data on the other top The Woodlands neighborhoods with good schools, contact Paige Martin - the #1 Individual Agent with Keller Williams in the city of Houston.

The Woodlands expands into three public school districts: Conroe (CISD), Magnolia (MISD), and Tomball (TISD). The community houses 30 childcare centers and preschools and an Academy of Lifelong Learning for seniors.

Undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered at Lone Star College-Montgomery, Lone Star College-University Center, and Sam Houston State University. These institutions are available within the comforts of The Woodlands.

Most schools in The Woodlands made it to our list of Houston’s Best Schools.

Due to the high number of schools that service The Woodlands, we only listed public schools with:


Top Ranked The Woodlands Elementary Schools

School Name GreatSchools Rating Neighborhoods Median Home Price 10-Year Appreciation
Creekside Forest Elem 10 The Woodlands $775,000 99%
Willow Creek Elem (Tomball) 10 Tomball South/Lakewood $387,500 69%
Ann K. Snyder Elem 9 Spring Northeast $650,000 18%
French El 9 Spring/Klein $595,000 0%
Deretchin Elem 9 Conroe Southwest, The Woodlands $575,000 -12%
Warner Elem 9 Cypress South $575,000 71%
Creekview El 9 The Woodlands, Tomball $540,000 0%
Pope Elem 9 Cypress South $535,000 52%
Swenke Elem 9 Cypress North $521,500 63%
David Elem 9 The Woodlands $520,000 73%
Frank Elem 9 Spring/Klein/Tomball $420,000 90%
Wildwood El 9 Tomball South/Lakewood $409,000 0%
Postma Elem 9 Cypress South $397,700 89%
Benignus Elem 9 Spring/Klein/Tomball $375,000 76%
Hairgrove Elem 9 Copperfield Area, Eldridge North $235,000 0%
Tough Elem 8 The Woodlands $817,500 68%
Timber Creek Elem 8 Spring/Klein/Tomball, The Woodlands, Tomball $685,000 0%
Rennell Elem 8 Cypress South $585,000 134%
Sampson Elem 8 Cypress North $529,900 89%
Hassler Elem 8 Champions Area, Spring/Klein/Tomball $518,900 62%
Tom E. Ellisor Elem 8 Magnolia/1488 East $471,950 65%
Buckalew Elem 8 Conroe Southwest, The Woodlands $449,900 31%
Hamilton Elem 8 Cypress North $445,000 67%
Bush Elem (Woodlands) 8 Conroe Southwest, The Woodlands $430,390 51%
Montgomery Elem (Montgomery) 8 Conroe Southwest, Lake Conroe Area, Montgomery County Northwest $415,000 20%
Madeley Ranch Elem 8 Lake Conroe Area $399,450 0%
Keith Elem 8 Cypress North $398,000 111%
Kuehnle Elem 8 Champions Area, Spring/Klein/Tomball $390,000 65%
Lakewood Elem (Tomball) 8 Tomball South/Lakewood $387,000 84%
Canyon Pointe Elem 8 Tomball South/Lakewood $370,000 69%
Ault Elem 8 Cypress North $370,000 105%
Birkes Elem 8 Copperfield Area $345,000 85%
Cedric C. Smith Elem 8 Magnolia/1488 East, The Woodlands $340,000 1%
Farney Elem 8 Cypress North $329,495 68%
Kreinhop Elem 8 Spring/Klein $299,777 77%

Top Ranked The Woodlands Junior High Schools

The list of the best junior high schools serving The Woodlands area below only includes public junior high schools with defined school boundary maps, a 4 of 4 Performance Index Rating, and a 9 or 10 rating (of 10 possible) from GreatSchools.org. (See more Best Houston Neighborhoods With Top Ranked Schools)

School Name GreatSchools Rating Neighborhoods Median Home Price 10-Year Appreciation
Smith Middle (Cy-Fair) 10 Cypress South $525,000 50%
Salyards Middle 9 Cypress North $425,000 77%
Spillane Middle 9 Copperfield Area, Cypress North, Cypress South $395,900 106%
Willow Wood Jr High 9 Tomball South/Lakewood $392,000 80%
Mccullough Jr High 8 Conroe Southwest, The Woodlands $492,500 40%
Anthony Middle (Cy-Fair) 8 Cypress South $489,000 112%
Doerre Intermediate 8 Champions Area, Spring/Klein/Tomball $435,000 67%
Goodson Middle 8 Cypress North $340,000 47%
Aragon Middle 8 Copperfield Area $330,000 80%
Arnold Middle 8 1960/Cypress, Cypress North $299,750 50%

Top Ranked The Woodlands High Schools

The list of the best high schools serving The Woodlands below only includes public high schools with defined school boundary maps, a 4 of 4 Performance Index Rating, and a 9 or 10 rating (of 10 possible) from GreatSchools.org. (See more Best Houston Neighborhoods With Top Ranked Schools)

School Name GreatSchools Rating Neighborhoods Median Home Price 10-Year Appreciation
Tomball Memorial H S 8 Tomball South/Lakewood, Tomball Southwest $397,499 82%
Cypress Ranch High 7 Copperfield Area, Cypress South $500,000 69%
Woodlands High 7 Conroe Southwest, The Woodlands $492,500 40%
Cypress Woods High 7 Cypress North, Cypress South $374,990 74%

To find an updated listing of all The Woodlands real estate zoned to any specific public school, please send an email to Paige Martin at [email protected].

Note: School zoning tends to change from year to year, the information provided above is accurate but not guaranteed. Please double-check by visiting the school’s website.


1. Cochran’s Crossing

woodlands cochran''s crossing

Cochran's Crossing sits at the lower midsection of The Woodlands. The community features top-rated schools, great amenities, and accessibility.

Cochran's Crossing is known for its:

Homes in Cochran's Crossing are traditional with some contemporary options. Lots of greenery surrounds the community.


2. Indian Springs

indian springs

The Woodlands: Indian Springs is a serene neighborhood surrounded by natural beauty. It is part of The Woodlands, a master-planned community north of Downtown Houston.

The Woodlands: Indian Springs is popular for its:

The Woodlands: Indian Springs is also known for its sense of community. It has regular events and gatherings hosted by the Indian Springs Village Association.


3. Alden Bridge

alden bridge

Alden Bridge is a vast nature-filled community with over 7,000 homes and 21,000 residents. It is located in the northern part of The Woodlands, widely recognized as one of the best Houston suburbs.

Alden Bridge presents a distinctive living experience with its:

Alden Bridge is a tranquil community named after the hometown of its founder. Residents can golf at top-rated courses in Texas like The Woodlands Country Club.


The Woodlands: Neighborhoods With Best Amenities

The Woodlands: Neighborhoods With Best Amenities

Houston has a number of suburbs that offer incredible amenities, top-ranked public schools, and great access to key Houston employment and business hubs, which is why many choose to move here. To help you out, we've done the research and ranked only the best suburbs in this easy-to-follow guide so you can easily see which is the best suburb for you and your family.

1. Sterling Ridge

Sterling Ridge is situated on the west end of The Woodlands. This neighborhood has access to retail stores, restaurants, world-class golf courses, and parks.

Sterling Ridge is best known for its:

Sterling Ridge is a few miles west of Interstate 45, next to FM 1488 and FM 2978.
This key location allows easy access to nearby business centers.


2. Creekside Park

woodlands texas

Located near the Grand Parkway, The Woodlands: Creekside Park offers proximity to key districts in Houston's Inner Loop.

Creekside Park is popular due to its:

The Woodlands: Creekside Park has a strong sense of community with its community programs and active HOA.


3. Alden Bridge

woodlands texas

Alden Bridge is a vast nature-filled community with over 7,000 homes and 21,000 residents. It is located in the northern part of The Woodlands, widely recognized as one of the best Houston suburbs.

Alden Bridge presents a distinctive living experience with its:

Alden Bridge is a tranquil community named after the hometown of its founder. Residents can golf at top-rated courses in Texas like The Woodlands Country Club.


Most Accessible Neighborhoods In The Woodlands

Most Accessible Neighborhoods In The Woodlands

Due to the large number of home types, neighborhoods, and smaller communities within the Woodlands, it’s better to check out real estate trends in specific areas. Email Paige Martin at [email protected] for more information.

1. Cochran’s Crossing

Cochran’s Crossing is a master-planned community conveniently located near a variety of shopping, retail, recreation, and dining options. The village, home to the 27-hole Palmer golf course, country club, and recreation center, is served by the most number of top-ranking schools in The Woodlands.

Cochran’s Crossing is a short drive away from Houston’s main business districts: 40 minutes from Downtown Houston and 50 minutes from Energy Corridor via the I-45. It is also only a 30-minute drive away from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Residents in Cochran’s Crossing can easily access various amenities and businesses within their neighboring communities due to the village’s central location.

Within Cochran’s Crossing are the Bear Branch Sports Complex and the Bear Branch Park and Recreation Center with tennis courts, a skate park, a dog-friendly park, a volleyball court, and an inline hockey rink.

Residents don’t need to venture very far for shopping options as the village hosts its own village center which features a Kroger Signature store, CVS Drug Store, restaurants, banks, shops, and personal offices.

Map of The Woodlands


2. Grogan’s Mill

woodlands texas

The Village of Grogan’s Mill is one of the most accessible in The Woodlands. It has many access points to Interstate 45 with close proximity to many of the community’s amenities and attractions.

Dubbed as the “Gateway to the Woodlands”, Grogan’s Mill is just a few minutes away from the Hardy Toll Road, a 30-minute drive from Downtown Houston, and a 25-minute drive from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

Grogan’s Mill is the first village to be established in The Woodlands in 1974. It is flanked by the Woodlands Town Center to the north, Spring to the south, Panther Creek Village to the west, and Interstate 45 to the east.

The village, which is home to the Woodlands Resort and Conference Center, contains twelve parks with a slew of different amenities. Two of the community’s premier golf courses, The Oaks and the Tournament Course, are also located within Grogan’s Mill, making it one of the best golf course communities in The Woodlands.

Grogan’s mill has its own village shopping center anchored by Randall’s Supermarket with a variety of eateries, shops, and a bank.


3. Sterling Ridge

sterling ridge

The Village of Sterling Ridge, located 5 ½ miles west of Interstate 45, is conveniently located next to FM 1488 and FM 2978. Sterling Ridge is home to Carlton Woods, one of The Woodlands' premier gated communities.

Like most villages in The Woodlands, residents of Sterling Ridge are conveniently located near top-notch community amenities.

There are twenty parks in Sterling Ridge, a village shopping center anchored by a Kroger Signature grocery store, and two renowned golf courses under the Woodlands Country Club (the 18-hole Gary Player Signature Championship Golf Course and the Jack Nicklaus Course).

Cranebrook Park is home to the largest public BMX-style all dirt track in The Woodlands, while Terramont Park features a 9-hole disk golf course and a pet-friendly skate park. The Indian Springs shopping center is also located within 3 miles of the village.

A membership at the Club at Carlton Woods offers exclusive access to health and fitness centers, premier golf courses, pool facilities, dining options, concierge service, and a day spa.


The Woodlands Neighborhoods With Best Appreciation

If you want a detailed real estate data and appreciation trends on any neighborhood in The Woodlands, please contact Paige Martin, ranked as the #1 Individual Agent with Keller Williams in the city of Houston.

Area Median Home Price Salary Required* 10 Year %
The Woodlands: Carlton Woods $2,095,930 $657,000 19%
The Woodlands: Carlton Woods Creekside $1,990,000 $646,000 22%
The Woodlands: East Shore $1,169,125 $370,000 68%
The Woodlands: Creekside Park $766,500 $249,000 71%
The Woodlands: Sterling Ridge $724,999 $224,000 63%
The Woodlands: Augusta Pines $682,000 $221,000 48%
The Woodlands: Indian Springs $635,350 $199,000 62%
The Woodlands: Cochrans Crossing $570,500 $176,000 47%
The Woodlands $563,000 $173,000 55%
The Woodlands: Alden Bridge $525,000 $161,000 61%
The Woodlands: Del Webb $510,000 $161,000 N/A
The Woodlands: Panther Creek $426,250 $131,000 48%
The Woodlands: Grogan's Mill $400,000 $120,000 29%
The Woodlands: Windsor Hills $378,250 $114,000 50%
The Woodlands: College Park $360,000 $110,000 N/A
The Woodlands: Windsor Lakes $350,000 $107,000 52%

The Woodlands: Indian Springs Real Estate Trends

The Woodlands: Panther Creek Real Estate Trends

The Woodlands: Cochrans Crossing Real Estate Trends

The Woodlands: Sterling Ridge Real Estate Trends

The Woodlands: Grogan's Mill Real Estate Trends

The Woodlands: Carlton Woods Real Estate Trends

The Woodlands: Creekside Park Real Estate Trends

The Woodlands: Alden Bridge Real Estate Trends

The Woodlands: College Park Real Estate Trends

The Woodlands: East Shore Real Estate Trends


Most Expensive Neighborhoods In The Woodlands

Most Expensive Neighborhoods In The Woodlands

Many of Houston’s most expensive neighborhoods are also, historically, the best performers in real estate appreciation. Contact us for a custom list of homes in these areas and make your Houston real estate investments worth it!

Area Median Home Price Salary Required* 10 Year %
The Woodlands: Carlton Woods $2,095,930 $657,000 19%
The Woodlands: Carlton Woods Creekside $1,990,000 $646,000 22%
The Woodlands: East Shore $1,169,125 $370,000 68%
The Woodlands: Creekside Park $766,500 $249,000 71%
The Woodlands: Sterling Ridge $724,999 $224,000 63%
The Woodlands: Augusta Pines $682,000 $221,000 48%
The Woodlands: Indian Springs $635,350 $199,000 62%
The Woodlands: Cochrans Crossing $570,500 $176,000 47%
The Woodlands $563,000 $173,000 55%
The Woodlands: Alden Bridge $525,000 $161,000 61%
The Woodlands: Del Webb $510,000 $161,000 N/A
The Woodlands: Panther Creek $426,250 $131,000 48%
The Woodlands: Grogan's Mill $400,000 $120,000 29%
The Woodlands: Windsor Hills $378,250 $114,000 50%
The Woodlands: College Park $360,000 $110,000 N/A
The Woodlands: Windsor Lakes $350,000 $107,000 52%

The Woodlands: Carlton Woods

Area Median Home Price Salary Required* 10 Year %
The Woodlands: Carlton Woods $2,095,930 $657,000 19%

The Woodlands: Carlton Woods Map

Carlton Woods is one of Houston's Most Expensive Neighborhoods. It features outdoor spaces and high-end amenities in one of Houston's Best Suburbs, The Woodlands.

Carlton Woods is known for its:

Carlton Woods is also zoned to some of the best schools from the Conroe and Tomball ISDs, including Tough Elementary and Timber Creek Elementary. The John Cooper School, a highly-rated private school, is only a few minutes from the neighborhood.

Map of The Woodlands: Carlton Woods

The Woodlands: Carlton Woods Real Estate Trends


The Woodlands: Carlton Woods Creekside

Area Median Home Price Salary Required* 10 Year %
The Woodlands: Carlton Woods Creekside $1,990,000 $646,000 22%

The Woodlands: Carlton Woods Creekside Map

Carlton Woods Creekside is a 500-acre gated community within the Village of Creekside Park. It is also a sought-after address in The Woodlands.

The Carlton Woods Creekside neighborhood is known for its:

Carlton Woods Creekside is one of the Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Houston.

Map of The Woodlands: Carlton Woods Creekside

The Woodlands: Carlton Woods Creekside Real Estate Trends


The Woodlands: East Shore

Area Median Home Price Salary Required* 10 Year %
The Woodlands: East Shore $1,169,125 $370,000 68%

The Woodlands: East Shore Map

Known as the “Garden District,” East Shore is a neighborhood tucked between Lake Woodlands and The Woodlands Town Center.

East Shore residents enjoy:

Homes in East Shore are zoned to Conroe ISD. Residents can enroll in top-ranked schools like Lamar Elementary and Knox Junior High. The Woodlands Montessori and the John Cooper School are notable private schools in the area.

Map of The Woodlands: East Shore

The Woodlands: East Shore Real Estate Trends


1. Indian Springs

The Woodlands: Indian Springs is a serene neighborhood surrounded by natural beauty. It is part of The Woodlands, a master-planned community north of Downtown Houston.

The Woodlands: Indian Springs is popular for its:

The Woodlands: Indian Springs is also known for its sense of community. It has regular events and gatherings hosted by the Indian Springs Village Association.

woodlands texas luxury


2. Cochran’s Crossing

Cochran's Crossing sits at the lower midsection of The Woodlands. The community features top-rated schools, great amenities, and accessibility.

Cochran's Crossing is known for its:

Homes in Cochran's Crossing are traditional with some contemporary options. Lots of greenery surrounds the community.


3. Creekside Park

Located near the Grand Parkway, The Woodlands: Creekside Park offers proximity to key districts in Houston's Inner Loop.

Creekside Park is popular due to its:

The Woodlands: Creekside Park has a strong sense of community with its community programs and active HOA.


New Construction The Woodlands Neighborhoods

New Construction The Woodlands Neighborhoods

Buying or selling a home within the best neighborhoods in Houston can be very tricky. With over $500M real estate sales, the Houston Properties Team is the #1 Boutique Real Estate Team in Houston.

1. Creekside Park

Creekside Park, bordered by Indian Springs to the north, is a master-planned village located south of The Woodlands. It is located 30 miles north of Downtown Houston, with convenient access to the Grand Parkway (99) and I-45. The village was established in 2007 and is one of the largest village developments in the community.

The new Creekside Park The Residences, a multi-family development located within Creekside Park Village Center, was completed in mid-2018. It is a 292-unit complex boasting Craftsman-style architecture, with one to three-bedroom residences and sizes ranging from 600 to around 1,400 square feet.

Residents have access to upscale amenities that include a resort-style pool with outdoor kitchen and grilling areas, a 24/7 fitness facility, and a one-story clubhouse among others.


2. East Shore

East Shore is located east of Lake Woodlands near The Woodlands Mall, Waterway, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and Market Street. It is a gated community situated on 169-acre land that is slated to contain green spaces and garden parks.

Waterway Landing is a 5.4-acre gated townhouse luxury community adjacent to the East Shore Clubhouse. Plans range from 2,891 square feet to 4,529 square feet, with community features that include gated access, brick drives and streets, gas lights, and exclusive access to The Woodlands Waterway.

The townhomes, developed by Waterway Builders LLC, are available in 15 various floor plans.


3. Sterling Ridge

May Valley in the village of Sterling Ridge is situated near FM 2978 and The Woodlands Parkway. This 400-acre village was developed by three builders: Beazer Homes, Chesmar Homes, and Westin Homes.

Beazer Homes has a model home in the Centennial Ridge subdivision, where two-story attached homes have sizes ranging from 1,877 to 2,180 square feet.

The same developer also has one and two-story single-family homes in the subdivision of Springtime Creek, with sizes ranging from 1,725 to 2,707 square feet. In the same subdivision, Chesmar Homes have residences ranging from 1,586 to 2,640 square feet.

Westin Homes offer homes with sizes ranging from 2,916 to 4,043 square feet. May Valley is served by the Magnolia ISD and boasts amenities that include basketball courts, tennis courts, and an outdoor pavilion.

Having more than 750 acres of parks, lakes, and natural open spaces, Elyson will also have on-site schools, fruit orchards, and 30 miles of trails that connect the neighborhoods.


4. Grogan’s Mill

Grogan’s Crest is offering a variety of patio homes. Developed by Conner Davis Homes, the community offers homes ranging from 2,022 to around 3,000 square feet. Features include 2 to 3-story layouts, energy-efficient materials, AMX home automation, voice-activated systems, and in-law suites.

Residents enjoy access to the community pool and proximity to Hardy Toll Road and the I-45.

Honeycomb Ridge is another luxury master-planned location in Grogan’s Mill. The subdivision features 19 low-maintenance home sites all built with innovative architectural design. Custom home builder First Stone Homes is in charge of the development.


Flooding Information on The Woodlands Neighborhoods

Flooding Information on The Woodlands Neighborhoods

If you're looking to buy a home in Houston that is at lower risk of flooding, we can definitely help you. We've done the research into the areas that did and did not flood. Email [email protected] for recommendations.

Most areas in The Woodlands are located away from floodplains and experience no flooding, but some villages, especially those situated along Spring Creek and Panther Branch, have flooded during Hurricane Harvey.

In Creekside Park, previous builders who planned poorly have constructed homes with inadequate elevations over a 500-year flood plain, causing around 100 homes in the Timarron and Timarron Lakes subdivisions to be inundated by Hurricane Harvey.

Some areas situated near creeks in the villages of Cochran’s Crossing and Indian Springs are also vulnerable to flooding.

The Woodlands Township board has established an active task force to tackle drainage issues and avoid further flooding. Following Hurricane Harvey, the board has coordinated with state and national leaders to assist in flood mitigation.

If you’re looking at specific homes or buildings and want to confirm if the property is in a flood zone, please email the Houston Properties Team.


Data Sources & Disclaimers

Data Sources & Disclaimers

With all the available information out there about all the suburbs in Houston, it can be confusing when finally making a decision on which suburb to choose. Get the advice of the best realtor in Houston and remove the guesswork when shopping for the best suburb to live in.

The land value was calculated by looking at the median sold price per square foot of Lots and Single-family homes sold at lot value.

Data is provided by the Houston Association of Realtors, a multiple listing service.

Distance and commute times are approximated via GoogleMaps.

Data deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed and should be independently verified.


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