While you love being in the center of the city of Houston, you now dream of a larger home for your growing family. Somewhere close to where your workplace is but more spacious, more peaceful, and nearer to nature than downtown apartments and townhomes. Perhaps a single-family home in a quiet subdivision outside the Loop would be just what you need, away from the noise, congestion, and traffic.
Is it possible to find the perfect Houston neighborhood?
Houston’s Garden Oaks neighborhood’s central location draws in young, family-oriented professionals like you. Garden Oaks offers respite from the daily grind of city life at the end of a workday while providing easy access the next day. Take the nearby I-45 or Loop 610 and show up to work minutes later.
Reconnect with your children after a day at one of the neighborhood schools, like the impressive Garden Oaks Montessori.
Enjoy the benefits of both urban and suburban lifestyles in Garden Oaks, Houston, Texas.
Homes in Garden Oaks
You can find the subdivision in Harris County, Houston, TX. Its neighbors are the equally charming Oak Forest and Independence Heights neighborhoods. The five Garden Oaks sections comprise a total of 1,400 homes.
Houses in Garden Oaks, Houston, usually have two-to-three-bedroom floor plans. Lot sizes have an average of 2,012 square feet. If you want more space than the norm, lots here are as vast as 17,000 square feet. The average market value of homes is $677,185.
Choose from diverse home options such as ranch style, patio, plantation, cottage, traditional, and bungalow styles. However, houses have this in common: wide landscaped yards and lots & streets lined with magnolias, pine, pecan, and oak.
Deed restrictions are also in place and enforced by the Garden Oaks Civic Club (GOCC). Deed restrictions are clauses on your home’s deed restricting how you can use your property. It aims to protect the distinct character of the neighborhood and its great green spaces. The most common deed restrictions are tree removals, adjacent structures, color palettes, home-run business restrictions, fencing, neighbor’s view obstructions, vehicle restrictions, pet and animal restrictions, and the number of bedrooms.
The GOCC also organizes security, beautification projects, citizen patrol units, and education regarding community concerns. At the same time, the Garden Oaks Management Organization (GOMO) implements the collection of assessments and promotion of health, safety, the welfare of residents, and enforcement of deed restrictions as well.
Who Lives in Garden Oaks
The first residents were World War II veterans. In the early 2000s, the subdivision began enticing “creatives” who wanted to start families.
These days, the locals are a mix of urban professionals and University of Houston students who rent the condos and apartments in the neighborhood. The average age is 39.
Families and singles alike flock to the community for the convenience of location, excellent schools, and organized activities.
People often describe the subdivision as a tight-knit neighborhood with a wholesome ambiance. The population is a modest 3,310, and 78% are homeowners.
The community at Garden Oaks is still growing. New construction homes and townhomes are replacing the beautiful vintage homes.
Common Questions About Living in Garden Oaks
Is Garden Oaks Safe?
Garden Oaks boasts one of the lowest crime rates in Houston. The GOCC also has a constable program with the Harris County Precinct One Constable’s Office, which provides two full-time deputies to the neighborhood. The presence of sworn law enforcement officers resulted in faster response and lower crime rates.
How Are the Schools in Garden Oaks?
When you drop off your children at school or daycare, you want peace of mind that they are in caring and capable hands. Garden Oaks plays host to several outstanding schools. Its crown jewel is the Garden Oaks Montessori Magnet School which ranks in the upper third of all Texas elementary schools.
The Houston Independent School District (HISD) serves the Garden Oaks neighborhood. Middle-schoolers go to Frank Black Middle School, and high school students go to Waltrip High School.
Frank Black Middle School is in the top 30% of all Texas schools for overall test scores, while Waltrip High School does well in state school rankings.
For daycare and preschool, St. Matthews CDC comes highly recommended. St. Rose of Lima is one of the prominent private schools in the area as well.
Is Garden Oaks Walkable?
Walkscore gives the neighborhood a “Somewhat Walkable” ranking with a 62 Walkability rating. You can do basic errands such as dining and shopping on foot. There are also about 420 coffee shops, bars, and restaurants in Garden Oaks. Residents can walk to an average of 0.9 of these establishments in five minutes.
Its 59 over 100 “Bikeable rating” is also above average. There are many recreational parks near Garden Oaks. Locals are only a few minutes away from scenic jogging trails, picnic destinations, and biking trails.
What Are Popular Things to Do in Garden Oaks?
Garden Oaks has that small-town feel with the benefits of big city living. The community is about 7 miles away from the big city’s leading entertainment, dining, and commercial districts.
The local favorites within Garden Oaks are the Body 3 Personal Fitness gym, Pengu Swim School, The American Legion Park, and Candlelight Park. Cottonwood is a well-known family-friendly patio, and Brother’s Pizza is a go-to for the residents.
Yelp.com has over 230 rated establishments in the Garden Oaks area. Wakefield Crow Bar, Petrol Station, and Plonk! are three of the most popular places.
What Zip Code is Garden Oaks?
77018
Housing Market Trends in Garden Oaks
Garden Oaks is strategically close to the major travel arteries and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. The Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority also operates buses and small lift vans (for disabled passengers) that provide service to the neighborhood, making it convenient and fast to get to downtown or other Houston neighborhoods.
Garden Oaks’ convenience of location attracts investors to buy land and build condos and townhomes and add more retailers and restaurants in the area.
This building boom contributes to the increasing appreciation rates of Garden Oaks. The average price per square foot of land has increased to 66% and counting. Garden Oaks has published some of Houston’s best real estate appreciation rates.
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