2021 Best Suburbs to Live in the Houston Area

The Woodlands

• City in Texas
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  457 reviews

Current Resident: My daughter and I moved here 5 years ago from Dubai in the United Arab Emirate and we love it here. We love the diversity, there is everyone from everywhere here. People and warm and friendly - genuinely. The schools are excellent. My daughter has adjusted pretty well considering the move from the British system of education in the UAE. Love the fact that the city is mostly conservative under the leadership of our awesome Judge Keough!...Read 457 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 113,819 Population

Cinco Ranch

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.11 out of 5  99 reviews

Current Resident: I’ve lived in Cinco Ranch for the past 5 years and it’s honestly beautiful. It’s perfect for someone that likes nature but also civilization. There are so many things to do, great places to shop and some really good restaurants. It truly is a family-friendly neighborhood, and the schools are amazing!...Read 99 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 16,437 Population

Nassau Bay

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: I absolutely love Nassau Bay- I always have. The community is close and friendly, neighbors look out for each other and there is always some celebration or neighborhood improvement being planned. Every house is unique since no houses are allowed to be the exact same, and all of them have an old-style lamppost in front. The streets are very rarely loud, and on July 4th and Halloween the streets are blocked off for pedestrians and golf carts. The summer swim team is often the center of the community, and almost everyone gets involved when there are home meets or events. Members of city government are all nearby and willing to talk, and there are regular meetings anyone is allowed to attend and ask questions, make suggestions, and get information. There are a bunch of beautiful out-of-the-way spots with trees and water access that are great for being outdoors and the city is a bird sanctuary so I've sometimes seen rare or endangered species wandering the parks. Beautiful, friendly place...Read 15 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• 4,048 Population

Sugar Land

• Town in Texas
• Rating 4.37 out of 5  486 reviews

Current Resident: Safe and pretty! I moved to Sugar Land, TX from the Bay Area, California. After living in 4 states over the last 10 years I am super satisfied! Family life is amazing with lots of lakes, cycling, outdoor running, and amazing city center. Schools are great and several hospitals around. Diversity is off the charts and living in harmony together. tons of restaurants and shopping within 10 minute drive. I am very impressed with this city thus far and my wife and kids are in love with it. We live in new territory subdivision... There are a variety of diverse restaurants, the Fort Bend County police department are very accessible. Many popular stores, restaurants, and gyms pop up over the last year. Things are not too far from each other you can easily find whatever you are looking for at just a 10 minute drive. Peak time traffic flows there is rarely stopped traffic, and drives are very responsible. The atmosphere is safe and welcoming, with not a lot of criminal activity occurring...Read 486 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 118,709 Population

Spring Valley Village

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.38 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: Security is the main thing. The police are always driving through the area. They sometimes leave their cars parked at different parts of roads throughout the evening. The area is quiet and very family oriented. It is easily convenient to freeways. It is a very safe place to live...Read 13 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 4,282 Population

Greatwood

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.29 out of 5  31 reviews

Current Resident: The Greatwood community engages neighbors as if they are an extension of a tightly knit family. I grew up in the subdivision since I was six attending Bess Campbell Elementary School, one of the two primary schools within the area. The families involved in creating the environment where the children grew up has fostered a sense of belonging, diversity, and sportsmanship that have sculpted the safe, hospitable, and active foreground for generations to cherish. As I grew up in Greatwood, the area has become even more charming. More diverse retail units opened to invite people to explore the mix of cultures within the community, a major hospital (Memorial Hermann) arrived to provide ease of patient care, and it even brought Buccee's over from the more southwest fringe of Houston which I truly love! Over the years, Greatwood has become home to another level: one where you settle down and enjoy the serenity of fresh air and free spirit...Read 31 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade unavailable

• 12,437 Population

New Territory

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.11 out of 5  28 reviews

Current Resident: We moved to NT 2 years ago. We love the sense of community here. We have a very active HOA always organizing fun events! The whole area I walkable which is very nice. The neighborhood is very diverse which is also something we absolutely love. Schools are also top notch as well. We definitely made the right decision!...Read 28 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade unavailable

• 15,699 Population

Friendswood

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4 out of 5  176 reviews

Current Resident: It is a great city with a small town feel. Our library is the best! During this social isolation time, they have created several ways to stay helpful. You can request books of Cousy, but they have Brown Bag books by age. They have several recommendations in the bad fur you to explore and read. When you return it, you can get another selection. The children’s librarian is also reading a book in segments daily in Facebook. It really helps to feel connected. That’s the kind of welcome you can find in Friendswood...Read 176 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 39,688 Population

Bellaire

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.4 out of 5  52 reviews

Current Resident: This is an awesome neighborhood with lots of families out and about daily. The people are friendly and schools are top notch - my kids went to Horn ES, Pin Oak MS and Bellaire HS - all great schools! We love the nearby pools, doggie park, playgrounds and nature discovery center - everyone comes here for great events such as the pumpkin festival, bird watch, and kids love the little animals and discovery rooms. We enjoy kicking ball at Evelyn's Park, plus there's a cute little restaurant and outdoor seating, and weekend life music. It's all within walking distance from Bellaire's Southdale where we are. We also enjoy being so close to Whole Foods, HEB, restaurants and Meyerland shopping center...Read 52 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 18,815 Population

Sienna

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 3.98 out of 5  80 reviews

Current Resident: Sienna is a neighborhood defined by "how thick your wallet is," for the neighborhood lacks affordability but offers a vast amount of resources for raising children and maintaining one's health. Public parks, pools, gyms and walking trails are scattered across Sienna along with various health orientated markets and shopping centers to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Furthermore, daycares and events, such as annual holiday celebrations, are held for children to interact and have fun. However, you will find a lack of diversity in the neighborhood, with the majority of the population in Sienna being from high class white families. In conclusion, where the neighborhood lacks in diversity and affordability, it makes up in resources you gain access to such as as great schools, pools/parks/gyms and markets...Read 80 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• 19,486 Population

Bunker Hill Village

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: Very comforting. It's the best neighborhood I've stayed at (last place I stayed was at Sugar Land). The school districts are great.Read 2 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 3,940 Population

Seabrook

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.21 out of 5  56 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, Seabrook is a very nice place to live. The temperate climate proves to be comfortable for the majority of the year, although it tends to get quite hot during the midsummer time. The community is generally very inviting and friendly. Traffic can be an issue due to the level of construction recently, but the inconvenience is minimal...Read 56 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 13,927 Population

Southside Place

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Nearby Resident: Southside Place, Texas is Mayberry USA in the middle of Houston! Tree-lined streets. A community park in the middle of the city. Large Swimming Pool Complex. Plenty of mom and pop shops. And for those with medical conditions. The world-famous Texas Medical Center is 5 minutes away. Truly an amazing place to live and raise a family. Schools are Rated A+. Police and fire protection and Rated A+. The only drawback is real estate. It's a little bit more expensive than Mayberry...Read 3 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 1,652 Population

West University Place

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.27 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: My experience growing up in West University has been amazing. Overall, the suburb has shown to be an incredibly safe, tightknit, and fun community. Since I moved in to the area late in to my lifetime (as a child) at 8 years old, I thought it would be difficult to assimilate and make friends with the other kids. However, I was instantly proven wrong. Since most children who lived in the area went to the local school, I quickly got comfortable, and made tons of friends - many of which lived in my neighborhood! These friends became friends I would still have today in my senior year of highschool, and I continue to remember almost every day how much West University means to me and how much it has contributed to my development...Read 11 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade B+

• 15,603 Population

Taylor Lake Village

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Niche User: The suburban area outside of Houston that I live in is a bit of a tourist attraction because of NASA and Johnson Space Center being so close by. The families that populate my area of town, while very diverse, are honeslty some of the freindliest people around. Maybe it's just out Southern Texas charm, but I rarely feel unsafe or unwelcome in my everyday life. The restaurants that I frequent know me by name and usually know my order as well. I have in fact had oppurtunities to move elsewhere in the state and in the country, but although I would consider the adventure, I would always ultimatey rather live here. I will be moving away for college, but I think when I get a little older and decide to settle down, this is a great place to raise kids and make friends. Property vaues are increasing as people come to this realization, but it will definitely be worth it...Read 3 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 3,639 Population

Hedwig Village

• Suburb of Houston, TX

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 2,671 Population

Meadows Place

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 3.93 out of 5  28 reviews

Former Resident: Meadows Place is a very friendly neighborhood. The cops are well known as hard asses, but they keep the children that play outside their homes and at the parks safe. The recently updated park has greatly increased the value and atmosphere of Meadows Place. The home owners association make sure homes are always presentable, and the community is very family oriented. Most everyone in the neighborhood know and look after one another. Aside from the location next to poorer neighborhoods, Meadows Place only needs to continue maintaining the area as well as it has!...Read 28 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• 4,653 Population

El Lago

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.15 out of 5  13 reviews

Current Resident: One of the most hidden Gems in Texas. I have been here for 20 years and raised two kids, both going to Ed White Elementary. This Elementary is right in the middle of the neighborhood and is almost private. Now it's a STEM school, and is an amazing school. Riding bikes to school with my children every day is something that is priceless. ...The City has a very low crime rate, mostly simple, and small crimes. With it's own police department the officers know whats happening here and by who. It's very safe. A place where, during the summer the pool is the place for the kids to gather, and adults can sit under the shade trees. With the annual Caroling is the park, Halloween, City Celebration, and Pool Movies there is always something happen in the City. ...A great place to live.Read 13 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• 2,710 Population

Pecan Grove

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 3.88 out of 5  40 reviews

Current Resident: The neighborhood is always quiet. The people in the neighborhood are friendly. It is close to stores, two elementary schools, a high school, and two parks. Being close to a few places makes for job opportunities. The houses and streets are kept up with well. Depending on where your house is, it takes a while to exit the neighborhood. The houses are nice for the prices offered. The neighborhood is good for running, biking, hay rides, and other activities...Read 40 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• 17,380 Population

Pearland

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.13 out of 5  439 reviews

Current Resident: Pearland is an amazing area to settle down and build a life for yourself. There are endless shopping opportunities, whether that is grocery or for a wardrobe refresher. The neighborhoods are relatively quiet and the homes are affordable yet gorgeous! There is a community for every family or individual type out there. The food places are also increasing in variety with an authentic mix of almost every culture. I will warn others of some neighborhoods, very few, not being as open and welcoming as others...Read 439 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• 122,078 Population

Piney Point Village

• Suburb of Houston, TX

• grade A+

• grade A

• 3,425 Population

League City

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.11 out of 5  309 reviews

Current Resident: As a resident of League City, I love the atmosphere of our small suburban city. I always see new small businesses being established around the area which shows the great opportunities that living here can bring! The people residing here are very welcoming people, who take care of their community, and the people in it. Another commending part of League City is the schooling, where education is held to a high standard amongst students and teachers alike. The only necessary change that I think to establish is more diversity of the people here. I couldn't think of a better location to situate with family!...Read 309 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A minus

• 103,310 Population

Brookside Village

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 3.77 out of 5  13 reviews

Parent: It's peaceful, quiet, easy to get around.Read 13 Reviews

• grade A+

• grade A

• 1,359 Population

Katy

• Suburb of Houston, TX
• Rating 4.35 out of 5  635 reviews

Current Resident: I have been living in Katy for 17 years and I highly recommend it. Katy is a growing suburb with a nationally recognized school district. Not only does Katy have a great school system, it is also in an ideal location to its own Katy Asian Town, Katy Mills, and small shopping centers such as La Centerra and Villagio. I recommend Katy to people with small children as they receive one of the best educations in Texas and will be entertained with the various community activities such as Food Truck Friday, Katy Turkey Dash, and more!...Read 635 Reviews

• grade A

• grade A

• 20,202 Population

Hunters Creek Village

• Suburb of Houston, TX

• grade A

• grade A

• 4,825 Population