Moving to The Woodlands | Relocation Guide + E-book

Hi y'all,

<If you are considering a move to The Woodlands, then you are in the right spot! You can download our full e-book, Moving to The Woodlands, click here.>

I am so excited to bring you a brand new series and a launch of sorts. This blog post will house my first e-book with corresponding YouTube video. I am creating this for individuals and families, just like yourself, that are relocating to our neck of the woods. Providing value, and answering your questions, are my top priority, so you can understand my excitement. The blog post, YouTube video, and e-book, will provide similar context, content, and value, so choose which method fits your learning style best, and I will be here to answer any questions you might have. My personal contact info is below. Now let's get started. You can download our full e-book, Moving to The Woodlands, by clicking here.

Introduction

I am going to pretend that we are good friends, that got separated after college, and now you are relocating to my city. So let's skip the introductions, for the sake of getting to the meat, but feel free to download the e-book or click on the About page, to learn more about me in and my company. 😉

The History of The Woodlands

Let's begin with the history of The Woodlands..

Started with a vision..

The Woodlands was founded on the vision of Texas oilman George P. Mitchell, more than 40 years ago. This vision shared The Woodlands into what it is today. In the words of Roger Galatas, “Mitchell was a community builder, not just a developer of lots and commercial property. He understood the need for and demanded quality of design to establish a ‘community where people could live, work, play and learn.”

– The Vision of The Woodlands.

Timeline..

On October 19, 1974, The Woodlands celebrated its grand opening and the introduction of this new community to the Houston marketplace. Progress over the years has been achieved through collaborative efforts. To view the full timeline of events, on the George’s Coffee Club website, please follow the link below. The storytelling and history provided and a fantastic read. All events.

You can view the timeline on this blog post.

The Design of the Woodlands

The Woodlands was named “Humanitarian of the Year” in 2017 and 2016 and “Master Planned Community of the Year” in 2015 by the Greater Houston Builders Association. You must really visit the community to fully grasp the beautiful concept. The Woodlands was designed and broken into villages. Each village has its own designated shopping, grocery stores, schools, businesses, and churches. George Mitchell intentionally designed it so that residents had everything they needed for their day to day life within 1-2 miles. The business hub is concentrated commercial with multi-family residences, and can be found in the Town Center and around Lake Woodlands. It is west of I-45, and mostly between the two street Lake Woodlands Drive and Woodlands Parkway.

The Real Estate Market

When buying a home, the knowledge of the strength of the market you are purchasing in, is something that is probably on your mind.

Preface

One thing to understand about “The Woodlands”, is that it isn’t just a city or township to us locals, it is an area.  When you begin looking at homes, and see the many zip codes and “city” names, this will become quite clear to you. One listing on a particular street will say it is in Magnolia, while a home on that same street, with the same zip code, will say it is The Woodlands. It might become confusing, but know you are in The Woodlands Township, then you are technically a resident of The Woodlands, even if you your address doesn’t reflect.

And for the others, if you live close enough to shop in The Woodlands, you will probably feel like you belong. One thing to note, is that The Woodlands is divided into villages. Each village has its own designated shopping, grocery stores, schools, businesses, and churches. It really is a beautiful design. If you glance at the timeline, you can see when each one opened.

So let’s get to the the real estate market in The Woodlands. We are going to look at eight different zip codes, with each one having conservative homes in the $200s (or below), and luxury homes in the millions.

Number of Homes Sold | June 2017 – May 2018 vs. June 2018 – May 2019

• In 77380, 299 homes sold last year, and this year, 239 homes sold within that same time frame, which is a decrease of about 20%.
• In 77381, 585 homes sold last year, and this year, 525homes sold within that same time frame, which is a decrease of about 10%.
• In 77382, 574 homes sold last year, and this year, 590 homes sold within that same time frame, which is a increase of about 3%.
• In 77384, 334 homes sold last year, and this year, 363 homes sold within that same time frame, which is a increase of about 9%.
• In 77385, 513 homes sold last year, and this year, 456 homes sold within that same time frame, which is a decrease of about 11%
• In 77386, 1,303 homes sold last year, and this year, 1,451 homes sold within that same time frame, which is a increase of about 11.5%.
• In 77389, 710 homes sold last year, and this year, 707 homes sold within that same time frame, which is a decrease of about .5 %.

The Average Sales Price | June 2017 – May 2018 vs. June 2018 – May 2019

• In 77380, last year the average home price was $382,948, and this year, it was $404,488, which is a increase of about 6%.
• In 77381, last year the average home price was $420,054, and this year, it was $422,311, which is a increase of about .5%.
• In 77382, last year the average home price was $520,133, and this year, it was $533,122, which is a increase of about 2.5%.
• In 77384, last year the average home price was $358,469, and this year, it was $367,381, which is a increase of about 2.5%.
• In 77385, last year the average home price was $239,471, and this year, it was $254,514,  which is a increase of about 6.5%.
• In 77386, last year the average home price was $298,414, and this year, it was $304,364, which is a increase of about 2%.
• In 77389, last year the average home price was $327,303 , and this year, it was $391,149, which is a increase of about 20%.

New Construction in the Area | June 2017 – May 2018 vs. June 2018 – May 2019

There are many new construction neighborhoods in The Woodlands Area. The 13 most popular neighborhoods for new construction within our above zip codes, have been The Falls/The Meadows at Imperial Oaks , Harmony,  Harper’s Preserve, Fosters Ridge,  McKenzie Park, Montgomery Creek Ranch,  Bristol Lakes,  Forest Village,  Hampton Creek,  Liberty Branch in The Woodlands, Stillwater, Woodson’s Reserve,  Wright’s Landing, and Woodforest (in 77316). 1223 homes went under contract or sold in the last 12 months (1085 have closed), compared to only 824 homes closing the 12 months prior.  That is a huge increase in new home sales, and does not include the 170 sold in Woodforest this year, as well as last year. If you are looking for more information about all the new construction neighborhoods in the area, please check out the ones we have featured, by clicking here. We are in the process of adding more each week.

Schools of The Woodlands

Conroe ISD is one of only three of the 1,100+ public school districts in Texas to be recognized nine years in a row for high academic achievement while maintaining cost-effective operations.

– conroeisd.net

Conroe ISD is the main school district that serves The Woodlands. (There is a small piece that zones to Tomball ISD.) Conroe ISD is a 348 square mile school district located in the Houston, Texas metropolitan area. The geographic areas of the District are diverse and include The Woodlands, Shenandoah, Oak Ridge North, Conroe, and Caney Creek, as well as several other smaller towns, communities, and unincorporated areas. Conroe ISD is one of the fastest growing school districts in the State with an average enrollment growth of approximately 1,500 students per year.

Facts About Conroe ISD

• Conroe ISD is the largest district in the State to ever achieve the highest rating of Exemplary in 2010.
• Their gradation rate of 95.7% is one of the highest in the state.
• Their achievement scores continue to increase each year and are well above the State and national averages.
• The mean SAT score for Conroe ISD is 1143 compared to 1070 for the nation and 1019 for the State. The mean ACT score for Conroe ISD is 23.5 with the nation and State at 21 and 20.7 respectively.
• Conroe ISD is the largest employer in Montgomery County with over 7,500 employes.
• Conroe ISD received the highest recognition for transparency from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts seven years in a row.
• Conroe ISD was selected… by the Educational Results Partnership (ERP) and the Institute for Productivity in Education (IPE) as one of nine public school districts in Texas to receive the title of 2015 Honor Roll District.
• Conroe ISD received a… 1.1 rating from the Education Resource Group (ERG) for high academic performance by students and efficiency in spending. The District is 1 of 10 school districts in Texas to receive this top ranking.
• CISD's tax rate is one of the lowest in the Houston metropolitan area at $1.28.

Schools in Conroe ISD that scored an A rating from the Texas Education Agency

Elementary Schools

• Birnham Woods
• Broadway
• Buckalew
• Bush
• Creekside (Tomball ISD)
• David
• Deretchin
• Galatas
• Kaufman
• Powell
• Ride
• Snyder
• Stewart
• Tough

“Middle” Schools

• Clark Intermediate 
• Collins Intermediate
• Knox Junior High
• McCullough Junior High
• Mitchell Intermediate
• York Junior High

High Schools

• College Park High School
• Grand Oaks High School
• The Woodlands High School

Amenities of The Woodlands

The Vision.

1. Maintain the Natural Environment
2. Develop The Woodlands as a “complete” community where one can live, work, play, and learn.
3. Plan for ultimate mobility.

George Mitchell’s vision for The Woodlands included blending nature with modern development practices. Today The Woodlands continues to thrive as one of the top master planned communities and stays true to Mitchell’s vision – to create an exceptional environment where people “live, work, play and learn”.

Amenities and Features

• 200 Miles of Trails –

  The Woodlands green pathways and trails link major villages of The Woodlands, including schools, our 147 parks, local village centers and shopping areas. These trails are open to bicycles, walkers, or runners alike.

• Over 40 Park

  There are over 40 parks through out The Woodlands, including six dog-friendly parks, two dedicated skateboard parks, and seven wheel-friendly parks. Some of the larger parks, which house playgrounds include the Village of Creekside Park, Timarron Park, and Northshore Park.

• Golf Courses & Country Club

  There are nine private golf courses in The Woodlands, and three country clubs. To learn more about all the golf courses and clubs in the area, check out this link, and to learn about the ones specific to The Woodlands, click here.

• Recreational Facilities

  Not only does The Woodlands house 89 playground, 76 tennis courts, 63 lakes and ponds, 68 pavilions, 43 sport fields, 35 basketball and volleyball courts, 14 swimming pools, and five splash pads, The Woodlands is also home to many fitness facilities. Read more about those here.

• Outdoor Amphitheater

  The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, sometimes called The Woodlands Pavilion or simply The Pavilion, is a concert amphitheater named after the founder’s wife. It houses the Houston Symphony & many famous musical acts.

• The Lake & Waterway

  The Woodlands officially opened in 1974, yet Lake Woodlands did not yet exist. It was excavated in 1984, and official opened as a recreational lake in 1985. The waterway is home to many restaurants, walking paths, and the Riva Row Boat House, where one can rent kayaks & stand up paddle boards.

• Swimming Pools

  The Woodlands if home to 14 swimming pools, including the Rob Fleming Aquatic Center, which is one of the most popular pools because of its lazy river and water play structure.

• Village Design

  The Woodlands is made of nine distinct villages. Each village is unique in that it functions like its own small town. The villages are complete with different shopping centers, village associations, parks, playgrounds, homes and personalities within The Woodlands. See all nine villages names here.

• The Trees

  The trees are an integral part of the design and popularity of The Woodlands. The Woodlands has even been referred to as the “Secret City”.

• The Township

  The Woodlands Township is the governmental service provider for residents and businesses, providing enhanced law enforcement services, fire protection, environmental services, parks and recreation, economic development and more.

• Public Events

  The Woodlands is not only home to the Pavilion which hosts some big names, but home to many races, free outdoor concert series, holiday celebrations, and so many more events!

• Splash Pads

  There are six spraygrounds located throughout The Woodlands. You can learn about all six and their locations by click here. Spoiler alert: my favorite is in Market Street!

• Riva Row Boat House

  Riva Row Boat House is a beautiful amenity in The Woodlands. It is within walking distance from Market Street and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, it’s a great way to see The Woodlands Waterway.

• The Ice Rink

  The Ice Rink at The Woodlands Town Center is a 21,000-square-foot permanent multipurpose facility, located on the same block as The Pavilion, and it features ice skating November 16^th through January 20^th.

• The Art

  The Woodlands is home to one of the most dynamic and growing outdoor art collections, with over 50 outdoor sculptures, dozens of mosaics and the Art Bench Project. The Woodlands is also home to an annual arts festival.

• Award-Winning Medical

  The Woodlands is also home to many award winning medical facilities and hospitals including: Memorial Hermann, St. Luke’s Lakeside and The Woodlands, Houston, Methodist, and Texas Children’s.

• Town Center

  Considered the “downtown” of The Woodlands, Town Center is 1,000 acres of shopping, restaurants, and entertainment. It also houses hotels, office buildings, lofts, town homes, and condominiums.

• Market Street

  The Woodlands Market Street is an open air shopping center of The Woodlands, located adjacent to The Woodlands Mall in The Woodlands Town Center. Market Street is host to an impressive collection of more than 70 stores, shopping boutiques and restaurants.

• Hughes Landing

  A great place to enjoy live music, great food, shopping, a staycation (Embassy Suites), the arts, and more. Hughes Landing is a 66-acre mixed-use upscale “lifestyle” development just off Lake Woodlands Drive and Hughes Landing Boulevard. 

• Top Employers

  Although The Woodlands is this amazing place to relax, play, and live life, at the end of the day, it is the employers who make this amazing city possible. Check out the top 30 employers of The Woodlands here.

• Local Transportation

  The Woodlands Express provides a convenient and economical way to commute to Downtown Houston. The Woodlands trolleys is a free trolley that connects “The Front of The Woodlands”. Read more here.

• Waterway Square

  Waterway Square is a one-acre public plaza with unique water features and green spaces that serve as the centerpiece of The Woodlands. Experience the excitement of earth, wind and water in a synchronized choreography of motion and sound!

From the Locals

Reasons to Relocate to The Woodlands

Some time ago, I decided to poll some of the residents of The Woodlands, and I asked them “What is the number one reason you moved to The Woodlands?” Many of the answers were along the lines of husband’s job, family lived here, career, I was born here and never left, I was born here, moved away, and came back, but here are the ones that make help you in your decision of if this is the place you should call home. You can read that whole post here.

Why they choose The Woodlands..

• All the golf courses and country clubs
• The natural landscaping that makes me feel like I am living in a forest
• The diversity
• The convenience
• Back in 1976, the small hometown feeling
• All the events, including the free concert series
• The fact that The Woodlands feels a world away from Houston
• The easy access to healthcare
• The high school sport programs in the area
• Family safety
• Schools
• General feeling of community
• The trees
• Opportunities
• Family friendly
• The focus on keeping it natural
• The amenities it has to offer
• Proximity to Bush IAH (the airport)
• Walking paths
• Lots of shopping
• Low crime rate
• The ordinances
• The scenery and nature
• The commute to Downtown
• The easy access to I-45
• The seclusion
• The beauty
• The highly rated schools
• Seemed like a great place to start a family
• The lack of signs and billboards
• The strong homeschool community
• The pools
• The parks
• The affordability
• Enough room for our dog
• The greenery
• The nice people
• The weather
• The abundance of churches
• All the corporations that are head quartered here, leading to a healthy and stable job market
• The lake and activities
• The easy commute to Downtown Houston via The Woodlands Express
• The cute trolley
• All the amazing restaurants – more than 200
• The Cynthia Wood Mitchell Pavilion
• The art pieces placed throughout The Woodlands
• The walkability and bike-ability
• The traditions: the Lighting of the Doves, an annual winter event that includes multicultural performances, fireworks, ice carvers, and more

There is so much to love about The Woodlands. I hope this post has given you some insight into Moving to The Woodlands, and why it would make a good home for you. You can download our full e-book, Moving to The Woodlands, click here.

Home Search

You can easily edit the search to better suit your need. Just click the list that best fits your needs, then edit it by clicking filters.

New construction in Montgomery County	Homes within a Golf Course Community	Residential Homes within Conroe ISD
4+ Bedrooms	4+ Bedrooms	3+ Bedrooms
2+ Bathrooms	2+ Bathrooms	Conroe ISD
Neighborhood Pool	Private Swimming Pool	Neighborhood Pool
$275k – $375k	$450k – $850k	$250k – $350k
3000+ sq ft	3000+ sq ft	2000+ sq ft
Click Here	Click Here	Click Here