Named by railroad workers who arrived in springtime to build the International and Great Northern Railroad in the 1870s, Spring, Texas, is now best known as the hometown of Olympian gymnast Simone Biles, with a top-rated barbecue joint and the site of a massive Exxon Mobil campus with more than 10,000 employees.

Approximately 25 miles north of Houston, Spring is one of the city’s most popular suburbs with a population of about 54,000 citizens. The area’s growth continues with an expansion of neighborhoods near the Grand Parkway, a 180-mile loop eventually crossing seven counties upon completion.

Spring Neighborhoods

Gleannloch Farms
Gleannloch Farms

Master-planned communities represent much of the real estate scene in Spring. With resort-like settings, homeowners enjoy access to pools, recreation centers, and playgrounds without ever leaving their subdivision. The area is also known for its highly rated school districts.

Harmony, a master-planned community on 1,000 acres, is far from cookie cutter with homes constructed by 11 different builders, including townhomes, patio homes, and single-family homes. The area maintains a neighborhood feel thanks to a lifestyle director who brings residents together for monthly events and holiday parties.

Gleannloch Farms cultivates a country club environment in a pastoral setting. The neighborhood’s name is a nod to its origins as a horse farm in the 1950s with a statue of one of the farm’s celebrated stallions welcoming residents at the main entrance.

Recent builds are available in this master-planned community of approximately 3,200 homes with a median sale price of $299,990. Golfers gravitate towards the Gleannloch Pines Golf Club, whose owners pride themselves on recreating challenging golf holes from PGA courses. 

Pocket parks are found throughout the woodsy Windrose Eaglewood subdivision, along with a natural lake and fishing pier. Homes list at a median price of $455,000 with a typical lot size of a quarter acre. The Klein School District is a big draw with a celebrity alum, actor Jim Parsons from “The Big Bang Theory.”

Large homes with higher listing prices averaging $427,400 are typical in Woodson’s Reserve, but new builds can be found in the lower $300,000 range. Five builders provide prospective homebuyers with multiple floorplan designs. Amenities include a recreational center and pool.

Monika Rogowska has lived in the Spring Trails neighborhood for over three years. According to Monika, it’s “like living in a forest” best viewed on family bike rides through Dennis Johnston Park and the Spring Creek Greenway.

Neighbors do their part to keep the area green by planting new trees as a community project. The location also makes for convenient commuting via the Grand Parkway and Hardy Toll Road. Quarter acre lots are common with an average list price of $265,000.

Things to Do

Mercer Botanic Gardens
Mercer Botanic Gardens

On weekends, strolling through Old Town Spring is a favorite pastime for residents who browse antiques and unusual finds in this quaint shopping district where you can also learn more about the area’s history at the Spring Historical Museum. It’s also the location for annual events like the Texas Crawfish Festival in April and Home for the Holidays where Santa makes an appearance from November to Christmas.

Be on the lookout for turn-of-the-century spirits during an Old Town Spring Ghost Tour. However, Old Town Spring’s biggest attraction might be Corkscrew BBQ, which was named one of the 50 best bbq joints in the world by Texas Monthly.

Read More:

Atkinson Farms has a presence at farmers markets throughout Houston, but Spring is the farm’s location where you can pick your own strawberries during the growing season.

Mercer Botanic Gardens is a must during springtime when families use the colorful blooms as a backdrop for photos. Along with the gardens, there are two playgrounds, a picnic area, and plenty of walking trails.

Summers are often spent at Splashtown with thrill rides and lazy river-style tubing.

Budding Olympians can train at World Champions Centre, just like Simone Biles. Along with gymnastics, classes are offered in tumbling, dance, and taekwondo.

Anglers fish for white bass, crappie, and catfish in the two lakes at Pundt Park. Parkgoers can also access the Spring Creek Greenway Trail, which provides 16 miles of paved hike and bike trails.

Neighboring master-planned community The Woodlands is a 10-mile drive from Spring and serves as the suburb’s shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. Market Street, a high-end retail and restaurant center, is full of foot traffic with a movie theater and an annual art show, plus seasonal events.

Rock the Row, a free concert series, is held at Hughes Landing overlooking Lake Woodlands. Get tickets to hear the Houston Symphony or arena rock at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, an outdoor amphitheater. 

How to Get Around

Driving is the default for Spring residents, although many of the master-planned communities are bike-friendly. Major oil, energy, and medical employers are located nearby making for less time spent in the car.

For commuters working in Downtown Houston, the Spring Park and Ride is an option. However, most residents prefer to make the drive with an average round trip taking 30 minutes each way.

Medical Center and Galleria area offices are also about 30 minutes one-way with Energy Corridor employees facing a 40-minute commute to and from home. On the plus side, heading to George Bush Intercontinental Airport is a mere 17 minutes.