Montgomery County Newcomer Guide - 2016 Vol 1

R E LOCAT I ON

GUIDE

THIS ISSUE: A LOCAL’S GUIDE TO SHOPPING + DINING | FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN!

Housing and Neighborhoods

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2 P A L M B E A C H R E L O C A T I O N G U I D E – F A L L 2 0 1 6 | W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

Beth Ferester, one of Houston’s top ten Realtors®, has specialized in relocation for over 35 years, is a certified relocation specialist and member of the national Employees Relocation Council.

Beth has led her team of 15 relocation experts in assisting thousands of employees relocating to North Houston and The Woodlands.

It does make a difference which Realtor® you select when you relocate

Visit our website at www.ferester.com for more information or contact us directly at [email protected] to request information specific to your needs.

BETH FERESTER & COMPANYA specialty real estate brokerage with a legendary name presents

Our unique one-of-a kind RELOCATION GUIDE to The Woodlands, Texas and surrounding areas at...

New Homes And Resale • Community Information And History • Schools • Neighborhoods

[email protected] | 713-702-6334 direct

www.TheWoodlandsRelocationGuide.com

H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E S . C O M 1

2 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8

YOU R S OCI A L L I F EAWA ITS .



The Ultimate Private Club Lifestyle The Woodlands Country Club provides first-class amenities and the attentive, personalized service you only find at Texas’ finest country clubs. We invite you to experience two state-of-the-art fitness facilities, three beautiful clubhouses, an outstanding tennis facility with 21 courts, a resort-style pool with cabanas, exceptional dining, exciting social and networking events and more.

A limited number of social memberships are available at $170* per month.What are you waiting for?

281.863.1433 | [email protected]

832.405.6864 | [email protected]*Some restrictions and exclusions may apply. Contact the Club for details. © ClubCorp USA, Inc. All rights reserved. 0517 34810 EA

YOUR HOME, YOUR STORY...CLOSE TO THE HEART OF EVERYTHING.

FROM THE LOW $300SGracepoint Homes develops communities and builds luxury and affordable

luxury homes across The Woodlands and Montgomery County area. Our team

takes a highly personal approach to everything we build–carefully balancing the

land, the architecture and lifestyle of the homebuyer to create one-of-a-kind life

stories. World-class architects are behind the distinctive design of our homes,

giving as much consideration to energy efficiency as to design aesthetics.

We encourage you to take a look at the Gracepoint Homes’ difference–the

architecture, the quality of our home construction, the communities we select

and the people who bring your story to life.

Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. 04/16

Stillwater | 5 Minutes toThe Woodlands Market Street, Zoned to The Woodlands High Schooln New Chapel from the low $300sn New Chapel Patio Homes from the $400sn Pintail from the $590sn Sweetgrass from the $670s Woodforest | Zoned to Montgomery ISD, Wooded Homesitesn Kingsley from the low $300sn Sanderling from the $410sn Grand Marion from the $600s The Woodlands and Shenandoah | Gated Communities, 5 Minutes to The Woodlands Market Street, Low Taxes, Conroe ISDn LILY from the $460sn MARION from the $520sn LAKESIDE COVE from the $620s BUILD ON YOUR LOT281.681.0400 | GRACEPOINTHOMES.COM

2 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E S . C O M 3

YOU R SOCI A L L I F EAWA ITS .



The Ultimate Private Club Lifestyle The Woodlands Country Club provides first-class amenities and the attentive, personalized service you only find at Texas’ finest country clubs. We invite you to experience two state-of-the-art fitness facilities, three beautiful clubhouses, an outstanding tennis facility with 21 courts, a resort-style pool with cabanas, exceptional dining, exciting social and networking events and more.

A limited number of social memberships are available at $170* per month.What are you waiting for?

281.863.1433 | [email protected]

832.405.6864 | [email protected]*Some restrictions and exclusions may apply. Contact the Club for details. © ClubCorp USA, Inc. All rights reserved. 0517 34810 EA

YOUR HOME, YOUR STORY...CLOSE TO THE HEART OF EVERYTHING.

FROM THE LOW $300SGracepoint Homes develops communities and builds luxury and affordable

luxury homes across The Woodlands and Montgomery County area. Our team

takes a highly personal approach to everything we build–carefully balancing the

land, the architecture and lifestyle of the homebuyer to create one-of-a-kind life

stories. World-class architects are behind the distinctive design of our homes,

giving as much consideration to energy efficiency as to design aesthetics.

We encourage you to take a look at the Gracepoint Homes’ difference–the

architecture, the quality of our home construction, the communities we select

and the people who bring your story to life.

Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. 04/16

Stillwater | 5 Minutes toThe Woodlands Market Street, Zoned to The Woodlands High Schooln New Chapel from the low $300sn New Chapel Patio Homes from the $400sn Pintail from the $590sn Sweetgrass from the $670s Woodforest | Zoned to Montgomery ISD, Wooded Homesitesn Kingsley from the low $300sn Sanderling from the $410sn Grand Marion from the $600s The Woodlands and Shenandoah | Gated Communities, 5 Minutes to The Woodlands Market Street, Low Taxes, Conroe ISDn LILY from the $460sn MARION from the $520sn LAKESIDE COVE from the $620s BUILD ON YOUR LOT281.681.0400 | GRACEPOINTHOMES.COM


ON THE COVER

Woodforest, a project of Johnson

Development Corp., is a 3,000-acre

master-planned community surrounding

Woodforest Golf Club. Thirty model homes

are open in the forested landscape offer-

ing a broad array of home designs priced

from the $200,000s to the millions. For more

information, visit WoodforestTX.com.

Photo by Steve Chenn

courtesy of Woodforest

PHOTOGRAPHY

We would like to thank the following

for their contributions:

Grand Central Park

Woodforest

Lennar Homes

Houston Texans

Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy

The Woodlands Area EDC

The Greater Conroe EDC

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The John Cooper School

The Woodlands Convention & Visitors

Bureau/Derrick Bryant Photography

The Art Car Museum

The Hobby Center For Performing Art

Eric Pohl

The Woodlands Country Club

EDITORIALJoy Oden

Judy Van Cleve

Cecile Nemitz-Ruffino

© WEB Media Group LLC 2017

All rights reserved. No part of this

publication may be reproduced or

transmitted in any form, by any

means, electronic, mechanical,

photocopying, or otherwise, without

the written permission of the Publisher.

Harris & Montgomery County Maps

Manageble, Affordable Lifestyle.

International Relocation Information

It’s Wine Time in Montgomery County

31 35 44

80

44

contents | featuresR E LOCAT I ON

GUIDE

THIS ISSUE: A LOCAL’S GUIDE TO SHOPPING + DINING | FAMILY FRIENDLY FUN!

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35

Our housewarming gift to you: a

$200 move-in bonus.

At TXU Energy, we hope this $200 VISA® prepaid card will help make your move a little easier–at least on your wallet. But that’s just the beginning of what we hope is a long relationship with you. By the way, did you know that along with connecting your electricity, we can help set up your Internet, TV, phone and even home security? One call does it all with TXU Energy Complete Connect: 1-877-TXU-MOVE.

Call or visit txu.com/mover today for your $200 move-in bonus. Use promo code “MOVE.”

Valid for new TXU Energy move-in accounts enrolled at a single-family residential premises through this offer on a qualifying electricity plan. Redemption instructions will be mailed following enrollment. Allow six weeks after TXU Energy has received payment of your first month’s bill to receive the bonus. Card is valid for six months after issuance. Limit one per premises. Offer subject to change or cancellation at any time. Additional eligibility requirements, terms and conditions may apply. ©2017 TXU Energy. All rights reserved. REP #10004

THE RICHARDS GROUP

TRG JOB #: TXU-16-0095

CLIENT: TXU

TITLE: 2017 Movers Print C

PUB: Houston Newcomer Guide

INS. DATE:2017

TRIM: 8.5" x 11"

LIVE: 8" x 10.5"

BLEED: 8.75" x 11.25"

COLOR: 4CP/G7C3/280DM

FOR QUESTIONSCALL: Karen Newman214.891.5875

TXU-16-0095 SMP C 8_5x11.indd 1 12/8/16 3:09 PM

H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E S . C O M 54 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8

Our housewarming gift to you: a

$200 move-in bonus.

At TXU Energy, we hope this $200 VISA® prepaid card will help make your move a little easier–at least on your wallet. But that’s just the beginning of what we hope is a long relationship with you. By the way, did you know that along with connecting your electricity, we can help set up your Internet, TV, phone and even home security? One call does it all with TXU Energy Complete Connect: 1-877-TXU-MOVE.

Call or visit txu.com/mover today for your $200 move-in bonus. Use promo code “MOVE.”

Valid for new TXU Energy move-in accounts enrolled at a single-family residential premises through this offer on a qualifying electricity plan. Redemption instructions will be mailed following enrollment. Allow six weeks after TXU Energy has received payment of your first month’s bill to receive the bonus. Card is valid for six months after issuance. Limit one per premises. Offer subject to change or cancellation at any time. Additional eligibility requirements, terms and conditions may apply. ©2017 TXU Energy. All rights reserved. REP #10004

THE RICHARDS GROUP

TRG JOB #: TXU-16-0095

CLIENT: TXU

TITLE: 2017 Movers Print C

PUB: Houston Newcomer Guide

INS. DATE:2017

TRIM: 8.5" x 11"

LIVE: 8" x 10.5"

BLEED: 8.75" x 11.25"

COLOR: 4CP/G7C3/280DM

FOR QUESTIONSCALL: Karen Newman214.891.5875

TXU-16-0095 SMP C 8_5x11.indd 1 12/8/16 3:09 PM


contents | sections20

32

46

66

WELCOME TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY • 20

HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOODS • 24 CitiesNeighborhoodsMaster Planned CommunitiesCounty Maps

HOME FRONT • 32 Temporary LodgingRent or BuyChoosing a RealtorMortgage Options

RELOCATION INFORMATION • 38 Moving CompaniesForwarding MailUtilitiesPublic TransportationInternational Relocation Information

EDUCATION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY • 46 STAARPublic SchoolsPrivate SchoolsHigher Education

HEALTHCARE RESOURCES • 54 Major Medical Facilities

PLACE OF WORSHIP • 59 Directory of Contacts

ACTIVE ADULTS + SENIOR LIVING • 62 Senior Housing OptionsContinuing Care Retirement CommunitiesAssisted Living Communities

BUSINESS + COMMUNITY • 66 Area Chambers of Commerce Area Economic Development PartnershipMajor Employers List

LEISURE + RECREATION • 70 Area Convention and Visitors BureauParks & Attractions Arts and CultureDinning + ShoppingSports + GolfCalendar of Events

70 Tranquil, natural beauty, plus planned urban amenities – Grand Central Park is the cure for the common community.

7 builders u 9 model homes to tour u Easy access to I-45NEW HOMES FROM THE $280s

(936) 447-2820 u Gr andCentr alParkTX.com u A Johnson Development Community

Conroe

The Woodlands

SH 105

FM 1488

45

FM 2854

Grand Central Parkway

Lake Conroe

LOOP 336

GCPCO-310 Fall 2017 Newcomer Guide Ad 7.5x10_MECH.indd 1 9/26/17 8:41 AM

675 Bering Drive Suite 120

Houston Texas 77057

Phone: 713-952-1916

Fax: 713-952-1956

[email protected]

www.HoustonNewcomerGuides.com

CEO

Derek Wright

PRESIDENT

Kevin Evans

VICE PRESIDENT

Robert Nusbaum

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Erin Hayden Seal

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Cecile Nemitz-Ruffino

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Cathy Turner

PROJECT MANAGER

Jill Roe

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Judy Van Cleve Paul Yarbrough

Montgomery County Relocation Guide is published and distributed bi-annually

by WEB Media Group LLC F or advertising information, please call 713-952-1916.

Although every attempt is made to be as comprehensive and accurate as possible, WEB Media Group LLC is

not responsible for any misprints, errors, omissions, deletions, or the accuracy of

the information in the publication. WEB Media Group LLC does not

accept responsibility for any loss, injury, or inconvenience sustained by anyone

using this publication.

300 E. Highland Mall Blvd Suite 395

Austin Texas 78752

Phone: 512-266-2900

www.TexasRelocationGuides.com

H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E S . C O M 76 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8

Tranquil, natural beauty, plus planned urban amenities – Grand Central Park is the cure for the common community.

7 builders u 9 model homes to tour u Easy access to I-45NEW HOMES FROM THE $280s

(936) 447-2820 u Gr andCentr alParkTX.com u A Johnson Development Community

Conroe

The Woodlands

SH 105

FM 1488

45

FM 2854

Grand Central Parkway

Lake Conroe

LOOP 336

GCPCO-310 Fall 2017 Newcomer Guide Ad 7.5x10_MECH.indd 1 9/26/17 8:41 AM


CRAIG DOYALCounty Judge Montgomery County

Dear Friend and Neighbor:

Welcome to Montgomery County, the 7th - fasting growing county in the nation and a thriving

community that has become a great place to raise families and run a business or develop a

career. From The Woodlands to Willis to historic Montgomery and the waters of a sprawling

Lake Conroe, welcome to the place where the words “quality of life” have kept their meaning.

As your County Judge, I preside over Commissioners’ Court and serve as the Chief Executive

Officer for Montgomery County government. Having previously served as county commis-

sioner of Precinct 2 since Aug. 2001, over that time I have learned that one of the keys to

keeping our quality of life is our economic development program to attract new industries and

corporations. That has enables us to broaden our county’s tax base and maintain an affordable

cost of living for the residents of this community.

As a 4th generation Montgomery County resident, a husband and a father of three, it is as

important to me as it is to you to have a community where our children are challenged to

learn, encouraged to seek their dreams and are supported with facilities and services that are

conducive to a safe and nourishing environment. If all of us work together we can accomplish

these goals. Once again, welcome to Montgomery County. Please feel free to contact me or

my staff if you need assistance.

Warm Regards,

County Judge Craig Doyal

501 North Thompson, Suite 401

Conroe, Texas 77301

Telephone:

936-539-7812

281-364-4200

Fax:

936-760-6919

[email protected]

www.mctx.org

Moving? Start fresh with X1.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. © 2017 Comcast. All right reserved. TRP187372-0001

Bring the best in entertainment toyour new home with XFINITY.

Call 1-855-MOV-EDGE to speak to a dedicated Move Specialist or visit x� nity.com/moving today!

Astroblast and Miles from Tomorrowland available on XFINITY TV app

119939_TRP187372-0001 Movers Transit 8.375x10.875.indd 1 12/21/16 1:40 PM

8 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E S . C O M 9

Moving? Start fresh with X1.

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. © 2017 Comcast. All right reserved. TRP187372-0001

Bring the best in entertainment toyour new home with XFINITY.

Call 1-855-MOV-EDGE to speak to a dedicated Move Specialist or visit x� nity.com/moving today!

Astroblast and Miles from Tomorrowland available on XFINITY TV app

119939_TRP187372-0001 Movers Transit 8.375x10.875.indd 1 12/21/16 1:40 PM

1 0 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8

Parent moving in? Grown kids moving back?

These days, typical living is anything but. That’s what

makes NextGen so unique. Rather than just offer extra

room, NextGen homes feature private entrances,

separate garages, and innovative floor plans designed to

meet your unique needs. Discover multi-generational living

on a whole new level. NextGen. The Home Within a Home®.

Two homes. One roof. NextGen fits your life.

| from the $270s | NextGenHouston.com |Plans and elevations/renderings are artist’s concepts and may contain options or features which are not standard on all models. Features, amenities, floor plans, elevations, square footage and designs vary per plan and community and are subject to changes or substitution without notice. Contact a Lennar or Village Builders new home consultant for detail. Garage sizes may vary from home to home and may not accom-modate all vehicles. Stated dimensions and/or square footages are approximate and should not be used as representation of the home’s precise or actual size. Any statement, verbal or written, regarding “under air” or “furnished area” or any other description or modifier for the square footage size of any home is a shorthand description of the manner in which the square footage was estimated and should not be construed to indicate certainty. Models/lifestyle photos do not represent racial or ethnic preference. Copyright 2017 Lennar Corporation. All rights reserved. Lennar, the Lennar logo, Village Builders, the Village Builders logo and Next Gen and the Next Gen logo are registered service marks of Lennar corporation and/or its subsidiaries. 05/2017

FIRST FLOOR

PANTRY REF.

CO

AT

FRZ

STO

OP

SEAT

UP

BATH2

UTI

LIT

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MASTERBATH

CLOSET

PWDR

PORCH

12' x 10'

12' x 19'

15' x 14'

15' x 18'

12' x 10'

12' x 11'

12' x 8'

20' x 10'

19' x 23'

DININGROOM COVERED

PATIO

MASTERBEDROOM

FAMILYROOM

KITCHEN

PRIVATE

PRIVATELIVING ROOM

KITCHENETTE

GARAGE

GARAGE

FOYER

FIREPLACE

LENNARREV. 06.10.15PLAN 481N- NO FURNITURE

SECOND FLOOR

OPEN RAILING

UP

OPEN TO

BELOW

BATH 3

12' x 12'

15' x 19'

15' x 13'

13' x 11'

12' x 12'

BEDROOM 4

GAMEROOM

BEDROOM 3

BEDROOM 5

OPT. MEDIA


NextGen SuiteMain Home

LENNAR-018 Next Gen Newcomer Guide Ad 8.5x11_MECH.indd 1 5/5/17 12:25 PM

BRIAN J. BONDY

PresidentConroe/Lake Conroe

Chamber of Commerce

Welcome from the Chamber!

The Conroe/Lake Conroe area is excited to have you as a neighbor!

We believe that the Conroe/Lake Conroe community is an amazing place to live,

work, play and raise a family. As you learn more about this place we call ‘home’,

we hope that you’ll fall in love with it the way that we have!

On behalf of our 1,100+ members, our Board of Directors and staff of the

Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, thank you for your interest in

becoming our neighbor. The cities of Conroe, Willis and Montgomery are rich in

Texas history and culture – as well as beautiful scenery – that it’s unlike anywhere

else in the state!

From the beauty of Lake Conroe…and year round usage…to charming downtown

Conroe, the best way to discover our treasures, is to experience them first hand.

So, come visit us…look around…explore our neighborhoods, stores, cultural

attractions and schools. You’ll find one common denominator in all of these

areas…our people make the Conroe/Lake Conroe area! If you need any addi-

tional assistance, please don’t hesitate to stop by the Chamber offices and let us

know how we can help!

Sincerely,

Brian J. Bondy

505 W Davis Street

Conroe, TX 77301

Telephone:

936-756-6644

www.conroe.org

1 0 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E S . C O M 1 1

Parent moving in? Grown kids moving back?

These days, typical living is anything but. That’s what

makes NextGen so unique. Rather than just offer extra

room, NextGen homes feature private entrances,

separate garages, and innovative floor plans designed to

meet your unique needs. Discover multi-generational living

on a whole new level. NextGen. The Home Within a Home®.

Two homes. One roof. NextGen fits your life.

| from the $270s | NextGenHouston.com |Plans and elevations/renderings are artist’s concepts and may contain options or features which are not standard on all models. Features, amenities, floor plans, elevations, square footage and designs vary per plan and community and are subject to changes or substitution without notice. Contact a Lennar or Village Builders new home consultant for detail. Garage sizes may vary from home to home and may not accom-modate all vehicles. Stated dimensions and/or square footages are approximate and should not be used as representation of the home’s precise or actual size. Any statement, verbal or written, regarding “under air” or “furnished area” or any other description or modifier for the square footage size of any home is a shorthand description of the manner in which the square footage was estimated and should not be construed to indicate certainty. Models/lifestyle photos do not represent racial or ethnic preference. Copyright 2017 Lennar Corporation. All rights reserved. Lennar, the Lennar logo, Village Builders, the Village Builders logo and Next Gen and the Next Gen logo are registered service marks of Lennar corporation and/or its subsidiaries. 05/2017

FIRST FLOOR

PANTRY REF.

CO

AT

FRZ

STO

OP

SEAT

UP

BATH2

UTI

LIT

Y

MASTERBATH

CLOSET

PWDR

PORCH

12' x 10'

12' x 19'

15' x 14'

15' x 18'

12' x 10'

12' x 11'

12' x 8'

20' x 10'

19' x 23'

DININGROOM COVERED

PATIO

MASTERBEDROOM

FAMILYROOM

KITCHEN

PRIVATE

PRIVATELIVING ROOM

KITCHENETTE

GARAGE

GARAGE

FOYER

FIREPLACE


SECOND FLOOR

OPEN RAILING

UP

OPEN TO

BELOW

BATH 3

12' x 12'

15' x 19'

15' x 13'

13' x 11'

12' x 12'

BEDROOM 4

GAMEROOM

BEDROOM 3

BEDROOM 5

OPT. MEDIA


NextGen SuiteMain Home

LENNAR-018 Next Gen Newcomer Guide Ad 8.5x11_MECH.indd 1 5/5/17 12:25 PM


J.J. HOLLIE

President and CEO

The Woodlands Area

Chamber of Commerce

Greetings from The Chamber!

The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing quality services,

creating opportunities for business success and serving as an effective catalyst for the

economic growth and prosperity of our community. Through the collective strength of

over 2000 members and our staff, we are committed to legendary leadership, business

advocacy, economic prosperity, partnerships, access to innovative resources and unprece-

dented service to our community.

The Woodlands Area offers extraordinary amenities, top-rated public and private schools,

higher education institutions close to home and an exploding medical corridor.

We hope that you choose to be a part of the dynamic business community that The

Woodlands Area has to offer. You will find that our community fosters business growth,

embodies a welcoming attitude as well as a charitable spirit. We encourage you to join us

in The Woods.

Sincerely,

J.J. Hollie

9320 Lakeside Blvd

The Woodlands, TX 77381

Telephone:

281-367-5777

email:

[email protected]

www.woodlandschamber.org

JJ Hollie


DANIELLE SCHEINER

Interim Director

Conroe Economic Development Council

Greetings from the Conroe EDC!

The Conroe Economic Development Council (CEDC) is a publicly funded entity that serves

as the lead economic development organization for the Conroe area. We have been assisting

business growth and development in our area since the mid to late sixties and came to the

forefront in 1995 when the citizens of Conroe passed the ½ cent local sales tax for economic

development. Since that time, CEDC has assisted hundreds of new and local businesses

involved in manufacturing, logistics and services to grow and expand in our city.

As the fastest-growing city in the United States, Conroe has enjoyed a tremendous amount

of new development and employment opportunities. Working hand in hand with local and

regional business and economic development organizations and our educational community,

we have successfully served as a first stop for assistance in expansion and relocation to Conroe.

We have a wealth of available research in demographics, land inventory and labor market

information. Other available assistance include: incentives for qualified projects, access to

workforce training, referrals for services and technical assistance.

Please contact us for information about our great city. We stand ready to help those who are

considering an expansion or relocation to Conroe and wish to be a vital partner in your move

to Montgomery County.

Sincerely,

Danielle Scheiner

505 West Davis Street

Conroe, Texas 77301

Telephone:

936-522-7118

www.gcedc.org

The Conroe Economic Development Council

The mission of the Conroe Economic Development Council is to enhance the strength and stability of the greater Conroe economy. CEDC is governed by the seven-member Board of the Conroe Industrial Development Corporation. For more information on the Conroe Economic Development Council, visit www.gcedc.org.


Valley Ranch is surrounded by world-class amenities including the community water park and the 135-acre Town Grove Park with seven serene lakes and miles of trails. The new Valley Ranch Town Center offers a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options near home.

Valley Ranch, a community Full of Life.

VALLEY-RANCH.COM

D I N I N G S H O P P I N G PARKS & TRAILS A M E N I T I E S

New Homes f rom the $180s to $400s

A CommunityFull of Life


RAY LAUGHTER

Director of Economic Development City of Willis Economic Development Corporation

200 N. Bell Street

Willis, Texas 77378

Phone:

(936) 856-4611

www.visitwillis.com

On behalf of the City of Willis Economic Development Corporation it is my pleasure to welcome you to the

thriving community of Willis Texas. Long on rich history and poised for an exciting future, Willis is strategi-

cally located commercially, educationally, recreationally and for affordability.

Willis is close enough to Houston to conveniently enjoy all that the 4th largest city in the United States has to

offer, yet it is far enough away to have the quality of life associated with a progressive rural community. Willis is

known for its great schools in Willis ISD, one of the largest and finest community colleges in the nation in Lone

Star College, and is just minutes away from highly ranked Sam Houston State University.

That quality of life includes an abundance of recreational opportunities. The Willis area is adjacent to the

21,000 acre Lake Conroe, known for its outstanding fishing and water sports, and serves as the entrance to the

beautiful Sam Houston National Forest and recreational areas.

These unique features, along with the affordability of living and working in Willis, makes this dynamic city one

of the fastest growing regions in the Houston area. The service area population of Willis has increased by 73%

since 2000 and with several new master planned communities adding thousands of quality homes the opportu-

nities in the region is bright.

The city of Willis is a rapidly developing commercial center for retail and industrial enterprises and the Willis

EDC is ready to help any business looking to locate or expand. A wide range of services and support are avail-

able to help growing businesses from startups to corporate relocations.

A growing and educated workforce, affordable land, quick access to major markets on I 45 and a business

supportive environment all make Willis Texas the place for you and your business.

Sincerely,

Ray Laughter


CINDY HAMANN2017 Chairman

Houston Association of REALTORS®

Welcome to Houston!

You’ve just landed in one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in America, with a

low cost of living, world-renowned Texas Medical Center, incredible cuisine, and countless

arts, entertainment, sports and recreation destinations, including Super Bowl LI.

As you drive around and familiarize yourself with the Houston metropolitan area, you’re

likely to notice license plates from many different states, as the addition of thousands of new

jobs over the past few years has drawn people here from all across the U.S.

The Houston real estate market has been one of the healthiest in the country, offering a wide

selection of communities and properties to suit every lifestyle, whether you plan to rent or

buy. The 34,000 members of the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) help make

the American Dream come true for individuals and families every day. HAR is the nation’s

second largest local REALTOR® organization and our members understand that a home is

one of the greatest investments you will ever make.

Well over a million consumers begin searching for their dream home every month on HAR’s

award-winning website, HAR.com, which extended its reach beyond Houston in 2014 to

provide property listings for the entire state of Texas. The site offers dozens of user-friendly

tools to explore specific properties and their amenities as well as to find detailed information

about neighborhoods, schools, businesses and much more.

Those same features are available through the free HAR.com app, making your property

search convenient while on the go. HAR and the City of Houston also developed the free

Houston Living app, which provides instant access to information about Houston’s elected

officials, city services and amenities, local events, neighborhood associations and much

more.

On behalf of HAR, it’s my great pleasure to welcome you to Houston. We hope you’ll take

advantage of everything our incredible community has to offer.

Sincerely,

Cindy Hamann

HAR CENTRAL3693 Southwest Freeway

Houston, TX 77027

713- 629-1900

Fax: 713- 961-4869

BAY AREA 16903 Buccaneer Lane, Suite 110

Houston, TX 77058

713-629-1900 ext. 750

Fax: 281-486-7530

MONTGOMERY COUNTY 19075 I-45 South, Suite 210

Conroe, TX 77385

713-629-1900 ext. 760

Fax: 936-273-0344

FORT BEND6680 Greatwood Pkwy.

Sugar Land, TX 77479

713-629-1900 ext. 700

Fax: 281-343-9557

www.thehomeconsignmentcenter.com

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HCC WOODLANDS 27820 I45 North Conroe, TX 77385 Phone: 281-367-0420 [email protected]

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1 8 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E S . C O M 1 9www.thehomeconsignmentcenter.com

It’s Simple.Beautiful Designer Furniture, Accessories

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HCC WOODLANDS 27820 I45 North Conroe, TX 77385 Phone: 281-367-0420 [email protected]

18 LOCATIONS INCLUDING:


in this sectionwelcomerecreationcultureshopping & entertainment

toMONTGOMERY

COUNTY

H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E S . C O M 2 12 0 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8

toMONTGOMERY

COUNTY

Since the late 1800s, a winning combination

of beautiful natural resources and efficient

transportation has fueled the growth of

Montgomery County and the area that today

encompasses The Woodlands, Conroe and

many more fast-growing communities.

People have been moving to Montgomery

County and The Woodlands since the first

settlers arrived more than 100 years ago,

attracted by the timber resources of the lush

Texas Pineywoods and a growing railroad

network.

Bush Intercontinental Airport opened in

1965, pushing Houston’s development north-

ward. Lake Conroe was created in 1973, and

some of the finest residential developments in

the country have sprung up around the pictur-

esque shores and wooded terrain surrounding

the lake. The Woodlands was dedicated in

1974 as a visionary “New Town,” and resi-

dents continue to enjoy their “livable forest.”

As prosperous as Montgomery County

has been over the past 50 years, the biggest

game changer has come very recently, with

ExxonMobil now occupying its new 385-acre

corporate campus in Spring, just west of

where I-45 North meets the Hardy Toll Road.

Ten thousand ExxonMobil employees in

upstream, downstream and chemical divi-

sions will ultimately work at this wooded

campus, bringing an incredible new vibrancy

for the area’s real estate market. Most impor-

tantly, this new state-of-the-art mega-campus

signals that Montgomery County has indis-

putably arrived as a live/work region that

stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Downtown,

the Energy Corridor or any other part of the

Houston metropolitan region.

Already, the “ExxonMobil effect” is becoming

evident in new planned communities breaking

ground throughout the Montgomery County

area. Established communities such as The

Woodlands continue to thrive and enhance

their appeal to residents and visitors alike. The

region is enjoying a new focus on quality of

life and transportation, with projects such as

the exciting Spring Creek Greenway and the

Grand Parkway, now open all the way from

U.S. 59 South (aka the Southwest Freeway)

to U.S. 59 North in the northeast Houston

region.

Montgomery County has always been a

region on the move, from the days of stage-

coaches to today’s super jets and express

roadways. And it’s always looked to the

future, from the railroad and sawmill pioneers

of the 1800s, to the leading scientists at the

Houston Advanced Research Center today.

Located in Montgomery County, Conroe was named number one of the 15 fastest-growing cities with populations of 50,000 or more in 2016. Conroe, Texas saw a growth rate of 7.8 percent from 2015 to 2016 - which us more than 11 times that of the nation.

Welcome


RECREATION The forests and waterways that originally

attracted settlers to Montgomery County

play an important role in the area’s quality

of life today, providing recreational oppor-

tunities and beautiful backdrops for homes

and communities.

One of the area’s most exciting and ambi-

tious projects is the Spring Creek Greenway,

which will preserve some of the pristine

forests seen by the Akokisa Indians, who

roamed the land more than 200 years ago.

Now 80 percent complete, the Spring Creek

Greenway will conserve 12,000 acres of

forest on both sides of the creek, making

it the longest contiguous forested urban

corridor in the nation.

Several large anchor parks along the

Spring Creek Greenway are ready to enjoy,

including 55-acre Dennis Johnston Park,

featuring a popular loop trail, a fishing pond,

a butterfly and hummingbird garden, and

Big Stone Lodge, available for rental. The

Greenway also connects many of the area’s

existing natural jewels, including Mercer

Arboretum and Botanic Gardens and Jesse

Jones Park.

The area is home to many large natural

areas, such as 163,000-acre Sam Houston

National Forest and 1,722-acre W. G. Jones

State Forest.

Lake Conroe, a 21,000-acre lake meandering

along 21 miles, is the reserve drinking water

supply for the City of Houston and offers

clean, clear water for recreation, including

boating, fishing, hunting, hiking, golfing,

swimming, water skiing and much more. Its

shores are lined with prestigious communi-

ties and resorts.

CULTUREMontgomery County area attracts visitors

from all over with major cultural attrac-

tions such as the Cynthia Woods Mitchell

Pavilion in The Woodlands. Well-known

for pop and rock concerts, the Pavilion

is the summer home of the Houston

Symphony Orchestra.

The Symphony also performs at The

Centrum, an 881-seat world-class perfor-

mance facility, which hosts events by more

than 160 community non-profit groups

each year, drawing over 350,000 visitors.

The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine

Arts opened in 2008 with the mission of

bringing world-class art exhibitions to

northwest Houston, and has since exhibited

everything from European masterworks

to contemporary art glass. This museum,

along with the Centrum and the Barbara

Bush Library, form the growing Cypress

Creek Cultural District.

The Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe

stages everything from children’s plays

to concerts and musicals in a beautifully

restored 1934 building.

SHOPPING AND ENTERTAINMENTFrom modern to historic, the area is home

to some of the most unique shopping desti-

nations in the Houston area.

Market Street in The Woodlands is an

award-winning mixed-use town center and

one of the region’s finest shopping and

entertainment destinations. Market Street

has more than 75 national and specialty

retailers and restaurants, along with public

art, cinemas, a Wi-Fi enabled Central Park,

and a hotel.

Nearby, The Woodlands Mall offers a distin-

guished collection of over 160 exciting

stores and inspiring restaurants. In fact, The

Woodlands alone boasts 11 million square

feet of shopping, dining, hospitality and

entertainment.

An additional 700,000 square feet of Mont-

gomery County shopping is coming in

late 2017, with the anticipated opening of

336 Marketplace, a centerpiece of the new

Grand Central Park community at I-45

North and Loop 336 in Conroe.

© 2017 Ashton Woods Homes. All rights reserved. Prices may not include lot premiums, upgrades or options; community association and golf fees may be required. Plans, specifications, pricing, incentives, features, elevations, and materials subject to change without notice. Square footage and dimensions are approximate, subject to change and may vary in construction. Renderings, maps and displays are artists’ conceptions and not

actual depiction of home or its surroundings. Actual position of home on lot to be determined by site and plot plans; basements available subject to site conditions. Community improvements and amenities based on current plans and subject to change with no obligation to be completed. This is not an offer to sell real estate, or solicitation to buy real estate, in any jurisdiction where prohibited by law or where prior registration is required, including New York and New Jersey. Please see Sales Representative for additional information. 5.17

Design. Personalization. Possibilities.Find your inspired new home in North Houston.

The Meadows at Imperial OaksSpring from the $260s

Harpers PreserveThe Woodlands from the $410s

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HarmonySpring from the $400s

WoodtraceTomball from the $360s

Lakes at NorthPointeCypress from the $250s

Kingwood – Village of Royal Brook Kingwood from the $380s

W E L C O M E T O P A L M B E A C HW E L C O M E T O M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y


A few miles south, Old Town Spring

preserves one of the area’s most historic

business districts, with everything from

charming cafes to quaint boutiques. Special

events such as Springfest and the Texas

Crawfish Festival make Old Town Spring an

even livelier place to visit.

The area is also home to Wet ‘n’ Wild Splash-

Town, the region’s largest water amusement

park, and the Grand Texas destination devel-

opment is planning to open in phases on a

610-acre site at I-69 and S.H. 242.

TRANSPORTATIONTransportation has always been relatively

easy in Montgomery County. In pioneer

days, the rivers, streams and railroads deliv-

ered goods to markets on the Gulf Coast

and throughout the country. Today, one of

the world’s busiest airports and a growing

network of highways and transit options

provides residents with convenient access to

the Houston region and the world.

The Grand Parkway, also known as State

Highway 99, has opened all the way from

U.S. 59 South to U.S. 59 North, bisecting

the region on a southwest-to-northeast axis,

and making it possible to drive nonstop

from Fort Bend County to Montgomery

County. The Grand Parkway passes right by

the newly opened ExxonMobil campus and

many new developments in the area.

Any of the Texas based tags (the HCTRA

EZTag, TxDOT TxTAG or NTTA

TollTag) will work on the Grand Parkway

and on the rest of the toll roads in Houston

and across Texas.

The new Tomball Tollway, Hardy Toll

Road and I-45 North provide more critical

transportation links for the Montgomery

County area.

Now in the final design phase, the Hardy

Downtown Connector will extend the

Hardy Toll Road from its current terminus

at the 610 Loop all the way into downtown

Houston, alleviating congestion at the Loop.

When this connector is completed, the

Hardy Toll Road will be an approximately

25-mile express route from downtown

Houston to just south of The Woodlands.

Improvements to I-45 between the Sam

Houston Tollway and Downtown are also

in the works and will be a great benefit for

Montgomery County residents who work

in central Houston. METRO Park & Ride

services and even water taxis in The Wood-

lands round out the area’s diverse mobility

infrastructure.

From nature to commerce, it’s easy to see

why Montgomery County is one of the

nation’s fastest-growing counties, with job

growth and family income outpacing the

national average.

In the next chapter, we’ll take a look at some

of the new and established communities that

make the area such a great place to live.

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• Conveniently located on Highway 105• Minutes from dining, shopping & entertainment• Conroe Independent School District

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At Wedgewood Forest, peaceful vistas are the norm, not the exception. Gently rolling terrain offers a distinct and secluded vantage point far from suburban sprawl, creating a serene oasis where nature takes center stage. Embraced by nature’s bounty, it’s easy to forget Interstate 45 is just minutes away, waiting to whisk you from your retreat to awaiting urban adventures.

*Prices and availability subject to change without notice.


in this sectioncitiesneighborhoodsmaster planned communitiescounty maps


Montgomery County is a vibrant mosaic of old towns abuzz with renewed vitality and new communities nestled in the woods. With its beautiful environment, highly regarded schools, convenient network of roadways and growing number of major employers such as ExxonMobil new residents from all over are making the area home.

Newcomers will find a tremendous variety of homes and neighborhoods to choose from – including large-lot communities, lakefront and golf course developments, and master-planned communities of all sizes. Here are brief profiles of some of Montgomery County’s most appealing neighborhoods and communities. More information is available at www.HoustonNewcomerGuides.com.

CONROEThe largest city and county seat of Mont-

gomery County is named after lumberman

Isaac Conroe, who founded a sawmill there

in 1881. The new city was originally called

Conroe’s Switch, since it sat at the junction

of two railroads. Shortened to Conroe, the

city prospered because of its thriving lumber

and oil industries, and for one brief period

it boasted more millionaires per capita than

another other U.S. city.

Today, Conroe is booming like never before,

as Houston’s growth continues its northward

march, and ExxonMobil’s new campus

opens and fills up. The city is home to two

craft beer breweries and a distillery, and

it shows off its proud history at the Lone

Star Monument and Historical Flag Park.

Conroe has 24 city parks and a lively historic

downtown filled with two antique malls,

two live performance theaters, art galleries,

eateries and much more.

Several new communities have recently

opened in the Conroe area, including Gray-

stone Hills by Friendswood Development

Company. Located near I-45 North and

Conroe’s Loop 336, this 331-acre commu-

nity offers something few of its regional

competitors can match – genuine topog-

raphy with scenic hills and bluffs. With

new homes priced from the $300,000s to

$500,000, Graystone Hills offers amenities

including greenbelt trails, a nature preserve,

parks and a recreation center with a resort-

style swimming pool. Part of the highly

regarded Conroe ISD, homes in the commu-

nity are within close proximity to schools at

every grade level.

Located near The Woodlands, Harper’s

Preserve surrounds a beautiful nature

preserve on Harper’s Horsepen Branch, a

natural stream. Planned for 1,700 homes,

Harper’s Preserve has a gated entrance,

private streets, front-yard maintenance, and

abundant amenities including the West

Village Recreation Center, with a commu-

nity pool, an outdoor kitchen, a playground,

trails, and facilities for bowling, bocce ball

and horseshoes. Kids will love climbing on

the giant boulders overlooking a scenic lake.

Home styles range from low-maintenance

patio homes to large estate homes.

Grand Central Park is a new master-planned

mixed-use community located in the City of

Conroe that just celebrated its grand opening

jamboree. Combining living, working and

Home to lakes, forests, gently rolling hills, and all the conveniences, Montgomery County delights newcomers with historic small-town charm and leading-edge master-planned communities.

HOUSING &NEIGHBORHOODS


playing, the community provides excel-

lent access to everything Montgomery

County has to offer, as well as close prox-

imity to Houston’s new Energy Corridor

and ExxonMobil campus. Located just 5

miles north of The Woodlands along Inter-

state 45 and S. Loop 336, Grand Central

Park is dedicated to protecting the woods

that outline the property and homes are

nestled among nature trails, parks, lakes and

many more outdoor amenities. Six leading

homebuilders will offer a wide variety of

patio homes, townhomes, luxury villas and

traditional single-family. Visit www.grand-

centralparktx.com.

Nature is a neighbor in the master- planned

community of Imperial Oaks. Just minutes

from the Woodlands, the Meadow at Impe-

rial Oaks has all the elements for families to

blossom – pools and playgrounds, shopping

and family fun, easy access to the roads to

work, the airport, or nearby medical facil-

ities. And the Conroe ISD is an excellent

place for young minds to grow. Visit www.

themeadowsatimperialoaks.com.

Stewart’s Forest is a breathtaking master-

planned community with gently rolling

terrain, located less than a mile from the key

crossroads of I-45 North and Loop 336 in

Conroe. This heavily wooded community

has meandering greenbelts and a recreation

center with a swimming pool and play-

ground. Part of highly regarded Conroe

ISD, Stewart’s Forest is convenient to every-

thing great about Montgomery Country,

from Lake Conroe and nearby parks and

forests, to the shopping and entertainment

of The Woodlands. www.stewartsforest.net.

LAKE CONROEThis 22,000-acre lake is one of the natural

crown jewels of Montgomery County, along

with its pristine national and state forests.

The 157 miles of shoreline surrounding this

scenic lake are ringed by some of the area’s

most beautiful communities, including

April Sound, Bentwater and Walden on

Lake Conroe. Many of these communities

have enhanced their gorgeous natural back-

drop by adding golf courses, tennis courts,

country clubs and other upscale amenities.

A manmade lake that opened in 1973,

Lake Conroe is fairly built out in terms of

development along its shoreline, but its

communities are still highly sought after

for permanent and vacation homes. Public

access and public boat launching is available

from several parks, including Lake Conroe

Park, Scott’s Ridge Swim Area and the vast

Sam Houston National Forest.

KINGWOOD/LAKE HOUSTONKingwood is Montgomery County’s

neighbor to the east, and the two share

many positive features, like beautiful

forests and lakes. Kingwood is part of the

Humble area, which like Montgomery

County is steeped in a rich history of

settlers, loggers and oil wealth. And like

Montgomery, Kingwood and Humble

have found modern prosperity as two of

the most popular areas for new commu-

nity development in the Houston region.

Slightly older than The Woodlands, King-

wood opened in 1971 as a partnership of

Friendswood Development Company (at

the time an Exxon subsidiary) and the

legendary King Ranch of Texas. With its

lakes, tree-lined streets, country clubs,

parks and secluded residential villages,

this 14,000-acre community has been one

of the region’s most sought-after addresses

for decades.

Popularly known as “The Livable Forest,”

Kingwood is largely completed and is

home to more than 65,000 happy resi-

dents. Opportunities to own a new home

remain in two of its most prestigious

areas, Barrington Kingwood and Oakhurst

at Kingwood.

Barrington Kingwood is a private 200-acre

enclave located just inside the gates of

Kingwood. Homes in Barrington King-

wood are surrounded by the back nine

holes of the Kingwood Country Club’s

scenic Lakes Golf Course, offering stun-

ning views. The key amenity is The Manor

House, an 18,000-square-foot clubhouse

offering a fitness center, an infinity edge

pool with a hot tub and sun deck, tennis

courts, a billiards room and much more.

This gated community is literally across

the street from baseball and soccer fields,

parks and Lake House, and a casual stroll

from shopping and dining. Residents who

love golf can choose from Kingwood’s five

championship courses.

A 700-acre community planned for 2,200

homes, Oakhurst at Kingwood is one of

the final Kingwood villages to be developed

by Friendswood Development Company.

The community boasts the Oakhurst Golf

Course, along with a recreation center and

neighborhood parks. Residents also enjoy

the amazing variety of amenities available

to all homeowners in Kingwood, including

more than 500 acres of parks and nature

reserves and more than 75 miles of trails.

Shopping and entertainment are offered at

Kingwood Town Center and Kings Harbor.

MAGNOLIAAdjacent to The Woodlands, Magnolia

was settled in the late 1840s and today calls

itself “the community of unity.” It has been

awarded Recognized Scenic City Certification

by Scenic Texas. Magnolia retains its small-

town charm even as it becomes a popular

location for large-lot communities, especially

those that can accommodate horses.

MONTGOMERYOne of the oldest towns in the state, Mont-

gomery is the birthplace of the Lone Star

flag of Texas. It began as a trading post

in 1826, and while the city itself hasn’t

grown much, the area is still popular with

newcomers. Just outside Montgomery, tens

of thousands of contented homeowners

reside in new and established communi-

ties, drawn by the area’s natural beauty,

proximity to commerce, and enduring small-

town charm.

One of the area’s newest and most inno-

vative communities is Woodforest, a

3,000-acre development that ranks among

the top 20 communities in the U.S. for

new-home sales. Nestled in a heavily

wooded environment between The Wood-

lands and Lake Conroe, Woodforest has a

27-hole championship golf course, parks,

playgrounds, a splash park, and miles of

hike-and-bike trails. Unique amenities

HarpersPreserveHarper’sPreserve

East VillageEntry

THE WOODLANDS

Hardy Toll Rd.

Hwy 242COLLEGE PARK

Grand Parkway

From downtown Houston, take I-45 North. Exit Highway 242 and turn right. From 242, turn right onto Harper’s Trace and follow the signs to the model homes.

Harper’s Preserve is a new, master-planned community located in The Woodlands area. Both private and convenient, this gated community surrounds a 160-acre forested preservation area. Inhabitated with native plants to complement its natural setting, Harper’s Preserve offers peace and beauty and is just minutes from The Woodlands Mall, one mile east of Interstate 45 off Highway 242. Come discover Harper’s Preserve, where privacy, convenience and beauty define this very special place.

- Highly-acclaimed Conroe ISD Schools- Easy and quick access to I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road- The Phase 1 Recreation Center, Preserve Park, is open! This park area features a community pool and pool barn, walking trails, playground, fire pit, bowling and bocce ball greens and horseshoe pits. Plus there are more amenities in East Village!

HarpersPreserve.com

New Homes & Patio Homes From the $260s-$600sAshton Woods | J. Patrick | Chesmar Homes | Plantation Homes | Drees Custom Homes | Gehan Homes

W E L C O M E T O P A L M B E A C HH O U S I N G & N E I G H B O R H O O D S


HarpersPreserveHarper’sPreserve

East VillageEntry

THE WOODLANDS

Hardy Toll Rd.

Hwy 242COLLEGE PARK

Grand Parkway

From downtown Houston, take I-45 North. Exit Highway 242 and turn right. From 242, turn right onto Harper’s Trace and follow the signs to the model homes.

Harper’s Preserve is a new, master-planned community located in The Woodlands area. Both private and convenient, this gated community surrounds a 160-acre forested preservation area. Inhabitated with native plants to complement its natural setting, Harper’s Preserve offers peace and beauty and is just minutes from The Woodlands Mall, one mile east of Interstate 45 off Highway 242. Come discover Harper’s Preserve, where privacy, convenience and beauty define this very special place.

- Highly-acclaimed Conroe ISD Schools- Easy and quick access to I-45 and the Hardy Toll Road- The Phase 1 Recreation Center, Preserve Park, is open! This park area features a community pool and pool barn, walking trails, playground, fire pit, bowling and bocce ball greens and horseshoe pits. Plus there are more amenities in East Village!

HarpersPreserve.com

New Homes & Patio Homes From the $260s-$600sAshton Woods | J. Patrick | Chesmar Homes | Plantation Homes | Drees Custom Homes | Gehan Homes


include Forest Island, a 16-acre tennis and

aquatics center, and Admiral Bark Park,

named after the community’s first resident

canine. Nestled beneath a canopy of oak

trees, Lily Pad Park is an awesome water

park for the entire family.

Overall, Woodforest devotes 700 acres to

recreation and natural open space. Homesites

include golf course and lake frontage, and are

as large as one acre. Woodforest also includes

a 90-acre retail and mixed-use area, so resi-

dents will be able to shop and work where

they live and play. www.woodforesttx.com.

OAK RIDGE NORTH Oak Ridge North is situated just north of

Spring and south of Conroe along I-45,

with The Woodlands and Shenandoah as

close neighbors to the west. It is home to

just over 3,000 residents who affectionately

refer to it as “What a Hometown Should

Be.” The community manages to maintain

the hometown feel it was originally known

for, with friendly, close-knit neighbors who

can walk to schools and the two city parks.

And because of its proximity to The Wood-

lands, Conroe and Houston, residents of

Oak Ridge North can easily take advantage

of the entertainment, shopping, colleges

and universities, and other offerings in the

surrounding cities. www.oakridgenorth.com

SHENANDOAHShenandoah is a small city of about 2,200 that

connects The Woodlands to Conroe along

I-45 North. The west side of the city is almost

entirely residential while commercial and retail

property is zoned to the east side of I-45. The

Conroe Independent School District sports

complex is there and hosts events year-round.

One of the first new developments to open

in years will give newcomers an oppor-

tunity to enjoy the laidback Shenandoah

lifestyle. Planned for 92 homes by Pelican

Builders, Boulevard Green is located on a

12-acre site at Vision Park Boulevard and

Pine Forest Drive. Hallmarks of this gated

community include distinctive architecture,

low-maintenance living, elegant interiors

and affordability – all in a convenient loca-

tion only minutes from I-45 North and all of

the attractions in The Woodlands.

SPRINGAbout 55,000 people reside in Spring, which

maintains its small-town appeal while

welcoming newcomers to several growing

master-planned communities. Spring is

known throughout Houston for its quaint,

vibrant Old Town Spring shopping and

entertainment district, and the Spring Creek

Greenway is enhancing the area’s already

considerable natural appeal.

Area schools are highly regarded, and major

roadways including I-45 North, the Hardy

Toll Road and Grand Parkway add to the

area’s vitality. The new ExxonMobil campus

is located right across I-45 from Spring, and

this mega-development has had a huge and

positive impact on growth in Spring.

Harmony is a popular Spring commu-

nity that embraces the 12,000-acre Spring

Creek Greenway as its veritable backyard.

Situated just minutes from I-45 North and

the Hardy Toll Road, this wooded 1,000-

acre community offers unique amenities

such as Barefoot Park, where residents

are encouraged to kick off their shoes and

enjoy the outdoors. The park has a resort-

style pool with a beach-entry lagoon, a

splash pad, and a community pavilion

with an outdoor fireplace. Coordinated by

a dedicated lifestyle director, the commu-

nity presents events all years, like Pumpkin

Fest and Pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Harmony is planned for 2,600 homes,

with a variety of award-winning home-

builders and homesites ranging from 55 to

75 feet wide. www.harmony-houston.com.

TOMBALLOnce called Peck, Tomball was renamed

in 1907 in honor of its local congressman,

Thomas Henry Ball, who played a major


Photo courtesy of Gracepoint Homes Lake Conroe - photo courtesy of Annette Evans


role in the development of the Port of

Houston. Today, Tomball is home to about

11,000 residents who appreciate its small-

town atmosphere and proximity to The

Woodlands and other fast-growing commu-

nities in the Montgomery County area.

Bounded by State Highway 249 and FM 2978

– with FM 2920 as Main Street –Tomball

is ideally located just 28 miles northwest of

downtown Houston. With one of the highest

elevations in the region, Tomball has fertile,

forested land that drew farmers and ranchers

in the early 19th century. Later, railroads and

then oil and gas brought more prosperity to

Tomball. Today, the area is home to thriving

master-planned communities.

Adjacent to The Woodlands, just off

Huffsmith and Wiseman Roads, is Lakes

at Creekside. Surrounded by wooded

beauty and eight lakes, and just minutes

from the Grand Parkway, The Woodlands

and the new ExxonMobil campus, this

master-planned community is wonderfully

welcoming. Lakes of Creekside is comprised

of just over 600 home sites, and has a

tremendous array of amenities not usually

offered in a close-knit community such as

bike paths, splash pads, a pavilion and more.

Lakes of Creekside is located within both

the Tomball and Klein Independent School

Districts. Visit www. lakesatcreekside.com.

Wildwood at Northpointe by Friendswood

Development Company is located just off S.H.

249. This 700-acre community has beautiful

lakes, miles of wooded trails, tennis courts,

parks, and a clubhouse with a sparkling pool.

Willowbrook Mall is nearby, and 11 Tomball

parks are only minutes away. Burroughs Park,

a 330-acre recreational area, is close by, as are

many golf courses and country clubs. www.

wildwoodcommunities.com.

Woodtrace, another Friendswood Devel-

opment community in Tomball, is a gated

enclave at the corner of S.H. 249 and FM

149. Woodtrace has beautiful amenities

including 23-acre Woodtrace Lake and

Central Park, which has a natural creek with

footbridges and trails. The recreation center

offers a pool, park and clubhouse. www.

woodtracecommunity.com.

Willowcreek Ranch, a development of

Caldwell Communities, is another popular

Tomball community. This gated community

has a sparkling 50-acre lake as its center-

piece, with more amenities including an

Equestrian Center, miles of hike and bike

trails, and numerous parks and green spaces.

Overlooking the main lake, The Lakehouse

Lodge offers residents a place to play, enter-

tain, work out, and enjoy life, unbridled.

www.willowcreekranchtx.com

All of these communities are part of the

highly regarded Tomball Independent

School District, and higher education is

offered at Lone Star College – Tomball.

Healthcare is nearby at the Tomball

Regional Medical Center. The city hosts

many popular festivals throughout the year,

including the Tomball Music Festival, the

Rails & Trails Mudbug Festival and Tomball

Bluegrass Festival.

©2017 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Better Homes and Gardens, the Better Homes and Garden Real Estate logo

are registered service marks owned by Meredith Corporation and licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC.

936.856.5590City of Conroe | Lake Conroe

281.789.0411Magnolia

www.GaryGreene.com

With three local offices in Montgomery County to serve you, put our expertise and market knowledge to work on your next real estate transaction.

BUYING OR SELLINGWe will get you where you want to be, HOME.


WILLISWhen the Willis brothers donated land to

the Great Northern Railroad for a track

from Houston to Chicago, a town was

born. The railway and fertile land to grow

watermelon, cotton and other cash crops, as

well as trees for a thriving timber industry

allowed the community to grow. Straddling

I45 and north of Conroe, today Willis is the

gateway to Lake Conroe and the home of a

highly rated school district.

THE WOODLANDSOpened in 1974, The Woodlands has reigned

for decades as one of the top-selling master-

planned communities in the U.S., widely

admired for its beautifully preserved environ-

ment and quality amenities.

In recent years, The Woodlands has come into

its own as a total community where people

live, work and play, with the flourishing of

The Woodlands Town Center, the Market

Street shopping and entertainment district and

other key components. The Woodlands has

also become a major employment center, and

without doubt the community’s success and

quality of life drew the attention of Exxon-

Mobil, which built its new campus just south

of the 28,000-acre community.

Now home to nearly 100,000 residents, The

Woodlands offers amenities including 190

miles of hike and bike trails, 121 parks and

seven golf courses. The Woodlands will

ultimately include 8,000 acres of natural unde-

veloped land in parks and nature preserves.

The Woodlands lifestyle is centered on

the environment, the arts, technology and

healthy living. The Woodlands Town Center

features The Woodlands Waterway at the

heart of the commercial district. The 1.4-mile

long waterway links office buildings, shops,

restaurants and plaza areas, with water taxis

providing transportation between these areas

and more destinations including the 1.3

million square-foot The Woodlands Mall and

Market Street. The Cynthia Woods Mitchell

Pavilion, one of the most popular outdoor

amphitheaters in the world, hosts national

touring shows and cultural performances.

An exceptional collection of larger-than-life

sculptures and outdoor art installations adorns

public spaces.

Stillwater is a residential community that

will evoke timeless southern sophistication

to create a hometown beyond compare. The

homesites are planned to border community

lakes and reserves, easily accommodated by

the surrounding W.G. Jones State Forest.

Stillwater is located close to I-45 and within

minutes to premier local attractions such as

The Woodlands Market Street, The Wood-

lands Mall and The Cynthia Woods Mitchell

Pavilion. www.stillwatertx.com.

Three highly rated school districts – Conroe,

Magnolia and Tomball ISD – along with

acclaimed private and preparatory schools

give residents access to excellent choices for

education. The Woodlands is also home to

Lone Star College- Montgomery, and two

renowned healthcare campuses, Memorial

Hermann The Woodlands and St. Luke’s.


LIVE, WORK and PLAY

in beaut i fu l Willis, Texas

www.visitwillis.com

• Family-Friendly Community• Welcoming to New Businesses • New Housing Developments in Progress• Convenient Location on I-45• Outdoor Lovers’ Paradise


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Montgomery County

Harris CountyLargest county in eastern half of state; level; typically coastal surface and soils; many bayous, canals for artificial drainage; Lake Houston, Sheldon Reservoir; partly forested.

Population 4,538,028

Change fm 2010 10.9

Area (sq.mi.) 1,777.5

Land area(sq.mi.) 1,703.5

Altitude (ft.) sea level–310

Rainfall (in.) 56.81

Jan. mean. min. 43.4

July mean max. 90.7

Civilian labor 2,279,367

Unemployed 5.3

Wages $37,346,009,148

Per Capita Inc. $55,088

Prop. Value $472,155,923,085

Retail Sales $88,892,139,887

Rolling, half timbered; Sam Houston National Forest; loam, sandy, alluvial soils; Lake Conroe and Lewis Creek Reservoir.

Population 537,559

Change fm 2010 17.9

Area (sq.mi.) 1,076.9

Land area(sq.mi.) 1,041.7

Altitude (ft.) 50–430

Rainfall (in.) 48.77

Jan. mean. min. 40.4

July mean max. 93.5

Civilian labor 259,473

Unemployed 4.8

Wages $2,191,523,418

Per Capita Inc $60,490

Prop. Value $54,317,835,443

Retail Sales $7,833,735,189


in this sectiontemporary lodgingrent or buychoosing a realtormortgage options

HOME FRONTThe

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TEMPORARY LODGINGSometimes, newcomers need temporary

housing while they continue their home

search, or while they wait for their new

home to be built or renovated. Like most big

cities, Houston has many options for tempo-

rary housing, but perhaps it’s even truer

here, because companies are experienced

at serving the historically heavy influxes of

newcomers who work in Houston’s thriving

energy, medical and aerospace sectors.

Many multifamily complexes have corpo-

rate programs with fully furnished units

and short-term leases available. Hotels

are another option, including the growing

number of extended-stay hotels in the area.

When staying in a hotel for 30 days or

longer, Texas law allows for an exemption of

the 6% state hotel tax; see the hotel manage-

ment for information on how to apply for

this exemption.

Consider the location and style of housing that

would best suit you during your temporary

stay. Is proximity to work the top consideration

during this hectic period? Or it might be most

important to stay near an airport if you’ll be

doing a lot of traveling during the transition.

Would you be most comfortable in a hotel or

apartment, or would you prefer a single-family

home or townhome?

Good sources for locating temporary housing

include your company’s human resources

department, your Realtor and/or builder, and

the Internet.

Bottom line: the rapid growth of Mont-

gomery County and environs means that

newcomers will find plenty of temporary

housing options throughout the area – from

extended-stay hotels and corporate lodging,

to single-family homes and condos for rent.

RENT OR BUY?There can be advantages to both renting or

buying a new home, depending on one’s

immediate priorities and long-term goals.

According to Freddie Mac, renting can

make more sense if you have a career or life-

style that requires you to move frequently, if

you prefer a set monthly budget and cannot

afford unforeseen home-maintenance

expenses, or if you don’t have the time or

desire for home maintenance.

More reasons to rent: if you enjoy having

amenities such as a pool, gym, concierge

and tennis courts; if you plan on downsizing

your living space or retiring soon; and if you

are experiencing a financial setback and/or

rebuilding your credit.

Freddie Mac says buying may be best if

you have reliable income, good credit and

documentation for your assets; if you can

afford at least a 5% down payment and

closing costs; and if you are financially

able to take on home maintenance and

improvements.

It may also be better to buy if you want to

build equity and qualify for homeowner tax

breaks and credits; if you have an adequate

cash reserve to withstand loss of employment

or another financial setback; and if you plan

on staying in your home at least four years.

NEW HOME VS. EXISTING HOMEAdvantages of buying a new home include

“new” everything – from carpets to appliances.

Energy efficiency is another big consideration.

New homes can include the latest high-effi-

ciency heating and cooling systems, along

with advanced insulation and window prod-

ucts that weren’t available 10 or 20 years ago.

A new home will require less maintenance

in the short term, and new homes are wired

and capable of accommodating the latest

technologies.

There are also advantages to buying an existing

home, especially in Montgomery County,

which offers plenty of resale homes ranging

from historic farmhouses to homes just a few

years old. Existing homes might be less expen-

sive, have established landscaping, or other

HOME FRONTThe rapid growth of Montgomery County means newcomers can find everything they need for a smooth move – from abundant temporary housing choices, to skilled Realtors and custom builders who are eager to help.

The


T H E H O M E F R O N T

“extra” features, such as window coverings,

that may not be included in new homes, and

traditional floor plans.

Used homes may also have a track record of

appreciation over the years, although Realtor.

com cautions that past performance does not

guarantee future market appeal.

CUSTOM HOME BUILDINGOne of the great things about Montgomery

County is the diversity of communities and

homesites to choose from for building the

custom home of your dreams. The choices

are almost endless. You can find an acreage

homesite in a community that still feels rural

and pastoral, or you can tap into the increas-

ingly urban vibe of places like The Woodlands

Town Center and build a townhome that might

look a home in New Orleans or Charleston.

You can also find homesites with views of the

area’s many golf courses, lakes and parks. And

almost everywhere, you’ll find the beautiful

trees the area is known for.

Also in Montgomery County, you’ll find a

wide selection of homebuilders and Realtors

who are extremely knowledgeable and experi-

enced in building custom homes in the region.

The benefits of building a custom home are

getting exactly what you want – from the

location of the lot, to the design of the exte-

rior style and interior floor plan. Many buyers

have extended multi-generational families

or adult children living at home, and garage

apartments and ground floor “casitas” (small

houses) are popular options for accommo-

dating these family members.

Inside, too, a custom home allows you to

personalize every aspect of every room – from

countertops and flooring, to paint colors and

lighting and plumbing fixtures. And if you

want to create a special place to incorporate an

architectural element that’s a family treasure

or recent discovery, that’s very easy to do when

building custom.

CHOOSING A REALTORChoosing the right Realtor in a vast area

such as Montgomery County can make a big

difference, because a good Realtor can help

you navigate a fast-changing market land-

scape. A knowledgeable Realtor can lead you

to new opportunities in communities that are

brand-new or not quite on the market, and can

also help you find final chances in communi-

ties that are fast building out.

To find the right Realtor, talk with recent

clients, check with the state real estate board to

confirm the Realtor’s licensing and check for

disciplinary action and complaints; research

how long the Realtor has been in business, and

look at their current listings to see if they have

enough to indicate a healthy business, but not

so many that you’d just be a number. Bankrate.

com also recommends looking at a Realtor’s

credentials – those initials after their name that

indicate certifications and areas of expertise.

MANAGEABLE, AFFORDABLE LIFESTYLE

Atlanta 99.3 103.6 94.3 84.6 103.0 107.9 103.9

Austin 96.2 90.3 100.0 82.0 90.9 100.3 100.6

Boston 145.7 105.8 204.9 139.9 111.4 133.3 127.0

Chicago 123.5 105.6 156.1 91.3 130.4 101.3 114.7

Cleveland 100.2 112.9 84.9 111.1 100.3 99.9 104.2

Dallas 102.0 98.0 103.1 107.0 94.1 101.6 103.5

Denver 112.1 96.7 133.7 90.9 104.6 105.1 109.9

Houston 98.1 88.6 101.5 121.5 100.3 93.0 92.4

New York (Brooklyn) 181.0 121.4 324.6 118.7 126.7 111.1 132.1

Phoenix 95.1 96.1 94.4 98.2 93.3 96.2 94.6

Raleigh 96.1 106.5 83.4 97.0 102.1 99.8 99.6

San Francisco 191.8 125.2 365.1 116.8 138.7 126.2 125.1

Seattle 152.8 123.8 206.6 127.9 137.6 123.5 136.5

Tucson 94.9 104.5 76.0 95.8 96.5 100.3 104.6

City Composite Grocery Housing Utilities Transportation Healthcare Misc.

100% 13.61% 27.59% 10.06% 9.59% 4.00% 35.15%

When it comes to overall cost of living, Houston is still an affordable place to live and work. Here’s how the Houston area ranked in a comparison to other major U.S. cities (based on Q3 2017)

COST OF LIVING



MANAGEABLE, AFFORDABLE LIFESTYLE

Houses are selling in Houston; single-family home sales are up and housing inventory grew. Not only have sales blossomed, (creating an almost 12% increase over last year at this time), but there was also tremendous activity in the rental market. Along with the pace of sales, the median price also increased, although Houston still ranks as one of the most affordable big cities in the U.S. for homeownership.

“In all, Houston’s economic diversity and health will continue to protect and preserve home values over the long haul, and it will continue to be a great place to live, work and raise a family,” says Houston real estate expert and blogger Toni Nelson.

H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E S . C O M 3 5


More good news comes in the form of relaxed

lending standards that could benefit first-time

buyers. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the

two federally chartered mortgage corpora-

tions, recently relaxed lending guidelines that

were tightened after the national housing

crisis that began in 2008. Now, some buyers

can get a mortgage with only 3 percent down

payment and a minimum FICO credit score

of 620. Homebuyer assistance programs are

also offered by various government agen-

cies. Some groups, including teachers, police

officers and firefighters, may also qualify for

special assistance programs.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU AFFORD?Determining an affordable purchase price for a

home is the essential first step to home owner-

ship. Experts recommend spending about 28

percent of the household budget on housing,

and a recent Rice University study found that

Houston area residents spend typically about

30 percent of their incomes on housing, so

the city overall is right in line with that advice,

albeit slightly on the high side.

Experts also suggest that household expenses

not exceed 43 percent of personal income

before taxes. The mortgage payment, insur-

ance, credit card balances, utilities, food

and health care as well as any payments on

outstanding loans and leases are expenses,

while household income includes salary and

other declared revenue such as dividends and

royalties. In the case of townhomes, condos

and other types of housing where a monthly

maintenance fee is charged, that too must be

considered in the overall expenses.

Developed by the Real Estate Center at Texas

A&M University, the Texas Housing Afford-

ability Index (THAI) measures the ratio of

median household income required to buy a

median-priced home, using a 30-year mort-

gage with a 20 percent down payment as its

model. A THAI of 1.00 indicates that the

median household income is just enough

to qualify for a loan to purchase the medi-

an-priced home. Montgomery County’s most

recent THAI was an impressive 1.96, which

makes the area more affordable than the

overall Houston region, state and nation based

on THAI averages.

MORTGAGE OPTIONSSeveral different types of mortgages are

common today. A standard 30-year fixed

rate mortgage is the most common way to

finance a home; 15-year fixed rate mortgages

are another option. The 40-year mortgage

has become more popular in some parts of

the country where home prices are rising fast,

but many experts agree that the tradeoff of

a slightly lower monthly payment for much

more interest paid over the life of the loan

does not make economic sense.

For all fixed-rate loans, the amount of the

mortgage, payment, the interest rate and the

term of the loan are fixed and fully self-amor-

tizing, which means at the end of the term,

the principal has been repaid.

The purchase price less the down payment

is the principal of the mortgage. Dividing

the principal by the number of payments in

a 30- year or 15- year mortgage and adding

the interest determines the monthly house

payment. Escrow money for taxes and insur-

ance is added to the payments according to

the terms of the lender, and the amounts are

recalculated annually.

The Alternative Mortgage Instrument (AMI)

is a loan in which at least one of the four

components varies. The most common AMI

is the Adjustable Rate Mortgage with a vari-

able interest rate. Customarily, the ARM

interest rate begins low and periodically

adjusts either up or down within limits based

on a pre-specified index. The initial low rate,

and therefore, the lower monthly payment,

enables the buyer to meet the income and

debt-ratio requirement.

DOWN PAYMENTThe down payment is the cash committed

toward the purchase of a home. For most

loans, a down payment of 20 percent of the

purchase price is required to avoid paying

Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), although

it is possible to take out a secondary loan to

avoid PMI.

INTEREST RATESInterest rates fluctuate frequently and vary

from lender to lender. Interest on a 30-year

fixed rate mortgage is likely to be different

from that of a 15-year, and adjustable rate

mortgages reset according to the terms of

the lender.

CLOSING COSTSBetween 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price

of a home, closing costs include related fees

such as costs for running credit reports, loan

origination, appraisal, survey, title insurance,

and discount points paid to lower the interest

rate. Closing costs are typically paid by the

buyer at the time of closing.

CREDIT REPORTLenders will require a credit report from the

credit bureau that has collected your credit

history for the past seven to 10 years. Credit

reports document your financial history and

reflect the amount of credit you have, the time-

liness with which you pay your bills, if you

have declared bankruptcy and other factors

that give the lender a financial snapshot.

Traditional mortgage lenders require an

established credit history, but some lenders

may offer more flexible mortgage programs

for people with limited or no established

credit record.

Credit reports also carry your credit score,

a numeric ranking between 300 and 850

that many lenders use. It is calculated using

five factors: payment history, amount of

outstanding debt, length of credit history,



new credit and the sources of credit in use. In

addition to informing lenders of credit-wor-

thiness, your credit score can also determine

the interest rate you pay. The better the credit

score, the lower the interest rate. More infor-

mation on credit scoring is at myfico.com.

PRE-APPROVAL VS. PRE-QUALIFICATIONGetting pre-approved for a mortgage is

beneficial because it gives sellers a level of

assurance that the prospective buyer can

obtain a mortgage – a big plus in a compet-

itive market. Pre-approval requires the

completion of a loan application and some-

times a fee. Pre-qualification, on the other

hand, is just an estimate of a mortgage that a

prospective buyer might qualify for.

TAX DEDUCTIONSSome home purchase costs are deductible

if you itemize deductions. These costs may

include mortgage interest, real estate taxes and

PMI payments. For more information, visit

irs.gov or ask your tax preparer or attorney.

BANKSBanks offer a full range of services that

usually include mortgages at competitive

rates. In addition to checking and savings

accounts, their mortgage lending is another

option for homebuyers. Be sure to ask about

fees associated with the bank’s services,

different accounts, minimum balance require-

ments, ATM charges, availability of funds

policy, direct deposit and other options.

Contact the Texas Department of Banking

at www.dob.texas.gov.

CREDIT UNIONSCredit unions are a good source to check for

mortgage loans because they may offer lower

rates. Historically, credit unions have been

employer-based financial institutions but

today it is common for credit unions to be

community-based, meaning that anyone can

use a credit union as their primary financial

institution. Members are insured for up to

$250,000 per account by the National Credit

Union Administration. More information

about credit unions is available from the

Texas Credit Union League and the Credit

Union National Association.

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCEHomeowner insurance is required by mort-

gage lenders, and is essential even if a home

is paid for. Buyers are typically asked to

pay one year of insurance at closing, with

premiums included in monthly mortgage

payments.

Selecting an insurance company and deter-

mining coverage is the responsibility of the

buyer, and should begin as soon as the contract

to purchase a house is accepted by the seller.

The Texas Board of Insurance is a valuable

source of information. Many companies offer

discounts when home insurance is combined

with auto coverage, life insurance, health insur-

ance and other types of insurance that may

be needed. In the Houston and Montgomery

County areas, flood insurance is required

or recommended by mortgage companies

in some neighborhoods. Check with your

builder, Realtor or lender to determine the

status of your property. www.tdi.texas.gov.

FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERSA variety of programs are designed to help

first-time buyers, including FHA loans with

a 3 percent down payment discussed at the

beginning of this article.

Montgomery County, Harris County and

other governmental entities also offer home-

buyer assistance programs that can provide

down payment assistance and special

financing for buyers who meet certain house-

hold income and purchase price criteria.

Other programs include Southeast Texas

Housing Finance - www.sethfc.com and

the Harris County Downpayment Assis-

tance Program - www.harriscountytx.gov/

csd. Information is also available from the

Texas Department of Housing & Commu-

nity Affairs - www.tdhca.state.tx.us. Realtors,

mortgage lenders and builders are also good

sources of information about available home-

buyer assistance programs.

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in this sectionmoving companiesforwarding mailutilitiespublic transportationinternational relocation information



MOVING COMPANIESIf you are moving from out of state, it may

be necessary to hire a moving company.

The best time to move is the middle of

the month rather than the end or during

summer vacation, when moving companies

are busiest. If the move is less than 250 miles

away, consider making the move yourself.

Compare the relative costs of moving your-

self versus using the services of a moving

company, and be sure to take into consider-

ation your time and effort, as well as your

physical ability.

At the other extreme, the global economy of

Houston and Montgomery County draws

newcomers from all over the world, and

there are a few important considerations to

keep in mind when moving from overseas. If

your overseas move is work-related, find out

how much of the expense will be covered.

As a general rule, many experts recommend

scaling the move down to essential items

and those with emotional value. Find out

about import fees and duty costs, especially

for items you may have purchased overseas.

Also consider the size of your new space:

will it be larger or smaller than the home

you’re leaving? If you’re a U.S. citizen who

is moving back from overseas, then you

might have many items in U.S. storage, so

you’ll need to plan the logistics of getting

these to your new home as well.

TYPES OF MOVING ESTIMATESMost companies give free estimates based

on distance and the weight of household

contents. Some moving companies include

the costs of packing materials in their bid

while others break out supplies separately.

Packing services, fuel charges, wait time and

temporary storage costs may vary consid-

erably so be sure to ask about all charges.

Moving companies offer three types of esti-

mates: the binding estimate, non-binding

estimate and not-to-exceed binding estimate.

The binding estimate lists all items to be

shipped and the required services on the

estimate form, and the price quoted is the

binding price. Every charge is itemized,

so that if an item is added or deleted, it is

easy to re-calculate the cost. The moving

company must also specify the length of

time the price quote is in effect, which is

usually 60 days. This type of estimate does

not require additional payment over the

amount of the estimate.

The non-binding estimate, which is the only

type of estimate offered in some intrastate

situations, is not guaranteed. The real cost

of services is determined after the truck is

loaded and weighed, and charges above

the estimate can run more than 20 percent.

Be sure to attend the truck weigh-ins both

before and after furniture and household

items are loaded to accurately calculate the

total weight. The estimated amount of your

move should be entered on each form that

is prepared by the mover, including orders

for special services and bills of lading. If the

amounts are not included, do not sign or

accept the document.

The third type of estimate, called the

not-to-exceed estimate, is usually the best.

The mover gives a binding estimate, then

RELOCATIONINFORMATION

Moving? Learn about Montgomery County and the Greater Houston area in order to make your move much smoother, especially if you are relocating from out-of-state. To help get you started, the following pages offer some general tips on Houston’s basic services.


weighs the vehicle and reduces the price if

the weight is less than anticipated. Ask all

movers if they offer this type of service.

MORE CONSIDERATIONSBe aware that many moving companies

fall behind schedule, so consider hiring

a moving company that will guarantee a

pickup and delivery date. Make sure those

dates are in the contract. Pick-up and

delivery dates should not be open-ended.

Although moving companies provide

liability insurance on household belongings

by the pound, it is wise to purchase extra

insurance that provides additional coverage,

especially for those items that are more

valuable.

Before the movers arrive, get prepared. Take

an inventory of your belongings and note

their condition. If the moving company

performs their own inventory, check it

carefully against your own before signing

anything. Should any of your belong-

ings arrive with scratches, dents or other

damages, photographs will help verify a

claim so consider taking pictures of valuable

items or making a video inventory before

the movers arrive.

It is important to be sure you will be at your

new home on the date the moving company

is scheduled to deliver. If no one is home to

receive the delivery, your belongings will go

into storage, and the moving company may

require payment in cash before unloading.

Tax deductions may apply to your move so

keep appropriate records. Contact the I.R.S.

at 800-829-1040 or www.irs.gov, or ask your

tax preparer or attorney.

TIPS FOR HIRING A MOVING COMPANY• Select a moving company carefully and

visit www.protectyourmove.gov to confirm

their license.

• The Southwest Association is another

resource for information about moving

companies and they can be reached at

www.mytexasmover.com or 512-476-0107,

Toll Free: 800-759-2305

• Contact the Better Business Bureau for any

complaints that might be on file at www.

houston.bbb.org or 713-868-9500.

• The Interstate Commerce Commission

offers a free brochure, “Your Rights and

Responsibilities When You Move.” You

can also find the brochure on many

websites by searching for its title.

FURNITURE AND APPLIANCE RENTAL In some cases, it may be necessary to rent

furniture or appliances while waiting for

your old ones to be delivered, or while

shopping for new items that will fit your

new space perfectly.

Some companies specialize in renting furni-

ture to newcomers and offer packages by

the household, the room or by the piece.

They also offer different styles, along with

accessories such as artwork, lighting, rugs

and indoor plants. Flexible lease terms,

quick delivery and professional setup and

removal are some of the services offered by

rental companies. If you decide you like a

particular item or items, purchase is usually

available.

FORWARDING MAILTo submit your change of address, go to

www.usps.com.

LEGAL RECORDSLegal Records maintained by Harris County

and Montgomery County include birth

certificates, death certificates, marriage

licenses, automobile licenses, fees and

inspections, divorce proceedings, DBAs,

taxes, and more. Contact the county of resi-

dence for specific services offered.

The Harris County Civil Court House

20l Caroline, Houston, TX, 77002

713-755-6411; www.co.harris.tx.us

The Montgomery County Court House

210 W. Davis, Conroe, TX, 77301

281-689-3133; www.mctx.org

UTILITIESElectricity

Retail Electric Providers compete to sell

electricity, allowing consumers to compare

plans, pricing and features. The Public

Utility Commission recommends the three

“C’s” before selecting a provider: contact,

compare, and choose. Allow several days for

the order to process. If establishing service

for a new home or building, a permit or

inspection may be required.

Select electricity, natural gas, local phone

and long distance, cable or satellite televi-

sion, and high-speed Internet services at

www.HoustonNewcomerGuides.com.

W E L C O M E T O P A L M B E A C HR E L O C A T I O N I N F O R M A T I O N


Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. America’s fastest Internet based on report at Speedtest.net/awards/us. Speedtest is a trademark of Ookla, LLC. Used under license. Reliably fast claim based on 2014 FCC Measuring Broadband America report.

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Gas

CenterPoint Energy is the major provider

for natural gas in the greater Houston

and Montgomery County areas. As the

regulated utility in the Houston area,

CenterPoint Energy owns and maintains

the electric delivery system as well as sells

natural gas. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com

to learn more.

The ENERGY STAR program supports

energy efficiency in new homes. Learn

more about buying an ENERGY STAR

home at www.energystar.gov.

Water and Sewer

Water, sewage and drainage services are

typically provided by the public works

department in each city, or by a munic-

ipal utility district (MUD). There are

a number of these districts throughout

Montgomery County and services vary

by district. Contact your local city or

home owner’s association for detailed

information.

Telephone, Cable, and Internet Service

Greater Houston and Montgomery County

have four area codes: 713, 281, 832, and

936. When placing calls, 10-digit dialing

is required. The many telephone service

providers to choose from also offer satel-

lite and cable television services, along

with bundled services, special promotional

rates and discounts for newcomers.

Comcast / XFINITY

It’s easy to get xfinity in your new home.

Call 1-877-500-6828 today!

Get connected to XFINITY – TV, Internet,

and Voice service made possible by

Comcast’s network upgrade to an all-dig-

ital platform. They will set up your new

home in no time. You can even choose your

own convenient two-hour appointment

window. Also ask about Xfinity Home,

combining Security, Control, Energy and

Peace of Mind at Your Fingertips. For

more information visit www.comcast.com/

moversedge.

Consolidated Communications

As more of us buy items requiring Internet

service and create home networks, the

demand for faster Internet increases. Consol-

idated Communications can now offer you

the speed you need to run a complete home

communications and entertainment system.

Plans from 6 Mbps up to 1 Gig, free wireless

router, no data cap and contract buyouts are

available. Consolidated also offers Digital

TV, Digital Phone and Home Security and

Automation services. Learn more at www.

consolidated.com or call 844.YOUR.CCI.

Terms and conditions apply. Services are not

available in all areas.

Trash Pickup

The Cities of Houston, Conroe, Humble,

The Woodlands and Spring, along with

many other municipalities, provide trash

pick-up. Call the solid waste department

in your jurisdiction to find out which day

garbage and light trash are collected.

Some subdivisions opt to contract with local

collection companies, and fees for these

Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. America’s fastest Internet based on report at Speedtest.net/awards/us. Speedtest is a trademark of Ookla, LLC. Used under license. Reliably fast claim based on 2014 FCC Measuring Broadband America report.

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Uninterrupted quality time

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services are typically included in the home-

owner’s association dues. Contact your

homeowner’s association for information.

Curbside recycling is offered in most neigh-

borhoods, and drop-off recycling centers are

located throughout the area.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATIONThe Metropolitan Transit Authority of

Harris County, also known as METRO, is

recognized as one of the best and safest bus

systems in the nation offering an extensive

system of bus routes and a growing network

of light-rail lines. Express bus service is avail-

able to downtown Houston and other select

shopping centers and business districts from

the Greenspoint Transit Center, located near

Interstate 45 North and Greens Road.

For commuting alternatives, METRO

provides Park and Ride services from transit

facilities in Spring, and at Kuykendahl and

I-45 North.

The Harris County Motorist Assistance

Program (MAP), sponsored in part by

METRO, sends specially marked MAP vehi-

cles to motorists who are experiencing car

trouble on Houston area freeways. They are

equipped to handle minor repairs and auto-

motive emergencies.

Houston’s major highways have High Occu-

pancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes for vehicles with

two or more passengers during peak travel

periods. To share a ride, contact the METRO

Carpool Matching Service, 713-635-4000.

METRO offers curb-to-curb service for

mobility impaired and disabled passengers.

Call 713-658-0180 or visit their website

www.ridemetro.org.

OWNING A VEHICLENew residents must obtain a Texas driv-

er’s license within 90 days of establishing

residency. Texas residents moving to a new

address within the state must update their

license as well.

To obtain a Texas driver license, take proof

of registration, proof of insurance, a Social

W E L C O M E T O P A L M B E A C HR E L O C A T I O N I N F O R M A T I O N


Security card or a current W-2 form, and

a valid out-of-state license to the nearest

Department of Public Safety office. For

license requirements including fees and

locations, visit www.txdps.state.tx.us.

Vehicles may be registered for license plates at

district field offices in the county of residence.

The cost is based on the model and year for

cars and gross weight for trucks. Subsequent

registration may be handled by mail or in

person. Motor vehicle registration renewals

may be purchased at various locations.

Harris County 713-224-1919 • www.tax.co.harris.tx.us

Montgomery County936-756-0571 or 281-364-4200 www.montgomerytexas.gov

Texas law requires that the driver and front

seat passenger wear seat belts. Children

eight years of age or younger or less than 4

feet nine inches tall must be secured in an

approved car seat. Texas also has a manda-

tory automobile liability insurance law, and

if a driver is stopped for any reason, proof

of liability insurance coverage will be neces-

sary. The insurance required must provide:

$30,000 bodily injury, $60,000 per person

per accident and $25,000 property damage.

A copy of the Texas Motor Vehicle Laws is

available at www.txdmv. gov.

VOTINGTexas voters must be 18 years old and

register at least 30 days prior to an elec-

tion. Those already registered to vote

but who change precincts need to file an

address change. For information, go to

www.votetexas.gov. In Harris County, call

713-368-VOTE. In Montgomery County,

call 936-756-0571 or 281-364-4200.

FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTSFor emergencies only: 911 For non-emergencies: 311

The Conroe Police Department and munic-

ipal police departments, the Montgomery

County Sheriff, and Constables serve the

region. The Houston Police Department or

the Harris County Sheriff may have jurisdic-

tion in some areas.

Active Crime Watch programs operate in

numerous neighborhoods, and another very

valuable program known as Crime Stoppers

accepts anonymous tips and offers rewards

for information leading to an arrest.

Houston Crime Stoppers

713-222-TIPS (8477)

Montgomery County Crime Stoppers 1-800- 392-STOP (7867)

PETSIn most jurisdictions, pets not wearing

licenses and/or on a leash can be impounded.

Dogs and cats in Texas must be vacci-

nated against rabies by four months of

age. Boosters are given one year after the

initial vaccination, and pets will need to be

vaccinated at one- to three-year intervals

depending on local requirements.

Call 844.YOUR.CCI or visit consolidated.com

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CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATIONS


MOVING TIPS What to do

Social Security Number

1-800-772-1213

Information/ Applicationwww.ssa.gov/forms

Physical locations:8989 Lakes at 610 Drive, 77054

16200 Dillard Drive, 77040

5414 Aldine Mail Road, 77039

THINGS TO KNOWWait 10 days after your

arrival to apply for a

social security number.

Takes approximately 2 weeks

for the card to arrive.

No fee for the application.

Take original or certified copies

of immigration documents,

passport & biographical

information & photo.

W E L C O M E T O P A L M B E A C HI N T E R N A T I O N A L R E L O C A T I O N

TRANSPORTATIONTexas Drivers License Application

and Locations

www.txdps.state.tx.us

• Texas has a 90-day grace period.

• A written & driving skills test required.

• Credit cards, cash, checks, and

money orders.

• Take your passport, social security number,

proof of residency, lawful presence, status.

• Proof of vehicle registry.

• Completed application.

BANKING Banks

www.findabetterbank.com

• A checking account can be opened

individually or jointly.

• A debit card will give you immediate

access online and at ATMs.

• Social Security number, driver’s license,

proof of residence, photo ID (passport),

pay stub or utility bill and a minimum

opening deposit.

• International banks in the USA include

HSBC, Citigroup, Barclays, Deustche Bank

and Credit Suisse. An account at one of

these banks can usually be opened in the US.

Credit Unions

www.findabetterbank.com

• Credit unions are owned by members.

If your company has a credit union, you

can easily set up an account and get a

credit card.

• Social Security number, a photo ID

(passport), minimum deposit required.

Credit Cards www.creditcards.com

• Request a credit card & debit card

(ATM) when opening a bank account.

• You will need a residential address,

phone and place of employment, credit

history.

HOUSINGApartments

Houston Apartment Association Q&A:

www.haaonline.org

• Prices for apartments are based on

apartment size and number of bed-

rooms Rates typically include basic

utilities (ask for details).

• Rental requirements include: a credit

and security check. Texas Drivers

license, passport, bank statement, proof

of employment, and a deposit.

• Rental applications may require your

credit history, employment history,

rental history and criminal history, and

disclosure of legal status or proof of

legal residency.

• You are responsible for your lease for

the entire term of your contract.

• If you terminate your lease contract

early,rent may be accelerated and

additional charges can be levied

against you.

• Get any changes to your lease contract

or term in writing.

• Be sure to ask about pet deposits.

• Apartment locators will help you find

an apartment and their services are free.


Leasing a Home

• Leasing a home is much like renting an

apartment.

• You might be expected to take care of the

yard on a weekly basis, maintain the prop-

erty and abide by homeowner regulations.

• You will pay all the utility bills (water,

power, trash pickup & cable).

• You will need a TX driver’s license, proof

of employment, credit & personal referenc-

es and a deposit consisting of the first and

last month’s rent.

Buying a Home

• You can view homes for sale and find a

Realtor who speaks your language on

www.HAR.com.

Realtor/Homes for Sale & Lease

www.HAR.com

• You can check your credit score through

your bank.

• To purchase a home you will need a good

credit score based on your credit history.

• Report all of your income on your tax

return as mortgage loans require proof of

income - typically your IRS return.

• You do not need a Realtor to purchase a

home, but Realtors are trained to help you

with pricing and other legal responsibilities.

• Realtors use various sources including Mul-

tiple Listing Service (MLS) to find homes.

• Realtors are usually paid by the seller,

their services are free to buyers.

New Homes, Builders and Communities

www.HoustonNewcomerGuides.com

Realtors are independent and can help you

locate a newly constructed home available

from a variety of builders. Builder sales reps.

work for the builder. If you are working with

a Realtor, you should register your Realtor

with the homebuilder when you arrive.

HEALTHCAREAffordable Care Act

www.healthcare.gov

• If you are relocating to the U.S. for a job,

the HR department will assist you with

health insurance for your family.

• To shop and compare health insurance

visit the Affordable Care Act web page.

• You will need your social security num-

ber, passport, health history, employer

information, and a credit card.

TAXES State of Texas

Texas does not have state taxes. Texas col-

lects 8.25% sales tax & property tax only.

Internal Revenue Service

www.irs.gov

• Federal income tax for most workers is

filed on April 15 of each year.

• There are numerous rules and regulations

for expatriates, the following are resources

to get you started. Your employer can also

assist you.

EDUCATION Day Care

www.childcarecenter.us

• Some centers only care for children until

they are ready for Kindergarten at age 5.

Other schools offer Kindergarten.

• Will need your child’s birth certificate, so-

cial security number, passport, application.

• Schools vary widely, make several trips

with and without your child at different

times of the day. Ask for referrals.

Public Schools

PK-12 Texas Education Association:

tea.texas.gov

• Required for children 6-18 years of age in

USA.

• Child’s birth certificate, passport, social

security number, transcript, doctor’s

statement.

• The Houston area has excellent public

schools which serve students from Pre-K

through 12th grade.

• You can research individual school dis-

tricts, schools, ratings and test scores at the

Texas Education Association web site.

• Elementary school (grade 1 through 5 or

6), Middle school or junior high (up to

grade 8 or 9), High school or senior high

(up to grade 12).

Colleges

www.petersons.com

Community colleges are located in all parts

of Houston. Houston has numerous 4-year

colleges and technical schools.

Private Schools

HoustonNewcomerGuides.com

Houstonprivateschools.com

Privateschoolreview.com

There are a variety of independent and

faith-based private schools in the Houston

area.

• Enrollment is most cases is based on

openings in certain grades.

• Check with each school for enrollment

requirements as they vary from school to

school.

• International schools offer the Interna-

tional Baccalaureate program and might

be better suited for children planning to

later attend university outside the US.

IMMIGRATION VISAMost questions are answered on the U.S.

Citizenship & Immigration websites below.

Contact your Consulate about your coun-

try’s requirements.

General How Do I Guides

www.uscis.gov; www.uscitizenship.info

Employment Visa

www.travel.state.gov; www.uscis.gov

Green Card

www.uscis.gov/greencard

Permanent Resident

www.uscis.gov

Schedule appointment with USCIS officer:

www.infopass.uscis.gov

PETS Entry Requirements

www.dshs.state.tx.uss

• Dogs & cats must be vaccinated by 4

months of age followed by booster shots

every couple of years.

• Pets not wearing license tags and/or

leashed can be impounded.


in this sectionSTAARpublic schoolsprivate schoolshigher education


Along with beautiful lakes, forests and a

thriving economy, Montgomery County

offers excellent educational opportunities.

There is a variety of highly regarded public

school districts, ranging from small-town

gems to some of the largest in the Houston

area. The region also has a wide range of

private and parochial schools, along with

a growing list of opportunities for higher

education.

STUDENT ASSESSMENT TESTING: STAAR The State of Texas Assessments of

Academic Readiness (STAAR) measures

a child’s performance, as well as academic

growth, college and career readiness. Results

from STAAR calculate annual school and

district performance ratings. Annual Assess-

ments cover: reading and mathematics,

grades 3-8; writing at grades 4 and 7; science

at grades 5 and 8; social studies at grade 8;

and end-of-course assessments for English

1, English 11, Algebra 1, biology, and U.S.

history. All of the districts in Montgomery

County met approved standards in 2016.

For more information and complete district

and individual school information, visit the

Texas Education Association at www.tea.

texas.gov

STEM EDUCATIONSTEM, an acronym for science, technology,

engineering and math education, is an

interdisciplinary and applied approach that

is coupled with hands-on, problem-based

learning.

According to a recent poll of U.S. CEOs,

employers will need 1.6 million new STEM

employees by 2019. In 2013, the average

STEM occupation paid about $80,000 annu-

ally; roughly 1.7 times the average yearly

U.S. wage.

The Texas science, technology, engi-

neering and mathematics (T-STEM)

initiative provides a foundational approach

to empower teachers, inspire students and

advance STEM education. There are 70

T-STEM Academies and seven blended

Early College High School/T-STEM Acad-

emies serving more than 40,000 students

across the state.

TEXAS CHARTER SCHOOLSCharter schools were authorized by the

Texas Legislature in 1995 to provide an

alternative to traditional public schools.

Open-enrollment charter schools are public

schools that have the flexibility to adapt to

the educational needs of individual students.

Charter schools provide a personalized

learning environment that promotes greater

student achievement.

In the State of Texas, charter schools operate

under and receive academic accountability

ratings from the Texas Education Agency.

All charter students in Texas take the same

STAAR test as traditional public school

students. Charter schools receive state funds

based on the average daily attendance of

students (same as traditional public schools);

however, they do not receive funds from

local tax revenue.

PUBLIC SCHOOLSConroe ISD

www.conroeisd.net • 936-709-7752

Conroe ISD is a 348-square mile school

district that is geographically diverse and

includes The Woodlands, Shenandoah, Oak

Ridge North, Conroe, and Caney Creek, as

well as several other smaller towns, commu-

nities, and unincorporated areas. As the

13th largest district in Texas and the 71st

largest in the U.S., Conroe ISD serves over

59,000 students across 60 campuses and is

one of the fastest growing districts in the

State with an average enrollment growth of

approximately 1,500 students per year.

EDUCATIONHome to some of the largest and most highly rated public school districts in Texas and the U.S., Montgomery County offers its residents an impressive array of high quality educa-tional opportunities. Higher education is another strength.


Conroe ISD is a community of individ-

uals working together to achieve the best

for students. The District is proud of the

accomplishments of students, teachers

and administrators who have helped make

Conroe ISD a great school district. Achieve-

ment scores continue to increase and are

well above the State and national averages.

The mean SAT score for the District is 1556

compared to 1484 for the nation and 1393 for

the State. The mean ACT score is 23.2 with

the nation and State at 20.8 and 20.6 respec-

tively. Conroe ISD also has a graduation rate

of 95.7%, one of the highest in Texas.

For the sixth year in a row, TxSmartSchools,

awarded the highest rating of 5-Stars to

Conroe ISD for having high academic

standards while spending efficiently. And

speaking of efficient spending, Conroe ISD’s

tax rate is one of the lowest in the Greater

Houston metropolitan area at $1.28.

Conroe ISD offers a comprehensive core

academic program, a vast array of athletics,

a cutting-edge Career and Technical Educa-

tion curriculum, and a slate of fine arts

courses to meet the needs and interests of all

students.

The Conroe Independent School District

encompasses 348 square miles, educates

nearly 54,000 students and consists of 56

campuses. The appealing size of the district

and the small-town surroundings of the

Conroe area foster strong involvement by

parents and the surrounding community.

From specialized programs and the latest in

technology to outstanding extracurricular

and athletic programs, Conroe ISD strives

to meet the diverse needs of students at all

grade levels.

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD

www.cfisd.net • 281-897-4000

Located approximately 20 miles northwest

of downtown Houston, Cypress-Fairbanks

ISD is a destination district for college/

career preparation, extracurricular prowess,

and award-winning programs. The 23nd

largest school district in the nation, and 3rd

largest in the Houston area, CFISD is also

one of the fastest-growing districts nation-

wide with a student enrollment of about

115,000. These students are taking advan-

tage of a district that was, for the fourth

straight year, awarded the highest possible

rating of Met Standard in the Texas Educa-

tion Agency’s accountability ratings.

CFISD’s 11th high school opened in August

to serve students in the southwest portion

of the district. This state-of-the-art piece of

the district’s first-ever “educational village”

will be followed by a future middle school

and elementary campus. CFISD is contin-

ually taking steps to transform schools into

21st Century learning environments. It

has recently upgraded more than 100,000

network connections and completed 100

percent of the network electronics infra-

structure hubs throughout the campus,

helping manage nearly 90,000 district-

owned devices in addition to student-owned

devices and wireless connections.

The district is made up of 54 elementary

schools, 18 middle schools, 11 high schools

and five special program facilities, where

staff and educators are working to “maxi-

mize every student’s potential through

rigorous and relevant learning experiences

preparing students to be 21st Century global

leaders.” The CFISD vision is LEAD:

Learn. Empower. Achieve. Dream.

Magnolia ISD

www.magnoliaisd.org • 281-356-3571

Located 45 miles north of Houston and to

the west of The Woodlands, the Magnolia

Independent School District provides an

outstanding learning environment offering

innovative programs, modern facilities and

exceptional teachers.

The district serves approximately 13,000

students and provides a well-balanced

E D U C A T I O N I N H O U S T O N


curriculum to meet the needs of all students

offering advanced academics, dual credit

programs, Career and Technical Education

career paths and certifications, Early Child-

hood, and full-day Kindergarten. Magnolia

West High School is the only public school

in Montgomery County to offer the Interna-

tional Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

This prestigious, challenging academic

program prepares junior and senior students

for the rigor of college course work and is

recognized by elite universities around the

world as an excellent preparatory curric-

ulum. One of the fastest growing districts

in the state among comparable size districts,

Magnolia’s campuses include eight elemen-

tary schools, two 6th grade junior high

schools, two 7th and 8th grade junior high

schools, three high schools and one alter-

native high school. This growth has been

met with excellent facilitates and increased

community support.

Students in the district are recognized for

national and state accolades in academics,

athletics, agriculture, health science, career

and technology, fine arts programs, and the

Navy Junior ROTC. District honors include

National Merit Scholars and above average

SAT and ACT scores.

The mission of Magnolia ISD is to provide

an educational environment that will enable

all students to develop essential academic

skills for a lifetime of learning and to be

responsible, contributing citizens in a diverse

and changing world.

Montgomery ISD

www.misd.org • 936-582-1333

MISD educates over 8300 students who live

within the 231 square-mile boundary. The

district has eight schools with three more

on the way. MISD will be opening a new

elementary school and junior high school

in the Fall of 2017 with a new high school

opening in the Fall of 2018.

The district employs an outstanding instruc-

tional staff of 519 certified teachers. Of these

educators, the staff has an average of 13.05

years of teaching experience and 115 teachers

hold advanced degrees MISD class sizes are

small and average about 15.5 students for

each teacher, which enables them to give

their students individualized attention and

in-depth instruction. Montgomery ISD main-

tains an environment rich in opportunities for

their students to engage in and develop their

passions. In addition, Montgomery High

School was named one of Newsweek’s Best

High Schools in America.

With an unyielding commitment to excel-

lence, MISD seeks to provide a premier

academic program that recognizes the

unique potential of each student and inte-

grate the intellectual, social, cultural and

physical aspects of learning. Staff and

educators work to empower each student to

become an eager lifelong learner committed

to academic excellence, integrity, respon-

sible citizenship and service to others.

The district tracks its students’ progress

through the Texas Academic Performance

Reports (TAPR). Details about the district’s

involvement in these programs can be found

on the Texas Education Agency’s School

Performance page, www.tea.state.tx.us.

Tomball ISD

www.tomballisd.net • 281-357-3100

The Tomball Independent School District

is a highly regarded public school system

that maintains a reputation for excellence.

The district serves approximately 15,000

students in grades pre-kindergarten through

12 in 18 modern, well-equipped facilities

that were designed and built with students

and their needs in mind. The district is

committed to high student achievement

characterized by quality instruction,

equality of opportunities and resources,

and demonstrated results.

Tomball ISD is proud to offer various

academic programs that focus on ensuring

students are college and workforce ready.

Courses in the Career & Technical Educa-

tion department offer certifications that

prepare students to become contributing

members of the workforce within the

Tomball community.The district also

offers courses based on engineering curric-

ulum provided by Project Lead The Way

– a non-profit organization and a provider

of K-12 science, technology, engineering,

and mathematics (STEM) programs. The

Health Science program is another certi-

fication option for Tomball ISD students.

This program prepares students for a

career in the medical field by offering

classes in medical terminology, nutrition,

hydration and safety, and by caring for

individuals who reside in nursing facili-

ties or nursing homes. Courses offered in

Tomball ISD’s Career & Technical Educa-

tion program offer additional educational

opportunities as students decide on a

career choice.

As part of its mission to provide innova-

tive, individually rigorous, and personally

valuable educational experiences that allow

students to become responsible, produc-

tive citizens, Tomball ISD is proud that its

“The Montgomery County continued economic and population growth has a positive impact on education. Public school district across the region boast strong reputations for both academic

and extracurricular program.”


students are graduating from high school

ready for college, or with highly valued

professional credentials in a variety of

industries.

Willis ISD

www.willisisd.org • 936-856-1200

Education is exciting for the more than

7,000 Willis Wildkats who attend one of five

elementary schools, two middle schools and

one high school. Willis ISD is a growing

K-12 district nestled between the Sam

Houston National Forest and Lake Conroe.

The District and all campuses once again

achieved the highest rating of “Met Stan-

dard” under the 2016 State Accountability

System. Since 2013, Willis ISD schools have

earned a total of 15 Academic Achievement

Distinctions Designations.

Higher expectations for student achievement

are set every year and are complimented

by a comprehensive array of rigorous

academic programs including Gifted and

Talented, Career and Technology, Advanced

Placement, and Dual Credit courses.

College-ready juniors and seniors can take

Lone Star College courses in their high

school classrooms, with some students grad-

uating with more than 40 hours of college

credit. Through the Career and Technology

program, students can get a quick start on

their career by acquiring skills in a variety

of areas including architecture and construc-

tion, agriculture, audio/video technology,

business management, health science, hospi-

tality services and information technology.

Individual talents and valuable life skills are

enriched through the athletic, fine arts and

extracurricular programs.

Willis ISD honors small-town values and

traditions. It is a community that pulls together

for the kids and develops personal connections

with them and their families. At the same time,

staff and educators are focused on preparing

the students to live and work successfully in

the global community of the 21st century.

Spring ISD

www.springisd.org • 281 891-6000

Spring ISD is focused on its students and

grounded in its community partnerships.

It serves about 37,000 pre-kindergarten

through twelfth-grade students in a diverse

district located 20 miles north of central

Houston. Its vision states: Spring Indepen-

dent School District will be a district of

choice known for high-quality academics

with innovative and specialized programs

that meet the needs of all students in a posi-

tive learning environment.

Guided by its strategic plan, Every Child

2020, the district supports the growth and

development of all students. Every learner

can succeed in Spring, with academic accel-

eration and enrichment available for the

gifted and talented, while special education

services are provided for those with disabil-

ities. Bilingual instruction and English as a

Second Language programs are also offered.

A renewed focus on literacy for all and an

expansion of early childhood programs

are both part of the district’s commitment

to prepare graduates who are college and

career ready. In addition, student athletes

from the district have made their mark at

all levels of their chosen sports. Meanwhile,

through district art, dance, music, theater,

and speech programs, Spring ISD students

have been recognized regionally and nation-

ally for achievement in the arts.

The district’s 38 campuses include 18

schools built within the last decade, as well

as numerous renovated ones, ensuring that

students have secure, modern facilities in

which to become lifelong learners, critical

thinkers, and responsible citizens – ready

to contribute, compete, and lead in today’s

global society.

PRIVATE SCHOOLSCovenant Christian School

www.covenantonline.com • 936-890-8080

Covenant Christian School is an

inter-denominational, Christ-centered,

college-preparatory school situated on a

35 acre facility serving students in Pre-K

through grade 12. The school is nationally

accredited by the Association of Christian

Schools International (ACSI) and Texas

Association of Private and Parochial

Schools (TAPPS). Covenant’s mission is for

students to develop a sincere desire to impact

the world with excellence and to glorify God

in every area of life.

Teachers challenge students to succeed and

stand behind them with the support needed


Photo courtesy of Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy


to fulfill their potential and reach their

dreams using faith-based college-prepara-

tory curriculum and experiential learning

opportunities. Not surprisingly, Covenant is

known for its consistently high scores on stan-

dardized achievement tests. More than 95%

of graduates attend colleges and universities

throughout Texas and across the nation.

Sportsmanship and competition acquire

deeper meaning at Covenant. Coaches

encourage and train athletes to compete at

high levels while instilling Godly character

– on and off the field and court. Students

in grades 6 thru 12 compete on a variety of

championship teams throughout the school

year allowing them to explore and develop

God-given strengths and talents.

Covenant inspires artistic expression

through art, music and drama. Starting in

Pre-K, students receive instruction from art

teachers who offer children an awareness of

beauty and detail found in God’s creation.

The unparalleled music department stirs a

lifelong appreciation for musical expres-

sion beginning with the youngest students

continuing through senior year. Cove-

nant’s championship Choral Praise Group

travels to New York performing at Carnegie

Hall in alternating years. In junior high,

creative drama teachers instruct students

in performance and production, serving as

a springboard for the annual Junior Class

Play at the historic Crighton Theater.

A heartfelt and unwavering commitment

to excellence underlies all that Cove-

nant does with every student. Covenant

is located at 4503 I-45 North, Conroe,

TX 77304. For more information and to

schedule a tour, contact the Admissions

Office at (936) 890-8080.

Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy

www.legacypca.org • 936-337-2000

Founded in 2005, Legacy Preparatory

Christian Academy is a private Christian

school comprised of grades Pre-K through

12th. Legacy Prep prepares students to be

successful in college and life by providing a

rigorous academic background that is rich in

opportunities.

The school strives to develop a biblical worl-

dview combined with community service, a

strong work ethic, and study habits critical

to college-worthy students. The vision of

Legacy Prep is to cultivate parental involve-

ment in the educational process of their

children and to come alongside parents to

prepare the students to be college-worthy,

character witnesses for Christ.

Legacy Prep is a University Model School

certified by the National Association of

University Model Schools (NAUMS), head-

quartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The school

attained NAUMS certification in July 2008 and

was recertified in April of 2014. Legacy Prep is

also accredited by AdvancEd/SACS (Southern

Association of Colleges and Schools). The

school participates in ASCI and TAPPS.

Currently, Legacy Prep has over 400

students enrolled and attending school on

the 22-acre campus in The Woodlands.

The school offers a wide array of sports

including football, baseball, volleyball,

basketball, cheerleading, golf, tennis, cross

country, track & field, and more. Extra-cur-

ricular activities include National Honor

Society, National Junior Honor Society,

student council, fine arts, and more.

Legacy Prep meets on a university-style

schedule giving families many benefits

they will not find elsewhere. The first is to

give parents more time with their children

to impart the faith and values they hold

dear. Secondly, through Legacy Prep’s

academically challenging college prepa-

ratory curriculum, the school prepares

students to be successful as they enter

higher education at a university. Students

develop the skills of an independent

learner far sooner than traditional types of

schooling allow and experience a smooth

transition as they enter the college or

university of their choice.

For more information about Legacy Prepa-

ratory Christian Academy, please visit

their website at www.legacypca.org or call

936-337-2000.


The John Cooper School

www.johncooper.org • 281-367-0900

An independent, PK-12, college preparatory

school, located on 43 acres that were set

aside for an independent school by Wood-

lands founder George Mitchell. The school

opened in 1988 and has grown to become

one of the premier independent schools in

the Houston area.

Cooper provides a challenging education in

a caring environment. Traditional educa-

tional practices combined with innovative

new teaching methods enable students to

become critical and creative thinkers, effec-

tive communicators, responsible citizens

and leaders, and lifetime learners.

HIGER EDUCATIONLone Star College

www.LoneStar.edu

Houston and the Gulf Coast Region can be

full of surprises. World class museums, five

star restaurants and star studded entertain-

ment are just some of the amenities that

attract people from all over the world.

Another benefit the area enjoys is Lone

Star College. Many people are surprised

to learn that LSC has more than 95,000

students walk through its doors each

semester. LSC is today’s smart choice for

students looking to earn an undergraduate

degree, start a new career or update their

skills.

Students choose LSC because of the extra

attention they get thanks to their small

class sizes, averaging only 23 students per

class, the convenient campus locations that

are close to home and the flexible schedules

LSC offers. No matter what their goals are,

Lone Star College is ready to help them

realize their dreams.

LSC is recognized as a world leader in

workforce training and helps build a strong

regional workforce in industries like health

care, construction, accounting, energy,

computer technology and transportation.

LSC also helps qualified students find

financial aid and grant funding options

that can provide training at little or no cost.

Many students interested in a four-year

degree start at LSC, then transfer to the

university of their choice, saving thousands

of dollars without sacrificing quality. LSC

students can also take advantage of the

Honors College at LSC for high achieving

students and study abroad and international

programs, programs not commonly associ-

ated with a community college.

High school students can get a jump-start

on college with Dual Credit classes which

allow them to earn high school and college

credit simultaneously. Students save money

on college tuition, complete their degrees

quicker and build confidence by easing

the transition to college. LSC was recently

recognized as a Top 10 producer of asso-

ciate degrees, ranking fourth nationally

among all community colleges in the U.S.

by Community College Week magazine.

LSC is a proud member of the community

and a major contributor to the local and

regional economy with an annual economic

impact of $3.1 billion.

Affordable, close to home, world class.

When you add up all the benefits, you can

see why more than 95,000 students choose

Lone Star College. Visit LoneStar.edu to

learn more about the significant role LSC

plays in our community.

New Horizons - Your Partner in Training

713-552-1414 • www.nhhouston.com

For more than three decades, New Hori-

zons Computer Learning Centers has

been a leader in IT training. With over 100

locations worldwide, they have grown to

become the largest independent training

company in the industry. Their career

and corporate training solutions help turn

ambitious personal and business goals into

results. They use varying training methods

for virtually every schedule and learning

style, along with vendor-approved learning

tools and expert instruction. They have

trained more than 30 million people to



make the most of technology, and they feel

like they are just getting started.

Vendor-Authorized - New Horizons offers

an extensive selection of vendor-authorized

training and certifications for top tech-

nology providers, such as Microsoft, Cisco,

CompTIA and VMWare. Being an autho-

rized partner ensures that the students have

the highest quality training materials and

train on the latest products and technologies

available. Courses provided fall into cate-

gories like desktop applications, technical

training and professional development.

Flexible Training Approach Based on

Learner Needs - They understand that

not everyone’s learning needs or preferred

methods are the same. Therefore, their flex-

ible training approach gives the ability to

customize dedicated classes to satisfy specific

needs. Learning methods include Online

ANYTIME, on-site training, private classes

and Online LIVE. Online Live removes

geographical boundaries from learning by

bringing students and instructors together

synchronously in a virtual real-time classroom

environment. This program provides students

all of the benefits of being in a dynamic inter-

active classroom – enabling students to study

from work, home or a New Horizons center.

New Horizons offers real-time, cloud-based

lab solutions as well, allowing students to

access their labs anytime and anywhere. The

state-of-the-art, fully-configured live lab envi-

ronment provides students hands-on access

to the systems and applications taught in the

classrooms, empowering them to learn on

their own schedules.

A Leader in the Industry - New Horizons

is ranked in the top 5% in the industry for

training quality and customer satisfaction

as reported by an independent third-party

learning and quality assurance company,

Knowledge Advisors. Plus, research shows

that New Horizons training yields a 4:1

benefit-to-cost ratio, based on manager

surveys regarding the improved performance

and productivity of their employees imme-

diately following New Horizons training.

New Horizons is the leading IT training company, providing training in everything from desktop applications, technical and professional development. Whether you want to brush up your skills or transition to a new career, New Horizons will set you on the right course.

New Horizons of Houston | www.nhhouston.com | 713.552.1414

New home. New opportunities.

Lone Star College is nationally recognized academic leader.

• Top 5 Associate Degree Producer in the nation

• 4th in the U.S. for the number of Hispanic students earning their associate degrees

• High-quality academic transfer programs

• Workforce education and career training programs

• Full online degrees, hybrid classes and convenient individual online courses

• A prestigious Honors College which offers a wide range of opportunities for high-achieving students

• A fraction of the cost of a four-year university

Lone Star College is a productive community partner that is close to home, affordable, and focused on student success.

Visit LoneStar.edu to learn more.

LSC-CyFair • LSC-Kingwood • LSC-Montgomery • LSC-North Harris • LSC-Tomball • LSC-University Park

A LEADER IN HIGHER EDUCATION

10.18.17.06

10.18.17.06 HoustonNewcomer'sGuideAd_v1FIN.indd 1 10/20/17 8:51 AM


HEALTHCARE

The cutting-edge health-care facilities, physicians and medical services available in Montgomery County and The Woodlands have grown over the years to meet the healthcare needs of the communities they serve. Patients now have the opportunity to heal closer to home, work and family.

betteraccessIt’s official! Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlandshas arrived. Inpatient, outpatient and emergencyservices are fully open and operational.With abrand new, state-of-the-art campus, designed and built just for kids, and many of the nation’stop-ranked pediatric providers and programs,we’re the place to go when a child needs care.

For a parent, there’s only one thing better thanhaving a world-renowned pediatric hospitalnearby – having one right in your own backyard.

For more information, call 936-267-5000 or visit texaschildrens.org/woodlands.

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AD

betteraccessIt’s official! Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlandshas arrived. Inpatient, outpatient and emergencyservices are fully open and operational.With abrand new, state-of-the-art campus, designed and built just for kids, and many of the nation’stop-ranked pediatric providers and programs,we’re the place to go when a child needs care.

For a parent, there’s only one thing better thanhaving a world-renowned pediatric hospitalnearby – having one right in your own backyard.

For more information, call 936-267-5000 or visit texaschildrens.org/woodlands.

Now open! Built just for kids.© 2017 Texas Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved. WLD232_093017

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Thanks to its fast-growing and affluent

population, Montgomery County and The

Woodlands offer some of the most modern

and comprehensive healthcare facilities in

the Greater Houston region. Family doctors

and specialists, emergency clinics and several

large, award–winning hospitals have built

new facilities along the I-45 corridor. These

state-of-the-art facilities offer advanced

cardiac care, cancer research and therapy,

trauma care, sports medicine, and many

other innovative treatments. Staffs include

top ranking physicians, quality nursing care

and highly skilled support services.

Patients can expect to find comfortable,

attractive rooms designed for ease of care.

Public areas and waiting areas are accom-

modating and meant to reduce the stress

that frequently accompanies hospital visits.

Neighborhood emergency clinics are equipped

to treat most illnesses, minor injuries and other

health-related needs. With little or no waiting,

walk-in patients can get a routine physical,

school immunizations, and standard screening

tests. Some clinics are located within stores or

shopping centers and have extended hours to

accommodate their patients.

Recent additions to personal health care

options include specialty clinics that treat

conditions such as smoking cessation and

weight loss. Wellness Centers affiliated

with hospitals or a physician’s practice

frequently offer weight reduction, health

management programs and medical spa

treatments.

The world-renowned Texas Medical Center,

where patients from around the world seek

treatment, is about an hour’s drive from

Montgomery County. For more informa-

tion, go to www.texasmedicalcenter.org.

AREA HOSPITALS

CHI St. Luke’s Health

CHI St. Luke’s Health is dedicated to a

mission of enhancing health through high-

quality, cost-effective care. In conjunction

with physicians and community partners,

CHI St. Luke’s Health is committed to excel-

lence and compassion in caring for the whole

person. Health is not merely the absence of

illness or the presence of physical well-being,

and our team of experienced, compassionate

physicians and staff understands that it’s the

result of achieving a balance between the

elements found within each patient and in

our greater communities as a whole.

Our North Houston community is constantly

growing, and it’s part of our healing mission to

grow with it. We’re dedicated to bringing well-

ness to every member of our community by

providing expert resources at convenient loca-

tions. With hospitals in The Woodlands and

Springwoods Village, plus freestanding ERs

and specialist clinics, we have you covered, no

matter where you are or what you need.

Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands

As Houston and its surrounding commu-

nities grow, Texas Children’s Hospital

continues to expand as well. Texas Children’s

H E A L T H C A R E R E S O U R C E S

1. If you have a special healthcare need or requirement, refer to and call the healthcare advertisers in this publica-tion to get information.

2. Call the offices of all your current physicians/dentists and tell them that you are moving. Ask for referrals they might be willing to make.

3. If you have already selected physicians/dentists, ask your current physician to forward copies of the records of each of your family members to your new doctor.

4. If you have not yet selected physicians/dentists, ask your current physician/dentist to make copies of pertinent records of all your family members for you to take with you. Pack these records in your suitcase, not in the moving van, so they will be readily available in case of an emergency.

Moving Medical Tips5. It is extremely important that you get the immunization records for

your children before you move. You cannot enroll your children in local schools without these records. You will also need certified copies of your children’s birth certificates as well as the addresses of your children’s former schools.

6. If you are a member of a healthcare HMO/PPO plan, or have a prescription drug card, be sure to notify the company of your moving plans. The insurance company should be able to provide you with a list of physicians/ healthcare facilities in the area.

7. Pack an emergency first aid kit to take en route to your new home. Items such as bandages, thermometer, aspirin, antihistamine, first-aid ointment, tweezers and decongestant can come in handy.

8. Don’t forget your pets. Contact your veterinarian for copies of their records. Ask for referrals they might be willing to make.


is not only committed to meeting the needs

of patients and families we serve, but we are

committed to doing that in a way that works

for them. For so many, this means providing

care close to home. That’s exactly why we

are building Texas Children’s Hospital The

Woodlands.

The communities in this area are some of

the fastest-growing in the nation, with a

combined population already exceeding

1.1 million. The pediatric population

alone is projected to grow to more than

350,000 in the next three years. In order to

meet this need, Texas Children’s Hospital

The Woodlands, a 560,000-square-foot,

state-of-the-art facility, is being designed

specifically to serve children and families.

We are proud that the hospital will be the

first dedicated to children’s care in The

Woodlands community.

Outpatient services are now offered at

Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands.

The Outpatient Building houses 72 exam

rooms and nearly 20 areas of specialized

care including cardiology, sports medicine,

diabetes and endocrinology, neurology and

hematology/oncology. Inpatient services,

including the emergency center, will open

in 2017. The hospital will house 32 inpa-

tient rooms, 25 emergency center exam

rooms, four operating rooms, 12 radiology

rooms and 28 critical care rooms, with

plans to add up to 200 additional beds in

the future to meet community needs.

Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands

is led by Michelle Riley-Brown, president,

Dr. Charles Hankins, chief medical officer

and Dr. Jeffrey Shilt, chief surgical officer.

Texas Children’s anticipates serving fami-

lies in counties throughout Greater North

Houston including Montgomery, Walker,

Grimes, Liberty, Harris, Polk, San Jacinto

and Hardin counties and beyond.

The hospital building project is part of

Promise: The Campaign for Texas Children’s

Hospital. The goal of the comprehensive

$475 million fundraising effort is to help

ensure that Texas Children’s continues to

meet the needs of the patients it serves 5, 10

and even 20 years from now. For more infor-

mation, visit texaschildrens.org/woodlands.

Find addresses, directions, and more at

CHIStLukesHealth.org/Locations

North Houston is growing fast, and CHI St. Luke’s Health is committed to growing with it—not just in size, but also by being there for families as they grow and change. With local hospitals, medical groups, and emergency centers across the area, we have you covered.

Whether you’re new to North Houston or just looking to explore more about your community, download our New Mover Guide at ImagineBetterHealth.org/Welcome and you’ll also receive a free gift!

Hospitals with 24/7Emergency Departments

Hospital-based CommunityEmergency Centers

Baylor St. Luke’sMedical Group Locations

Our North Houston Network of Care

45

RESEARCH

FOREST

DR

THE WOODLANDS

CONROE

MONTGOMERY

HUNTSVILLE

Our Locations

SPRINGWOODSVILLAGE

The Woodlands Hospital | Lakeside Hospital | Springwoods Village Hospital

CHI St. Luke’s Health-Lakeside Hospital meets the federal de�nition of a physician-ownedhospital. Ownership information is available upon request.

UT Physicians

UT Physicians, the clinical faculty prac-

tice of the McGovern Medical School at

UT Health has experienced unparalleled

growth over the last seven years. With

offices originally located solely across the

street from the McGovern Medical School,

UT Physicians now boasts more than 200

clinical sites in and around the Greater

Houston Area.

The idea of community-based UT Physi-

cians clinics is one that started with the

goal of bringing UT Physicians doctors to

the patients. “Back in 2007 and 2008, we

created a strategic plan for UT Physicians

to follow the growth and population changes

in Houston. We knew that if we didn’t grow

outside of the Texas Medical Center, we

would not survive as a group practice,” says

Andrew Casas, chief operating officer of UT

Physicians.

The addition of the UT Physicians Pediatric

Center at The Woodlands provides a variety

of specialty services for children 0 – 18 years

in age. Available pediatric specialty services

include cardiology, endocrinology, gastroen-

terology, and neurology. With staff highly

trained in all aspects of their job including

providing an exceptional patient experience,

the clinic is maintaining a 95 – 97% patient

satisfaction rating. A dedicated clinic with

physicians passionate and honored to treat

their patients as part of the UT Physicians

growing family. “We’re providing timely

pediatric subspecialty care close to home

and in your neighborhood,” says Dr. Kath-

erine Velez, Endocrinologist.

Thomas Murphy, M.D., assistant dean for

community affairs and health policy, says that

patients outside of the Texas Medical Center

provide stability and long-term patient rela-

tionships. “Right care, right place, right cost

– it’s a simple concept,” he says.

UT Physicians Pediatric Center at The Wood-

lands, 920 Medical Plaza Drive Suite 140

(Medical Plaza 2), The Woodlands, Texas

77380. For more information or to schedule

an appointment at call 713-486-6760 or visit

our website at UTPhysicians.com.

FINDING A DOCTOR Moving to a new city is exciting, but it also requires finding the grocery store you like, the schools your kids will attend - and the health-care practitioners that fit the needs of your family. The following is list of local and national physician resource, including the American Medical Association - where you can search for general practice physicians by location, specialty, and more.

American Medical Association: Resource for general health information, as well as a search function for local physician resource under the

“Patients” tab of the site. www.ama-assn.orgAmerican Academy of Pediatrics: National webs ite fo r ch i ld ren’s health resources; separate “Parent ing Corner” webs i te i s comprehensive site for health-related news, questions, and other topics. www.aap.org • www.healthychildren.org

Texas Medical Association: Listing of member physicians across the state, as well as infor-mation on general health resources; go to the “Find A Physician” tab to search by specialty or location. www.texmed.org

H E A L T H C A R E R E S O U R C E S


UT Physicians Pediatric Centerat The Woodlands

Now welcoming new patients

Faustino G. Ramos, MDGeneral Outpatient Pediatric CardiologyFetal EchosOther Languages: Spanish

Katherine Velez, MDPediatric DiabetesPediatric EndocrinologyOther Languages: Spanish

Ian Butler, MDGeneral Pediatric NeurologyTourette SyndromeMovement Disorder

Pediatric Cardiology Pediatric Gastroenterology

Pediatric NeurologyPediatric Endocrinology

920 Medical Plaza Dr., Suite 140The Woodlands, Texas 77380713-486-6760UTPhysicians.com

Clinic Hours:Mon-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Amanda Schuck-Phan, DOInflammatory Bowel DiseaseGastroesophageal RefluxEosinophilic EsophagitisFailure to Thrive Proper NutritionCeliac Disease

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

UTP Pediatric Clinic The Woodlands Houston Newcomers Ad.pdf 1 5/4/2017 1:13:20 PM

Places of WORSHIP

Montgomery County offers a variety of churches ranging from Non-Denominational to Methodist to Baptist. Not to be overlooked, there are several mosques and synagogues also in the area. The following pages list some of the houses of worship located in Montgomery County.

The Woodlands United Methodist Church

www.thewoodlandsumc.org • 281-297-5900

The Woodlands United Methodist Church

(TWUMC) is a 12,000-member congregation

located in suburban Houston, Texas. TWUMC

is an evangelical Methodist church offering 10

live worship services each week in three unique

worship styles across two campuses. Each

Sunday, TWUMC webcasts three services

(one in each style) live online. TWUMC offers

dynamic Christian programs for all ages, placing

special emphasis on discipleship, missions and

outreach. TWUMC also runs an accredited

preschool, a private elementary school, and

a licensed counseling center. The TWUMC

mission is to “Win people to Jesus Christ,

disciple them in faith, and help those in need.”

Learn more at www.thewoodlandsumc.org

Main Campus Service Times

Traditional Worship - Sunday

8:30, 9:35 and 11:00 a.m.

Harvest Contemporary Worship - Sunday

9:30 and 11:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m

Loft Modern Worship - Saturday

6:00 p.m. / Sunday: 9:30 and 11:00 a.m.

Woodforest Campus Service Times

The Church at Woodforest - Sunday

10:00 a.m.



ASSEMBLIES OF GODConroe First Assembly of God conroefirst.org

Living Waters Assembly of God livingwatersonline.org

Living Word World Outreach livingwordwoc.org

Spring First Church springfirst.org

The River Assembly of God theriverag.org

BAPTISTCommunity Baptist Church cbcwoodlands.org

Champion Forest Baptist Church Conroe championforest.org

Crossroads Baptist Church crbctw.org

First Baptist Conroe fbcconroe.org

First Baptist Church Montgomery fbcmontgomery.com

First Baptist Church of Willis firstbaptistwillis.org

Founders Baptist Church foundersbaptist.org

Mims Baptist Church mimsbaptist.org

Northside Baptist Church northsideconroe.com

RiverPointe Baptist Church riverpointebaptist.org

Spring Baptist Church springbaptist.org

Spring Creek Baptist Church springcreekbc.net

The Woodlands First Baptist Church thewoodlandsfirst.org

West Conroe Baptist Church wcbc.us

BUDDHISTTexas Buddhist Association jadebuddha.org

CATHOLICSacred Heart Church shconroe.org

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church staoptw.org

St. Ignatius Loyola ignatiusloyola.org

St. Matthias the Apostle st-matthias.net

Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic ssjwoodlands.com

CHRISTIAN (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)Community Christian Church woodlandsccc.org

The Woodlands Christian Church twcc.org

CHURCH OF CHRISTConroe Church of Christ conroechurch.org

N Woodlands Church of Christ northwoodlandsareacoc.com

Woodland Oaks Church of Christ woodlandoaks.org

Woodlands Church of Christ woodlandschurchofchrist.org

EPISCOPALHoly Comforter Episcopal Church holycomforterspring.org

St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church stjta.org

Trinity Episcopal Church trinitywoodlands.org

HINDUHindu Temple of The Woodlands woodlandshindutemple.org

INTERDENOMINATIONAL Calvary Chapel ccthewoodlands.org

ISLAMThe Islamic Society of Greater Houston isgh.org

Woodlands Islamic Center wic-woodlands.org

JEWISHChabad of The Woodlands jewishwoodlands.comCongregation Beth Shalom cbsw.org

Jewish Community North cjcn.org

LUTHERANGood Shepherd Lutheran Church gslcthewoodlands.org

Grace Lutheran Church graceconroe.org

Living Savior Lutheran Church livingsaviortexas.org

Living Word Lutheran Church lwlc.org

Lord of Life Lutheran Church lolonline.org

Resurrection Lutheran Church churchthatcares.org

Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church sojoy.org

St. Mark Lutheran Church stmarkconroe.org

Tree of Life Lutheran Church treechurch.net

METHODISTChrist Church United Methodist cc-um.org

Faith United Methodist Church faithumcspring.org

First United Methodist Church fumc-conroe.org

St. Paul United Methodist Church stpaulconroe.org

The Loft – The Woodlands UMC thewoodlandsumc.org/loft

The Woodlands United Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380281-297-5900 • thewoodlandsumc.org

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Ark Church thearkchurch.com

Conroe Community Church conroecommunitychurch.org

First Assembly of God conroefirst.org

Generations Church gchurch.net

Living Branch Church lbclife.org

The Crossing Church thecrossing.cc

Vineyard Church of Conroe conroevineyard.org

Woodlands Church woodlandschurch.tv

WoodsEdge Community Church www.woodsedge.org

ORTHODOXSt. Anthony the Great Orthodox Christian Church stanthonythegreat.org

St. Cyril Orthodox Church stcyril.us/orthodox-houston

St Jonah Orthodox saintjonah.org

PRESBYTERIANAlden Bridge Presbyterian Church trpctw.org

Crown & Covenant RP Church crowncovenantchurch.org

First Presbyterian Church Conroe fpcconroe.org

Grace Presbyterian Church gracewoodlands.org

The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church wcpc-tx.org

WE’RE BETTER

TOGETHER.Life’s too hard to go it alone.Come live life as it was really intended: in a supportive community. Each week we meet to worship God, serve others and connect through small groups.

Join us as we find meaning and purpose together at The Woodlands United Methodist Church.

2200 Lake Woodlands Drive | The Woodlands, TX 77380281.297.5900 | thewoodlandsumc.org

P L A C E S O F W O R S H I P


ISLAMThe Islamic Society of Greater Houston isgh.org

Woodlands Islamic Center wic-woodlands.org

JEWISHChabad of The Woodlands jewishwoodlands.comCongregation Beth Shalom cbsw.org

Jewish Community North cjcn.org

LUTHERANGood Shepherd Lutheran Church gslcthewoodlands.org

Grace Lutheran Church graceconroe.org

Living Savior Lutheran Church livingsaviortexas.org

Living Word Lutheran Church lwlc.org

Lord of Life Lutheran Church lolonline.org

Resurrection Lutheran Church churchthatcares.org

Spirit of Joy! Lutheran Church sojoy.org

St. Mark Lutheran Church stmarkconroe.org

Tree of Life Lutheran Church treechurch.net

METHODISTChrist Church United Methodist cc-um.org

Faith United Methodist Church faithumcspring.org

First United Methodist Church fumc-conroe.org

St. Paul United Methodist Church stpaulconroe.org

The Loft – The Woodlands UMC thewoodlandsumc.org/loft

The Woodlands United Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77380281-297-5900 • thewoodlandsumc.org

NON-DENOMINATIONAL Ark Church thearkchurch.com

Conroe Community Church conroecommunitychurch.org

First Assembly of God conroefirst.org

Generations Church gchurch.net

Living Branch Church lbclife.org

The Crossing Church thecrossing.cc

Vineyard Church of Conroe conroevineyard.org

Woodlands Church woodlandschurch.tv

WoodsEdge Community Church www.woodsedge.org

ORTHODOXSt. Anthony the Great Orthodox Christian Church stanthonythegreat.org

St. Cyril Orthodox Church stcyril.us/orthodox-houston

St Jonah Orthodox saintjonah.org

PRESBYTERIANAlden Bridge Presbyterian Church trpctw.org

Crown & Covenant RP Church crowncovenantchurch.org

First Presbyterian Church Conroe fpcconroe.org

Grace Presbyterian Church gracewoodlands.org

The Woodlands Community Presbyterian Church wcpc-tx.org

WE’RE BETTER

TOGETHER.Life’s too hard to go it alone.Come live life as it was really intended: in a supportive community. Each week we meet to worship God, serve others and connect through small groups.

Join us as we find meaning and purpose together at The Woodlands United Methodist Church.

2200 Lake Woodlands Drive | The Woodlands, TX 77380281.297.5900 | thewoodlandsumc.org


in this sectionsenior housing optionscontinuing care retirement communitiesassisted living communities


The times of aging in America, they are a-changing – and many senior Montgomery County residents couldn’t be happier about it. Long gone are the days of mandatory retirement at age 65, and with it, the idea that one’s golden years were to be spent simply sitting quietly on the front porch in a rocking chair.

ACTIVE ADULTS + SENIOR LIVING

More and more seniors don’t see them-

selves as seniors (unless they get a discount

if they do). Increasingly, the years after age

65 are more numerous and more active.

According to the U.S. Department of Health

and Human Services, Americans’ life expec-

tancy in 2000 was 76.8 years; in 2014, it was

78.8. One of the reasons is that Americans

are healthier: today’s seniors visit the doctor

and emergency room less, spend fewer days

in hospital and exercise more.

Turning 65 no longer means receiving a

watch, a party and hearty congratulations

for years spent at a job, only to be put out

to pasture to watch the rest of the world go

by. Today’s seniors now have many options,

dreams and plans, and very often, the

energy to pursue them. Of course, people

with more leisure time can perfect their golf

swing, or carefully tend their prized azaleas,

but these days, they’re also choosing to go

back to school, learn a new language, run

marathons, volunteer, or take up a new

hobby. More people are opting to burn out

rather than rust out.

And the options for living and playing are

also evolving to meet the changing demands

of this growing group of people. From

upscale retirement communities that offer an

array of housing, activity, exercise and social

options, to full-care facilities that care for

people with mental and physical disabilities,

and every-thing in between, there is a senior

living solution to fit every desire and need.

TAKING STOCKIn order to narrow your options in what

could be an overwhelming list of choices

and to help you choose the best one, put

some time into the stock-taking process

by taking a personal inventory of living

expenses, health, interests and expectations.

Budget Inventory: what does it cost to live

every month? What are you spending on

housing or rental; how much does it cost

to heat it, cool it, pay taxes or a mortgage

on it? What other expenses do you have?

Food, entertainment, transportation? What

medical expenses do you currently have,

or do you anticipate? Be as thorough and

honest in your assessment as you can, so

that you can make an informed decision.

Lifestyle inventory: How do you want to

live? Need more time for golf ? You might

want to live on a course. What to do some

volunteering? You may decide to move

closer to the city, school or community

center. Want to make new friends? Many

senior’s communities are set up to allow you

to do just that. Again, the more careful you

are in your analysis, the more prepared you

will be to make the right decisions.

SHOULD YOU STAY OR SHOULD YOU GO?Stay Put: You can retire in your own

home by withdrawing some of the equity

you’ve built up with a reverse mortgage,

which is a special type of home loan that

lets you convert a portion of the equity in

your home into cash. Guaranteed by the

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development, HUD offers this federally

insured private loan which can give you

greater financial security to supplement

social security, meet unex-pected medical

expenses, make home improvements and

more. And, unlike a traditional home equity

loan or second mortgage, you usually do not

have to repay the loan until you no longer

use the home as your principal residence,

sell it, or pass away. The money from a

reverse loan may be paid out in a variety of

ways: a lump sum, a regular monthly cash

advance, as a credit line account, or any

combination of the above. To qualify, you

must be at least 62, and own the home outright

or carry a mortgage small enough to be paid off

by the proceeds; there are no income or credit

qualifications or monthly payments, but you are

responsible to pay the annual taxes, property

insurance and maintenance of the home.


The best way to determine if a reverse mort-

gage is the best fit for your retirement plan is

to honestly assess the following:

• How much would the home sell for onto-

day’s market?

• What would the cost be to buy, or rent, and

maintain a new home?

• Would there be any money left over from

the purchase of a new home that could

besafely invested?

• What are the options for downsizing into

aless expensive home, renting an apart-

ment, or moving into an assisted living or

alternative senior housing situation?

Visit AARP’s website and use their Reverse Mort-

gage Calculator: www.aarp.com.

Pack It Up: But maybe, it’s time for a move.

Perhaps the 30-year family home is too big

and you’re rattling around it like a marble

in a shoe box, or you’re tired of the outdoor

upkeep, or you want to be closer to the place

or activities that you now have time for. Before

you choose your new home, once again,

take stock. Be realistic about your situation,

your expectations, your finances and your

health. It’s as important to consider ac-cess to

medical doctors and facilities as it is to think

about fun and leisure pursuits. Make sure the

new community is one that you will enjoy,

that it has convenient amenities and access to

services, and that a new house will be a good

investment. If you’re still active, you might

want to be among folk just like you. Think

carefully before making decisions that will

determine your happiness in the years to come.

SENIOR HOUSING OPTIONS“The time to begin thinking about a retire-

ment community isn’t when you have to

have it,” advises Terry Martinez with Parmer

Woods Retirement & Assisted Living. “Think

about it when you don’t need it. There are a

wide variety of alternatives available for every

level of activity, health and need. Today’s

Baby Boomers who are in or approaching

their retirement years are taking advantage

of active retirement communities where resi-

dents are vigorous and involved. Or, they

are finding senior-care housing communities

that em-ploy medically trained staff, provide

housekeeping and meal preparation services,

as well as transportation for shopping,

medical visits, and social outing. Or, they

are seeking a more physically and medically

sup-portive environment. Whatever choice

is best for you, it’s out there, but should be

considered without stress.

And the prices vary. “When you’re trying

to stay within a particular price range, you

want to match your living requirements with

services offered,” says Martinez. “If you

are very independent and don’t need assis-

tance – just want a meal plan, for example

– then the associated costs are much less

than for someone who requires more care.”

Also, Medicare generally does not pay for

long-term care, only for services deemed

medically necessary that are provided by a

skilled facility or home health care center.

Medicaid will pay for certain health services

and nursing home care for older people with

low incomes and limited assets.

The place you choose should facilitate life at

a level of independence that is comfortable

for you or for your loved one.

ACTIVE SENIOR HOUSING COMMUNITIESIf you’re a healthy, independent senior, you

may find that you simply want to live in a

community where you can enjoy the company

of others and your own personal interests.

Moving to an active independent liv-ing retire-

ment community might be the best fit for your

budget and lifestyle, where options include

renting an apartment or purchasing a property.

Many active senior communities have infor-

mation packets and offer tours. A personal visit

will give valuable, firsthand information and

an opportunity to meet current residents who

can share their own experi-ence and insider’s

view. Ask about health and fitness programs,

organized activities, sporting options, and

social opportunities. Other day-to-day living

arrangements should also be considered, such

as shopping centers and grocery stores within

easy walking distance, and the availability of

transportation services. Where is the commu-

nity located in proximity to major health

care providers? What security measures are

in place for residents? For ultimate peace of

mind, you might opt to rent a home under a

short-term agreement at first to make sure the

community provides for your needs and lives

up to your expectations.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES A Continuing Care Retirement Community

(CCRC) offers care in a residential facility for

seniors, with a full menu of services and living

situations. Residents may go from indepen-

dent living, to assisted living and nursing home

care, depending on their individual, changing

needs and abilities.

A CCRC (also called Life-Care Facilities or

Communities) generally offers a contract that

covers a continuum of care, including access to

housing, services, and health care for more than

one year, or the balance of one’s life. It is a wise

idea to move into a CCRC sooner rather than

later, as most require that new residents live

independently when they first move in.

There is a range of contract options offered by

CCRCs. An extensive-care contract is the most

expensive, but carries the least risk, providing

unlimited long-term nursing care at little or

no additional cost for as long as nursing-home

services are required. A modified-care contract

comes with medium financial risk, and provides

long-term health or nursing services for a spec-

ified period, after which, the senior or guardian

is responsible for additional costs. A fee-for-ser-

vice contract offers an a-la-carte approach,

requiring that residents pay separately for all

health and medical services provided by the

facility, as well as long-term care.

Most CCRCs expect an entrance fee, plus

monthly fees thereafter. Some require an

equity agreement where seniors purchase

a condominium or co-op apartment on the

property instead of paying an entrance fee.

Less commonly found are CCRC contracts

where residents pay monthly fees only.

Before signing a contract with a CCRC,

conduct a thorough review of the facili-

ty’s services, operations and finances, and

determine if it is appropriate to your needs,

lifestyle and expectations. It’s also a good

idea to ask a family attorney or accountant

to review the contract. If the contract is

A C T I V E A D U LT S & S E N I O R L I V I N G


found agreeable, ask to spend at least one

night and two days at the facility, to test

drive the community and make sure it is a

good fit. Some points to consider include:

• Are pets allowed in your residence?

• What social, recreational and cultural

activities are offered?

• Is food prepared onsite? If so, how is it?

• Are there fitness facilities onsite?

• Is the staff friendly and knowledgeable?

• What healthcare and personal careservices

are available?

• What preparations have been made for

handling medical and evacuation emer-

gency situations?

• Is there easy access to offsite activities such

as shopping and is transportation provided?

CCRCs can be anything from high-rise apart-

ments, to cottages, townhouses or single-family

homes, and are an excellent option for those

who are independent and in good health, but

might need some assistance with daily living

needs or require skilled nursing care.

ASSISTED LIVINGAn Assisted Living Community (ALC) bridges

the gap for those who need assistance with

daily activities a nursing home might offer,

but wish to live independently. Residents in an

ALC are unable to live com-pletely by them-

selves, but don’t need constant supervision. An

ALC offers its residents assistance with eat-ing,

bathing, dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and

keeping track of medications. They often have

centers for medical care, but typically do not

offer the extensive medical services provided

by a nursing home. An ALC is not a substitute

for a nursing home, but rather is a stepping

stone between complete independence and

services provided by a nursing home.

Often, an ALC will create an individ-

ualized service plan for seniors upon

admission, detailing personal services that

will be provided. This plan is then peri-

odically reviewed and updated to ensure

changing needs are met. Housing in an ALC

may be studios or one-bedroom apartments

with small kitchen facilities. Typically, ALC

housing units have group dining facilities

and common areas where residents gather to

enjoy social and recreational activities.

As with other options, a visit to the center is

a must. Pay attention to first impressions:

• Are the grounds well maintained?

• Is the staff friendly?

• Are the residents properly dressed?

• What activities are available?

ALCs that competently provide required

services without forgetting about little

details will give the same care and attention

to residents.

NURSING CARE FACILITIESA Nursing Care Facility (NCF) is a state

licensed, private-care facility that provides

24-hour skilled hospital care for residents

who do not require hospitalization but

cannot stay at home.

It pays to shop around when selecting an

NCF. Consult with a trusted doctor or health

care practitioner for recommendations of

nearby facilities. Plan on visiting at least four

or five area facilities, and make an ap-point-

ment with the administrator or director of

nursing. Check to make sure that informa-

tion provided is consistent with information

gathered during the facility tour. The home

should have clean floors and smell fresh.

Ask to see the compliance survey report

prepared by the State of Texas. It will list defi-

ciencies found in resident care during routine

inspections, and the facility’s effort to correct

them. Under Texas law, nursing homes must

make this and other survey compliance

reports available upon request, as well as a

well-lit place for review.

Another option available is to contact the Texas

Department of Aging and Disability Services

(DADS) at 800-458-9858 or www.dads.

state.tx.us. While state law prohibits agency

employees from recommending one facility

over another, they can answer the following

recommended questions about any facility:

• Have there been any proposed license

terminations in the past two years?

• How many complaints have been filed in

the past year?

• How many complaints in the past year

have been found to be valid?

• How many deficiencies have been cited in

the past two years?

• How many “quality of care” violations

have been cited in the past two years?

• When did DADS last visit the facility, and

what was the purpose of the visit?

• Has the owner of this facility had other facil-

ities recommended for license termination?

The answers to these questions, combined with

observations and impressions made during

facility tours and staff interviews will allow you

to select the right nursing care facility.

ALZHEIMER’S AND DEMENTIACARE FACILITIESSeniors diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease

or another form of dementia need specialized

care. While some Assisted Living Commu-

nities offer services and separate facilities for

residents with early onset symptoms, because

of the progressive nature of the disease, it

may become necessary to transfer the resi-

dent to another facility that can give the right

level of service.

Facilities specializing in the care of Alzhei-

mer’s and dementia patients should provide

a treatment plan that considers not only the

resident’s medical needs, but also the needs

of the entire family with social services,

professional consultations and individual-

ized treatment reviews, all set within a calm,

soothing environment that is sensitive to the

needs of the patient. Please visit www.aging-

care.com for additional information on care

for the elderly.


in this sectionlocal chambers of commerceeconomic developmenthouston by the numbersmajor employers

BUSINESS &COMMUNITY


If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a newcomer relocating to the Houston region for the city’s tremendous employment opportunities – some of the best in the nation.

Within the 600-square-mile Houston region,

no area shines brighter than Montgomery

County, home to one of the largest recent

corporate relocations anywhere in the nation.

Many people are already hard at work at

ExxonMobil’s beautiful new state-of-the-art

campus in Montgomery County, and more

are coming – perhaps you are one of them, or

know somebody who’ll soon work there. This

385-acre campus is in Spring, just South of

The Woodlands and to the West where I-45

North meets the Hardy Toll Road. It’s been

projected that the overall economic impact of

this new campus will total billions of dollars,

spurring the construction of thousands of

new homes and millions of square feet of

commercial space in the surrounding area.

ExxonMobil has grabbed the headlines lately

– and rightly so – but Montgomery County

is also home to a growing number of major

companies, including Anadarko Petroleum,

with its 2,400 employees in The Woodlands.

With other big employers including Hewitt

Associates, Baker Hughes and Huntsman,

The Woodlands has become one of Hous-

ton’s biggest employment centers and is

sprouting an impressive skyline visible

along I-45 North. There’s already talk of

this region emerging as Houston’s second

“Energy Corridor.”

In the pioneer days, abundant natural

resources such as timber, water and oil

sparked an economic boom throughout

Montgomery County. Today, the quality of

life made possible by many of these same

resources is drawing business, as compa-

nies relocate near where the majority of

their employees want to live. Following is a

partial list of some of the major chambers of

commerce and economic development orga-

nizations working to advance Montgomery

County. Their websites are a wealth of infor-

mation about the areas they represent.

CONROE/LAKE CONROE CHAMBER OF COMMERCEFirst organized as the Montgomery County

Chamber of Commerce in 1934, the Greater

Conroe/Lake Conroe Area Chamber of

Commerce is celebrating 83 years of service to

the Montgomery County area, having grown

from three members to more than 1,100 today.

This dynamic organization works to generate

awareness, create partnerships and provide

leadership for progressive development and

growth while enhancing the quality of life in

Montgomery County www.conroe.org.

GREATER CONROE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCILThe Greater Conroe Economic Development

Council works to link new or relocating busi-

nesses to all the resources they need, allowing

them to make informed decisions and enjoy a

seamless transition experience. Their mission

is to enhance the strength and stability of the

greater Conroe economy by supporting existing

businesses and industries and attracting new

ones, bringing in new capital and employment

opportunities. www.gcedc.org

GREATER MAGNOLIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The Greater Magnolia Chamber of Commerce

has served Southwest Montgomery County

since 1982, supporting area businesses and

giving back to the community through schol-

arships and special events. The Chamber’s

leadership has succeeded in providing answers

to members and the community, increasing

mobility and improving environmental quality.

www.magnoliatexas.org

MAGNOLIA PARKWAY CHAMBER OF COMMERCEThe Magnolia Parkway Chamber of

Commerce promotes member businesses and

encourages economic development in their

BUSINESS &COMMUNITY

Conroe Independent School DistrictElementary And Secondary SchoolsConroe Independent School DistrictMontgomery CountyConroe Regional Medical CenterNov DownholeCity Of ConroeConsolidated Communications ServicesWal-Mart Stores IncNov Fluid Control 3 LocationsProfessional DirectionalTri-County Services IncGullo Cars Of Conroe, IncJyoti International IncMilk Products Lp Dba BordenNov Texas Oil ToolsTurbo DrillRussell Construction Company

Medivators IncMckesson PharmaceuticalBall CorporationHuntsman Petrochemical LlcMs Energy ServicesProtect Controls IncCrown Beverage PackagingTeam Oil ToolsSan Jacinto River AuthorityNexeo Solutions LlcBauer ManufacturingStreater-Smith Honda NissanHempel Coatings USA IncLone Star Family Health ClinicConroe Machine LLCTony Gullo Motors I, LPJohn Wiesner Inc

HOUSTON by the NUMBERS

CITY OF CONROE TOP EMPLOYERS

Want to know how living in the Houston

a rea com pa res to othe r c i t i e s?

Assuming a $60,000 salary in the city

you’re moving from and that you’d own

a house here, we used a salary/cost of

living calculator to help figure out the

rest. If you made $60,000 in Seattle, for

example, your salary could decrease

to $41,995 in Houston - and you’d still

maintain the same standard of living.

See the table below for the results from

a sampling of other cities.

Phoenix 61,439Detroit 61,826Austin 61,375San Francisco 33,401Boston 40,832Denver 53,759Miami 52,467Pittsburgh 59,757Dallas 61,311Seattle 41,995Philadelphia 49,305Atlanta 58,979Baton Rouge 63,766New York City 25,910Los Angeles 41,996Chicago 50,705Las Vegas 54,455Portland 45,498St. Louis 63,697Raleigh 65,105Cincinnati 64,818 Charleston 58,336Knoxville 68,194Madison 56,382Salt Lake City 61,120Virginia Beach 59,817

MOVINGFROM HERE

YOU’D NEEDTO MAKE

service area along FM 1488, FM 2978 and

beyond. Calling itself “the Chamber without

borders,” it hosts monthly meetings and events

throughout the year for members and prospec-

tive members. www.magnoliaparkwaycc.org.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY HISPANIC CHAPTERAnyone with an interest in supporting or

developing a relationship with the Hispanic

business community in Montgomery County

and surrounding area is welcome to join

the MCHC. Not only do they work to help

businesses penetrate the growing Hispanic

market, but they are also involved with issues

important to the Hispanic community, such

as immigration, day labor, education and

health. Learn more at www.mchchamber.org.

SPRING KLEIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCEThe Spring Klein Chamber of Commerce is

a non-profit organization with a mission to

connect businesses within the Spring-Klein

area, which in turn will allow the growing

community to thrive. Through a variety of

networking events and programs, executives,

business owners and like-minded profes-

sionals can succeed, while contributing to

the success of others and the overall business

climate of the Spring and Klein areas. www.

springkleinchamber.org.

CITY OF WILLIS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCILThe Willis Economic Development Corpo-

ration (EDC) provides assistance and

resources to business owners in the City of

Willis. The Willis EDC offers resources,

incentives, and information that help busi-

ness owners make a good decision about

where to locate their business, and serve

as an advocate as businesses get up and

running in the community. Learn more at

www.visitwillis.com.

THE WOODLANDS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCEAs one of the largest and most influential

business associations in the Houston region,

the Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce

represents small and emerging businesses,

mid-market companies and industry leading

corporations. The Chamber continuously

cultivates new and innovative ways for

members to market themselves, their prod-

ucts and services to fellow members and

the community. It is working to be an effec-

tive catalyst for the economic growth and

prosperity in the Woodlands area. www.

woodlandschamber.org.

THE WOODLANDS AREA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERSHIPThe Woodlands Area Economic Devel-

opment Partnership can help existing

companies expand or help move a company,

its employees and families to this dynamic

community where they can live, work and

grow. It is a direct link to all the area has

to offer, allowing business people to make

informed decisions and smooth transitions.

Learn more at www.edpartnership.net.

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Medivators IncMckesson PharmaceuticalBall CorporationHuntsman Petrochemical LlcMs Energy ServicesProtect Controls IncCrown Beverage PackagingTeam Oil ToolsSan Jacinto River AuthorityNexeo Solutions LlcBauer ManufacturingStreater-Smith Honda NissanHempel Coatings USA IncLone Star Family Health ClinicConroe Machine LLCTony Gullo Motors I, LPJohn Wiesner Inc

LOOKING FOR HOMES JUST GOT EASIER…

HOMES And RENTALS

Ask Your REALTOR®

Search more than8 million properties

WHERE BUSINESS AND INNOVATION MEET Deison Technology Park in Conroe, Texas

9 3 6 - 5 3 8 - 7 1 1 8 • g c e d c . o r g

North of Houston and The WoodlandsAdjacent to regional airport with U.S. Customs facilitySites ranging from 2 to 248 acres

All utilities and regional detention in place Four-lane direct access to I-45 Incentives for qualified projects


in this sectionattractions and family funart and culturegolf and sportscalendar of events


From art fairs to crawfish festivals, from live

music to rodeos, there’s always a reason to

get out and enjoy yourself in Montgomery

County. And when you want to venture a

little further from home, all the attractions

of the Greater Houston region are right next

door.

CONROE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAUDiscover all the entertainment treasures

Conroe has to offer, including concerts,

restaurants, golf courses, a calendar of

events and more. You’ll also find travel plan-

ning and professional planners for business

groups. Several helpful publications are

offered at www.playinconroe.com or call

936-522-3500.

GREATER HOUSTON CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU Discover the fun side of the fourth largest

city in America. The Greater Houston

Convention and Visitors Bureau (GHCVB)

is the principal marketing organization for

the city of Houston and Harris County and

highlights all the venues, events, museums

and fun things to do. It offers itinerary

planning, information for business travelers

and conventions, a list of free stuff, and

much more.

Discounts and coupons are available on

their interactive web site in both English and

Spanish along with comprehensive infor-

mation including an online events calendar,

maps, video gallery, city blog. Visitor infor-

mation packets and a Meeting Planners

guide can be found at www.VisitHouston-

Texas.com.

CITYPASS ADVENTURESSee five of the most popular one-of-a-kind

sights Houston offers at a discount with

CityPASS: Adults -$59 – Children $49. You

have nine days to use them and they save

you nearly half off regular ticket pricing.

Available at the Houston Visitor’s Center -

www.VisitHoustonTexas.com

THE WOODLANDS CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAUThe Woodlands Convention and Visitors

Bureau is always ready to share information

about fun things to do and is a great resource

for visitors, newcomers and residents.

Whether it’s just the two of you, a getaway

with the family, a reunion or large gathering,

or a business meeting, there’s something for

everyone in The Woodlands.

Try award winning restaurants, wine bars

and world-class entertainment in Town

Center. Or enjoy the great outdoors by

renting a kayak or strolling along The

Woodlands Waterway, taking in an outdoor

concert at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell

Pavilion or hiking through the winding trails

at the George Mitchell Preserve.

Request a free visitor’s guide and map

at www.visitthewoodlands.com or call

877-963-2447 or 281-363-2447.

OLD TOWN SPRING VISITORS BUREAUEnjoy a stroll back in time among more than

150 shops, galleries, museums and restau-

rants that line the shady lanes of Old Town

Spring. Take in one of the many events and

festivals held year-round, or just relax in one

of the gazebos. For accommodations, tours

and a map, visit at www.shopspringtexas.

com or call 281-288-2355.

LEISURE &RECREATION

Take small towns steeped in history and tradition, mix in The Woodlands and other communities with increasing sophistication, sprinkle in dashes of lakes, parks and forests, and add weather that’s great for being outdoors. There you have the recipe for fun. Welcome to Montgomery County.


The theater district is an impressive cultural and entertainment center; features nine world renowned performing arts organizations, and many smaller ones, in four venues – Jones Hall, Wortham Theater Center, Alley Theatre and Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

ARTS, CULTURE &

Attractions


ARTS, CULTURE &

Alley Theatre

615 Texas Ave., Houston, 77002

www.alleytheatre.org

One of America’s leading not-for-profit

theatres calls the Houston Theater District

Home – The Alley Theatre. The Alley

Theatre is nationally recognized for their

performing arts company lead by Artistic

Director Gregory Boyd and Managing

Director Dean R. Gladden. Specializing

in productions of the classics, modern

plays and premieres, The Alley Theatre

produces more performances than all

other performing arts organizations in the

Houston Theater District.

Bayou Place


www.bayouplace.com

Bayou Place is Houston’s premier destina-

tion for great food and good times. Popular

venues such as the Revention Music Center

and Sundance Cinemas are located here as

well as many dining options – most popular is

Houston’s own Hard Rock Café. This mosaic

of entertainment options makes Bayou Place

a prime spot for the Houston Theater District.

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

800 Bagby St., Ste. 300 Houston, 77002

www.thehobbycenter.org

The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

brings first-class entertainment and cultural

enjoyment to Houstonians by way of the

generosity of their donors. This arts complex

is home to the Theatre Under The Stars

(TUTS), and the Houston Broadway Series.

Houston Ballet


www.houstonballet.org

The Houston Ballet is a classically trained

company with diverse repertory whose range

includes the classics are well as contemporary

works. This company attracts the world’s best

dancers and choreographers. The Houston

Ballet also has a world class Academy whose

instruction levels vary from professional

dancer to non-professional dancers.

Houston Grand Opera

510 Preston St., Houston, 77002

www.houstongrandopera.org

Adding to Houston’s rich cultural environ-

ment, Houston Grand Opera entertains with

their innovative programs, community events

and educational projects. Houston Grand

Opera has a solid reputation for commis-

sioning and producing new works, including

56 world premieres and seven American

premieres since 1973. Stop in and visit and see

why Houston Grand Opera has toured exten-

sively, including trips to Europe and Asia, and

is the only opera company to have won a Tony,

two Grammy awards, and two Emmy awards.

Houston Symphony

615 Louisiana, St., Ste. 102, Houston, 77002

www.houstonsymphony.org

The Houston Symphony’s mission is to

“inspire and engage a large diverse audience

in Greater Houston and beyond through

exceptional orchestral and non-orchestral

performances, educational programs and

community activities.” By 2025, the Houston

Symphony aims to be one of America’s most

relevant and accessible top-ten orchestras.

Jones Hall

615 Louisiana St., Houston, 77002

www.houstonfirsttheaters.com

Jones Hall is a monument to the memory

of Jesse Holman Jones, an eminent figure

in Houston during the first half of the 20th

Century. Today, Jones Hall is home to the

Houston Symphony and the Society for the

Performing Arts. More than 400,000 visi-

tors attend some 250 events annually.

Main Street Theater

2450 Times Square Blvd., Houston 77005

333 S. Jensen, Houston, 77003

www.mainstreettheater.com

Main Street Theater was founded in 1975

and has been opening doors for locals of all

ages to engage in the performing arts. They

offer classes for children and adults and hold

performances by both local authors and

established writers.

Stages Repertory Theatre

3021 Allen Pkwy. Ste. 101, Houston, 77019

www.stagestheatre.com

Stages Theatre is one of only two theatres

in the region that offers year-round employ-

ment for actors, directors and additional

staff. Stages contributes much to the

Houston community, including the avail-

ability of thrilling live performances. The

Theatre produces daring and innovative

plays focusing on new off-Broadway hits

and world premieres.

Society for the Performing Arts

615 Louisiana St., Ste. 100, Houston, 77002

www.spahouston.org

The Society for the Performing Arts is the

largest nonprofit presenting organization of

its kind in the entire Southwest region. SPA

is renowned for delivering to Houston inter-

nationally acclaimed artists from the entire

performing arts spectrum, and has been

doing so for over 50 years.

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS)

800 Bagby, Ste. 200, Houston, TX 77002

www.tuts.com

A non-profit based in Houston, Texas,

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) offers a

world –class musical theatre experience that

ranges from full-scale Broadway productions

to educational initiatives that extend beyond

the stage and into the community. TUTS is

equipped for actors and aficionados of all

ages and abilities.

Wortham Theater Center


www.houstonfirsttheaters.com

Houston’s largest performing arts complex,

is home to the Houston Ballet and Houston

Grand Opera and is partnered with Da

Camera of Houston and Mercury the

Orchestra Redefined. The Wortham Center

features two theaters, the Alice and George

Brown Theater and the Lillie and Roy Cullen

Theater. Since its opening in 1987, Wortham

has entertained more than 8 million people.

THEATER DISTRICT


L E I S U R E & R E C R E A T I O N

The Art Car Museum

140 Heights Blvd., Houston, 77007

www.artcarmuseum.com

Otherwise known as the “Garage Mahal”,

The Art Car Museum is dedicated to

contemporary art. It is an exhibition forum

for local, national and international arts

with an emphasis on art cars, other fine arts

and artists that rarely, if ever, are acknowl-

edged by other cultural institutions. Most

popular to Houstonians is the annual Art

Car Parade.

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

3816 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77004

www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

(BSNM) is proud to educate the public and

preserve and promote the history, tradition

and outstanding contributions of America’s

Buffalo Soldiers from the Revolutionary

War to the present. Here, you can find work-

shops, youth outreach programs and exhibits

about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and

their service.

Children’s Museum of Houston

1500 Binz St., Houston, TX 77004

www.cmhouston.org

A duck pond, playhouse, grocery store,

Mexican village, puppet show and an

infant play area are all under one roof.

The fun-filled hands on experience at the

Children’s Museum of Houston will not

leave anyone bored. For nearly 30 years,

the place for families to play, laugh, learn

and grow.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

5216 Montrose Blvd., Houston, 77006

www.camh.org

The Contemporary Arts Museum of

Houston is an institution dedicated to

presenting the best and most exciting

international, national and regional art.

Patrons of every age will appreciate the

collections of work and dynamic exhi-

bitions on display. CAMH also offers

special programs and educational oppor-

tunities. Admission is Free.

The Health Museum

1515 Hermann Dr., Houston, 77004

www.thehealthmuseum.org

The Health Museum is Houston’s most

interactive science learning center and a

member institution of the world-renowned

Texas Medical Center. The Health Museum

is the most visited health museum of its kind

in the country. Popular exhibits include:

DeBakey Cell Lab, Amazing Body Pavilion

and the McGovern 4D Theater.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science

5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, 77030

www.hmns.org

As one of the most heavily attended

museums in the United States, the Houston

Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) seeks

to enhance knowledge and delight in natural

science and related subjects. It houses the

Burke Baker Planetarium, Wortham GIANT

Screen Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center and

a fascinating variety of permanent exhibit

areas that examine astronomy, space science,

Native American culture, paleontology,

energy, chemistry, gems and minerals, Texas

wildlife and more. www.hmns.org

Holocaust Museum Houston

5401 Caroline St., Houston, 77004

www.hmh.org

The Holocaust Museum Houston is

dedicated to educating people about the

Holocaust, remembering the 6 million Jews

and other innocent victims and honoring the

survivors’ legacy. The Holocaust Museum

Houston has a permanent exhibition called

“Bearing Witness: A Community Remem-

bers,” as well as other pieces of history.

The Menil Collection

1533 Sul Ross St., Houston, TX 77006

www.menil.org

The Menil Collection is an art museum

that houses both permanent collection and

welcomes special exhibitions. Making art

accessible to all is vital to their mission, so

no admission fee is charged and all public

programs are free. They hope to educate

and inspire by being readily accessible to

future generations.

The Museum of Arts, Houston (MFAH)

1001 Bissonnet, Houston, 77005

www.mfah.org

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

presents its exceptional exhibitions and

installations to Houston residents and visi-

tors alike. The Museum has numerous

collections that fill the galleries year-round

embracing every era of history from across

the globe. Make time to visit the Bayou

Bend Collection not too far away. From

2015 to 2019 the campus of the Museum

of Fine Arts, Houston will transform into a

magnificent two new buildings.

Blaffer Art Museum

University of Houston - 120 Fine Arts

Bldg. Houston, 77204

www.blafferartmuseum.org

Blaffer Art Museum helps the community

to engage in contemporary art through exhi-

bitions, publications and public programs.

This art museum is free, and open to the

public in an effort to promote participation

in the arts. Blaffer Art Museum is also the

gateway between the University of Houston

and the City of Houston.

Photo courtesy of The Art Car Museum

MUSEUM DISTRICT


The Woodlands Town Center /

The Woodlands Waterway®

The Woodlands Town Center, the down-

town of The Woodlands, is a 1,000-acre

destination for shopping, dining and enter-

tainment attractions. The Woodlands Mall

is a regional shopping center with more than

1.3 million square feet of indoor and outdoor

venues. Visit Market Street, a 34-acre, Main-

Street-styled shopping and special event

venue. Waterway Square is distinguished by

a 120-foot-long cascading water wall with

dancing columns of water and fountains

choreographed to music with colored lights at

night. A children’s interactive fountain is also

located in Waterway Square. Award-winning

restaurants, new wine bars and great enter-

tainment spots surround The Fountains.

The Woodlands Waterway®, a 1.4-mile-long

landscaped water feature runs through the

heart of Town Center and links to the urban

residential areas. Navigating around The

Woodlands is not only easy, but fun aboard

the Waterway Trolley or hop on a Water Taxi

to explore all the sites along the corridor.

Riva Road Boat House rents kayaks for those

who prefer to do their own paddling.

Eleven hotels to suit any budget, including

AVIA, the all-new, boutique hotel located

in Market Street, The Woodlands Resort,

with its Forest Oasis Waterscape™, and The

Woodlands Waterway Marriott, a four-dia-

mond property.

Town Center offers exceptional retail, dining

and entertainment for residents and visitors.

For more information visit www.thewood-

landscvb.com/www.visitthewoodlands.com.

The Woodlands Children’s Museum

The Woodlands Children’s Museum creates

opportunities that educate, empower, and

excite children and families through play

while inspiring a lifelong sense of wonder

and discovery. Patrons can book their

birthday parties, field trips and other educa-

tional outreach events by contacting The

Woodlands Children’s Museum. They are

ideal for ideal for children 7 years of age and

under. Visitors can explore the interactive

exhibits discovering creative and imagina-

tive play experiences.

Crighton Theatre

The Crighton Theatre is located in down-

town Conroe, and is truly a historic

landmark and Texas treasure. Then Conroe

Mayor Harry M. Crighton, an oilman, built

the theatre in 1934 in the style of the great

Majestic Theatre in Houston using native

stone. The Crighton flourished for many

years but closed in the 1960s. The theatre

was eventually donated by Crighton family

descendants and the theatre was restored to

its original grandeur.

The Crown Jewel of Montgomery County is

now the home base for Stage-Right Produc-

tions, The Montgomery County Performing

Arts Society, The Sounds of Texas Music

Series, and Christian Youth Theatre, and a

number of acclaimed musicians play there

regularly. Productions at the Crighton are

funded in part by a grant from the Conroe

Commission on Arts & Culture and the

Crighton Theatre Foundation.

The restoration of the Crighton Theatre

began the preservation and renovation

efforts that visitors see in downtown Conroe

today. Great restaurants, shops, and art

galleries now occupy the blocks around

theatre, and it has become a sought after

venue for special events.

For event and ticket information or to make

a donation visit www.crightontheatre.org.

St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary

Wolves and wolf-dogs take refuge at the

non-profit sanctuary outside of Montgomery,

Texas where they receive protection and

loving care. Volunteers run the sanctuary and

give guided tours (by reservation only). On

occasion, lucky guests have an opportunity to

socialize with a few of the more tame wolves

or wolf dogs. SFWS is also dedicated to the

education of the public about wolves. Many

visitors are surprised to learn that wolves in

the wild are officially extinct in Texas. www.

wolvesofsaintfrancis.org.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion is

an outdoor amphitheater surrounded by

a lush forest. The Pavilion hosts contem-

porary concerts, is the Summer Home of

the Houston Symphony, and past perfor-

mances by Bette Midler, Van Halen, Tina

Turner, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Britney

Spears, Clint Black, Coldplay, and other

well-known groups. The schedule of diverse

With its huge array of awesome aquatic adventures, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island can be your personal happy place! During the summer season the park offers over 35 amazing rides and attractions. The Heated Indoor Season, October through mid-April, features more than a dozen heated attractions in a tropical, heated indoor oasis.

SCHLITTERBAHN GALVESTON ISLAND WATERPARK www.schlitterbahn.com

AREA ATTRACTIONS



rock, classical, and jazz performances along

with free seating makes the arts accessible to

everyone.

George P. Mitchell, former chairman of

Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. and

founder of The Woodlands, along with his

wife Cynthia Woods Mitchell, for whom

The Pavilion is named, envisioned a first-

class performing arts facility during the

community’s planning stages. The Pavilion

opened in 1990. Overall seating at the venue

accommodates 16,500 guests including a

lawn capacity of about 10,000.

For a calendar of events and ticket informa-

tion visit www.woodlandscenter.org.

Discovery Green

Since it opened in 2008, this 12-acre

downtown park has been a hit with Hous-

tonians who enjoy its restaurants, public

art displays, dog parks, lakes, and seasonal

events including the holiday ice rink. More

than 1.2 million visitors come to more than

600 events at Discovery Green each year,

including movies in the park, concerts and

fitness programs. www.discoverygreen.com

Hermann Park

Arguably Houston’s “Central Park,” this

445-acre park wedged between the Museum

District and Medical Center celebrated

its 100th birthday in 2014 with a major

facelift and the new McGovern Centennial

Gardens, featuring 15 acres of rose gardens,

an interactive family garden, a 30-foot

garden mount, and a sculpture promenade.

Hermann Park is also home to the Houston

Zoo, the Houston Museum of Natural

Science, Miller Outdoor Theater, a Japanese

Garden, train and pedal boats, and a golf

course. www.hermannpark.org

The Water Wall Galleria

Designed by architect Philip Johnson more

than 20 years ago, the Galleria-area Water

Wall offers a refreshing respite for visitors

seeking a mid-afternoon break. The 64-foot-

tall fountain - built to look like a “horseshoe

of running water” - sits among 186 oak trees

at the base of the 64-story Williams Tower.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

Nestled along the western edge of Memorial

Park, the Houston Arboretum and Nature

Center offers an escape from the hustle

and bustle of city life and the opportunity

to experience the natural world – all in the

center of town. Visitors can explore nature

by walking on five miles of trails, take

classes and visit the Discovery Room and

the Nature Shop at the Nature Shop. Visit

www.houstonarboretum.org

Houston Zoo

Aiming to be a leader in the global move-

ment to save wildlife, The Houston Zoo

cares for over 6,000 animals, even educating

some. Each year, over 2 million guests are

enchanted, educated, and inspired as they

experience the incredible variety of animals

and ecosystems, as well as attend special

private and public events and entertainment.

With exemplary animal care in mind, the

Zoo provides engaging animal experiences

for visitors in multiple seasonal and perma-

nent attractions, like holiday Zoo Lights

and the new Gorillas of the African Forest

exhibit. The Houston Zoo is open seven

days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. and

is located at 6200 Hermann Park Drive. For

ticket information call 713-533-6500 or visit

www.houstonzoo.org.

Moody Gardens

A tropical destination for families and

groups. Explore the all new Rainforests

of the World along within the Aquarium

Pyramid®, the Discovery Museum & the

action of the IMAX® 3D, 4D or Ridefilm

theaters. Cruise aboard the Colonel Paddle-

wheel Boat, tee off at the new Moody

Gardens Golf Course and relax at the

Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Conven-

tion Center for an ideal getaway. Visit www.

moodygardens.org or 800-582-4673.

Port of Houston Boat Tour

The Port of Houston offers free, 90-minute

round-trip, educational cruises along the

Houston Ship Channel. Embarking from

the port’s Sam Houston Landing, visiting

sightseers can enjoy passing views of

international cargo vessels, and opera-

tions at the port’s Turning Basin Terminal.

Measuring 95 feet in length and 24 feet in

width, the boat carries a maximum capacity

of 100 passengers, with air-conditioned

lounge seating and additional standing room

on the boat’s rear deck. 713-670-2416

Sam Houston Race Park

Sam Houston Race Park is one of Houston’s

premier racing, dining and entertainment

destinations, located just 15 minutes from

Downtown. Sam Houston Race Park have

a variety of exciting sports and entertain-

ment in addition to live horse racing as well.

The Park features two major racing seasons

– Thoroughbred Season (January through

March) and Quarter Horse Season (March

through May).

San Jacinto Monument & Museum

Site of the battle that won Texas indepen-

dence from Mexico. The world’s largest

masonry structure invites visitors to learn

about events that shaped Texas history.

281-479-2421

Space Center Houston

Space Center Houston, a $70-million,

183,000 square-foot entertainment and

educational complex designed by Disney

Imagineering, offers hands-on, space-related

experiences to visitors. In addition to a full-

size reproduction of the space shuttle, guests

can use computer trainers to perform opera-

tions similar to the ones the astronauts used

to launch a satellite or land a shuttle.

NASA scientists and astronauts give brief-

ings about current activities, visitors observe

scientists and mission specialists at work

and in training via live video hookups. The

theaters, including an IMAX screen, feature

space flight films. Exhibits include thou-

sands of space artifacts, the Skylab space

station and the largest collection of moon

rocks on display anywhere on earth. A

60-minute tram tour of the JSC complex is

another source of entertainment and educa-

tion for JSC guests. 281-244-2105

L E I S U R E & R E C R E A T I O N

SPORTS & GOLF

7 6 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 P A L M B E A C H R E L O C A T I O N G U I D E . C O M 7 7

Montgomery County offers a wide variety of sports and recreational activities to please everyone: couch potatoes, weekend warriors, full-on athletes and die-hard fans love the sports scenes. With year-round mild

temperatures, getting up and getting out has become a way of life.

SPORTS & GOLF

SPORTS DISTRICTWithin walking distance of Avenida de las Americas, the Houston Astros

baseball team plays in Minute Maid Park, built around the grand 1911 Union

Station depot. The Astros have played in one World Series against the Chicago

White Sox.

The Houston Rockets play basketball at Toyota Center a short walk from

Minute Maid Park. Toyota Center is also a popular venue for concerts. The

Rockets have won two NBA championships and four Western Conference titles.

The Houston Dynamo soccer team take the field at BBVA Compass Stadium,

located on the exciting east side of downtown, home to a growing concentra-

tion of clubs, restaurants and newly constructed homes. A new bike trail and

METRO’s new East End rail line add to the vitality of this area. Houston Dyna-

mo’s have won two MLS Cups being in their first two seasons.

GOLFWinters in Houston are mild and temperate, with the average

high in January (the coldest month) at 62.9°F and the average

low at 43.2°F. There are over 200 days of sunshine, so Houston

is a golfer’s paradise. And there are plenty of places to play in

Montgomery County. A wide range of municipal, public, or

private courses, as well as country clubs offer varying terrain and

challenges to suit every golfer’s taste. Here, you’ll find stunning

courses designed by golf legends such as Arnold Palmer, Jack

Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Fazio. Or watch the profes-

sionals grip it and rip it at the nearby Shell Houston Open.

In addition, golf lessons, clinics, PGA professionals and

First Tee Programs are offered throughout the greater

Houston area.

Photo courtesy of Woodforest


HOUSTON SHINES FOR SUPER BOWL LIThe biggest volunteer program in Super

Bowl history took place in Houston in

2017. Where 10,000 volunteers assisted

over a million visitors to the city for Super

Bowl LI. To host downtown festivities in

true Texas style, Avenida de las Americas,

which runs in front of the George R. Brown

Convention Center, was transformed into a

walkable plaza and chic culinary district

across the street for Houston’s central park,

Discovery Green.

The Texans, Houston’s NFL team, while

not playing in the Super Bowl this year,

continue to win the hearts and support

of fans who celebrate home games with

themed tailgate parties at NRG stadium

and fill up sports bars around town to cheer

the team on.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY PARKS

Charles Traylor Memorial Park

Charles Traylor Memorial Park, located at

13551 Rogers Road, Willis, Texas 77378, is

a 61 acre facility with eight lighted baseball

fields, four lighted softball fields, one regula-

tion lighted football field and covered horse

arena with concession stands and restrooms.

Gene Campbell Sports Complex

Gene Campbell Sports Complex, located

at 3200 FM 1484, Conroe, Texas 77303, is

a 60-acre facility with six lighted baseball

fields, six lighted softball fields, concessions

and restrooms. Sports programs are offered

through Conroe Area Youth Baseball (CAYB)

and Conroe Area Girls Softball Association

(CAGSA). Private use of the fields requires

prior permission from Montgomery County

and the ball association and is subject to

availability.

Gwen Hruska Park

Gwen Hruska Park is located on Brandon

Road in the unincorporated area of River

Plantation three miles south of Conroe on

Interstate 45. The park includes 5,022 linear

feet of concrete trails funded by the Texas

Parks and Wildlife Grant Assistant Program.

The park consists of 12 acres of land acquired

through Federal Emergency Management

Agency (FEMA) buyout properties and land

donations after the 1994 flood disaster.

Lake Conroe Park

Lake Conroe Park, located at 14968 Hwy

105 West, Montgomery, Texas 77356, sits on

the west shores of Lake Conroe and offers 13

acres of grounds, barbeque pits, picnic facili-

ties and restrooms as well as swimming areas

and fishing piers. Additional amenities include

two covered pavilions available for rent, a soft-

ball field and volleyball areas. Admission is

$2.00 per person, kids 5 and under are free.

Mussel Pond Preserve

Mussel Pond Preserve is a 22 acre conser-

vation easement under Legacy Land Trust

located on FM 2854 in Montgomery

County Precinct Two. The site is named for

the unique native Texas freshwater mussels

(Unionidae) found along the edge of the

ten acre pond located on the preserve. The

formal opening of the preserve was in 2009.

Montgomery County War Memorial Park

Montgomery County War Memorial Park is

located in downtown Conroe on Highway

105 in front of the Montgomery County Tax

Office. The Veteran’s Park, as it is commonly

called, was dedicated April 29, 1976 by

Gerald Ford, President of the United States

in memory of those who served our country.

The Veterans of Foreign War, Montgomery

County Democratic Party, The Patriotic and

Historical Society as well as various other

organizations, hosts ceremonies on Memo-

rial Day each year commemorating fallen

soldiers of Montgomery County.

Montgomery County Nature Preserve

The Montgomery County Preserve, located

at 1122 Pruitt Road in south Montgomery

GOLF COURSESPUBLIC

High Meadow Ranch Golf Club 281-356-7700 highmeadowranchgolf.com

The Village Golf Club 936-856-5531 thevillagegc.com

WindRose Golf Club 281-370-8900 windrosegolfclub.com

Woodforest Golf Club 936-588-8800 woodforestgolf.com

PRIVATE

April Sound Country Club 936-447-1700 aprilsoundcountryclub.com

Bentwater Yacht & Country Club 936-597-6224 bentwater.com

Bluejack National Golf Club 281-475-2165 bluejacknational.com

Canongate at the Woodlands 281-362-0010 canongatetexas.com

The Club at Carlton Woods 281-863-5800 carltonwoods.com

The Clubs of Kingwood - Kingwood 281-358-2171 theclubsofkingwood.com

The Clubs of Kingwood - Deerwood 281-360-1060 theclubsofkingwood.com

The Golf Trails of The Woodlands 281-882-3000 thegolftrails.com

Lake Windcrest Golf Club 281-259-2279 lakewindcrestgc.com

River Plantation Country Club 936-271-1083 riverplantationcc.com

Walden on Lake Conroe Golf Club 936-448-4668 playwalden.com

Willow Creek Golf Club 281-376-1501 willowcreekclub.com

The Woodlands Country Club- 281-863-1400 thewoodlandscc.com Palmer Course


County behind the Recycling Facility, provides

a wonderful area for birdwatching, native plant

observation and hiking. The 71-acre green

way, free to visit and open to the public daily,

brings many ecotourists to southern Mont-

gomery County. Local Master Naturalists

as well as Butterfly Enthusiasts of Southeast

Texas (B.E.S.T.) hosts official national butterfly

counts, monitors water quality, and provides

educational programs for area citizens.

Memory Park

Memory Park is alive with native and natu-

ralized Texas trees and plants, and there are

walking trails, benches for relaxing, pavil-

ions, a fountain, bridges, rainwater projects,

a duck nesting area, specialized gardens, a

naturalized area and waterfalls surrounding

a large pond. The park contains a Shake-

speare garden featuring a bust of the bard,

signage in braille donated by the Lions Club,

and various statues including the Honor

Flight Eagle dedicated to the local veterans

of World War II. Many of the plants and

items in the park have been purchased and

donated by families in memory of their

loved ones.

ORWALL Sports Complex

The Woodlands Sports Park, located on

Pruitt Road in south Montgomery County, is

a 27 acre park consisting of softball, football,

and baseball fields with concession stands

and restrooms. The Park property is owned

by the Woodlands Corporation and leased

to Montgomery County who subleases

with Oak Ridge – Woodlands Area Little

League, Inc. (ORWALL). ORWALL main-

tains the park and facilitates the recreational

programs. Private use of the fields requires

prior permission from the association.

Sallas Sports Complex

Sallas Sports Complex, located at 21675

McClesky, New Caney, Texas, 77357, is a 20

acre facility with five lighted baseball fields

and three lighted softball fields with conces-

sions and restrooms.

Tamina Park

Tamina Park is a four acre parcel of land

located approximately one half mile east of

Interstate 45 in South Montgomery County

on Main Street. The site contains a small

community building, a softball field and

covered basketball court with four goals,

picnic tables and benches, playground equip-

ment, barbeque grills, and bike racks.

West Montgomery County Park

West Montgomery County Park, located at

16716 FM 149, Montgomery, Texas, 77356,

is a 50 acre park with five lighted baseball

fields, four lighted softball fields, two foot-

ball fields, restrooms, two concession stands

and picnic areas. West Park is maintained by

Montgomery Youth Sports Association and

Montgomery Girls Softball Association.

Willis Ag Barn and Arena

The Willis Agricultural Barn and Arena is

located in the north end charlesof Charles

Traylor Memorial Park. The covered arena with

concession stand and restrooms is managed by

the Willis Agricultural Booster Club.

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Texas and the grape go back a long way.

According to the Texas Wine and Grape

Growers Association, Texas is home

to the first vineyard in north America,

started by a Franciscan priest sometime

around 1662. Vineyards continued to

spread as European settlers brought more

grapevine cuttings to mission outposts

across the state. Today, Texas has at least

4,000 acres of producing vineyard farm-

land on more than 400 wineries. In a

perfect blend of agriculture and tourism,

wineries attract over 1.8 million visitors

each year.

In southeast Texas, rainy springs lead

to long summer days and on the rolling

hills and gentle dells of Montgomery

County, with their warm breezes and

micro climates, some of the finest ingre-

dients for vineyards and the production

of wine are in place. The more successful

varietals grown locally are Black Spanish

(Lenoir), Blanc do Bois, Champanelle,

and others. While local vintners may be

recent entrants into the world of wine

craft, care, expertise and simple hard

work is starting to pay off and wine

enthusiasts the world over are begin-

ning to take a sip and want another. And

Montgomery County’s flavors are gaining

favor; some of the best Texas wines are

produced right here.

Wine is such a big deal

in Montgomery that it’s

celebrated on the third

Saturday of September

with the Montgomery

Wine and Music Fest in

historic downtown with

three stages of musicians,

kids’ zones, down-home

Texas food and plenty of

wine to taste and take

home.

Wine Time IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY


Wine is such a big deal in Montgomery

that it’s celebrated on the third Saturday

of September with the Montgomery

Wine and Music Fest in historic down-

town with three stages of musicians, kids’

zones, down-home Texas food and plenty

of wine to taste and take home.

While the majority of vintner’s doors are

open to visitors for tastings and sales on

most days, there are special programs and

events that attract visitors particularly.

Many local wineries host special events

and concerts; some have themed tasting

nights or parties; all are welcoming and

eager to share the fruit of their labor.

WINE TRAILSSeveral times a year, select Montgomery

Wineries are part of the Texas Blue-

bonnet Wine Trail, a pleasant rural

driving tour with stops for six or seven

unique wine experiences which may

include wine tasting, grape crushing

and stomp, music concerts, wine paired

dinners, vineyard tours, wine-related gifts

and more. Enjoy the ride and taste your

way across southeastern Texas.

Spring Bluebonnet Wine and Cheese

Trail happens over three weekends in

March and among the Texas wildflowers

and blooming viticulture.

Harvest Trail occurs on two weekends in

July, when visitors can celebrate grape

harvest and crush while learning about

grape production in southeastern Texas.

The Texas Department of Agriculture

has designated October as Texas Wine

Month, and this is can be recognized

with the October Wine and Sausage Trail

during the first two weekends in October.

Holiday Crystal Wine Trail, held over the

first two weekends in December, lets visi-

tors jump start their holiday gift giving,

while enjoying a calming taste of wine.

February Wine and Chocolate Trail cele-

brates Valentine’s Day over four days in

February. For more information, go to

www.texasbluebonnetwinetrail.com.

A sampling of Montgomery County Premier Wineries

BERNHARDT WINERY This down-home Texas winery is set in the rolling

hills near Plantersville. Here, award-winning small-batch wines of classic varietals

and unique blends are created, and visitors are treated to a fun tasting experience

in a warm environment. But there’s much more here, too. The winery hosts many

events, like the Summer Sunset Lawn Concert Series, the Vino Piazza Primavera

– an artisan marketplace – weddings and other private functions. Plus, visitors can

stay at The Loft Bed and Breakfast. Check out www.bernhardtwinery.com.

CORK THIS! WINERY Started by a former business executive that wished

for greener grass (or vineyards), the people at Cork This! make wine fun and have

fun making wine, producing wines with names like “Party on your Palate,” “Rich

Urban Biker,” and “Irreconcilable Differences.” It’s a favorite place for locals and

travelers alike because wine tasters are made to feel comfortable and welcome.

Cork This! Has a strong Groupies Wine Club and hosts numerous events. www.

corkthiswinery.com.

ENCHANTED MANOR MEADERY Enchanted Manor Meadery of

Magnolia brews meads onsite at the Texas Renaissance Festival. Their meads

are crafted from Texas wildflower honey sourced from a farm on the nearby

Texas gulf coast prairies, which was selected for its location far from sources

that could affect the taste of the naturally flavorful and nuanced honey. Visit

enchantedmanormeadery.com.

GRIFFIN MEADERY Griffin Meadery is located in Willis and is producing

small-batch, premium quality wine and liquid gold. Meads range from a cinnamon

and vanilla combo with a festive flair, to ones that taste of black current, chocolate

or even jalapeno, but beware: the last one has a kick! You can also learn how to

make your own mead. The legendary griffin is known as the guardian of treasure,

and that’s what they’re producing here. Go to www.griffinmeadery.com.

RANCHER’S DAUGHTER Rancher’s Daughter was once a boutique in

Western Winery; today it’s a boutique in downtown Montgomery with its own

winery. Celebrating everything Texas, the shop sells 275 varietals of wine, while the

winery produces wines with names like Highway 105, Spotted Mule, and Cowgirl

Blush. Wine enthusiasts and friends gather on the third Wednesday of the month

for Wine Down Wednesdays that feature speakers, wine and music.

WHITLEY VINEYARDS AND WINE BAR Whitley Vineyards and Wine

bar is located in the heart of the historic district of Montgomery and features

handcrafted wines. Owner Gina Whitley used to stroll through her 1/3 acre back-

yard vineyard at sunset with a glass of wine, and dream about a future as a vintner.

Today, that dream is coming true. A family operation, the vineyard and wine

production creates quality reds, roses, and whites. Whitley hosts regular ladies’

nights and welcomes visitors as part of the annual Antiques Festival in the historic

district of Montgomery. www.whitleyvineyards.com.

WILD STALLION VINEYARDS Wild Stallion Vineyards began in 2008

with a small test planting of Blanc du Bois grapes, a variety most suited to the

gulf coast region. The vineyard has grown to over three acres and a range of

varieties. Both the 2014 Sweet Moscato and the 2014 Blanc du Bois (Dry) were

Southwest Wine Summit Silver Medal Winners. Located near the Woodlands, The

Wild Stallion Event Center hosts many events, like Sangria Saturdays, concerts and

weddings. Visit www.wildstallionvineyards.com

DINING SCENEDiverse

When it comes to restaurants, Montgomery County has one of the best in the nation, according to a new Yelp ranking. Tony’s Italian Delicatessen at 16283 Highway 105 tops the list of the website’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US for 2017. The eatery’s menu boasts a wide variety of sandwiches, salads, soups and baked goods.



SHOPPING The Boardwalk Towne Lake

9945 Barker Cypress Rd.Cypress, 77433

www.boardwalktl.com

The Galleria Houston5058 Westheimer Rd.

Houston, 77056www.galleriahouston.com

Houston Premium Outlets29300 Hempstead Rd.

Cypress, 77433www.premiumoutlets.com

Katy Mills Mall5000 Katy Mills Cir

Katy, TX 77494www.katymills.com

Market Street9595 Six Pines Dr.

The Woodlands, 77380www.marketstreet-thewoodlands.com

Old Town SpringSpring Preservation League, 123-F Midway, Spring, 77373

www.oldtownspring.com

Outlets at Conroe1111 League Line Rd.

Conroe, 77303www.outletsatconroe.com

Willowbrook Mall2000 Willowbrook Mall

Houston, TX 77070www.shopwillowbrookmall.com

The Woodlands Mall1201 Lake Robbins Dr.The Woodlands, 77380

www.thewoodlandsmall.com

7 leguas15949 Highway 105 W, Suite 66 Montgomery, TX 77356www.7leguasmex.com

Black Walnut Cafe9000 New Trails Drive The Woodlands, TX 77381-5208www.blackwalnutcafe.com

Caffe di Fiore10110 Woodlands Pkwy.The Woodlands, TX 77382www.caffe-di-fiore.com

Cozy Grape Wine Bar and Bistro14340 Liberty StreetMontgomery, TX 77356www.cozygrape.com

Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse1900 Hughes Landing Blvd, Suite 400 The Woodlands, TX 77380-3794www.fogodechao.com

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria20 Waterway Ave Ste 100The Woodlands, TX 77380-3442www.grimaldispizzeria.com

Guadalajara Hacienda27885 Interstate 45 N. The Woodlands, 77380www.guad.com

Hubbell & Hudson Bistro4526 Research Forest DriveThe Woodlands, 77381www.hubbellandhudson.com

Jasper’s9595 Six Pines Dr, Ste 900 The Woodlands, TX 77380www.jaspersthewoodlands.com

Landry’s Seafood1212 Lake Robbins DriveThe Woodlands, 77380www.landrysseafood.com

McKenzie’s Barbeque & Burgers17099 Walden RoadMontgomery, TX 77356www.mckenziesbarbeque.com

Nick’s Fish Dive & Oyster Bar20 Waterway Ave., Ste 105The Woodlands, 77380www.nicksfishdive.com

Ocean Boullevard Bistro & Martini Bar1200 Marina Dr, Just off Highway 105 Montgomery, TX 77356www.obbistro.com

Olive Oil373 Rayford Sawdust RoadThe Woodlands, TX 77380www.oliveoilgreekrestaurant.com

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen18165 Interstate 45 S. Conroe, 77385www.pappadeaux.com

Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille6700 Woodlands Pkwy., Ste. 300The Woodlands, 77382www.perrysrestaurants.com

Pho Dat Vietnamese Cafe18024 Texas 105, Ste 600Montgomery, TX 77356

Ransom’s Steakhouse & Saloon300 CB Stewart DriveMontgomery, TX 77356www.ransomssteakhouse.com

Robard’s Steakhouse2301 N Millbend Drive The Woodlands, TX 77380www.robardssteakhouse.com

Thai Wok In Resturant15917 Highway 105 W Ste FMontgomery, TX 77356www.thaiwokin.com

The Big Sombrero19402 Highway 105 W Montgomery, TX 77356www.thebigsombrero.net

The Pizza Shack20873 Eva St Ste GMontgomery, TX 77356www.pizzashack.com

The Republic Grille4775 W. Panther Creek, Ste. 490The Woodlands, 77381www.therepublicgrille.com

The Toasted Yolk Cafe2129 W Davis St, Suite c Conroe, TX 77304www.thetoastedyolk.com

Tommy Bahama’s Restaurant & Bar9595 Six Pines Drive The Woodlands, TX 77380-1531www.tommybahama.com

Tony’s Italian Delicatessen16283 Highway 105 W, Suite 9Montgomery, TX 77356www.tonysitaliandelicatessen.com

Truluck’s Seafood Steak & Crab House1900 Hughes Landing Blvd. Ste. 600The Woodlands, 77381www.trulucks.com

Vernon’s Kuntry Katfish5901 W. Davis St, Conroe, TX 77301

Walden Yacht Club13101 Melville DriveMontgomery, TX 77356www.waldenyachtclub.com

World’s Burgers17099 Walden RoadMontgomery, TX 77356www.worldsburgers.com8 2 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E S . C O M 8 3


CALENDARof EVENTSMONTGOMERY COUNTY EVENTS

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ONGOING

Crighton Theatre

www.crightontheatre.org

Built in 1934, this beautifully restored

Vaudeville- era theater in downtown

Conroe is home to several local arts groups

that present musicals, dramatic plays and

concerts. The Crighton is also available for

rent. For the schedule and more informa-

tion, visit the website.

Cypress Creek Cultural District

www.cypresscreekculturaldistrict.org

Comprised of the Pearl Fincher Museum,

Barbara Bush County Library, the

Cypress Creek Foundation for the Arts

and other institutions, this centralized

civic complex on the banks of Cypress

Creek brings together art, music, litera-

ture, education and nature for more than

1 million residents in the surrounding

area. The District hosts several annual

events, including CreekFest Houston.

Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts

www.pearlmfa.org

The Pearl Fincher Museum brings world-

class art exhibitions and art education

opportunities to the Montgomery and

Northwest Houston areas. Showcasing

rarely seen local and international artists,

the Pearl offers free family programs

as well as Summer Art Camp. Visit

their website for details on current and

upcoming exhibitions and activities.

Conroe Symphony Orchestra

www.conroesymphony.org

This community orchestra is made up

of committed professional and talented

amateur musicians from all walks of

life. It was founded in the summer of

1997 with the mission of “adding to the

cultural enrichment of the community,

assuring a better quality of life for the

Conroe area. The CSO Season includes

traditional classical treasures, popular

favorites and featured soloists. For infor-

mation and upcoming performances, go

to their website.

Sounds of Texas Music Series

For 20 years, this series has brought

quality, intimate concerts to Mont-

gomery County, with classic and

emerging artists playing in the historic

Crighton Theatre in downtown Conroe.

JANUARY

Taste of the Town at The Woodlands

Town Center

www.tasteofthetown.org

Taking place at The Woodlands

Waterway Marriott, Taste of the

Town is the premier culinary event

of South Montgomery County.

Enjoy mouth-watering appetizers,

entrees, desserts, pastries, and bever-

ages from some of the area’s finest

restaurants, caterers, bakeries, deli’s

and beverage companies. Your ticket

includes food, beverages and festivities.

FEBRUARY

Texas Home & Garden

www.texashomeandgarden.com

Houstons’ Premier “One Stop

Shopping Opportunity” for all

your home & garden needs. From

Windows and Doors to Ceilings

and Floors over 700 experts, products,

services and ideas all under one roof.

MARCH

The Woodlands Marathon

www.thewoodlandsmarathon.com

The Fidelity Investments The Wood-

lands Marathon is a BOSTON

QUALIFIER and has seen will

traverse the streets of Town Center and

the community on a single-loop 26.2-

mile pretty flat course, finishing on

the scenic Waterway. Participants have

the opportunity to run for charities

in the Charity Challenge and to date

over $370,000 has been raised for chari-

ties and volunteer organizations. Come

join the excitement as we welcome

close to 9,000 runners.

APRIL

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

www.woodlandsartsfestival.com

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival

(WWAF) weekend event is a celebration

of visual, culinary and performing arts.

The Festival gives patrons the rare and

special opportunity to meet and talk with

artists from around the country, sample

great food, watch the Art of Food demos,

enjoy live music and entertain their families

at their interactive “ARTOPOLY” area.

Montgomery County Fair

www.mcfa.org

The Montgomery County Fair Associa-

tion is a 501(c)(3) charity supported by

more than 600 volunteers dedicated to

supporting the youth of Montgomery

County. The Montgomery County Fair

Association welcomes everyone to the Fair-

grounds in Conroe, Texas to enjoy shows,

games, educational exhibits, a rodeo,

carnival, and much more. This ten day

event serves as a platform for youth to be able

to display their projects in a public setting,

having FUN! The Montgomery County Fair

Association is also proud to award scholar-

ships to students with and without Fair

projects every year. Since the program

began in 1993 over $1.5 million have been

given in college scholarships.

JUNE

Wine & Food Week in The Woodlands

www.wineandfoodweek.com

One of America’s largest and most

comprehensive wine and food events. This

festival features celebrity chefs, more than

500 wines, 40+ events and tastings from

50 restaurants. Join more than 10,000 food

and wine fans as The Woodlands uncorks

this event.

The Woodlands Fall Home & Garden Show

www.woodlandsshows.com

Exhibitors at the Spring and Fall Home &

Garden Shows in The Woodlands are the

finest companies in The Woodlands and

the North Houston area.


The Lighting of the Doves Festival is a long-standing tradition in The Woodlands that signifies the start of the holiday season in the community. Symbolizing peace during the holidays, the ceremonial illumination of the giant doves has attracted thousands of visitors each year. The Festival includes traditional and international performances, showcasing the cultural diversity of The Woodlands and holiday traditions celebrated around the world. Featuring snow play areas, vendor booths, children’s activities and strolling entertainment, Lighting of the Doves culminates with a special appearance by Santa Claus arriving by sleigh down The Woodlands Waterway and a dazzling fireworks display.

NOVEMBERTHE LIGHTING OF THE DOVES FESTIVALwww.HolidayInTheWoodlands.com

JULY

Freedom Fest – City of Montgomery www.experiencemontgomery.com

Celebrate the fourth of July and enjoy some down-home fun with a freedom parade, crafter’s market, baking contest, BBQ cook-off, live music and the Freedom Fest Kids Zone.

Fireworks Over Lake Conroe www.conroe.chambermaster.com

Celebrate America’s Independence with a BANG on Lake Conroe. Enjoy authentic Americana food, snow cones and fun at the party. The sky-popping fireworks will be on display over the south end of Lake Conroe.

AUGUST

Montgomery County Agricultural Fair www.mcagfair.com

Since 1945, Montgomery County has celebrated its agricultural traditions with this popular event. Come for toe-tapping entertainment and feel good about helping with community scholarships.

SEPTEMBER

Longhorn Rod Run www.oldtownspring.com

Antique cars compete in various categories for prizes in Old Town Spring. Stroll the streets and view these beautiful vintage automobiles.

Montgomery Wine and Music Fest www.experiencemontgomery.com

Event to be held in the streets of Historic Montgomery. Discover Texas Wines, Texas Food, Texas Beer, and Great Texas Music!

OCTOBER

Autumn Art and Wine Festival –

Old Town Spring

October is Texas Wine Month and Old

Town Spring with over 150 quaint shops is

the perfect place to enjoy the soft fall weather

and a taste of wine. Stroll main street as you

enjoy gourmet foods and creative arts in

painting, photography, clothing, jewelry and

crafts by talented artists.

Creekfest

www.creekfesthouston.com

CreekFest is a one-day festival held in

northwest Houston to celebrate the

arts and outdoors in the Cypress Creek

community. Highlights include a 5k fun

run, live music, a marketplace, local artists,

tasty food and much more.

Petfest – Old Town Spring

www.petfestoldtownspring.com

PetFest is a weekend event dedicated to

finding homes for animals in shelters and

rescue groups. It’s a fun-filled festival of enter-

tainment and education that raises money,

volunteers and foster homes. Bring your pet!

Bridgeland Annual Howloween Fest

www.bridgeland.com

Watch the Canine Frisbee Disc Club,

Splash Dogs and the popular doggie

fashion show. Enjoy the many crowd-and-

canine approved activities. You and your

pet will have a dog-gone good time.

NOVEMBER

Texas Renaissance Festival

www.texrenfest.com

The Texas Renaissance Festival is the

nation’s largest, most acclaimed renais-

sance themed park. Each year, over

500,000 guests visit near Plantersville

to enter an enchanted world of lords,

ladies, pirates, elves and other fanciful and

interactive characters. There are over 200

daily performances on more than 20 stages

throughout the village, as well as shops,

live demonstrations by craftsmen and

plenty of food and drink to tickle every

palate and quench every thirst.

Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival

Live music, street performers, car show,

Kid Zone, fireworks and, of course,

catfish.

Annual Home for the Holidays in Old Town

www.oldtownspring.com

Old Town Spring’s shops and restaurants

come alive with spectacular displays of

holiday lights, plus strolling performers,

festive exhibits and family friendly

activities.

DECEMBER

Conroe Kennel Club All Breed Show

www.conroekennelclub.org

Sponsored by the Conroe Kennel Club at

the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. All

breeds welcome.

Caroling On The Square

www.thewoodlandscvb.com

Carolers welcome visitors and a special

visit by Santa Claus on December 1 and

22 ring in the holidays. For a complete

schedule visit their website.

8 8 M O N T G O M E R Y C O U N T Y N E W C O M E R G U I D E – W I N T E R / S P R I N G 2 0 1 88 8 N O R T H E A S T H O U S T O N N E W C O M E R G U I D E – F A L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8To learn more, visit www.HoustonNewcomerGuides.com

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ad index AUTOMOTIVEMy Plates ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 42

BUILDERSAshton Woods .............................................................................................................................................................................. 22Chesmar Homes........................................................................................................................................................................... 37Empire ..........................................................................................................................................................................Back CoverGracepoint Homes ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3Lennar and Village Builders ........................................................................................................................................................ 11Signorelli Company ..................................................................................................................................................................... 15

CHURCHESThe Woodlands United Methodist Church ................................................................................................................................ 61

COMMUNITIES & DEVELOPMENTSGrand Central Park ....................................................................................................................................................................... 7Harmony ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 1Harper’s Preserve ......................................................................................................................................................................... 27Valley Ranch ................................................................................................................................................................................. 15Wedgewood Forest ..................................................................................................................................................................... 23Woodforest Development ............................................................................................................................... Inside Front Cover

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EDUCATIONCovenant Christian School ......................................................................................................................................................... 51The John Cooper School ............................................................................................................................................................ 52Legacy Preparatory Christian Academy .................................................................................................................................. 52Lone Star College ........................................................................................................................................................................ 53New Horizons Computer Learning Center ................................................................................................................................ 53

HEALTHCARECHI St. Luke’s Health .................................................................................................................................................................... 57Texas Children’s Hospital - The Woodlands ............................................................................................................................... 55UT Physicians ................................................................................................................................................................................. 58

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS & OFFICESBella Via Realty ............................................................................................................................................................................ 13Beth Ferester & Company ............................................................................................................................... Inside Back CoverBetter Homes and Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene ........................................................................................................... 29HAR.COM ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 69

RECREATIONHouston Rockets .......................................................................................................................................................................... 79Schlitterbahn ................................................................................................................................................................................ 17Texas Renaissance Festival ......................................................................................................................................................... 87The Woodlands Country Club ...................................................................................................................................................... 2

SHOPPINGHome Consignment Center ....................................................................................................................................................... 19

UTILITIESComcast - XFINITY.........................................................................................................................................................9/41Consolidated Communications .................................................................................................................................... 43TXU Energy .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

2 P A L M B E A C H R E L O C A T I O N G U I D E – F A L L 2 0 1 6 | W I N T E R 2 0 1 7

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Montgomery County Newcomer Guide - 2016 Vol 1

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Transcript of Montgomery County Newcomer Guide - 2016 Vol 1