The Spring Branch area of Houston offers the convenience of city living with a suburban feel and a community rich in cultural diversity. In this guide, we’ll cover what newcomers need (and want) to know.
Spring Branch has existed on the outskirts of Houston proper since its conception in the mid-1800s. As Houston continued to grow and expand, Spring Branch grew with it, merging with the big city in the hopes of maintaining its small town, suburban feel.
Today, Spring Branch is an ever-evolving neighborhood, welcoming cultural diversity and new developments. In a city that’s constantly reinventing itself through influxes of people, industry, and construction projects, one thing’s for certain – the Spring Branch of today is not the Spring Branch of tomorrow.
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What’s the housing market like?
The homes in the area tend to be a bit older, but many of them have undergone renovations to modernize them. New construction is popping up around the neighborhood, with single-family homes, townhomes, and apartment complexes moving into the area.
The homes featured in the picture above are part of the master planned community of Kolbe Farms being developed by InTown Homes in North-Central Spring Branch in between Emnora Ln. and Kempwood Dr. to the North and South and Hollister Rd. and Bingle Rd. to the East and West.
As of 2017, the average price per square foot for homes in Spring Branch was $194, with homes averaging in price at around $470,000. Prices seem to be trending upwards.
Click here to check out our top Spring Branch Neighborhood Guides!
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How are the schools?
Spring Branch Independent School District serves the neighborhood’s children, with over 35,000 students enrolled in public schools. With a teacher-student ratio of 1-17, small class sizes benefit the students.
About 89% of students graduate from high school in Spring Branch, with many of them going off to major universities around Texas, such as the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, and Rice University.
Boasting a diverse student body, Spring Branch ISD reflects the neighborhood’s demographics.
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How easy is it to get around?
Houston’s a commuter city, so a good morning and evening commute are strong selling points for any neighborhood. Spring Branch is uniquely situated near Houston’s downtown area and the Energy Corridor, both of which employ thousands of Houstonians.
With access to Beltway 8, I-10, and the 610 Loop, commuters living in Spring Branch have quick access to several parts of town.
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Where do the locals hang out?
Spring Branch locals often work in the city and return home to their suburban lifestyle in the evenings. But when the locals want to grab a drink after work, or maybe a cup of coffee from a local shop on Saturday mornings, they’ve got quite a few options.
Nightlife is relatively quiet in Spring Branch, but there are several local dives that residents frequent. Places like Might as Well Lounge and Boozenasium, Cobble & Spoke, and The Branch are always full of regulars and newcomers alike.
Also, over in Spring Branch East, the Houston Improv Comedy Club is a favorite, not just for locals, but for Houstonians from all over. This venue regularly books headlining comics, so there’s a good chance you can catch your favorite comic there.
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How’s the food?
Food in Spring Branch is as good as it is anywhere in Houston, which is saying something. Thanks to the area’s vibrant population, you can find many different cuisines here, including Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, Greek, and even Polish.
Not far from Memorial City, Spring Branch residents have access to all Memorial City has to offer, as well. This means all of the restaurants in CityCentre are a short drive away. Restaurants here vary from chill to upscale, from Yardhouse and Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café to Brio Tuscan Grille and Eddie V’s Prime Seafood.