Picking just a few neighborhoods in the Woodlands is challenging, as each neighborhood seems to be better than the next. However, we picked three neighborhoods (called “villages”) that we think provide the best example of Woodlands living:

1. Alden Bridge – Alden Bridge, as one of the biggest villages in the Woodlands market, enjoys many amenities that some of the other villages do not. For example, there are fantastic parks here, including Alden Bridge Park, Windvale Park, Lakeside Park, and Alden Bridge Sports Park. There is also a great selection of homes in Alden Bridge, including patio homes, townhomes and condominiums, many of which are priced quite reasonably, from the mid $100,000s to $900,000. Some of the neighborhoods within Alden Bridge include: Bethany Bend, Cottage Green, Hawthorne Hollow, Goldenvine, Silver Woods, Brooksedge, Plum Crest, Russet Grove, Sterling Pond, Linton Ridge, Noble Bend, and Fairbranch, just to name a few.
2. Carlton Woods – Carlton Woods is where the most discriminating of buyers head when they are searching for a home in the Woodlands market. In fact, it is arguably the most exclusive gated community found here. From the 24-hour gated entrance to beautiful, custom homes on expansive lots, Carlton Woods is quite amazing. Homes in Carlton Woods range from the $800,000s to more than $3 million.
3. Creekside Park – Once completed, Creekside Park will feature more than 7,000 residences in a wide variety of styles and price points. We love this village for its great expanse of green spaces, which include the 1,700-acre George Mitchell Nature Preserve and Creekside Park, which boasts a nature center, canoe and kayak launches and plenty of scenic walking trails. The new schools of Creekside Park will be a part of the highly acclaimed Tomball Independent School District.

Aside from its unsurpassed home choices, the communities of the Woodlands offer much more. In fact, it is often just as much about the surrounding beauty and recreational opportunities as it is about the homes themselves.

Outdoor Amenities Abound

One thing’s for sure: the Woodlands have succeeded in creating a lifestyle for its residents, not just neighborhoods. All of the neighborhoods of the Woodlands boast wonderful, outdoor amenities, thereby encourage a strong sense of community and a strong appreciation of the beauty of the surrounding landscape.

One of the newest villages of the Woodlands, for example, features a multitude of parks and outdoor recreational activities, such as: 1,850 acres of parklands; the 1,700-acre George Mitchell Nature Preserve; the 20-acre Rob Fleming Park; and the 72-acre Lake Paloma.

Nature Preserves, Walking Trails and Kayaking Sites

The award-winning George Mitchell Nature Preserve features nearly seven miles of natural surroundings along Spring Creek. There are two trails in the nature preserve, both of which lead to more than four miles of soft-surface trails for everything from walking and running to cycling and bird watching. In addition, this village also features a kayak and canoe launch.

In addition, the Woodlands offer their residents nearly every thing they need, from grocery stores to elegant restaurants. For example, the Sterling Ridge community in the Woodlands offers a Kroger signature supermarket, The Woodlands Walmart Supercenter and the Village Center.

Golf Course Communities

Golf courses also abound throughout the communities of the Woodlands. Sterling Ridge, for example, boasts golf course homes in the neighborhoods of Veilwood, Player Woods, Player Oaks, Gary Glen, Knights Gate and Player Point.

Government Tax Incentives Encourage Growth

Much of the rise in home sales has been credited to the government home-buyer incentives. Many local realtors have noted that there are a large number of first-time homebuyers ready to jump into the home buying market so that they can claim their $8,000 federal tax credit.

In fact, it is the federal tax credit that is partly responsible for the 20 percent increase in home sales in October (compared with sales from the same month in 2008), according to the Houston Association of Realtors.

There were 510 homes sold in Montgomery County in October 2009, compared to just 425 homes in October 2008. September sales were 30 percent higher compared to September of last year. The increased number of homes sales in September, however, was expected because of Hurricane Ike, which destroyed homes sales in September 2008.

The increase in home sales in October, however, was undoubtedly a result of the government tax incentive.

The Woodlands, Magnolia

Although the numbers were positive for all four areas of Montgomery County, the Woodlands and Magnolia posted some particularly impressive numbers.

Closed sales for these two areas were over 21 percent higher in October of this year than they were in October of 2008. There were 279 homes closed last month, compared with just 230 in October of 2008. Total dollar volume also increased for the Woodlands and Magnolia nearly 19 percent to $72.7 million.

New Home Sales

New homes sales continue to struggle, however, although this is also expected to steadily improve, particularly in the first quarter of 2010. The Woodlands issued a total of 2,059 single-family building permits as of September 2009, while 3,539 total permits were issued in 2008.

Other areas of Montgomery County also saw positive signs in the real estate market. Lake Conroe, for example, saw a 2.4 percent increase in home sales from October 2008 to October 2009. Year-to-date sales are up 0.9 percent.

The New Caney-Porter-Splendora area remains the leader in closed sales, with a year-to-date increase of 1.2 percent and a month-to-month increase of 50 percent.

Here is a snapshot of some of the newest communities in the Woodlands:

• The Village of Creekside Park- This development will include more than 7,000 residences along the 1,700-acre George Mitchell Nature Preserve. More than 635 homes have already been sold in the Village of Creekside Park.
• Carlton Woods Creekside – More than 199 home sites have already been sold in this gated community, which borders the Fazio Championship Golf Course.
• The Villas at Cartouche – This community is part of the gated village of Carlton Woods. The custom villas in this neighborhood will range from 3,200 to more than 4,000 square feet, and will be priced from the $800,000s to over $1 million. An incentive to become a member at the Club at Carlton Woods will be included with these homes.
• The Village of Sterling Ridge (Player Course Custom Neighborhoods) – Custom homes are now being built in the custom home communities of Gary Glen, Player Point, Player Bend, Knightsgate, St. Peter’s Gate, Kirkpatrick Glen, Players Woods and Player Chest.
• Mason Pond/Mason Heights – Located in the village of Grogan’s Forest, these neighborhoods will feature patio homes and single-family homes priced from the mid $450,000s to the mid $560,000s.
• Oasis Pointe Condominiums and Townhomes – Located in East Shore, near Southshore, this community offers townhomes and condos with Southern Coastal architecture. Homes in this community are priced from the $390,000s to the $670,000s.
• The Villas – Located in East Shore Park, near Grogan’s Mill Road, the Villas will feature 25 single-family, three-story villas that will boast Italian architecture and more than 3,300 square feet. Homes in this plan will range from the $600,000s to the $900,000s.
• Millennium Woodlands – This 393-unit luxury apartment complex is being constructed according to LEED Certified Silver specifications.

The Bridgewood Property Company recently got construction underway for the Woodland’s newest community: the Village at the Woodlands Waterway.

This senior living residential company is designed to accommodate those individuals who want independent living, assisted living and memory care apartments.

The Village at the Woodlands Waterway, which is located near Grogan’s Mill Road and Lake Robbins Drive, will consist of 207 apartments over 250,000 square feet. The project is expected to be completed in 2011.

Some of the features of the Village at the Woodlands Waterway will include expansive common areas, including a library, a bridge room, a theater and a fitness center, complete with an outdoor swimming pool.

Features of the Village at the Woodlands Waterway

Facilities and services will be plentiful and varied at the Village at the Woodlands Waterway, as well, as there will be controlled-access parking and plenty of scheduled activities and events. The beautifully landscaped grounds and the various seating areas throughout the building will further add to the ambience of this community.

The apartment homes in the Village at the Woodlands Waterway will feature one and two bedrooms; studio apartments will also be available. Each apartment home in this community will include a full-sized refrigerator and appliances, as well as a dishwasher and garbage disposal.

Other features found throughout the homes of the Village at the Woodlands Waterway include: stackable washers/dryers; walk-in showers with safety bars; individual climate controls; carpeted living rooms and bedrooms; tiled kitchens and bathrooms; and all telephone and cable connections.

About the Bridgewood Property Company

The Bridgewood Property Company has developed, to date, more than 2,500 independent residences throughout the southeast and Midwest United States. Over the past 10 years, Bridgewood Property Company has worked to provide senior communities that “stimulate the mind and sprit.”

Perhaps this is the perfect explanation for this remarkable enclave that has turned plenty of heads with its beautiful, custom homes, its five million square feet of shopping and dining destinations, its lovely park systems and its loads of green space. From the modern conveniences to the seamless transition into thick woodlands, this neighborhood has changed the way we all think about suburban living.

Nearly Two Decades of Growth

Located just 27 miles from downtown Houston, the Woodlands have been a popular spot for Houston professionals for nearly 20 years. More homes have been sold in the Woodlands community over those last, two decades than any other master-planned community in Texas, and it still ranks as one of the top master-planned communities, according to sales, in the United States.

Sounds impressive, doesn’t it? Well, considering what the Woodlands have to offer and it becomes quite clear why Houston residents continue to flock to this masterful enclave.

Plentiful Housing Options

Housing options are plentiful, and residents can choose from lofts, condominiums, estates and even senior living communities in the Woodlands. All of the homes of the Woodlands are connected through an intricate system of hiking and biking trails, all aimed at integrating nature throughout the communities.

In fact, almost 8,000 acres in the Woodlands have been preserved for green space, far surpassing other cities found throughout the United States. The Woodlands, as a result, has received many accolades for its commitment to environmental preservation and protection, including the Award of Excellence from the Urban Land Institute.

Forbes also ranked the Woodlands #14 according to their list of America’s 25 Best Places to Move, because, in part, of its proximity to Houston, its global employers, and its high quality of life.

There are several answers to this question, and most of them lie in the abundant amenities and outstanding residences available in this gargantuan, master-planned community.

It is probably best to start off by saying that the Woodlands has been the top-selling, master-planned community for the last, 18 years. Sound unbelievable? Not when you see this community first-hand.

Located on 27,000 acres of wooded land, just 27 miles north of downtown Houston, the Woodlands enjoys easy access to the major centers of Houston, as well as the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.

The Woodlands, which was established nearly 30 years ago, has experienced unprecedented success since its inception. From the picturesque beauty of the surrounding forests to the outstanding communities, the Woodlands has certainly set the bar for master-planned communities.

What can be found in the Woodlands? More than 135 miles of trails; top-rated golf courses which were designed by some of the most famous names in golf; a large, outdoor amphitheater; and plenty of upscale shopping and dining, just for starters.

The Houston Real Estate Market

New home sales continue to slow the growth of the real estate market throughout Houston, with sales down considerably compared to 2008. To put it in perspective, there were 5,089 single-family home starts in Houston in the first quarter of 2009, which is a 38 percent decline from the first quarter of 2008.

However, sales and starts of new homes in the Houston area are beginning to improve, and the Houston region has already seen some signs of hope in the new home market.

The Woodlands to the Rescue

As usual, there were a select group of Houston communities that have managed to propel homes sales along – namely The Woodlands, Sugar Land and Katy.

What’s even more impressive is that homes in the Woodlands continue to, not only sell quickly, but sell for much more than comparable homes in other parts of Houston.

Grogan’s Mill

As the Woodland’s original village, Grogan’s Mill is home to the Millbend Loop, the Woodlands Resort and Conference Center and two golf courses. This community, which opened in October 1974, was named after the Grogan’s Lumber Company Mill.

The Grogan’s Mill Village Center includes popular restaurants, a supermarket and various shops and neighborhood services.

Panther Creek

As the second oldest village of the Woodlands, Panther Creek is located along the eastern edge of Lake Woodlands and is home to more than 12,000 residents and over 5,000 homes. The village is named after the creek that runs through it.

The Northshore and Southshore Parks, located along Lake Woodlands, is a popular destination for outdoor recreation and relaxation for the residents of the Woodlands.

The Panther Creek Village features a supermarket, a drug store and popular restaurants and eateries.

Cochran’s Crossing

There are many, outstanding golf course homes in the many neighborhoods of Cochran’s Crossing, including Hollymead, Chancery Place, Waterford Bend, Palmer Point and the Estates of Palmer Woods.

Cochran’s Crossing, which enjoys a central location, is the largest village in the Woodlands. There are many types of homes in Cochran’s Crossing, including estate homes, custom homes and patio homes.

The Cochran’s Crossing Village is home the Woodlands Palmer Country Club, as well as a variety of supermarkets, a drug store and convenience stores.

Alden Bridge

Alden Bridge is best known for its lush forests and outstanding family parks. There are two shopping centers located in Alden Bridge, as well as plenty of family activities, such as swimming pools, water parks, and Lakeside Park, which is home to the Bear Branch Reservoir.

Alden Bridge is one of the biggest villages in the Woodlands, with over 18,000 residents and over 6,200 homes.

Indian Springs

Home to Forestgate and Falconwing Parks, Indian Springs is best known for its beautiful, serene surroundings.

Indian Springs also boasts the John Cooper School, a private, college preparatory academy that is highly acclaimed. There are also several shops, restaurants and grocery stores located in the Indian Springs Village Center.

Sterling Ridge

As one of the newest villages of the Woodlands, Sterling Ridge features new homes in a variety of price ranges. There is also an abundance of services and recreational conveniences, including new, community parks and water parks.

Creekside

The newest village of the Woodlands is Creekside, which boasts a park-like atmosphere, an abundance of green space and loads of outdoor, recreational opportunities.

Creekside boasts over 3,000 acres and over 1,700 acres of green space and park land.