The Woodlands is not short on beautiful neighborhoods. From stunning tree-lined streets to fabulous estate homes amidst natural surroundings, the Woodlands really does have it all. The Woodlands market is healthy and progressive, and owning a home here is unlike any other place in Houston. From fabulous amenities to outstanding real estate, the Woodlands market is rapidly growing as many Houstonians begin to discover the many benefits of this outstanding, master-planned community.

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.

The Woodlands has been Houston’s golden child for years, as the exceptional real estate opportunities found here have attracted many people to this fine area of Houston.

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.

It’s no wonder that the Woodlands continue to build new home communities. After all, it is still the best selling master-planned community in Texas. For nearly two decades now, the Woodlands have experienced exceptional growth, mainly due to its sublime, natural surroundings; its close proximity to Houston; and its fantastic array of residential homes.

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 Woodlands continue to offer some of the best real estate in Houston, and the Village at the Woodlands Waterway is no exception.

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.”

Continental Magazine recently wrote an interesting article on the Woodlands, calling it a “perfect combination of nature and all of today’s modern conveniences.”

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.

The mammoth, master-planned community of the Woodlands, which is located just north of Houston, is comprised of six, residential villages which are representative of the splendor and high-class living found here.

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.