South
Running southeast from downtown toward Galveston is Houston's first freeway, the Gulf Freeway, I-45 South. Parts of the southern fringe of Houston are among the fastest growing in the entire region.
Years ago this area was home to fig and orange orchards as well as a large number of rice farms. Today, the farms have been replaced by new home construction in and around the Clear Lake area. Older communities also exist in Clear Lake, Friendswood, Pearland and further south in Galveston County. The proximity to downtown, Hobby Airport and the Johnson Space Center/NASA have contributed to the popularity of this area.
The Clear Lake area, which is home to the Johnson Space Center, is located 20 miles southeast of downtown Houston via Interstate 45. Communities in the area include Friendswood, Pearland, League City, Webster, Dickinson, Kemah, Seabrook, and Clear Lake. Clear Lake is located on the Texas Gulf Coast, adjacent to Galveston Bay. In fact, the area is only minutes from the scenic beaches of historic Galveston Island. Clear Lake offers an exciting variety of things to see and do year round, not only for local residents but for visitors too. Most of the area is a master planned community with first class schools and universities. The Clear Lake area homes range from $60,000 - $1,000,000.
Employment opportunities abound in and around the Clear Lake area. Clear Lake is the home of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, NASA's largest research and development facility and the focal point of our nation's manned space program. NASA is directly and indirectly the largest employer in the Clear Lake area. Many other Clear Lake residents work in downtown Houston. The rush hour commute is about 35 minutes. Clear Lake is located within 20 minutes of Hobby Airport, and 50 minutes from Bush Intercontinental Airport. Still others in the area are employed by the three area hospitals, the numerous clinics, the three shopping malls, and the area schools, colleges and universities. Future Economic and Growth projections for the Clear Lake, Houston and Galveston Island areas remain strong.
The Clear Lake area has a large recreation and entertainment menu. There are golf courses and tennis centers, playgrounds, indoor/outdoor pools, gymnasiums, Little League, and more. The Houston Yacht Club, Lakewood Yacht Club, Texas Corinthian Yacht Club, and the Galveston Yacht Club are all minutes from the Clear Lake area. The beaches of Galveston Island are only a short distance away.
In Galveston, you may choose to visit the Antique Aircraft Museum, Moody Gardens, the Railroad Museum or the Elissa, one of the oldest clipper ships in Texas.
The Clear Lake area is served by the Clear Creek Independent School District. They have two high schools, two intermediate schools, and four elementary schools in the Clear Creek area. In addition, the following universities and junior colleges are in the area: Lee College, College of the Mainland, Alvin Community College, San Jacinto College, Houston Community College, and the University of Houston at Clear Lake. Rice University and the main campus of the University of Houston are all within short commuting distance from the Clear Lake area.
The city of Friendswood is a rural community located on the west side of the Gulf Freeway (I-45 South) and currently has over 28,000 residents. Homesites vary from smaller subdivision lots to heavily wooded homesteads on several acres. Some creek front properties area available and one subdivision offers a private landing strip. Prices range from the mid $90's to over $300,000. The community enjoys easy access to Hobby Airport as well as Ellington Air Base, a training base used by NASA, the U.S. Army Reserve, and the Coast Guard.
Pearland was founded in 1894 and is currently one of the fastest growing cities in the Gulf Coast region. The community is overlaps Brazoria and Harris county and can be found between Highway 288 and I-45 South adjacent to Beltway 8. Home prices range from $65,000 to $350.000+ with new construction found nearby most notably in the development of Silver Lake. The 38,000 residents of Pearland enjoy easy access to Hobby Airport and the city of Houston.
The city of Galveston is just a one hour drive from downtown Houston and many newcomers are surprised by Galveston's rich history, museums and attractions. Galveston has a growing and diverse housing market from older homes built in the early 1900's to waterfront properties, mid-rise condos and an assortment of resort properties. Pirate Cove and Tiki Island offer new home construction with bay views. Home prices range from the low $100's into several hundred thousand dollars depending on type, location and view.
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