A place for parents and kids

This Houston neighbor scores spot among top family-friendly suburbs in U.S.

Tomball boasts small-town charm.

Tomball is on the map as a great place to live.

Realtor.com has put Tomball toward the top of its new list of the best family-friendly suburbs in the U.S. Tomball lands at No. 5 in the Realtor.com ranking.

In light of the lifestyle changes brought about with the COVID-19 pandemic, Realtor.com decided to crunch the data to come up with a list of the top 11 family-friendly suburbs where parents would actually want to live. Realtor.com looked at the country’s 11 largest cities, then picked suburbs in each metro area with a population of at least 10,000.

Among the factors Realtor.com considered are percentage of children living in each suburb, local school rankings, the number of family-friendly businesses (like day care centers), commute times, and the presence of restaurants, bars, and activities.

Denville, New York, a suburb of New York City, tops the list.

Realtor.com describes the fifth-ranked Houston suburb of Tomball as “a prime spot for families, with a small-town feel but big-city perks.” Its population sits close to 12,300.

The website notes the numerous eateries and festivals you can enjoy at Old Town Tomball on Main Street, along with the suburb’s hike-and-bike trails and railroad depot museum.

Edging out Tomball on the list is the North Dallas suburb, which comes in at No. 4.

Realtor.com calls fourth-ranked Coppell “a good option for families looking to spread out but still be near the big city.” Its population is around 43,000.

“Outdoor activities abound, including kayaking on the Trinity River and walking the trails at Coppell Nature Park,” Realtor.com says. “Parents of aspiring naturalists should also be sure to check out the Biodiversity Education Center inside the park. Families can pick up free activity kits or participate in other hands-on education programs.”

The website also cites the newly built Coppell Arts Center, and the kids’ story times and adults’ book club at the local library.

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destination-worthy bookstore

Century-old Japanese bookstore authors a new chapter in Rice Village

Courtesy of NewQuest

The Rice Village location will build on the success of Kinokuniya's Katy outpost.

A Japanese bookstore known for its extensive selection of anime and manga is coming to one of the inner loop’s most popular shopping districts. Kinokuniya will open its second Houston-area location in Rice Village this fall.

The store has claimed the former Village Fitness space at 2369 Rice Blvd. for its Rice Village outpost. At almost 5,600 square feet, the store will offer shoppers plenty of room to browse Kinokuniya’s books, stationary, paper goods, and more.

“We’d been looking in the Rice Village area for a long time,” NewQuest managing director and executive vice president Heather Nguyen said in a statement. “We got this one before it could hit the market.”

Kinokuniya opened its first Houston location in the Katy Grand shopping in 2019. The Japan-based chain, which will turn 100 next year, also operates stores across Asia, in the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and the U.S., including Austin and two Dallas-area outposts in Plano and Carrollton.

In addition to books, the store hosts a variety of events, from book signings to horror storytelling sessions to anime meet-ups. The store's "Makerspace" hosts workshops, presentations, and other interactive experiences.

“Kinokuniya will be a tremendous addition to the Village, given its proximity to Rice University and the neighborhood’s reputation as one of Houston’s most walkable and community-oriented destinations,” Nguyen added. “The bookstore aligns perfectly with the area’s culture of learning, discovery, and appreciation for literature.”

Rice Village has been in an almost-decade long process of upgrading its retail offerings with more national and international brands. Last year, Rice University announced the Gateway Project, a $120 million endeavor to create a seamless, pedestrian-friendly corridor linking the campus to the heart of the Village.

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