a great place to live

Charming Houston community named No. 12 most family-friendly U.S. city

Evelyn's Park is a Bellaire resident favorite.

Photo via Evelyn's Park Conservancy

If Houston-area residents are looking for the perfect new place to buy a home and raise a family, they should steer their interest toward Bellaire. The southwest Houston suburb, impressively, has been named the No. 12 most family-friendly city in the U.S. by real estate marketplace Opendoor.

Opendoor's second annual "Family-Friendly Cities" list focuses on local communities that offer plenty of recreational outdoor activities that are suitable for families of any age. Bellaire was the only Houston-area city to make the new list and the second Texas city to make the list after Watauga (No. 5), near Fort Worth.

Cities were identified using the average number of family-friendly activity tags found on OpenStreetMap that are used for addresses in a city where the marketplace operates. Factors that were considered include cities with community centers, gardens, museums, parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, and more.

For those new to the city or unfamiliar, Bellaire – split in half across I-610 below where it meets I-69, bordered by Southside Place and West University Place to the east – has plenty of family-friendly attractions.

There are 14 different parks around Bellaire, including the popular five-acre Evelyn Park, with its butterfly wall, art lawn, wildflower hill, walking trails, wide open spaces, and two pavillions.

The Evelyn's Park Conservancy says the park is the perfect place to relax with family and enjoy the beauty of nature.

"With its beautifully designed spaces and engaging programming, the new park appeals to audiences of all ages and interests — it is at once a quiet refuge and a flourishing place for community, a fresh destination and a perennial part of our city’s history," the site says.

But its Paseo Park (also on Bellaire Boulevard, but west of I-610) which hosts the Bellaire Arts and Crafts Festival, an annual family-friendly festival that has been showcasing local artwork since 1972. The upcoming festival will take place on November 11, 2023.

In addition, Bellaire residents can make use of a thriving public library, visit the city's 9/11 Memorial, Nature Discovery Center, The "Officer Lucy Dog Park" within Lafayette Park, the Bellaire Town Square Family Aquatic Center, and much more. The city is also adjacent to some major Houston attractions like NRG Stadium, the Houston Zoo, Memorial Park, and The Galleria.

According to recent reports, the average home price in Bellaire is a whopping $1,005,759 – significantly more than the average home value in Houston proper, $264,789. It's become an attractive place for renovated shopping centers and coveted for its "community vibes" in recent years.

Opendoor's 15 best family friendly cities in 2023 are:

No. 1 – Somerville, Massachusetts
No. 2 – Berkeley, California
No. 3 – Cliffside Park, New Jersey
No. 4 – Arlington, Virginia
No. 5 – Watauga, Texas
No. 6 – Chandler, Arizona
No. 7 – Denver, Colorado
No. 8 – Portland, Oregon
No. 9 – Valley Stream, New York
No. 10 – Garden Grove, California
No. 11 – Coral Gables, Florida
No. 12 – Bellaire, Texas
No. 13 – Ann Arbor, Michigan
No. 14 – Mission, Kansas
No. 15 – Avondale Estates, Georgia

The full report can be found on opendoor.com.

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a new record

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo commits over $30 million to education

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cattle exhibition

Courtesy of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The money supports studies in fields such as animal husbandry.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo continues its annual tradition of breaking its own record when it comes to educational endowments. On Giving Tuesday, the organization pledged to disburse $30,353,380 in 2026 in the form of scholarships, grants, and other funding.

“This milestone moment of reaching $30 million in a single year highlights the Rodeo’s unwavering dedication to Texas youth and education,” HLSR president and CEO Chris Boleman said in a statement. “Thanks to our loyal donors, sponsors, more than 36,000 volunteers and dedicated attendees, 2026 will reach historic heights in supporting the next generation of leaders, agricultural professionals and organizations that share the Rodeo’s mission.”

This brings the total of education funding provided by the Rodeo since 1932 up to $660 million. Last year's $28 million commitment also set a new record.

One innovation this year is the establishment of the Area Go Texan Vocational Scholarship, a program that expands on the relationship with 68 Texas counties through the Area Go Texan affiliate program. One student from each county will receive $6,000 toward a degree or certificate in a vocational field at a Texas nonprofit college or university. Another $500,000 in vocational scholarships will awarded to 10 schools in 2026. Guidelines for applying can be found at this link.

In total, the Rodeo will hand out $15,126,000 in scholarships, $11,273,500 to junior exhibitors, $3,430,880 in grants, and $523,000 in graduate assistantships. Grants will be awarded to 82 Texas institutions and organizations, such as Arts for Rural Texas, BridgeYear, The Bryan Museum, Diversity in the Arts and Entertainment, Greater Houston Partnership Foundation, Multicultural Education and Counseling through the Arts (MECA), Space Center Houston, Texas State University Development Foundation, and University of St. Thomas at Houston.

Money for the annual endowment is raised through the annual auctions, sales of livestock and art, and through charitable donations. The goal of the endowment program is to promote study and research in agriculture, animal husbandry, and other fields that directly benefit the Rodeo.

The Rodeo is scheduled to run from March 2 – 22, 2026. More information on performers, attractions, and vendors can be found at RodeoHouston.com. Scholarship applications are open through February 2, with funds being awarded in summer 2026.

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