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    Your Expert Guide

    Kingwood: A livable forest with trails, trees, and kindness

    CultureMap Create
    Sep 27, 2022 | 4:04 pm
    Realtor Michelle Star
    Agent Michelle Star.
    Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

    There are so many great places to live in Houston that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.
    ---

    Located in northeast Houston, Kingwood offers a welcoming, suburban lifestyle with traditional homes that have been remodeled as well as new construction nearby.

    Kingwood’s proximity to the airport and downtown appeals to commuters as well as frequent fliers, while outdoor enthusiasts gravitate to the area for its natural beauty, 75 miles of greenbelt trails, and its adjacency to Lake Houston for boating and fishing.

    For real estate agent Michelle Star, the community feel and the highly rated schools were additional factors that drew her family to Kingwood when relocating from Austin about seven years ago.

    “Also, having grown up in the Midwest, all of the trees in Kingwood made me feel more at home,” she says.

    Indeed, when Kingwood was first developed in the '70s, it was dubbed the "Livable Forest" — and you’ll see that tagline all around town, adds Star.

    As the wife of a U.S. Marine, Star lived in nine other states before calling Texas home and previously worked on Capitol Hill. So she is masterful at planning every step of a move — and is also an International Relocation Specialist. She is passionate about finding the perfect property (and deal!) for her clients.

    Star offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Kingwood. Here's her guide to the area:

    Where to eat & drink
    "For a celebration or a special night out, Chimichurri's is hands-down my top spot," says Star. "This South American grill has top-notch service and some of the best steaks I've had — and their chimichurri sauce is amazing! You'll be asking for extra. Their executive lunch is always a hit as well for client meetings or a nice lunch with friends."

    If Star wants a little something sweet, she hits Taste of Gnome, a boutique bakery. "This placeis so delicious; it's dangerous that it's right next to my office!"

    Where to play
    For Star, East End Park is one of her favorite places to relax and enjoy nature and wildlife. “You’ll often see deer and a variety of birds,” she says. “I have even seen an eagle on an early morning walk. The park is also a beautiful location for sunsets along Lake Houston and family photos.”

    But there are so many other ways to enjoy the outdoors in Kingwood, too.

    “We have neighborhood pools and parks and a weekly farmers market at Town Center,” Star adds. “There's also Dylan Duncan Memorial Skate Park to brush up on skateboarding skills with a mini half pipe, kicktail, and ramp.”

    For those who like to golf, Clubs of Kingwood has five different courses along with recreational and workout facilities.

    What to see
    “You can't miss the The Bevil Jarrell Memorial Bridge, adjacent to U.S. Highway 59,” says Star. “It's the original bridge crossing the San Jacinto River and is another great spot for photos or just a scenic outlook point for the river.”

    Where to live
    “Kingwood is a wonderful place to establish a home,” says Star. “There's so much that our community offers.”

    She believes that Kingwood homes also appeal to many people because there’s a mix of traditional styles that don’t feel "cookie cutter."

    “Many of the homes from the ’70s have been updated inside to showcase their character, and others are ready for a buyer's personal touch,” she adds. “As you travel through Kingwood toward Lake Houston, you'll find homes built throughout the 2000s as well as newer construction in Royal Brook and Royal Shores. Kingwood offers a little bit of something for almost everyone's architectural style.”

    Star recently sold a six-bedroom home at 5503 Valley Lark Court that exemplifies all that Kingwood offers.

    “This gorgeous property is within close proximity to the lake, trails, and excellent schools,” she says. “It also features a custom-remodeled interior by local Kingwood builder Framestead.”

    ---

    Michelle Star works and plays in Kingwood. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email michelle.star@sothebys.realty or call 832-779-7827.

    Realtor Michelle Star
      
    Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty
    Agent Michelle Star.
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    Houstonians need to make nearly $68,000 to afford rent in 2025

    Amber Heckler
    May 13, 2025 | 12:30 pm
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    Photo courtesy of Dolce Midtown Apartments
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    A new rental report from Zillow has revealed Houston renters need to make about 23 percent more money than they did five years ago in order to afford rent in 2025.

    Zillow analysts examined the income needed to afford rent in 50 major U.S. metros, and determined rent prices in each city as of April 2025.

    The average Houston renter needs to make $67,731 a year to afford living in the city, the report found. To afford rent for a single-family home, the income needed increases even further to $85,017.

    Despite Houston's rising rent cost of living, it's still more affordable than many other cities. Nationally, the average income needed for someone to comfortably afford rent comes out to nearly $81,000. The study says that figure has increased nearly 35 percent since 2020.

    "Housing costs have surged since pre-pandemic, with rents growing quite a bit faster than wages," said senior Zillow economist Orphe Divounguy. "This often leaves little room for other expenses, making it particularly difficult for those hoping to save for a down payment on a future home. High upfront costs are often overlooked, which can keep renters in their current homes."

    Rent prices in Houston averaged $1,693 last month, which is less costly than the national average rent price of $2,024. Additionally, Houstonians are spending about 24 percent of their income on rent, while the typical American spends almost 30 percent of their income on rent.

    Renters are also saving hundreds of dollars in comparison to those that own their homes, as a recent SmartAsset study discovered the median monthly housing costs for a Houston homeowner came out to $2,219.

    At least we're not living on the East or West Coast, where eight U.S. metros require six-figure incomes to afford rent. Residents in San Jose, California need to make $136,532 a year to afford rent, the highest out of all 50 U.S. cities. Rent prices in San Jose came out to $3,413 in April.

    Here's how much money renters need to afford living in other Texas metros, according to Zillow:

    • Dallas – $71,413
    • Austin – $68,840
    • San Antonio – $58,590
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