Greenspoint/IAH Airport - Houston, TX

Greenspoint was developed by a subsidiary of Exxon, The Friendswood Development Company. What was once a run-down area converted into a major commercial and business center. Goldman Sachs spent over $130 million to convert part of the neighborhood in attempt to draw in young professionals. Now, Greenspoint houses both professionals and families alike who benefit from the successful economy of the neighborhood and recreational opportunities.

The National Museum of Funeral History located in Greenspoint features the largest display of historic funeral service artifacts in the United States. Visitors can learn about the rich history of the funeral industry and see memorabilia, including John F. Kennedy's Eternal Flame and a 1860 German "Glaswagen" funeral coach.

In addition, residents can visit the nearby Houston Museum District, which houses 20 museums that include The Museum of Fine Arts, The Houston Museum of Natural Science and The Children's Museum.

The Greenspoint IAH Airport neighborhood houses several chain restaurants and local eateries that serve everything from seafood to Tex-Mex and Vietnamese. Super Chicken on Sam Houston Parkway prides itself on serving fresh ingredients and quality, homemade meals at affordable prices. As the name suggests, Super Chicken serves all-natural chicken in a variety of ways. Sample fried chicken tenders, chicken noodle soup, grilled chicken sandwiches, or healthy salads. Menu favorites include fried chicken with the dipping sauce of your choice, buffalo chicken po' boy, grilled chicken and bacon melt, and sweet potato waffle fries.

Jimmy G's Restaurant on Sam Houston Parkway provides Greenspoint residents with fresh seafood and Cajun-Creole specialties. Order a drink at the bar and watch the staff shuck fresh oysters and boil crawfish or dine in the family-friendly dining room. Start your meal with shrimp cocktail, fried mushrooms, fried crawfish tails, or a variety of Louisiana-style gumbos. Jimmy G's provides a vast dinner menu with everything from steak to frog legs and jambalaya. A popular entree, named the Crawfish Dinner, consists of crawfish in every form the menu offers, including bisque, gratin, etouffee, cocktail, and pie.

Greenspoint also provides several neighborhood bars perfect for wetting your whistle. Northside Saloon on Aldine Bender Road serves as a local favorite thanks to its affordable drinks. Share a pint here with friends while you listen to the jukebox and play a game of pool or darts. The Branding Iron Sports Bar and Grill provides a great location to enjoy the game, have a drink, and enjoy pub food that includes German-American cuisine.

Greenspoint residents enjoy convenient commutes throughout Houston with access to major highways and roads; this includes the Sam Houston Parkway, Hardy Toll Road, U.S. 59 and Interstate 45. For travel into Downtown Houston for work or play, drivers can take advantage of a quick 20-minute drive. Many Greenspoint residents rely on their cars for transportation, and they can find plenty of public parking. In addition, residents have the option of using a car-share service such as RelayRides or arranging a pick-up service from a local cab company or Uber.

Residents can also take public transportation. Greenspoint has 9 bus lanes that run through the area. The area supports those who travel by foot, but bicycling can be difficult due to very few bike lanes.

Greenspoint parks and recreational centers truly provide something for everybody, from dog-friendly spaces and horseback riding trails to areas catering to those with special needs and senior community. Greenspoint Spring Recreation Area provides 10 acres of space and the largest skatepark in the United States. The skatepark houses several ramps, pipes and bowls as well as a street-skating experience. Besides serving as a world-class skate facility, Greenspoint Spring Recreation Area also features a playground specifically designed for special-needs children called Dylan Park. The park provides wheelchair accessibility and areas created to engage children who are autistic or sight or hearing impaired. The park also features walking trails, open grassy fields and a community center.

Ida Gaye Gardens, designed to promote a healthy and active lifestyle for senior citizens, features an area for exercise classes with specialized exercise equipment. Residents can relax and stroll the walking trails and gardens or sit by the park's pond. Kid-friendly Thomas R. Wussow Park provides 11 acres of baseball fields, soccer fields and sand volleyball courts. Let kids burn off energy in one of the multiple playgrounds, picnic with your family or take advantage of the hike-and-bike trail.

For a unique outdoor experience, nearby Cypress Trails Equestrian Center offers scenic trails for horseback riding. Ride Spanish Mustangs or Appaloosas and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Cypress Creek caters to both experienced riders and beginners and offers riding lessons.

Greenspoint residents enjoy a lower cost of living compared to Houston. A one-bedroom rental costs an average of $558 a month. This puts the cost of living about 20 percent lower than Houston. A ride on public transportation costs about $2, and gas prices typically stay at about 5 percent below the national average. Expect to pay around $5 for a pint at a local bar.

The Greenspoint Mall located on North Freeway features dozens of stores from department store Macy's to jewelry retailers and speciality clothing boutiques. Shop Boujee Fashion for trendy apparel for both men and women and LG Jewelry for fine jewelry and gifts.

For a more unique experience, visit The International Marketplace on Greens Road. The outdoor shopping center comprises several small family-owned businesses selling goods at affordable prices. Shop for clothing, electronics, furniture and home goods you won't find anywhere else in Houston.

Residents can get their grocery shopping done at Kroger Supermarket on W Greens Road or nearby Walmart Supercenter. Locals also like to shop at Fiesta Mart Inc on Airline Drive and praise the store for its affordable prices and weekly sales. The Texas-based store provides groceries, fresh produce and everyday needs alongside an impressive selection of international and specialty food and goods.

While Greenspoint doesn't host a farmers market, several markets open in the greater Houston area, such as Urban Harvest. Visit Houston's largest farmers market and take home organic produce, artisan breads and farm-fresh eggs from more than 50 local farmers and vendors.