Willowbrook - Houston, TX

This northwestern area of Houston was originally settled by Germans who kept the land a rural area until a population boom occurred in the mid-twentieth century. At this time, rapid suburbanization was in progress; developers were attracted to the area, and eventually the school district began to manage the growth. Another surge in activity arose with the development of the mall in the 1980s.

Although Willowbrook does not host any annual events, residents can always make the short drive into the city to enjoy the larger-scale events of Houston. These events include the Houston Barbecue Festival and Art Houston, a huge art walk in the evening with at least 30 different galleries participating in the event.

Both major chain restaurants like P.F. Chang's and Chili's, as well as locally owned places, serve the residents of Willowbrook, leaving diners satisfied after every occasion.

On Tomball Parkway, Babin's Seafood House caters in the tastes of Louisiana. This restaurant can only be found in Texas, but it will make you feel like you're dining in New Orleans for the night. Babin's serves blue crabs that come straight from the Gulf of Mexico, and oysters are shucked as you order them. The spicy gumbo will fill you with warmth and assure that you visit again soon.

Punta Cana Caribbean Restaurant provides the neighborhood with decadent Puerto Rican and Dominican cuisine. The empanadas have the perfect amount of crunch to them and the fried, sweet plantains are an excellent side dish. Punta Cana famously serves up mofongo, a dish composed of broth and mashed plantains, that chefs pair with a meat of your choosing. This restaurant also lies on Tomball Parkway.

Off of Grant Road rests Mango Tree Thai Bistro, an excellent place to order edamame for an appetizer. The portions here are larger than normal, so you'll always have leftovers to take home. The restaurant prides itself in being vegan and vegetarian-friendly, so everyone can enjoy their pad Thai dishes and spicy curry.

Nightlife in Willowbrook has an energetic feel, with residents always hanging out with friends at one of the local bars or clubs. On FM 1960 Road West, Whisky River is a country venue that houses a large dance floor, a mechanical bull and cheap drinks. Although the majority of the music played here has a country twang, the DJ always plays a mixture of tunes. Another popular venue called Crazy Frogs Saloon has a spacious area where friends can relax, drink, and play darts and air hockey. A DJ also plays music for that gets folks rushing to the dance floor.

Residents of Willowbrook traditionally drive their own cars around the area, and the availability of public parking makes this decision easy. The Tomball Parkway and Sam Houston Parkway run through the neighborhood, so travel into the city remains easy.

For residents who prefer public transportation, the Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) has a few routes that venture into the Willowbrook area. Both day passes and bus cards can be purchased. Multiple taxi companies serve the Houston area as well, such as Town Car Taxi Service and Yellow Cab; these companies are just a phone call away.

Other alternate services include Uber drivers who provide rides to the greater Houston area. A smaller company known as Walt Inc. is a shuttle service determined to eliminate drunk driving in the neighborhood. Walt Inc. will take you from your home to a restaurant or bar and then return to take you home from that location. All of their rides are round trips and the company stays open only Thursdays through Saturdays. Fees range from $15 to $25, depending on the number of people in the vehicle.

Willowbrook does not have a multitude of parks, but the extravagance of Matzke Park off of Jones Road makes up for it. This park always bustles with energy as residents love coming here to visit the butterfly garden and view the gorgeous, fresh flowers. A long trail is perfect for running or walking, so you can exercise after eating in one of the picnic pavilions. Children also love visiting Matzke Park because of the playground with climbing area and the open space for playing soccer. The fun here lasts all day, because the park is also well-lit.

Near Willowbrook's outskirts lies Reba's Dog Park, a lovely two-acre field for dogs to run loose and exercise with their owners. The park has a fee of $60 per year for use, and all owners must show proof that their pals have had their vaccination shots.

The average rental rate for housing in Willowbrook equals $845 per month, although cheaper and high-end options can be found as well. Because Willowbrook's location is so close to the city, the cost of living here versus Houston equals about the same.

Gas prices in Willowbrook cost about 10 percent cheaper than the national average. To get to the center of Houston by using the Metropolitan Transit Authority, fares are only $1.25, although senior discounts also exist. You can find a pint of beer for about $5 at a local bar.

Some renters can save in overall costs by looking at fully furnished apartments. Furnished apartments in the area include Perla 1960 Houston and Smart Living at Cyprus Creek.

Willowbrook residents never have a problem finding what they need for presents or gifts with Willowbrook Plaza and the Willowbrook Mall both nestled off of Tomball Parkway. This area draws attention to the neighborhood because of its excellent selection of stores and outlets.

The Plaza is the perfect place for afternoon entertainment. Residents can shop, see a movie and dine all in this quaint area. Stores include Bed Bath &/and Beyond, a place for housewares and Gymboree, a store that sells clothes for children.

Across the road from the Plaza lies Willowbrook Mall. Large department stores include Macy's, Dillard's and Sears. Specialty stores can also be found in this 160-store mall, including the likes of the Disney Store and Michael Kors. Residents have no trouble finding both affordable and high-end products at this mall. The many jewelry stores include Pandora and Brighton Collectibles.

Residents of this neighborhood shop at Fiesta Mart and Rani's World Foods for groceries. These locations provide locals with fresh produce and meats, as well as already-cooked meals to take home and enjoy. Farmers markets do not exist in this area.