Spring Branch / Houston Texas

Houston Neighborhood Profile: Spring Branch

Spring Branch is easily identified by the Korean Street Sign fiasco of about a decade ago, Spring Lake, a pond at the center of the northwest Houston neighborhood, and the bayou tributaries that run through it, but it’s actually one of the oldest neighborhoods in town (founded in 1830) and possesses a rich history. Veterans searching for a place to use their VA home loan will be well poised to take advantage of the low interest rates and zero money down benefits here.

Spring Branch is bordered by 610 Loop to the east, I-10 to the south, Beltway 8 to the west, and Clay and highway 290 to the north.

Though Spring Branch isn’t necessarily associated with the glitzy side of nightlife that Midtown or Washington Corridor receive, there are plenty of places for Veterans to visit and enjoy. If you’re interested in, as the children say, getting your joke on, Improv Comedy Club (7620 Katy Fwy) has you covered. Feel like paying too much for a watered down drink while basking in the boom of club music? Drink Houston (7620 Katy Fwy) is happy to have you. Of course, both of these venues are part of the Marq-E Entertainment Center, which also features bowling, billiards, a movie theater and a gigantic arcade.

Spring Branch’s Hispanic and Korean demographic has trended upwards as of late, so the abundance of quality eateries with regards to those types of restaurants is expected (Vieng Thai, 6929 Long Point – Seoul Garden Restaurant, 9446 Long Point – Otillia’s Mexican, 7710 Long Point), but there are restaurants of other varieties as well. For some off the beaten path stuff try Lenny’s Sub Shop (8607 Long Point) or Connie’s Seafood and Oyster Bar (7502 Long Point). If you’re feeling less adventurous though, good ol’ Red Robin (7620 Katy Fwy) and Pizza Patron (8607 Long Point) are always around.  

Those interested in shopping opportunities aside from Veteran home searching, have a few local choices in Spring Branch. The shops in Marq-E Entertainment Center offer several specialty boutiques (oversized rap-related t-shirts, anyone?), Milk Shop (1213 W. Loop N. Suite 190) is a nice little store with a line of children’s clothing, and Home Source Furniture (1055 W. Sam Houston Pkwy) has your –surprise! – home furniture needs covered.

A vibrant art scene isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when someone mentions Spring Branch, but it’s surprisingly replete with opportunities. Houston City Ballet (9902 Long Point), Uptown Dance Center (7417 Shadyvilla Ln), and VF Fine Arts (1737 Stebbins Dr. Ste 240) are just a few of the places helping to make Spring Branch a surprise player in the art scene.

Spring Branch is nothing if not replete with parks, something a Veteran looking to use their VA home loan might pay attention to. In no particular order, there are: Agnes Moffitt Park (10645 Hammerly), Freed Park (7020 Shadyvilla Lane), Schwartz Park (8203 Vogue), Nob Hill Park (10300 Timber Oak Drive), Spring Branch Pocket Park (1700 Campbell), Housman Pocket Park (6705 Housman), Morich Petz Family Park (1493 ½ Moritz Drive), Creek Pocket Park (1701 Creek Drive), Bracher Pocket Park (1507 ½ Bracher Street), Bauer Pocket Park (2201 Bauer Road), Gessner Pocket Park (1610 ½ Gessner Drive).

Though located in Houston, Spring Branch is serviced by Spring Branch ISD. Middle Schools include: Landrum Middle School, Northbrook Middle School, Spring Oaks Middle School, Spring Woods, Spring Forest (located in Memorial) and Spring Branch (located in the City of Hedgwig Village). High Schools include: Spring Woods High School, Northbrook High School, Stratford High School and Memorial High School.  

Veteran families searching for a private school have plenty of options to go around here: Regis School of the Sacred Heart, St. Jerome School, Awty International School, Parish School, The Monarch School, Fair Haven Day Methodist School and The Rainard School.