If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for the quiet life, but you still want opportunities for the energy and excitement of the big city, Pomona in Manvel is one of the best places to move to near Houston, TX.
Far enough for the peace and privacy of expansive green space, yet close enough for the thrills and excitement of Houston’s culture, dining, and nightlife, Pomona offers the best of both worlds.
Great Prospect of the Sunny South – Then and Now
Manvel was founded in 1857 by William Rufus Booth and his wife Elizabeth Turnsey Rawls Booth. The couple settled at the head of the Chocolate Bayou near the Brazos River. In the following decades, the small town grew to include a pharmacy, grocers, a meat market, and a small hotel to serve travelers out of Galveston.
Originally known as Pomona, the town was renamed when it was discovered that another city with the same name existed in the state. Manvel was chosen in honor of the president of the railroad. The town was incorporated in 1961 and has grown ever since, projected to reach 35,000 people by 2028, making it one of the best new communities near Houston.
Small-Town Delight Near Big City Allure
If you’re seeking a slower pace in one of the best places to move to near Houston, TX, Manvel is overflowing with small-town charm. Local residents take pride in their community and welcome mom-and-pop restaurants, shops, and entertainment, especially as the area experiences massive growth.
The Manvel Town Center will be the heart of the action and culture in town. Major brands like H.E.B, Jersey Mikes, Marble Slab Creamery, and Whataburger will be joining the town center, as well as independent dining, retail, and entertainment venues. Manvel Town Center began construction in 2022, and its HEB anchor store officially held its grand opening this October, with plenty more storefronts on the way!
If you’re eager for a day of retail therapy or a night on the town now, Houston and Pearland await. One of the top cities in the state for retail sales, complete with numerous shopping centers and malls such as The Pearland Town Center and The Galleria in Uptown Houston as well as diverse dining options.
Houston offers a hub of arts and culture, entertainment, and nightlife. Sticking to its roots, the city hosts annual events that celebrate its history and culture, such as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Bayou City Art Festival.
Named one of “America’s Best Food Cities,” Houston is renowned for its eclectic food and restaurant culture. In the Houston Theater District, you’ll find over a dozen performing arts venues with permanent and professional opera, ballet, symphony, and theater. There’s always something going on in Houston, whether you want to see a live concert or enjoy dinner and drinks with a comedy show.
Outdoor enthusiasts will never run out of things to see and do in Houston’s green spaces. The city boasts 337 parks with botanic gardens, athletic fields, and an arboretum. The city has sports teams for most major professional leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, and MLS.
Finally, there the Houston Museum District, a hub of cultural institutions that host both permanent and rotating exhibits. Some of the highlights include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Station Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Houston Zoo.
Lucrative Opportunities in One of the Fastest-Growing Cities
Along with its incredible population growth, Manvel is seeing more jobs come to the area from some of the region's top employers. Recent job growth is reported at 3.1%, and ovver the next ten years, job growth is projected to grow at a rate of 34.2% - higher than the national average of 33.5%.
Manvel residents have opportunities to work locally in one of the town’s many independent restaurants and boutiques. It’s also one of the best communities near Pearland and Houston, both of which offer some of the largest employers in the country.
The Houston area is an attractive location for large companies in the medical or aerospace industries, including the Texas Medical Center, the Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, and the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, NASA’s center for human spaceflight training and research.
Houston’s diverse economy and workforce also offer lucrative opportunities with the largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions. Some of the notable companies located in Houston include Cybersoft, KBR, HostGator, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Halliburton.
Along with healthcare, research, and technology, Houston and Pearland boast many employment opportunities in the oil and gas industry, manufacturing, tourism, and hospitality.
Early Education to Renowned Colleges and Universities
Manvel is home to a variety of educational institutions for all ages. Students in Manvel attend schools in the Alvin Independent School District, which includes Pomona Elementary School.
Several junior high schools serve Manvel, including the Rodeo Palms Junior High School and the Manvel Junior High School. Most areas to the north of Texas State Highway 6 are zoned to the Manvel High School, while areas to the south are zoned to Iowa Colony High School in Iowa Colony.
For higher education, Manvel offers Alvin Community College locally. College and university students have numerous options for higher education in the surrounding cities, such as the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, Baylor College of Medicine, and The University of Texas Medical Branch.
Luxury Living in the Suburbs
One of Manvel’s most desirable master-planned communities, Pomona blends the charm and serenity of small-town life with the flow of arts, culture, and excitement flowing out of one of the biggest metro areas in the country.
Unlike typical housing communities, Pomona radiates sophistication and luxury with functionality at its heart. Homes in this community feature innovative design and unique appeal, but all with the needs and tastes of the homeowner in mind.
Homes in Pomona come in all shapes and sizes – ranging from 1,400 square feet to upwards of 5,000 square feet. Virtually every aspect of your home can be customized with different floor plans, fixtures, finishes, and appliances to turn it from “house” to “home.”
The luxury doesn’t stop at the home, either. Pomona boasts an award-winning lifestyle program and recreational amenities to promote health and happiness – far beyond a community pool and fitness center.
Adults and children alike can enjoy amenities like the Exploration Zone, a fun park with obstacles to slide, climb, and swing, and the Backyard Park, a forested preserve with treehouses, ziplining, and fireside chats. There’s also a charming bee themed pocket park called The Hive that is geared for younger children ages 2-7 years old with slides, swings, and climbing elements.
For outdoor fun, you can take advantage of the recreational fishing lake at Fish Camp or hit the water with kayaking, boating, or watersports off The Dock. There are numerous hiking and biking trails in the picturesque suburbs surrounding Pomona as well.
Explore Pomona’s Boutique Community Today!
Ready to see what all the fuss is about? If Pomona sounds like your own personal paradise, find out why this is one of the best places to move to near Houston, TX. Explore Pomona's homes for sale in Manvel, TX with our virtual model park, or contact us to schedule a tour and see the communities in Manvel in person!