Houston Neighborhood Profile: Pearland

Veterans searching for a Pearland VA home loan, will enjoy this community situated 15 miles from downtown Houston. This quiet suburb has grown rapidly over the last two decades. Today, about 80,000 people enjoy Pearland’s highly regarded schools, low crime rate and master-planned subdivisions.

Pearland sits just south of Houston in Brazoria County. Pearland and Friendswood, directly to the East, are roughly bordered by Texas 288, I-45 and Beltway 8. In the 1800s, present-day Pearland consisted of prairie. Past resident’s harvested fruit and vegetables such as cantaloupes, corn, figs, pears, and watermelons. In the 1930s and 1940s Pearland had many dance halls and beer joints that entertained people from the Hastings and Manvel oil fields.

The average home value here hovers just below $200,000. With an average lot size of about 2 acres, the housing stock is dominated by sizable single-family residences. While parts of the city date back to the 1800s, large developments like Shadow Creek Ranch, Silverlake and new constructions are a big draw for families moving to the ‘burbs. There is a special draw for disabled veterans living in Pearland, as they are exempt from a percentage of property taxes based on the percentage of their rating.

Veterans moving to Pearland looking for a broad live music selection or an electronic club scene will probably want to make the short drive into Houston. For Pearlanders sticking close to home, though, The Drink Station (8209 Broadway) coffee house offers movie nights and live music. If it’s a stronger drink you’re after, try Norton’s Texas Pub (9719 W Broadway), Buffalo Wild Wings (9415 Broadway) or Chili’s (2709 Broadway and 3030 Silverlake Village).

True to its long Texas history, the community of Pearland supports Veterans and offers hungry diners a bevy of barbecue and Tex-Mex, in addition to a number of familiar chains. Central Texas Style Barbecue (4110 Broadway) has served hickory smoked favorites for 40 years. It it’s Tex-Mex you’re after try La Rosa Mexican Grill (6425 Broadway), Gringo’s Mexican Café (2202 Broadway) or Lila’s (2704 S Main). Other Options include O’Cajcen Seafood Restaurant (1635 Broadway), Ruby Chinese Restaurant (3207 Broadway) or Santa Barbara Italian Café (5012 Broadway).

Shoppers will find most of Pearland’s retail offerings in malls along the bordering freeways. Pearland Town Center, at Texas 288 and FM 518, features a Macy’s, Dillards, Sports Authority and Barnes and Noble laid out among smaller shops and outdoor walkways in a large, mixed-use development.

Along I-45, Baybrook Mall (600 Baybrook Mall) in neighboring Friendswood houses another good selection of stores anchored by Macy’s, Dillard’s, JC Penney and Sears. Bass Pro Shop (1000 Bass Pro Drive) draws scores of sportsmen to its location at the junction of Texas 288 and Beltway 8.

Veterans buying a home in Pearland will enjoy the Pumpkin Chunkin Festival, held annually in the fall, the festival gives adults the chance to see who can hurl that venerated symbol of fall the farthest, while kids enjoy a raft of family friendly activities organized by Shepherd of the Heart United Methodist Church.