Elevate Your Lifestyle: Discover the 8 Best Gated Communities in Houston

Living in a gated community offers a sense of security and privacy that simply cannot be found elsewhere. However, finding the perfect gated community to call home can be a daunting task, especially in a city as large as Houston.

The city of Houston is home to many luxurious gated communities designed to provide residents with a high-quality lifestyle. From beautiful homes to top-notch recreational facilities, these communities have everything you need for a comfortable and enjoyable living experience.

Whether you're looking for a spacious family home, a cozy condo, or a luxurious estate, there's a home in the best gated communities in Houston that will meet your needs. 

Arlington Terrace

Arlington Terrace is a high-end enclave of 67 single-family homes situated in a centralized location to Downtown Houston and the Medical Center. Also known as Arlington Court, this neighborhood is located east of Memorial Park and south of Memorial Drive. Homes average 3 beds and 4 baths and upwards of 4,000 square feet.

This small community is secured by a manned gate and on-site patrol, as well as a surrounding perimeter wall to increase privacy. Residents benefit from steady real estate appreciation, with the average appraisal value topping $1 million. Inventory is often limited, with an average of 3.6 homes being sold per year over the past decade. The starting price for a gated community home in Arlington Terrace generally begins in the $900s, with most homes topping the seven-figure mark. 

Surrounding the neighborhood, residents have convenient access to retail and dining options, as well as a nearby bustling nightlife. The Galleria, a popular shopping destination, is less than four miles away, and Downtown Houston is under five miles from the neighborhood. Nearby Memorial Park is a large urban green space with a range of sports facilities, a golf course and driving range, and miles of hike and bike trails that allow for outdoor exploration.

Park at Memorial Heights 

The Park at Memorial Heights neighborhood encompasses a 120-acre area, and unlike other gated communities near downtown, residents can enjoy neighborhood design that emulates the feel of a small village. This community’s main gate is manned 24 hours a day and the neighborhood has roving security. Via a coded gate on the west side of the neighborhood, Spotts Park is easily accessible. The 16.24-acre park has a playground, picnic area, walking trails, and basketball and volleyball courts.

The lot sizes in The Park at Memorial Heights are smaller, ranging from 1,800–2,400 square feet. Some homes boast luxurious features, such as private balconies, media rooms, and two master bedrooms. These beautifully landscaped properties offer exceptional curb appeal, with many home designs featuring traditional architecture and brick or stucco exteriors. The updated patio homes and townhomes feature modern interior designs such as high ceilings and hardwood floors. Homes for sale in the Park at Memorial Heights usually range between $450,000 and $825,000. 

Residents have a convenient commute to Houston's major employers, including the Medical Center and downtown. Ranked as one of the most accessible communities in the city, the Park at Memorial Heights is a hot area for real estate and land value appreciation.

Royal Oaks 

Royal Oaks is one of Houston's top golf course communities and one of its most popular luxury neighborhoods, built around a par-72 Fred Couples signature course. Amenities include a fitness center, a clubhouse, tennis courts, swimming pools, playgrounds, and proximity to green spaces such as Mark Driscol Park and Terry Hershey Park Hike and Bike Trail. The houses include villas, chateaus, separate homes, and estates. Floor plans include 4- and 5-bedroom options and can range from 2,800–9,000 square feet, with some lots topping 20,000 square feet.

The neighborhood has a guarded entrance that is manned 24/7, as well as an eight-mile masonry wall that provides privacy to residents. Royal Oaks is close to some of the cornerstones of Houston’s economy, including the Energy Corridor, Galleria, and Texas Medical Center, which are all within 25 minutes. The average price tag on a Royal Oaks home tops $1 million, though some start between the $300s and $500s.

Residents of Royal Oaks have access to bars and restaurants on both sides of Westheimer, and one of Houston's newest retail centers, Royal Oaks Village, is nearby. The neighborhood includes an actively involved homeowners association, a resort-style pool, and a basketball court.

Ravenna

Ravenna is an upscale Houston neighborhood within Spring Branch featuring elegant homes that are reminiscent of Italian towns from the 1900s. Inspired by Mediterranean design, many homes feature white stucco and brick exteriors, tile rooftops, and beautiful arched doorways. Private balconies and courtyards provide a unique touch to the new construction homes. The resort-style amenities in the neighborhood include a clubhouse, a pool, and a dog park.

Situated next to key Houston thoroughfares such as Katy Freeway, Loop 610, and Highway 290, residents of Ravenna have easy access to much of the city. Commuting to the Energy Corridor, Downtown, Memorial City, or the Galleria is convenient and generally takes less than 20 minutes. River Oaks Country Club and Buffalo Bayou are a stone's throw away, as well as the T.C. Jester Disc Golf Course and various hike and bike trails around the city.

Interior features include elegant stairways, spacious gourmet kitchens, high 12-foot ceilings, and oversized soaking tubs. The median sales price for Ravenna homes is usually just over $1 million, which is a testament to the popularity of the area and the charming Italian vibe. The neighborhood is close to Houston's nightlife hotspots and award-winning restaurant dining.

Westhaven Estates

Westhaven Estates is a deed-restricted community located between Briargrove and Tanglewood, along Nantucket and Potomac Drives. This residential enclave was established back in the 50s and has since been transformed into a series of luxury patio homes and townhomes. The community boasts the accolade of being named Houston's first manned guard-gated community.

Residents have quick access to major Houston roads, such as Memorial Drive and Post Oak Lane. Memorial Park is nearby, offering expansive green space and facilities. Ranked as one of Houston's most walkable communities, the 120 homes within Westhaven Estates have access to shopping, dining, groceries, and nightlife hotspots such as the WXYZ Bar, Belvedere, and Yellow Rose Distilling. The community also sits directly across from the Houston Country Club, a premier golf course within the city.

The median sales price is typically in the mid-$500s, with many homes ranging from 4,000 to 6,800 square feet of living space. Floor plans feature 4–5 bedroom options, with large wooded lots that provide privacy. Architectural styles range from Spanish, Mediterranean, and traditional. Larger homes in the enclave can exceed $5 million, with lots exceeding 20,000 square feet.

Carlton Woods 

Carlton Woods is located in one of Houston's most luxurious suburbs, The Woodlands. The tranquil setting of homes in The Woodlands is a major draw to those seeking a quiet, peaceful, and upscale lifestyle. Homeowners will appreciate 24-hour security and lock-and-leave aspects that have been designed to add convenience to residents' lives. The neighborhood was ranked as one of Houston's best golf course communities, with a Jack Nicklaus-designed signature golf course, The Club at Carlton Woods, being less than a mile away.

Homes in this community were primarily constructed in the early 2000s, and there is a wide range of sizes and layouts, from 3-bedroom single-family homes to 10-bedroom estates. Some of the larger lots exceed 100,000 square feet. Prices usually begin in the $800s and can exceed $3 million, though the median sales price is generally around the $1.7 million mark. The neighborhood is further away from downtown Houston and the Galleria than others on this list (abotu 45 minutes), but close to the Exxon Campus (about 20 minutes).

This master-planned community provides residents with convenient access to shopping, dining, and nightlife options. High-end amenities include pools, spas, gyms, and tennis courts and the 53,000 square-foot clubhouse at the golf course is a community hub.

Parkway Terrace

Parkway Terrace is built on a 315-acre area with homes being primarily constructed between 1996 to 2009. The neighborhood includes 800 luxury homes, with 11 lakes and oak trees to provide shade during the hot summer months. Residents have access to on-site jogging trails, tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a recreation center. Homeowners in Parkway Terrace are also only minutes away from the 7,800 acres of George Bush Park, where there are more trails, sports fields, playgrounds, and a shooting range. 

Many homes in Parkway Terrace have a traditional architectural style, though some take inspiration from Mediterranean aesthetics. The average floor plan has four bedrooms, with some of the larger lots exceeding 14,000 square feet. Property value appreciation is strong within the community, with a typical median sales price of over $700,000. Homes generally begin at $450,000 and can exceed the $2 million mark. 

One of the major draws of living in the community is the proximity to the Energy Corridor, which is just two miles away. This major Houston employment center is home to some of the regional headquarters for the biggest names in the oil and gas sector, such as ExxonMobil Chemical, BP, Citgo, and ConocoPhillips. Residents are also only a short drive from West Oaks Mall, which boasts over 100 stores and restaurants and 1 million square feet of retail space. The Parkway Villages Shopping Center is close as well.

Hudson Forest

Hudson Forest is a gated deed-restricted Houston neighborhood with updated homes first built in the 1970s and 1980s. Divided into six smaller communities, there is a mix of single-family patio homes and townhomes with traditional and contemporary designs. Popular floor plans are three to four bedrooms, two stories, and have between 2,300–4,000 square feet of living space.

The median appraisal value within the neighborhood is generally in the mid $500s. The neighborhood cites solid real estate appreciation, with a median sales price typically just under $800,000. The low inventory drives high demand when properties become available. High-end community amenities include a swimming pool designed for residents only, sports facilities, and a hike-and-bike trail for anybody wanting to enjoy the fresh air. The 24-hour guarded entrance provides access to the community and the HOA keeps the grounds neatly landscaped.

Residents are about 20 minutes from the Galleria and the Energy Corridor and have easy access to Memorial Drive. Nearby stores, restaurants, and parks provide a centralized location for Hudson Forest homeowners. These vintage homes have thoughtfully crafted features, including attached two-car garages and updated patio and deck spaces.

Explore Houston’s Gated Communities

Houston's best gated communities offer residents an exceptional living experience, with top-notch security, privacy, and luxurious amenities. From sprawling estates to comfortable townhomes, there's a community to suit every lifestyle and budget.

Whether you're looking for a community with world-class golf courses, convenient commutes, or beautiful scenery, Houston has it all. By choosing to live in a gated community, you'll enjoy a uniquely appealing lifestyle and benefit from a sense of built-in community.