The neighborhood of South Belt/Ellington is one of the more desirable areas of the Houston area and is home to over 66,000 residents. It's 20 miles southeast of downtown Houston in Harris County. The Gulf of Mexico beaches are 40 minutes to the southeast, and the George Bush Intercontinental Airport is 35 miles to the north.
The Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8) and the Gulf Freeway (I-45 S) intersect in the middle of South Belt/Ellington, providing the area with perfect access to all parts of the Houston Metropolitan area.
Ellington Airport
Ellington Airport is on the east side of the Southbelt/Ellington boundaries. The airport was initially owned by Ellington Air Force Base and was a military training field. Now it is owned by the City of Houston and is a combined public and military-use airport. Organizations that use this airport include NASA, the Texas Air National Guard, Texas Army National Guard, the U.S. Coast Guard, and a few private entities. It's also the home of Houston Spaceport. Each year, the Wings Over Houston Airshow wow audiences. Astronauts from Johnson Space Center also train here.
Neighborhoods in Southbelt/Ellington
There are quite a few neighborhoods in the Southbelt/Ellington area. Some have well-established homes, and some are in newer developments. Some are closer to the airport if your work or duty requires you to be there. Most neighborhoods have easy access to the highway if your work or destination is Houston.
Beverly Hills is an established neighborhood with homes built between 1954 and 1976. Homes here have an average sale price of $186,000, with anywhere from 944 to 2453 square feet. They have 3 to 4 bedrooms and 1 to 3 bathrooms. There is easy access to the highway. Beverly Hills Intermediate school is on the east, and Beverly Hills Park is on the west. There are large trees, lovely lawns, and wide streets with sidewalks.
Gulf Palms is an older neighborhood on the north side of town. Homes here were built between 1969 and 2021. The average sale price is $445,000. The community is well-established and cozy. They range from 600 to 1220 square feet with 1 to 3 bedrooms and 1 to 2 bathrooms. Genoa Elementary School is on the neighborhood's edge, and Gulf Palm Parks is on its west side. The park features athletic fields and sports facilities.
Kirkwood has single-family homes that were built between 1967 and 1971. They range from 1105 to 1917 square feet and have an average sales price of $215,000. They have 3 to 4 bedrooms and 2 to 4 bathrooms. Beverly Hills Intermediate School is on the north side, and the Sam Houston Freeway is on the south, so there is quick highway access. The nearest grocery store and movie theater are to the east.
Sagemont homes were built between 1964 and 1975. The neighborhood is located south of the Sam Houston Expressway and has easy access to the highway. Average home prices are around $220,000, and you can choose between single-family condos, townhomes, and lofts. Homes are slightly bigger here, ranging from 1492 to 3036 square feet. Frazier Elementary School is within the borders of this neighborhood. Stuchbery Elementary and Thompson Intermediate are right on their borders. Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital and San Jacinto College are just a few miles south. El Franco Lee Park is a few blocks to the west and has ball fields, a community center, fishing, a playground, a wetlands gazebo, a nature trail, a splash park, a butterfly garden, and a sports complex.
Scarsdale borders San Jacinto College and Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital. Homes were built between 1970 and 1978 and are reasonably priced, with a median sales price of $187,000. The sizes range from 1002 to 1824 square feet with 2 to 4 bedrooms and two bathrooms. Burnett Elementary School is within the neighborhood's borders. There is easy access to the highway from Astoria Blvd, which runs down the center of the neighborhood.
Sycamore Valley is nestled between the Gulf Freeway and Ellington Airport. There are some older homes and newer construction. The single-family homes range in size from 1365 to 2632 square feet and have an average sales price of $233,000.
Bridgegate is just north of Sam Houston Tollway. Homes were built between 1998 and 2003 and are around 2000 square feet. They have 3 to 4 bedrooms and an average sales price of $266,000. Bridgegate is a caddy corner from Blackhawk Park, with open space for hiking and relaxing, a playground, and sports fields. It's also one of several nature preserves in the area. H.E.B., the local grocery store, is to the east.
Schools
Two public school districts serve South Belt/Ellington - Pasadena and Clear Creek Independent School Districts. Here are the closest schools to the neighborhood. Your kids will probably attend the one closest to your home.
- Elementary Schools: Atkinson, Bush, Burnett, Frazier, Genoa, Jessup, Meador, Moore, Stuchberry, and South Belt
- Middle Schools - Morris Fifth Grade Center, Rick Schneider, Dr. Dixie, and Melillo
- Intermediate Schools - Beverly Hills and Thompson
- High School - J. Frank Dobie High School
One of the primary private schools is Lutheran South Academy.
San Jacinto College has a campus in South Belt/Ellington. Students have the opportunity to complete an associate's degree while still in high school. Notable people who attended San Jacinto College are Patrick Swayze, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Ray Williams, Walter Berry, and Chad Deering.
Areas of Interest near Southbelt/Ellington
Lone Star Flight Museum is a combination museum where you can see rare and historic commercial and military aircraft and a STEM learning center with public and STEM-focused education programs, including a flight academy. Tour historical planes and enjoy a warbird ride.
Almeda Mall is anchored with Macy's and Burlington and includes national brand stores and local Texas favorites. There's an arcade and food court for a total experience.
For golf enthusiasts, there is the Pasadena Municipal Golf Course. It's a par 72 18-hole course set on 160 acres, with a pro shop, driving range, food, and drinks. The course is open to the public seven days a week.
The other course in the area is Golfcrest Country Club, a members-only par 72 course. In addition to the course, there are tennis courts and a restaurant.
Take the kiddos to U.S. Golf & Games, where they can ride go-karts, play indoor mini-golf, hit balls in the batting cages, or play arcade games.
A few restaurants of interest are:
- Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse, where your steaks are roasted over an open flame in a traditional Brazilian style called churrasco.
- The Famous Crab brings in the taste of New Orleans. While Texas is well-known for its beef, the coast is only 36 miles away. As a result, fresh seafood is always available.
- Enjoy a Tex-Mex dinner at Texas Grill 49. Enjoy steak, chicken, or seafood, with or without a Mexican flare. Their menu is varied, so there is something for everyone.
- Rounding out our world tour of food, check out Kha Thai Kitchen and Bar. You'll find soups, spicy salads, fried rice, curries, noodles, entrees, and desserts. They also have a full catering menu for your private events.
Homes for Sale Near Johnson Space Center
Nine miles southeast of Southbelt/Ellington is the Johnson Space Center. People from all over are mesmerized by the space program, and the Johnson Space Center is one of the centers of activity. Astronauts come here to train, and Mission Control is located here.
The Space Center Houston is where the public can see astronauts in training, touch a moon rock, see a shuttle replica, and participate in activities to learn about NASA and space travel.
For those looking for a home close to the space center, you'll want to check out Clear Lake. This area is closer to the gulf coast as well as Galveston Bay. Located about 25 minutes from Houston, Clear Lake homes are varied. Homes range from 528 to 7679 square feet with an average selling price of $290,000. Larger homes sell for over $2 million.
Amenities in Clear Lake include a recreation and community center, pools, tennis courts, parks, and more. Children can attend the Clear Lake Independent School District or choose from several other alternative and private schools. The University of Houston also has a campus here. There is a golf course and events at the Bay Oaks Country Club and a variety of shops, restaurants, and grocery stores for entertainment and necessities.
Families love Clear Lake for its activities and events. Besides the Johnson Space Center, check out the Armand Bayou Nature Center and Kemah Boardwalk.
Living Near Ellington Airport, Houston
Whether you are moving to the Houston area for military service, work at NASA, or for another reason, check out Southbelt/Ellington. It's close to the Ellington Airport, the Johnson Space Center, downtown Houston, and the coast. The homes are affordable, and the community has everything you need.