Less than 20 miles from Houston, Stafford distinguishes itself from the city's many other bedroom communities. Stafford's motto is "The City with No City Property Taxes," which applies to both residential and commercial properties — though it does impose a 2% local sales tax on top of the state sales tax. It's home to 17,600 people, a number that triples on weekdays as people commute to the area for work. The city has several manufacturing plants and big companies like UPS. Education, including the school district and the Stafford campus of Houston Community College, also employ locals.
Residents of Fountain Lake can use Interstate 69 to access Downtown Houston.
Fountain Lake is a property tax free area that allows all types of businesses to grow.
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An uptick in new housing, low HOA fees
Central Stafford is mainly commercial, with much of the space occupied by hotels and business parks. Houses are set in small subdivisions and golf communities built on the outskirts and south of the commercial areas. The median sales price in Stafford is around $312,000, while nearby Sugar Land's median is above $400,000. Neighborhoods such as Fountain Lake have modern homes that sell on par with the city median. Houses in Fifth Street are a mix of established properties dating from the 1960s to the '80s — whose prices tend to be slightly lower — as well as newer and newly built homes.
Fifth Street boasts of many two-story traditional homes with grey bricks.
Most of the homes in the Fountain Lake neighborhood are one-story.
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Municipal parks include Stafford City Park
The city has around 36 acres dedicated to municipal parks. Stafford City Park is the largest and features a cricket ground. A city pool is open seasonally. Just east of Stafford is Buffalo Run Park, popular for boating and fishing, and Riverbend Country Club, a private course in Sugar Land.
The Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre and Convention Centre, with a 1,100-seat performing arts theatre and over 25,000 feet of exhibition space, hosts music performances, conventions and seasonal holiday markets. The large domes of the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple, and its surrounding fountains and gardens are well-known in the area.
Friends play basketball at the covered courts at Stafford City Park near Fifth Street.
Oyster Creek Park provides a scenic backdrop for walking and cycling near Fifth Street.
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Furthering education at Houston Community College
The Stafford Municipal School District scores a B-minus on Niche and includes an Early Childhood Center for pre-K and Kindergarten and a STEM Magnet Academy. For private options, the city has Everest School, a B-rated STEM-certified Islamic school, and a campus for Sugar Creek Montessori School. A local branch of Houston Community College is located on the city's east side, serving approximately 8,000 students.
Thurgood Marshall High School is named after the Supreme Court Justice and is near Fifth Street.
Stafford High in Fountain Lake focuses on creating a positive and engaging learning experience.
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Stafford's retail thoroughfares, also close to Sugar Land Town Square
On the city's north side, along Interstate 69 and Route 90, are retail plazas filled with big-box stores like a Walmart Supercenter, national retailers and chain and local restaurants. Local dining spots reflect the community's diversity, with everything from Mexican to South Asian to Indian to Pakistani cuisine.
While Stafford doesn't have a designated downtown area, it's only 5 miles from Sugar Land Town Square, a vast outdoor plaza filled with specialty shops, eateries, upscale international retailers and event spaces.
Mayitos offers Fountain Lake residents authentic, fresh seafood.
The Fountains at Fountain Lake is the most popular retail outlet in the area.
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Convenience to airports, including Hobby
Stafford is bordered by Interstate 69 and the Sam Houston Tollway, which connect to downtown Houston and the greater metro area. The closest airport is William P. Hobby, 20 miles east, while George Bush Intercontinental Airport is 35 miles north. The city is bordered by Sugar Land, which has several highly rated medical facilities, including the Sugar Land Medical Center.
Crime and weather in Stafford
According to data submitted by the Stafford Police Department, property crime rates are slightly higher than the state and national average, while violent crime rates are somewhat lower. Property crime rates are influenced by the sheer amount of retail and commercial space, as well as hotel areas, that exist in Stafford.
Like other areas of South Texas, Stafford is characterized by hot, humid summers and very mild winters. Flooding, hurricanes and tornadoes are possible.
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