Pearland, Texas, located just south of Houston, recently ranked No. 3 in the U.S. and No. 1 in Texas in this year’s U.S. Best Places to Live report.

Pearland’s recent recognition didn’t happen by chance. It reflects a long-standing, communitywide commitment from city leadership, residents and partners like the Pearland Economic Development Corp. — or PEDC — to make Pearland a destination of choice. Mayor Kevin Cole, a resident for nearly five decades, has witnessed this steady, intentional growth firsthand and believes the city’s best days are still ahead.

“Pearland is a city with great people who make it a vibrant place to live,” he said. “Since day one, the community has developed a unique identity with a rich quality of life that continues to attract businesses and keep families here.”

Cole sat down with Bisnow to outline what makes Pearland an award-winning place to live, from the amenities to educational/workforce opportunities and new housing developments.

A More Inclusive Community 

Cole said that Pearland is committed to making every visitor and resident feel welcome, which is why the city has implemented amenities that promote safety and accessibility for all. One is the Miracle League Field, built in 2022, which is a specially designed baseball field for children and adults with disabilities. In 2023, Ed Thompson Inclusive Park opened, welcoming children of all abilities.

“Over the past two years, we’ve seen a tremendous impact on the community, with more than 50,000 people visiting Miracle League Field and Ed Thompson Inclusive Park,” Cole said. “This is helping connect families together who may have members with disabilities. We want our community to know that you matter, we appreciate you and care about you.”

He added that having third places, like Pearland Town Center or community parks, is also a part of having a strong community because it not only adds to the cultural and social engagement, but it also encourages people to shop local and build up the economy.

“We want to keep all the retail and sales tax dollars in the community, while also attracting people outside of our community,” he said. “There are tons of events at Pearland Town Center that bring our community together, like our fun summer events and a Christmas tree lighting ceremony each year. We want to curate spaces where our community can regularly gather.”

Educational And Workforce Opportunities 

Another key component of Pearland’s growth is its investment in education. Cole said that one of the top priorities for families when deciding to move to a new community is their kids’ education. The community is primarily served by two school districts. Pearland Independent School District and Alvin School District offer high-quality K-12 education, along with post-secondary institutions, including Alvin Community College and the University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland campus.

“Having a system where somebody can go from grade school to higher education institutions and never leave the community is tremendous,” Cole said. “What this does is break down one of the biggest barriers for education: cost. Now, somebody can stay at home and get a quality education without having to worry about room and board, breaking generational educational gaps.”

He added that these educational opportunities also help strengthen Pearland’s workforce. A prime example of this is the partnership with Alvin Community College and gene cell therapy manufacturer Lonza, which is helping to meet the growing demand for talent in biotech in the greater Houston region by providing more technical certification programs.

Modernizing Housing Options And Developments 

Pearland offers a wide variety of housing options, including master-planned communities, estate lots and multifamily, all while keeping affordability in mind, Cole said.

One of the newest housing developments he’s most excited about is Pearland’s Old Town, which is being revamped by Houston-based developers Sullivan Brothers Builders. They’re revitalizing this underutilized land to create row houses and bungalows with a luxury aesthetic that still emphasizes a sense of community, “where you can sit on the porch and talk to your neighbor,” Cole said.

He added that they are doing so in a way that puts a modern twist on Old Town’s traditional architecture, by working closely with PEDC and the city to ensure they are staying true to the city’s vision.

“We struck up a partnership between the city, PEDC and Sullivan Brothers to update Old Town’s infrastructure, updating its drainage, water and sewer lines and more,” he said. “Sullivan Brothers is building 56 lots and is already selling units. We want this development to be a catalyst to breathe new life into Old Town as we’re finalizing a redevelopment plan here in the next couple of months.”

While Pearland has a rich history, Cole said the focus is now on creating a more modern, walkable community that keeps its close neighborhood ties.

“Not only are we creating denser housing options and additional developments across Pearland, we want to provide long-lasting value to our residents while not forgetting the tight-knit community that’s helped it thrive for more than a century,” he said. “As Pearland continues to grow, its leaders remain focused on balancing progress with community values. From inclusive amenities and strong schools to modern housing and economic partnerships, the city is determined to offer residents not just a place to live, but a place to belong.”

This article was produced in collaboration between the Pearland Economic Development Corp. and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.