Houston about 1949. Sixty years later, there are 5,523 homes in Oak Forest with a population of over 23,000. Oak Forest is the third largest area after the annexation of Kingwood. Houstonia magazine stated that beginning in 2000 Oak Forest began attracting "creative types" who wanted to establish families or who could not afford the Houston Heights or Montrose. From 2005 to 2011 the number of house sales in Oak Forest increased by an annual average of 5.8%. In February 2009 some Oak Forest residents reported increased burglaries and thefts. In 2010 the Houston Press ranked Oak Forest one of the "Five Most Underrated Neighborhoods In Houston." 226 house sales occurred during that year. In 2011 Jason Light, the owner of the real estate firm Light Group, was quoted in the Houston Chronicle referring to Oak Forest as the "new West University". Marlene Casares, a woman quoted in the same article, called Oak Forest as "like a little mini Bellaire, but with better prices." By 2013 many families were moving into Oak Forest and nearby Garden Oaks. In 2013 Houstonia magazine stated that Oak Forest, which was "starting to resemble a baby Bellaire or West University," was one of the "25 Hottest Neighborhoods" in Houston. Cityscape Oak Forest is in northwest Houston, outside of, and north of the 610 Loop and east of U.S. Route 290. It is located near West 43rd Street, and is between T. C. Jester and Interstate 45. Richard Connelly of the Houston Press said "Oak Forest itself is a less prominent little sister to Garden Oaks" and that "Oak Forest offers everything Garden Oaks does, more or less, but at cheaper prices." Connelly added that if the 610 Loop experiences heavy traffic in its mainlanes, "there are plenty of alternative ways to get home." In 2011 Mel Reyna, the owner of the real estate firm Reyna Realty Group, said that Oak Forest has a relatively central location in the Houston area and large lots, and that Oak Forest is relatively affordable. As of 2011 Oak Forest has 5,480 houses. The original houses are 1950s style houses. In 2005 the median housing price per square foot was $104 ($ when adjusted for inflation). In 2010 it was $138 ($ when adjusted for inflation). As of 2011 housing prices for new houses range from $550,000 ($ considering inflation) to $700,000 ($ considering inflation), and housing prices for