7 Best Places to live in Houston, Texas

Looking for the best neighborhoods in Houston, TX? Here are the 7 best places to live in Houston with local favorites!

Houston, Texas is a large metropolitan area located near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The perfect example of southern charm and cowboy living, Houston is a popular city and cultural center. Best known for its business opportunities, affordable housing, and amazing food, it is no wonder that Houston is considered one of the best places to live in Texas. Plus, as the location of NASA and the Johnson Space Center, Houston is recognized for its astronaut training and space research. 

 

If you are moving to Texas and have decided to make Houston your home then you are probably wondering where you should live. While moving, in general, is often stressful, finding a neighborhood that is perfect for you can be overwhelming. Since many factors can affect your moving decision including affordability, safety, location, and access to amenities, our team has put together this neighborhood guide to help make your move easier. By including only the best areas to live in Houston, Texas, learn about where you should and should not live as well as what suburbs in the city are the nicest. Read on to learn more about the 7 Best Neighborhoods in Houston, Texas!

Midtown

Located in the central part of Houston close to Downtown lies the neighborhood of Midtown. A great place to live, Midtown is attracting many young professionals to the area for its abundance of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and local businesses. Providing its residents with a trendy and upscale vibe, this neighborhood is extremely walkable and is close to all of the most popular city attractions. While Midtown is considered to be part of the inner loop of Houston, it remains an affordable area even though it is highly populated and sought after. Most property types that can be found in this area include luxurious high-rise apartments, chic lofts, and renovated single-family homes. So if you are looking for a lively and diverse neighborhood with fantastic nightlife, then look no further than Midtown. 

Local Favorites:

• Axelrad Beer Garden: If you love all things craft beer then make sure to head to this beer garden. Renowned for its live music and wide selection of brews, this beer garden has food trucks, hammocks, and exciting events that make it a go-to spot for locals. 

• Midtown Arts and Theatre Center Houston: Attend a show at this arts center that hosts dance, music, theatre, and gallery shows throughout the year. Visit the website to check out its online calendar and to purchase tickets for any upcoming events. 

• Station Museum of Contemporary Art: Owned by James and Ann Harithas, this contemporary art museum is a cool place to admire works from local, national, and international artists. Featuring sculptures, paintings, and rotating exhibits. 

• Oporto Fooding and Wine House: Serving Portuguese tapas and wines on tap in a luxurious and elegant dining room. There is no better way to end the day than with a glass of wine and even better food.

Memorial 

Offering its residents a perfect balance of suburbia and urban city life, the neighborhood of Memorial is a popular destination for families and young couples. Constantly ranked as one of the top neighborhoods in Houston, Memorial is cherished for its highly-rated school system and desirable amenities. Only within a 20-minute drive to Downtown Houston, this neighborhood is surrounded by lush forested areas, green spaces, large lot sizes, and private residences. Plus, with many shopping centers, parks, quaint cafes, and even a country club, there is always something to do when living in Memorial.

Local Favorites:

• Terry Hershey Park: Named after a famous conservationist, this park runs parallel to the Buffalo Bayou. Featuring more than 10-miles of hiking and biking trails as well as stunning views and natural areas, this is a great place to spend time outdoors and admire wildlife.

• The Houston Museum of Natural Science: Learn all about dinosaurs, space, and the history of the natural world at this science museum near Hermann Park in Houston. There is even a butterfly house and IMAX theatre. This is a cool place to bring the kids and tickets only cost up to $25 per person. 

• Space Center Houston: Known as a Smithsonian affiliate museum and the visitor center of the NASA Johnson Space Center, learn all about space exploration and what it takes to become an astronaut. Make sure to check out the large space rock collection that is located on-site. 

• Houston Zoo: Home to over 6,000 animals, this zoo welcomes more than 2.1 million visitors each year. This is a great place to bring the family to learn all about the importance of animal conservation.

Houston Museum District 

This culturally rich community makes the Houston Museum District one of the most popular neighborhoods in Houston. Known as a safe place to live, this neighborhood is home to up to 19 museums which is what earned the area its name. Attracting artists, photographers, historians, and scientists from near and far, the Houston Museum District is refined and has something for everyone to enjoy. Thanks to the neighborhood’s recent resurgence, most single-family homes, and apartment complexes are modern and lavish. The area is also super walkable and the public transportation system is easily accessible.

Local Favorites: 

• Children’s Museum Houston: This 90,000 square foot museum is an interactive and immersive center for kids to learn and grow. Welcoming all kids up until the age of 12. 

• The Health Museum Houston: This interactive science and medical center feature both permanent and rotating exhibits about the human body and all things health-related. 

• The Museum of Fine Arts Houston: Considered one of the largest museums in the United States, this fine arts museum houses about 70,000 different works from all over the world.  

• Cockrell Butterfly Center: Located in the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, this rainforest habitat is home to thousands of butterflies. Walk through this three-story center to admire these colorful insects.

River Oaks

The upscale and affluent neighborhood of River Oaks happens to be one of the most expensive neighborhoods in the United States and the rest of Texas. Providing its residents with only the best real estate available in Houston, living in River Oaks is ideal for wealthy families and retirees alike. Due to the neighborhood’s rich history, architectural styles reflect the “old money” of Houston through its large stately mansions and magnificent estates. New construction is making its way into the area as well through prestigious apartment complexes and beautiful single-family homes. Luxurious restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment are also a major draw to the area.

Local Favorites:

• River Oaks Park: This park features green spaces, benches, a playground, and athletic fields. 

• a’Bouzy: A French Bistro serving delicious food and a wide selection of wine and champagne. Enjoy favorites such as oysters and truffle ravioli.  

• State of Grace:  Serving only the best American eats, classic Texas dishes, and craft cocktails. While the prices may be a bit on the more expensive side, the quality of the food is worth it. Enjoy popular dishes including oysters and Brussel sprouts.  

• Frank’s Americana Revival: This is the place to go for amazing drinks and even better service. Known as an upscale eatery, make sure to order the crab cakes and the raspberry Moscow mule.

Montrose 

The neighborhood of Montrose is hip and edgy which is why it is often nicknamed “Houston’s Austin” referring to the city of Austin's vibe and energy. This artsy and boho community is located close to the Museum District which means that it is nearby top amenities and popular cultural destinations. Full of great bars, live music, cool restaurants, and an insane amount of art galleries, this neighborhood will appeal to your inner hippie. Surrounded by 1920’s mansions, traditional single-family homes, and a wide variety of apartments, condos, and townhomes, have your choice of property type in an eclectic setting.

Local Favorites:

• Buffalo Bayou Park: This 2.3-mile park is located near Downtown Houston and provides up to 15-miles of walking and hiking trails. A great outdoor escape from the hustle and bustle of city life.  

• Houston Center for Photography: This free photography gallery features amazing exhibits, photography workshops, and a digital darkroom. A must-see for avid photographers.

• The Menil Collection: Housing over 17,000 works of art including paintings, sculptures, drawings, photographs, and prints. Spanning for 30-acres, this art museum is free admission and is an awesome place to spend the day. 

• Postino Montrose: This Italian restaurant is a great spot for lunch and has an extensive wine list. The small plates and desserts are a must-try!

Houston Heights 

Often referred to as “The Heights,” this Houston neighborhood is located in the Northwest area of the city. Known as one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city, many history buffs are flocking to the area for its historical architectural styles and property types. Find a variety of single-family homes boasting Craftsman, Queen Anne, and Victorian styles. Not only are the housing types a defining characteristic of the neighborhood, but its vintage shops and cute walkable streets are part of its charm. While most homes in Houston Heights are relatively affordable there are certain properties that are listed up to $1.4 million. If you are looking at buying a home in this neighborhood then residents are required to follow the preservation rules that are outlined by the homeowners association.

Local Favorites: 

• Savoir Houston: Offering new-American cuisine in a chic setting. Enjoy dishes such as brisket, shrimp and grits, and burgers. Make sure to order a glass of wine! 

• Squable: This modern European eatery is in a casual setting and provides small plates, pasta, and amazing desserts. 

• Dish Society: Great quality food and amazing drinks in a counter-service setting. This is a must-visit for weekend brunch! 

• Alice Blue:  A contemporary bistro with free parking serving craft cocktails and amazing Saturday brunch. The locals constantly rave about the french toast and quality service.

Greater Uptown 

The neighborhood of Uptown in Houston is a large business and shopping district located only 6.2 miles away from Downtown. This urban neighborhood is full of Texan character around the Western edge of the city and it is because of its location that Uptown is so desired by future residents. Known as a diverse area, Uptown is great for families and young professionals. As the neighborhood grows, more and more businesses, office spaces, and developments are popping up all over town. With a fantastic school system and high walkability score, it is no wonder why families are choosing Uptown as the perfect place to raise their children. Not to mention the many parks and green spaces that are scattered throughout the neighborhood provide its residents with a break from city life to enjoy the peaceful outdoors. Full of open-air shopping centers, top-of-the-line dining, and never-ending entertainment, living in Greater Uptown is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Local Favorites:

• The Galleria: Did someone say retail therapy? This upscale shopping center is a safe place to shop and welcomes over 24 million shoppers every year. Featuring over 375 stores, 30 restaurants, an ice rink, and two hotels. 

• Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park: This sculptural fountain and park located in Greater Uptown Houston is open daily from eight in the morning until nine at night. Designed and built in 1985, this structure pumps over 78,500 gallons of recycled water every three hours and twenty minutes. 

• The FOMO Factory: This immersive art space and experience takes visitors through 17 different rooms that represent the journey through childhood. Admission is $23 per ticket. 

• Uptown Sushi: Get your sushi fix at this contemporary fusion roll restaurant.

The Best Neighborhoods in Houston, TX - The Bottom Line

Houston, Texas is a great place to live and has an above-average quality of life score. While the city may have many pros and cons, one of the best parts about Houston is its abundance of great neighborhoods. Whether you are moving to Houston for work or simply for a change of scenery, Houston will appeal to any lifestyle and is more affordable than other similar metropolitan areas. Before moving, make sure to reach out to one of our knowledgeable and experienced Realty Specialists to aid and guide you through the home buying process. With the help of our team, find the neighborhood of your dreams in this southern city. In our opinion - Houston is definitely worth the move. Contact us today!

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