7 Best Places to Live in Houston, Texas

Are you looking for the best neighborhoods in Houston, TX? Here are the seven best places to live in Houston with local favorites.

Houston, Texas, is a large metropolitan area near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico—the perfect example of Southern charm and cowboy living. Houston is a famous city and cultural center. Best known for its business opportunities, affordable housing, fantastic food, and prime real estate, it is no wonder 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, you are probably wondering where you should live. While driving, in general, is often stressful, finding a neighborhood that is perfect for you can be overwhelming. Luckily, Texas offers many beautiful neighborhoods in Houston, San Antonio, and Galveston.

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 and 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 highly walkable and close to all the most popular city attractions. While Midtown is considered part of Houston's inner loop, it remains affordable despite being 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, 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, making 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 purchase tickets for upcoming events. 

• Station Museum of Contemporary Art: Owned by James and Ann Harithas, this contemporary art museum is an excellent place to admire works from local, national, and international artists. We are 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 

Memorial's neighborhood is a popular destination for families and young couples, offering its residents a perfect balance of suburbia and urban city life. 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 parallels the Buffalo Bayou. This is a great place to spend time outdoors and admire wildlife, featuring more than 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, stunning views, and natural areas.

• 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 an excellent place to bring the kids; tickets only cost up to $25 per person. 

• Space Center Houston: Known as a Smithsonian affiliate museum and the NASA Johnson Space Center visitor center, learn about space exploration and what it takes to become an astronaut. Make sure to check out the giant 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 annually. 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 has up to 19 museums, earning 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. We are welcoming all kids up until the age of 12. 

• The Health Museum Houston: This interactive science and medical center features permanent and rotating exhibits about the human body and everything 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 works worldwide.  

• 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 is 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 also entering the area through prestigious apartment complexes and beautiful single-family homes. Luxurious restaurants, shopping centers, and entertainment are also a significant draw to the site.

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: We serve only the best American foods, 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 Brussels sprouts.  

• Frank's Americana Revival: This is the place for fabulous drinks and better service. Known as an upscale eatery, order the crab cakes and the raspberry Moscow mule.

Montrose 

The neighborhood of Montrose is hip and edgy, so it is often nicknamed "HHouston'sAustin," referring to the city of Austin's vibe and energy. This artsy and boho community is close to the Museum District, near top amenities and popular cultural destinations. Full of great bars, live music, excellent restaurants, and a vast amount of art galleries, this neighborhood will appeal to your inner hippie. Surrounded by 1920s 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 unique 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 30 acres, this art museum is free admission and is an excellent place to spend the day. 

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

Houston Heights 

They are 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 site for its historical architectural styles and property types. Find various 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, specific properties are listed at up to $1.4 million. If you want to buy a home in this neighborhood, then residents must follow the preservation rules outlined by the homeowners association.

Local Favorites: 

• Savoir Houston: Offering 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 incredible drinks in a counter-service setting. This is a must-visit for weekend brunch! 

• Alice Blue:  A contemporary restaurant 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 entirely of Texan characters around the city's Western edge, and it is because of its location that future residents desire Uptown. Known as a diverse area, Uptown is excellent 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. The many parks and green spaces throughout the neighborhood give residents 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 annually. We feature over 375 stores, 30 restaurants, an ice rink, and two hotels. 

• Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park: This sculptural fountain and park in Greater Uptown Houston is open daily from eight to 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 rooms representing the childhood journey. Admission is $23 per ticket. 

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

FAQ - Best Neighborhoods in Houston, TX

Here are some commonly asked questions about the best neighborhoods in Houston, TX.

What part of Houston is best to live in?

Depending on what you are looking for, Houston has diverse neighborhoods with unique qualities. The Medical Center Area was named the best neighborhood, with Hermann Park, Houston's Zoo, and a natural history museum. There are plenty of things to do near this neighborhood. 

What is the safest part of Houston, Texas?

The safest areas in Houston include Hunters Creek Village, Midtown, West University Place, Sugar Land, and Kingwood. 

Is Houston or Dallas safer?

Both cities are amazing, but Houston is known to be safer than Houston as it is No. 140 for home and community safety.

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. Texas has many other amazing cities like Plano, Dallas, Fort Worth, Galveston, and San Antonio. 

Before moving, 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 worth the move. Contact us today.