Houston is a perfect blend of modern metropolis and cowboy chic. The city provides ample entertainment for residents especially for sport fans. Another really cool fact about Houston is the large number of career opportunities available.
Moving to Houston is a good choice as the city has a lot to offer its residents. There are various neighborhoods in the city, each with their own allure. In this article, we will be discussing the nine best neighborhoods in Houston.
Best Houston Neighborhoods
1. Great Uptown
2. Greater Heights
3. Neartown – Montrose
4. Eldridge – West Oaks
5. Upper Kirby
6. Museum District
7. University Place
8. Midtown
9. East Downtown
1. Great Uptown
Just as its name suggests, Great Uptown is truly a great neighborhood. Its population is made up of people from different walks of life.
The city has a lot of green spaces where you can go to relax, read a book, take a walk and even do some jogging.
For families with children of school age, Great Uptown is a wonderful choice as it has an excellent school system.
Common sights in the area are high-rise and mid-rise office spaces. These account for more than 10% of Houston’s overall office space. This is welcome news for people who work in the area as they will enjoy short and easy commute to and fro work.
The shopping and dining scene of this neighborhood is top notch. There are a lot of excellent restaurants where you can have delicious meals in amazing spaces. There is also the Houston Galleria Mall which you should know is one of the top 20 largest malls in the country.
It boasts of an amazing indoor ice rink that thousands of people visit each day to have a good time. Speaking of good times, Great Uptown has a lot of entertainment spots where you are sure to thoroughly enjoy yourself.
2. Greater Heights
Greater Heights comprises of several smaller neighborhoods. Its residents get to enjoy a relaxed, laid-back and small-town feel. If those are part of the features that you look out for in a neighborhood then you should really consider Greater Heights.
It is a popular choice among families due to its low crime rate. The fact that it is a pretty safe neighborhood makes it an attractive place for most persons. As you should very well know, safety is usually prioritized.
Love Park is the place to go to if you want some outdoor fun activities in the neighborhood. The park has sports field, trails for hiking and biking, as well as basketball courts. It also has a playground and your children will be thrilled after each visit.
Greater Heights has various restaurants and bars that cater to the residents. If you love reading, you should frequent the Heights Neighborhood Library.
3. Neartown – Montrose
Neartown – Montrose is a neighborhood with a rich local history. It is an older area of the city and you can see some historical homes there. The area has a lot of bars and clubs and boasts of a bustling nightlife.
Head over to the Menil Collection Art Museum for beautiful and amazing works of art. It houses more than 17,000 works of art and artifacts from various parts of the world and from different eras.
You can also check out the River Oaks Theater that was built in 1939. Its classic Art Deco architecture is quite popular.
Neartown – Montrose also has the Buffalo Bayou Park and Ervan Chew Park (dog park), cafes, eateries, and boutiques.
4. Eldridge – West Oaks
Eldridge – West Oaks is located west of Downtown Houston. It is a popular choice among families and young couples.
The neighborhood was formerly mostly ranches but in recent times, it has changed to a thriving commercial and residential area.
Fun fact- the neighborhood was home to President George H. W. Bush and his wife Barbara before they passed on. The George Bush Park in the neighborhood was named after the former president.
At the park, you can have a good time by taking part in different outdoor recreational activities. The park boasts of playgrounds, jogging trails, sports complexes, shooting ranges, as well as a dog park.
5. Upper Kirby
The initials of Upper Kirby being UK, the city planners and designers really tapped into that. That is why you will see red phone booths on different street corners in the neighborhood.
Upper Kirby is known for its parks one of which is the Levy Park. You can go there alone or with friends/family and have a really amazing and fun filled time.
The neighborhood also has a lot of office spaces and booming business ventures.
6. Museum District
You will not find the name of this neighborhood surprising when you realize that it is home to 19 museums. One of which is the Children’s Museum Houston. For most of these museums, there is no need to pay any fee to gain entrance as they are free.
Museum District has really grown over the years. Luxurious, modern residential buildings are now a common sight.
For car owners, we have to point out that there can be a lot of traffic and you might experience parking difficulties. So do well to have that in mind.
However, there is the option of using Public transportation to get around the neighborhood. Also, the area has a high walkability and bike-ability rating. As such you can make use of your bike or do some walking to get around the area.
7. University Place
One interesting fact about University Place is that streets in the neighborhoods match real universities. There are also streets that are named after famed authors such as Shakespeare and Vanderbilt.
A lot of families and young professionals reside in this neighborhood. It is not surprising that families with children of school age prefer this neighborhood as it has excellent public schools.
However, you have to be ready to face some competition while house hunting in the area. This is due to the close by Houston Memorial Park’s golf courses as well as the Texas Medical Center. There are a lot of condos and luxury apartments in the neighborhood.
We also have to point out that there is usually some traffic in the area.
There is the West University Place recreation center where you’ll find well equipped gym rooms, racquetball courts, different fitness classes as well as a swimming pool.
8. Midtown
One of the highlights of the Midtown neighborhood is its wide and well-kept sidewalks. The area offers a lot to its residents including a lively night life. The neighborhood has Midtown Park as well as Bagby Park where you can go for a fun and relaxing time.
Midtown has a high walkability rating so walking is a popular option for getting around. You can also take advantage of the convenient and easy public transportation system.
9. East Downtown
East Downtown also referred to as EaDo is yet another wonderful neighborhood in Houston. Getting there is not difficult at all as it is easily accessible.
EaDo has a 22,000-seat BBVA Compass Stadium where a lot of concerts and outdoor events are hosted. There is also the Toyota Center as well as the Minute Maid Park.
There are various bars, nightclubs, ethnic markets and wonderful restaurants in this neighborhood.
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