Is the thought of moving your entire life to Houston sending you into a tailspin? We get it. As one of the largest cities in the nation, Houston is home to a whopping 88 “super neighborhoods.” So, how do you choose the right neighborhood for your family?
Walkability, safety, traffic, and living costs are all factors to consider when shopping for a home in the Space City. Safety is especially important, as Houston is known for having a higher crime rate than other areas.
But don’t worry. With a little prior knowledge about some of Houston’s neighborhoods, you’ll be able to scope out the perfect place to live.
Top 9 Houston Neighborhoods
There is a long list of neighborhoods in Houston, Texas due to its size. Houston itself is 655 square miles (almost twice the size of Dallas) and has a population of just over 2.3 million people! With that said, here are some of the best neighborhoods to check out.
1. Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is like the heartbeat of the big city (and even other neighborhoods near Houston). When living downtown, you’ll have access to plenty of entertainment venues, bars, and performing arts organizations.
Among the skyscrapers and shopping centers, Downtown Houston also has a wide selection of parks and recreation spots, including Market Square Park, Tranquility Park, and many other options.
Much of the housing options are regular apartments and luxury apartments due to the building-dense area.
Key Details About Downtown Houston
- Average Rent: About $2,000 per month
- Average Home Price: About $350,000
- Safety Score: A
- Top Schools: Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Incarnate Word Academy, and the Young Scholars Academy for Excellence
- Attractions: Downtown Aquarium, Discovery Green, Main Street
- Restaurants: Hearsay Market Square, Xochi, and The Rustic
- Ideal For: Young adults and professionals
2. Midtown
Midtown is located just below Downtown Houston and is in close proximity to multiple highways and the Texas Medical Center. So, you can get just about anywhere in the city in less than 20 minutes.
The neighborhood’s spirit lies in its art scene, live music venues, nightclubs, bars, and shopping districts. If you’re a young professional, a creative, or just someone who loves to be in the middle of the action, Midtown is for you.
Neighborhood Information:
- Average Rent: About $2,000 per month
- Average Home Price: About $390,000
- Safety Score: A
- Top Schools: Houston Academy for International Studies Early College High School and A+ Unlimited Potential Charter School
- Attractions: Axelrad Beer Garden, Warehouse Live Midtown, and Midtown Park
- Restaurants: Brennan’s Houston, Lost & Found, and Jinya Ramen Bar
- Ideal For: Young professionals and artists
3. Memorial
Memorial is located to the west of the city and sits just below Bear Creek Pioneers Park. It’s often recognized as one of the top neighborhoods in Houston for families.
While this neighborhood is famous for its highly-rated school districts–it’s also known for its delicious dining choices, outdoor recreation, and shopping.
Neighborhood Information:
- Average Rent: About $1,700 per month
- Average Home Price: About $650,000
- Safety Score: C
- Top Schools: Meadow Wood Elementary, Stratford High School, and Westchester Academy for International Studies
- Attractions: CityCentre, The Music Box Theater, and Houston Audubon
- Restaurants: The Rouxpour, Mia’s Table, and Maggiano’s Little Italy
- Ideal For: Young Families
4. Kingwood
Known as the “Livable Forest,” Kingwood is a top neighborhood for raising a family. It spans over 14,000 acres and is located along Lake Houston, just below Timberlane Acres.
Kingwood is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, as it offers miles of park space and offers greenbelt trails for nature walks and biking. Some favorites among long-time and new residents are East End Park and River Grove Park.
Neighborhood Information:
- Average Rent: About $1,300 per month
- Average Home Price: About $375,000
- Safety Score: B
- Top Schools: Foster Elementary School, Kingwood Middle School, and Kingwood High School
- Attractions: River Grove Park and East End Park
- Restaurants: Three B’s Grill, BB’s Tex-Orleans, and The Union Kitchen
- Ideal For: Families and retired folks
5. Greater Heights
Greater Heights is located just north of the Washington Avenue Coalition and Memorial Park neighborhood and is bordered by White Oak Bayou. This neighborhood stands out with its historic charm and small-town feel.
Neighborhood Information:
- Average Rent: About $1,800 per month
- Average Home Price: About $650,000
- Safety Score: C
- Top Schools: Sinclair Elementary School, Hogg Middle School, and Heights High School
- Attractions: The Heights Theater and Donovan Park
- Restaurants: Rainbow Lodge, Cedar Creek, and Crisp
- Ideal For: Families
6. Montrose
Montrose sits between the River Oaks and Midtown neighborhoods. It’s known for its prolific art scene. Whether you’re moving to the area, or just stopping by for the weekend, be sure to check out the local art galleries.
Moving to this neighborhood is becoming increasingly popular among the younger crowd, as it’s very close to Downtown Houston (and the job opportunities the city offers).
Neighborhood Information:
- Average Rent: About $2,200 per month
- Average Home Price: About $650,000
- Safety Score: B
- Top Schools: Baker Montessori School and Carnegie Vanguard High School
- Attractions: Montrose Collective, The Menil Collection, and Buffalo Bayou Park
- Restaurants: Traveler’s Table, Hugo’s, and The Pit Room
- Ideal For: Young professionals
7. Medical Center Area
The Medical Center Area is located just below Houston’s Museum District. When you live here, you’ll always have stunning views of the Brays Bayou.
This area attracts millions of people each year, as it offers top-of-the-line healthcare services and top colleges like the Baylor College of Medicine. Many medical professionals live nearby, as there is easy access to all of the medical buildings.
Neighborhood Information:
- Average Rent: About $2,000 per month
- Average Home Price: About $500,000
- Safety Score: A
- Top Schools: No grade schools (nearby schools include Roberts Elementary School and The Rice School)
- Attractions: Hermann Park, Houston Zoo, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Restaurants: Piada, Miller’s Cafe, and Poke in the Bowl
- Ideal For: Young professionals and families
8. The Woodlands
The Woodlands neighborhood sits to the west of Chateau Woods and is home to the famous Lake Woodlands.
Neighborhood Information:
- Average Rent: About $1,300 per month
- Average Home Price: About $550,000
- Safety Score: B
- Top Schools: The Woodlands Methodist School and The Woodlands Young Learners Academy
- Attractions: The Woodlands Mall, The Koi Garden, and The Woodlands Waterway
- Restaurants: Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen, Fielding’s Wood Grill, and Mahoney’s
- Ideal For: Families
9. Sugar Land
Sugar Land is in southwestern Houston and combines big-city amenities with a relaxed small-town atmosphere. This neighborhood is perfect for both families and professionals in the early stages of their careers.
Neighborhood Information:
- Average Rent: About $1,600 per month
- Average Home Price: About $450,000
- Safety Score: B
- Top Schools: Colony Meadows Elementary School and Settlers Way Elementary School
- Attractions: Sugar Land Town Square, Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land, and Sugar Land Memorial Park
- Restaurants: Jupiter, Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, and Japaneiro’s
- Ideal For: Families
Final Thoughts
You want to pick the perfect Houston neighborhood for you and everyone in your household, and as they say, good things take time. If you find yourself waiting a little longer to find the perfect place, you’ll need somewhere to store your things while you house hunt. Neighbor, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace, can help with this and offer nationwide self-storage options that are up to 50% cheaper than traditional choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Neighborhoods Are in Houston?
There are a whopping 88 neighborhoods in Houston. So, there are plenty of apartments and homes to choose from when making your moving decision!
What Is the Nicest Neighborhood in Houston?
There are many nice neighborhoods in Houston, but Midtown seems to be a favorite.
