Houston really does have it all!  From busy professional living, close to the major work hubs, to quieter suburban areas or anything in between, you'll find exactly what suits your  housing needs and preferences in the Houston area.  My neighborhood page gives you an overview of  various areas hopefully  without overwhelming you. Please let me know if you have any questions or if you'd like info on a Houston neighborhood/community that isn't listed here. I'd be happy to help!

Houston's Inner Loop areas are listed immediately below, with close-in and suburban after that. Just scroll down.

Energized and bustling, downtown Houston is a melting pot for business, residential development and entertainment.  From baseball to theater, from historical to contemporary, the heart of Houston has it all.

The city’s skyline district has several new office towers being incorporated next to an already vital and evolving 90-block area in the historic district, which features clubs, restaurants, shops and convenient parking.

As for downtown Houston real estate, more and more Houstonians are choosing a downtown address.  Downtown Houston's current residential population of 3,000 is expected to more than triple by 2010.

Professionals working downtown, empty nesters and reverse commuters are increasingly attracted to downtown, with its growing opportunities for loft living.  Approximately 3,017 units have been built within 1.5 miles of downtown in the past few years.  Another 4,000 are expected to be complete in the next few years . An exciting new project is the new urban oasis, called Discovery Green opened in April 2008 and is accross from the Geaorge R. Brown Convention Center and It's companion hotel, the Hilton Americas. Discovery Green  is a $93 million, 12 acre park that features an interactive fountain, a one‑acre pond, beautiful green spaces for personal recreation or small events, a jogging trail, a playground, two restaurants, an amphitheater, picnic areas and other activities visitors can experience and enjoy.  It will rival many other great urban parks found in the world’s leading cities. Check it out here! : http://www.discoverygreen.com/

The Theater District - a 17-block area in downtown’s epicenter - provides venues for ballet, opera, theater companies, symphony and Broadway performers.  Nationally it ranks second to New York in terms of sheer numbers of concentrated theater seats in a downtown area.

“Our resident performing arts organizations are world-class and internationally recognized,” says Barry Mandel of Theater District Association.  “They travel worldwide and always come back home to Houston.”

In 2002, the Theater District welcomed the new Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. And in February 2003, the Downtown Aquarium opened, offering up-close views of exotic marine life, seafood restaurants, Ferris wheel, carousel and much more. Nearby, Bayou Place boasts live music, restaurants and a movie theater for passers-by who want to sample the infinite offerings.

On downtown’s eastern border, the expanding George R. Brown Convention Center introduces its companion hotel, as well as a new basketball stadium to complement an existing state-of-the-art baseball facility.   For more info, go here... http://www.houstondowntown.com/home/default.asp


Midtown
Zip code: 77006, parts of 77004

Midtown Houston, to the south of downtown, is an emerging jewel, immersed in redevelopment since the mid-1990s.  Location is Midtown's chief asset as it is situated directly between Downtown and the Texas Medical Center.  Midtown Houston is therefore a logical choice for a residential area to serve the two largest employment centers in the region with more than 200,000 jobs.  That combined with the completion of the light rail in 2004 which runs from downtown through midtown to the Medical Center and to downtown, makes it very convenient and a "hot spot" to live.  Approximately 5,000 residents live in Midtown, which consists mainly of recently built  townhomes and apartments.  Styles range from contemporary to traditional. For the first quarter of 2007, Midtown Houston real estate is having a mini boom in the townhouse market, particularly in the 200K-300K range.

Midtown has a rather large large business community, including a Vietnamese business district, three cultural arts museums and 40,000 square feet of performing arts revitalization.  The community-oriented, urban neighborhood has grown tremendously and has become a hub of restaurants and shops.  For more infor, go here... http://www.houstonmidtown.com

Bellaire
Zip code: 77401

L iving in the City of Bellaire, Texas offers the perfect combination of quiet, small town America, and the convenience of big city attractions.  Originally one of Houston’s first suburbs, Bellaire grew from a small farming community to a booming residential neighborhood, its growth spurred by Houston’s original trolley system.

Approximately 16,000 people live in Bellaire, roughly the same number as those who work within the city limits.  The 6,000 homes in Bellaire are a mixture of 1950s and 1960s two- and three-bedroom ranch styles and brand new Georgian brick and Mediterranean stucco mansions.  The practice of tear-downs – replacing old frame and brick bungalows with new, larger construction – is a common practice in Bellaire real estate. Bellaire experienced an 8.6 percent increase in property values last year. More than 200 homes valued at more than $500,000 were sold.

West University Place
Zip code: 77005 and 77030 for West U, Rice Village, Southside and Southampton

As the name reflects, the City of West University Place (West U) draws its location and atmosphere from neighboring Rice University, the "Harvard of the South."  Long before Houston developers got the idea that Inner Loop real estate was a hot market, West University Place was setting the pace in redevelopment.  A charming mix of bungalows and new brick homes, West University is known both inside and outside Houston as a quality family-friendly community and has some of the finest real estate in Houston, in fact it's the third most expensive neighborhood in Houston.  It's close proximity to Houston's medical center also makes it very attractive.

West University officials take special care with construction, putting specific restrictions and codes on the development of lots in the area.  Such care makes sure West U neighborhoods are attractive and hold their value, thus making it one of the most desirable real estate areas in Houston.  These neighborhoods are sprinkled with parks, and all of the streets are lined with trees. Residents, both young and old, are active and involved in the life of the community.  Real estate prices range from $320,000 to over $2 million.  The median price per square foot increased by 7.6 percent this past year.  Lots range from $180,000 to $500,000+.

Close by is Rice Village, home to prestigious Rice University.  The Rice Village area is one of the most vibrant and exciting in Houston.  Beautiful tree lined, residential streets surround the university.  Great shopping and eating can be found at The Village which has more than 350 stores, including 70+ restaurants.  The 16-block area has an eclectic mix of unique shops and designer boutiques.  Real estate ranges in cost from the $300s to $800s plus for a single family home.

Southampton  is across from Rice University and this upscale neighborhood is also near the Texas Medical Center, the Museum District and not too far from downtown. Southampton was developed in 1922 by E.H. Fleming and is comprised of mostly large bungalows and Georgian style homes, most of them beautifully preserved. Stunning new construction homes are also available. Beautiful Oak trees form a canopy over Rice and Sunset boulevards, making it a memorable area.  Older homes generally sell from the high $300,000 + new construction starts in the the 1 million range.

Southside Place is a special small secret.  Shaped like a backward “L” slipped into the boundaries of West University, Southside Place has 440 homes and 1,500 residents.  Only nine streets from one end to the other and only one block wide, Southside Place has street names in alphabetical order from Bellaire to Jardin.  The tiny town was created in 1924 when E.L. Crain organized the small rows of bungalows.  Chinese tallows became the trademark of the neighborhood.

Residents of Southside Place cherish the small town atmosphere of the community.  Statistics show the average sales price of a home is over $800,000.  The range is from $310,000 to well over $1 million.  The average value of a lot is $325,000.  The average household income in West University-Southside Place is $200,000 per year.  Almost a third of the residents in the West U-Southside Place area hold some type of graduate degree.

River Oaks, a well-established,  Inner Loop neighborhood with some of the finest real estate in Houston.  Known for it's location just minutes from Houston's central business district and cultural center.  Its accessibility to shopping and dining in The Galleria, Highland Village and River Oaks Shopping Center.  This exclusive area is known for it's fine estates, beautiful homes, ancient oaks, magnificent azaleas and impeccably manicured lawns.  Closer to Shepherd/West Gray, you can find newer construction in the form of townhomes and patio homes, more affordable than it's mansions slightly to the North. *See also Royden Oaks below***

Afton Oaks/Royden Oaks
Zip code: 77027
Now more than 50 years old, Afton Oaks is a deed-restricted Inner Loop residential community of approximately 525 homes. Located between the Galleria and Highland Village, the neighborhood provides close proximity to the many cultural, professional and retail centers of Houston.

Royden Oaks lies just West of River Oaks and like River Oaks, it boasts luxury homes and prestige although the lot sizes tend to be smaller than those in River oaks

Montrose
Zip code: 77006

The neighborhood called Montrose is labeled the “last bastion for entrepreneurs” by many and is home to local artists, actors, musicians and students and is one of the most eclectic neighborhoods of Houston.  Brushing downtown to the south, Montrose is well known for its pioneering spirit and unique persona with its special shops and architecture.  It has an eclectic blend of businesses and definitely has something for everyone.  Here you'll find a mix of both older homes/bungalows and townhouses, both contemporary and traditional.  Real estate prices start in the high $200's for a bungalow, around 350K+ for a recently built townhome, many of the very recent have a fourth story, roof-top deck and these are selling in the 400K and up.  A grand, beautifully restored home in a historic Montrose neighborhood will sell for around 1 million dollars. 

Upper Kirby District
zip code: 77098

 Known for its signature British phone booths and distinctive red and white street signs, Upper Kirby offers a cosmopolitan mix of older bungalows, newer custom homes, modern townhomes and condos. Bordered by Westheimer, Shepherd, Bissonnet and Buffalo Speedway and surrounded by Montrose, River Oaks and Afton Oaks it's also a prime area for great shops, boutiques and restaurants. A luxury, $120 million highrise condominium project just broke ground in early 2007 and is scheduled for completion at the end of 2008 or early to mid 2009.  

Heights
Zip code: 77008

The Heights, just north of downtown is a diverse, small town community in the heart of Houston that is truly unique. The Heights  has a tremendous neighborhood spirit not seen in other Houston proper subdivisions and community spirit and pride is alive and well.  The Heights is characterized by charming tree-lined streets that frame the largest concentration of historic Victorian homes in Houston.  The unique 19th street historic business district has a variety of antique and specialty shops that make the area a Mecca for antique shoppers.  Heights Boulevard, the main esplanade is a living photograph of "how it used to be", featuring distinctive turn-of-the-century homes, privately maintained parks, and businesses keeping in the turn of the century style.  The Heights has annual events such as the Historic Heights Home and Garden Tour, Heights Fun Run, Heights Festival and Holiday Open House.  Hundreds of volunteers greet thousands of visitors who come to celebrate the history and tradition of the community at these events.  Real estate in the area ranges in the low $200's for a small bungalow to over over one million dollars for a grand Victorian mansion.  For more info, go here... http://www.houstonheights.org

Clear Lake originally was a fishing and agricultural community. NASA's decision in the 1960s to locate the Johnson Space Center there gave a strong impetus to the area's development.  Today, aerospace related companies employ about 27 percent of the area's population.

Contributing significantly to the area's economy also are the petrochemical and computer industries.  As a result, housing in Clear Lake is in demand and the area offers a variety of housing options.  From apartments to rent to expensive homes in golf course communities, Clear Lake has it all. Many of the public schools have exemplary or above -average ratings.

For those who like planned-community living, Friendswood Development Co. has created more than 10 single-family subdivisions.  The most upscale are the Lake Cove, Pinebrook, Brookwood and Bay Oaks subdivisions.

Generally, ages of homes range from brand new to 25 years old.  New construction is constant.  Purchase prices span from $150,000 to $1 million +.

High-flying types will appreciate Hobby Airport just 10 miles away.  Even non-flyers will occasionally have the chance to greet astronauts or U.S. presidents and other VIPs as they wing in to Ellington Field.

In October 1992, Space Center Houston, a $70 million, 40-acre visitor center complex, opened in the area.  A visual time line depicting the history and future of manned space flight illustrates America's space accomplishments.  Walt Disney Imagineering created hands-on exhibits and programs, allowing visitors to experience the inner workings of the manned space program.

Boating, recreation and tourism industries employ more than a quarter of Clear Lake's work force, so many chances exist for participating in boating, wind surfing, or other water sports.  Boaters can choose from 19 marinas offering more than 6,000 boat slips.

For those who would enjoy living in a community built on dreams pointed upward to the sky and downward to the sea, Clear Lake is certainly worth exploring.

The city of Friendswood lies farther south, on the west side of the Gulf Freeway.  It is a rural community founded in 1895 by members of the Society of Friends (Quakers).

These days, the 28,000 residents enjoy a heavily-wooded, rural atmosphere.  Some homes sit on several acres, others on smaller subdivision lots.  Creek front properties are available, and one subdivision offers a private landing strip as an amenity.  Prices range from the mid-$100,000s to $400,000 or more.

A big draw for families are the public schools.  All of the schools in the district have either exemplary or recognized ratings.

Easily accessible to all these communities is Hobby Airport, named for the late William P. Hobby, former Texas governor. Close by, too, is Ellington Air Base, a training base used by NASA, the U.S. Army Reserve, and the Coast Guard. Also on the base is a cargo facility for United Parcel Service.