11 Best Neighborhoods in Houston, TX

Houston offers phenomenal job opportunities, a low cost of living, zero income tax, and warm weather year-round. There is no question why families, young professionals, and retirees find Space City so tempting. Being neighbors with Beyonce and NASA also has its perks.

And it’s no secret most of the people moving to Texas choose Houston as their new home, but let’s see which parts are most loved by new residents and locals. Roadway Moving made not 5, not 10, but TOP 11 best neighborhoods list with a special make sure to visit spots, all to help you find out something more about this fantastic city and what it’s made of.

1. River Oaks

Nothing beats living in Houston’s most prestigious neighborhood. You’ll have access to the best shopping and dining, as well as some of the city’s most beautiful parks.

The area offers a wide variety of housing options, including mansions, townhouses, and apartments. The average price per square foot here is $1,072, while the median household income is $144,983.

River Oaks is home to Houston’s elite; politicians, people in business, international figures, and celebrities. Many residents love visiting The art deco River Oaks Theatre and its indie and foreign films and Rienzi, an opulent outpost of the Museum of Fine Arts. There are a lot of beauty services at the area’s luxe spas and salons clients can enjoy.

Make sure to visit:

• River Oaks Theatre
• State of Grace
• iPic
• Steak 48

2. Memorial

If you’re looking for a great place to raise your kids, you’ve found it. The neighborhood has an outstanding school system and plenty of recreational activities. This community is very tight-knit, and people take care of each other. This area is known for its charming streets, excellent schools, beautiful parks, and friendly neighbors. This leafy and suburban area also offers eventful nightlife, a lot of bars, restaurants, and shops. So it really is the best of both worlds.

You’ll find various housing options here, including single-family homes, townhouses, and condominiums. The average per-square-foot cost here is $1,098, while the median household income stands at $79,649.

Make sure to visit:

• The Escape Game Houston
• Terry Hershey Park
• Candytopia
• iFLY

3. West University Place

West U is a perfect place for those looking for a quiet residential area with excellent schools, tree-lined streets, and oversized lots. The neighborhood offers numerous shopping opportunities, including the Village Shopping Center and West University Mall.

You can also find a wide variety of restaurants here as well as medical facilities and other services. Most of the residents own their homes. The median home price per square foot is $1,002, while the median household income is $83,838. West U is perfect for those searching for that rural feel. Most of the public schools here place above average.

Make sure to visit:

• Gente de Teatro
• Main Street Theatre
• Moody Center for the arts
• Rice Village

4. Greenway/Upper Kirby

This trendy part of town has everything you could ever want: great restaurants, shopping centers, parks, and more. Here you will find some of the city’s most popular bars, nightlife spots, and entertainment venues. It has one of the most happening scenes in Houston.

Kirby is the perfect place for higher education and those working at the medical center. This area has a stylish, fashionable vibe making it ideal for young professionals. The average cost per square foot here is $1,062, while the median household income stands at $50,747.

Make sure to visit:

• Tiny Boxwoods
• Kirby Ice House
• Sonoma Wine Bar
• The Davenport Lounge
• Music Box Theater

5. The Washington Avenue / Memorial Park

Washington Ave has become one of America’s culinary capitals thanks to its diverse selection of restaurants, cafes, and shops. No matter what your tastes are, this neighborhood has something for everyone.

This super neighborhood also offers jogging trails, tennis courts, many outdoor activities, swimming, and picnic areas. And all of this within the Memorial Park. The site provides various housing options, including condos, townhouses, and apartments. The average cost per square foot here is $1,067, while the median household income stands at $61,851.

Make sure to visit:

• Stanton’s City Bites
• The Sporting Club
• Pearl Bar
• Platypus Brewing

6. Midtown

Midtown is Houston’s up-and-coming area with plenty of high-end shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and more. Its close proximity to Downtown and the Museum District makes it a place to check out. It’s the best combination of urban amenities and beautiful streets.

This area is highly walkable, so you can easily walk around and explore all of its hidden gems. The neighborhood offers numerous housing options, including condos, townhouses, and single-family homes. The average cost per square foot here is $1,848, while the median household income stands at $70,324.

Make sure to visit:

• The Continental Club
• Nouveau Antique Art Bar
• The Maple Leaf Pub

7. Downtown Houston

If you like walking or biking but also enjoy that city living, this is the ideal area for you. In the fourth-most-walkable neighborhood in Houston, you can enjoy the Houston Skyline views, some pools, and a shark tank.

Downtown is where the action happens, with its most famous attractions like large-scale sporting events and concerts that take place at the Toyota Center. When you get hungry, grills, casual taquerias, and sushi spots are waiting for you. According to the October 2022 Market Update from the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR), the number of single-family homes sold decreased by 22.8 percent. In October 2021, the number was around 8,600, while in October 2022, it reached approximately 6,600 sold.

Make sure to visit:

• The Dive
• Eighteen Twenty Lounge
• Hearsay on the Green
• Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

8. Montrose

We all know Austin’s vibe. Well, let us introduce you to Houston’s Austin. If you’d like to let your edginess run free, you’ve found the perfect place for it. You can walk around giant abstract murals, vintage stores, and Mediterranean cafes all the way to Eleanor Tinsley Park to play some sand volleyball or have a picnic. Montrose really does bring out your inner indie, making you want to visit every art gallery and listen to live music at cool bars and restaurants.

It’s the perfect place for you to get creative, especially if you are a graphic designer or a content writer. As far as the housing goes, you’ll have no problem finding your best fit with all of the options from mansions, traditional single-family homes, and a wide variety of apartments, condos, and townhomes.

Make sure to visit:

• Poison Girl
• Anvil Bar and Lounge
• The Hay Merchant
• Rudyard’s

9. Greater Uptown

Or as they like to call it, The Shopping city also goes by the name: The Galleria since there is a retail complex with that name; with its mix of designer boutiques, chains, and department stores, Uptown also has a year-round ice rink.

It is a generally safe area to raise a family, and it offers excellent public and private schools with above-average rankings. It also has a lot of opportunities to compete in sports with four professional teams, and it has chances to be active. Most of the residents rent their homes here and enjoy a rich nightlife, food diversity, and a supportive community.

Make sure to visit:

• The Galleria
• Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
• Williams Tower
• St. Martin’s Episcopal Church

10. Houston Museum District

The cultural heart of Houston is the most popular neighborhood in Houston, with the Houston Museum of Natural Science being the most visited one out of 19. It is divided into four zones where you can explore a variety of venues ranging from fine arts to holocaust, to African American culture, and even the zoo.

It is a lovely family area where you will really feel Houston and its true cultural colors. Besides its diversity, Museum District is a mix of urban and historic.

Make sure to visit:

• Houston Zoo
• Hermann Park
• Every museum and venue

11. Fourth Ward

Yet another historic, adjacent to the downtown area. This jazz area not only attracts talented musicians to this day but is also an essential neighborhood due to its African-American landmark communities. This is the best place to learn about Houston’s history and enjoy the combinations of old and new that Fourth Ward offers. Sam Houston Park is a must, take a tour of The Old Place and the Kellum-Noble House, and it’s like you’ve been in a time machine.

Make sure to visit:

• Lost & Found
• Café Poêtes
• Cyclone Anaya’s Tex-Mex Kitchen