I'm moving to Houston in the summer for work and I'm currently researching where to live. I'd love to get some of your local input. Although I have been to Houston quite a few times, it has always been in hotels so I have never had the 'real' experience. Here are my criteria: I'm a young, single guy, so I'm just looking to rent an apartment at first. My office is downtown, however I also need to be able to get to the energy corridor and airport pretty easily. I'd like to be prety close to the action (bars/clubs/music whatever) but I also enjoy going to play golf, go to the park, getting out doors etc. Any ideas? So far, from googline, I've been thinking about being downtown or in the memorial park area. What do you guys think are the best areas?
These days most young people live in Bay City. It's less expensive, and it also by the beach. Women love it. Look it up. And don't bother with Clear Lake. That place went "diaper" 5 years ago. Trust me. I sold Isuzu's once.
While both chow and krnx have points, that was where the Bush's and other rich people lived back in the day. They've been deemed "Wards" for a reason. What is your price range? I have several two bedroom Isuzu's that are damn near midtown, and I'm willing to sell them inexpensively, as long as the money comes in before 5 a.m. Monday morning...
Midtown. Case closed. It's best place to live in Houston if you're single. The food, the bars, it's close to all the major freeways. Just minutes away from Minute Maid Park and the Toyota Center.
I fyou want to live insaide the loop, 6th Ward, parts of the 1st Ward, and The Heights are my top neighborhoods. I live in the 1st Ward, and I love it. The 1st and 6th Wards are right on the North side of downtown, and you can walk or ride or bike to Astros and Rockets games unless you're fat and walking or riding a bike a mile or two scares you. They're also right in between the Montrose and the Heights. Incredibly convenient neighborhood that a lot of epople are just now catching on to. The Heights is pricier, but it's probably the best place to raise a family inside the loop unless you can afford West University, River Oaks, Memorial, etc. I would avoid the Montrose unless you plan to live with like 4 other people in their 20's and you party every night. Lot's of bars and drugs there, but a pretty crappy place to live. A minor exception is the part of the Montrose closer to Shepherd, right where it blends into River Oaks. By the way, the 5th Ward isn;t so bad. Even the 3rd Wards has some nice areas, plus you;re always close to Frenchy's and Etta's.
Midtown is the douchiest area of town. great place to live if you're into frats dudes that wear vertically striped shirts.
Montrose and Shepherd both run north/south. Except for some minor distances, they are pretty much the same distance apart the whole way...?? I used to live right by Memorial Park. I think you'd be fine there, too. You are still really close to midtown, and West U., and Montrose, and downtown, and post oak area - everywhere on the west side, essentially - and are a little bit further west along I-10 if you need to go out that way for work.
I live next door to Greenway Plaza (between River Oaks and Rice Village next to 59), and it's fantastic. It's a 15 minute drive to and from downtown (where I work). I am 2 minutes away from Rice Village, 5-10 minutes away from midtown and 15 minutes away from Chinatown (a necessity for me). Also, I used to work at the energy corridor, and it's 20-30 minutes away if you take Westpark Tollway.
MIDTOWN!! I have a place that will be available for rent in June. It has a kick ass skyline view, and is within walking distance to bars, restaurants, shopping, all that stuff. If you would like to find out more let me know. Also check out this old thread for pics: My pimpin' pad
gotcha...thought you were talking about the street. Is it really called The Montrose? I thought it was just Montrose.
For your purposes, I'd have to agree with midtown, and here's why: You can ride the train to downtown (businesses, MinuteMaid Park, Toyota Center, Convention Center, bars, restaurants, etc.) You can ride the train to Hermann Park (good public golf course) You can ride the train to Museum District (museums, zoo, Miller Outdoor Theater) Rail will (eventually) be extended to the Galleria area Short drive to Galleria/greenway plaza Now, if you were raising a family, I'd recommend something else. But if you're wanting cosmopolitan and affordable, Midtown is the answer.
