11 Of The Best Houston Neighborhoods In Accessibility

Tired of traffic? See "Houston's Accessible Neighborhoods".

11 Of The Best Houston Neighborhoods In Accessibility

Houstonians cite traffic as one of the worst problems facing the city, according to the 42nd annual study from Rice’s Kinder Institute. Economy (26%) was listed among the “Biggest Problems Facing The City”, joining Crime, Cost of Housing, and Traffic.(1)

In addition, Houston’s population is expected to surpass 7.1 million before the end of the year.(2)(3)

While dynamic growth is always a good thing, this implies that Houston traffic is likely to get worse over the next decade. You can read more about our predictions and analysis of current real estate trends here.

One of my clients summed up the challenge well:

Houston has one of the best culinary & arts scenes in the nation.
Where can I live, so I can walk to great grocery stores, restaurants,
shops, and also be close to my work?

To answer that, we looked at the following to determine the most accessible neighborhoods in Houston:

We also researched the median sales prices of single-family homes, townhomes, and condos in each of these Most Accessible Neighborhoods so you can see which is right for your budget.

“Paige Martin is the best Realtor. She is highly experienced and very knowledgeable. She made our buying experience an enjoyable one, not only for us, but for our daughter, son-in-law and several of our friends. She knows which neighborhoods are the best in all categories, and which ones we should avoid. We highly recommend her and The Houston Properties Team.” -- Jeremy & Lyn Greene

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Inner Loop - Best Neighborhoods

Table of Contents

  1. Where To Live On Your Budget
  2. 11 Most Accessible Neighborhoods in Houston
  3. Sources, Methodology & Disclosures
  4. Best Realtors: Paige Martin & The Houston Properties Team

Where To Live On Your Budget

Where To Live On Your Budget

For a customized approach to your home buying or selling experience, contact Paige Martin, the #1 Individual Agent with Keller Williams in the State of Texas and team lead of The Houston Properties Team.

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
Heights/Greater Heights $680,575 $311 52%
Montrose $735,000 $271 20%
Rice / Museum District $1,050,000 $338 39%
Midtown Houston $370,000 $212 15%
Downtown Houston $292,500 $252 12%
Upper Kirby $1,100,000 $330 32%
Hyde Park $885,000 $329 26%
Rice Military/Washington Corridor $562,500 $235 21%
Galleria $302,500 $193 -8%
West University/Southside Area $1,720,000 $465 49%
East End Revitalized $355,575 $206 27%

The above table shows the YTD median sale prices, home price per square foot, and 10-year appreciation rate for properties in Houston's "accessible neighborhoods".

DISCLAIMER: These are median values. The “premier streets” within each neighborhood typically sell at a premium to these prices. Also, it is very important to be cautious of locations that are near a major thoroughfare or railroad track because such proximity hurts resale. Likewise, be wary of buying from builders that have poor quality reputations as the quality of construction can vary widely and adversely affect home values.


11 Most Accessible Neighborhoods in Houston

11 Most Accessible Neighborhoods in Houston

These 11 accessible Houston neighborhoods offer you quality living, great value, and easy access to lifestyle conveniences and amenities to help you live your best life, even without a car!


1. GREATER HEIGHTS AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
Heights/Greater Heights $680,575 $311 52%

Heights/Greater Heights Map

The Heights is one of Houston’s Hottest Neighborhoods and is located north of I-10 highway, south of Loop 610, and west of Highway 45.

The Heights is widely regarded as one of the Houston neighborhoods with high accessibility, a reputation that received a solid boost when Culture Map cited the area as “one of the most accessible neighborhoods in Houston.”

The Heights retains an effortless charm and small-town feel that belies its fantastic collection of restaurants, coffee bars, antique shops, parks, and running trails. All of this support that The Heights' reputation as "one of Houston's accessible neighborhoods" is well-deserved.

In fact, the Greater Heights area alone has over 1,000 Yelp-rated establishments.

Notable Establishments

Real estate in the Greater Heights has been a fantastic investment over the past decade. The area ranked #6 on Houston’s Best Land Value Appreciation Rates, making it an ideal place to look for Houston Heights homes with great accessibility.

Map of Heights/Greater Heights

Heights/Greater Heights Real Estate Trends


2. MONTROSE AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
Montrose $735,000 $271 20%

Montrose Map

Located in the heart of Houston’s Inner Loop, Montrose is a neighborhood known for its elegantly restored mansions, craftsman bungalows, contemporary condos, and fantastic restaurants and bars.

The Houston Chronicle wrote, “Montrose, the central Houston community known for its diverse lifestyles, vibrant street life, and stately historic homes, is being honored by the American Planning Association … as one of the country’s 10 great neighborhoods.”

Montrose is just minutes from Downtown Houston and The Medical Center . Buyers looking for accessible condos in Montrose will be delighted to discover that the area offers one of the best commutes of any of the Houston inner loop neighborhoods to these major employment hubs.

As a strong contender on this list of "accessible places to live in Houston," Montrose boasts over 50 restaurants and bars, including nine restaurants that consistently make the list of “Top Restaurants in the State of Texas,” according to Texas Monthly.

Notable Establishments

Montrose real estate has also been widely considered a great investment primarily because of the suburb's standing as one of the most accessible Houston neighborhoods, with many lifestyle amenities that are conveniently near. The neighborhood is ranked #8 in Houston Neighborhoods With Best Land Value Appreciation.

Map of Montrose

Montrose Real Estate Trends


3. RICE MUSEUM DISTRICT AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
Rice / Museum District $1,050,000 $338 39%

Rice / Museum District Map

When it comes to Houston living, accessibility can be a deciding factor in your choice of neighborhood. Did you know that Houston’s Museum District is second only to Manhattan, NY in terms of the country's largest number of museums in a contiguous area? Within a 1.5-mile radius of the Museum District, there are 18 museums that offer educational, artistic, and scientific resources. A dozen of these member museums have free admission each day.

Chron: Houston News wrote, “Museum District represents world-class collections of art, history, and science – all within an accessible area. The museums are one of the biggest draws to the city – and one of the reasons more and more visitors consider Houston a leisure destination.“

Also, this area includes Rice University, Houston’s Zoo, Hermann Park Golf Course, three running trails, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and METRORail access to The Medical Center and Downtown Houston.

Notable Establishments

Museum District homes with great accessibility represent a great investment. The Museum District is among the Houston Neighborhoods with Best Land Value Appreciation.

Map of Rice / Museum District

Rice / Museum District Real Estate Trends


4. MIDTOWN HOUSTON AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
Midtown Houston $370,000 $212 15%

Midtown Houston Map

How accessible is Houston? If you've been asking yourself that question, Midtown will open your eyes to how pedestrian-friendly Houston can be.

Located between Downtown Houston and Medical Center, Midtown offers residents easy access to both of the city’s biggest commercial districts.

As one of Houston’s most accessible neighborhoods, Midtown is nestled at the corner where the Southwest and Gulf Freeways meet, permitting residents multiple options to access the city’s main commercial and business hubs. It also enjoys an excellent reputation for bike-ability and public transportation. The METRORail runs through the neighborhood, providing residents easy access to the main city districts.

Midtown residents are just a few blocks away from approximately 340 Yelp-rated establishments including top-ranked restaurants, gyms, bars, diners, and shops. Many of the new construction in the area are accessible Midtown homes that have been designed to accommodate and encourage retail activities on the first floors of multi-story buildings.

Notable Establishments

Midtown has seen tremendous growth in recent years. HoustonChronicle(7) noted that “the walking scene for people who live in mixed-use developments in Midtown includes retail, lounges, and restaurants. Midtown, just south of the Central Business District, has seen its residential population explode over the past decade, to about 9,600+ today.”

Map of Midtown Houston

Midtown Houston Real Estate Trends


5. DOWNTOWN HOUSTON AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
Downtown Houston $292,500 $252 12%

Downtown Houston Map

Approximately 200,000 people from over 3,500 companies work in Downtown Houston each day.

Downtown’s central Inner Loop location makes it one of Houston’s most accessible districts. It is also bordered by the city’s main thoroughfares. Downtown also has its own METRORail station and local bus service for transportation.

One of the most unique aspects of this neighborhood is that it houses just around 16,000+ residents, spread out through a collection of Downtown Houston lofts & condos, giving the neighborhood a “small community feel” despite its cosmopolitan setting. Downtown is one of the areas that show "accessible Houston" at its best.

There are 25 residential Downtown Houston loft and condo buildings (see map and details below), comprising the majority of the available Downtown real estate options.

Many of these lofts and condos are minutes from key METRORail stations. To see these Downtown Houston condos with great accessibility, please check the map below.

In Downtown Houston, residents enjoy living a few blocks away from numerous parks, the Sundance Cinema, the Bayou Center, and the Theatre District. The latter enjoys the reputation of having the second-largest number of seats in the country.

Notable Establishments

Downtown Houston is a bustling district filled with residential and commercial skyscrapers; streets lined up with restaurants, bars, and clubs; parks; and an extensive network of pedestrian tunnels. All of these make for an inviting and exciting lifestyle, easily putting the Downtown area among the best accessible places in Houston.

Map of Downtown Houston

Downtown Houston Real Estate Trends


6. UPPER KIRBY AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
Upper Kirby $1,100,000 $330 32%

Upper Kirby Map

Located a few miles southwest of Downtown Houston, Upper Kirby is a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood.

Upper Kirby is among the most accessible neighborhoods in Houston. Schools, restaurants, bars, shopping centers, stores, and cafes are located near Upper Kirby homes. Job and business centers like Downtown Houston and Medical Center are mere minutes away from the neighborhood.

Upper Kirby is nestled next to the Greenway Plaza, while the River Oaks Shopping Center and the Galleria are within a short drive from the neighborhood.

An excellent array of accessible Upper Kirby townhomes gives residents convenient access to the Buffalo Speedway, the Southwest Freeway, Westheimer Road, and Shepherd Drive.

Apart from reaping the benefits of its central location, the neighborhood is also a destination in itself, with its collection of upscale boutiques, fine dining restaurants, bars, and lounges.

Notable Establishments

Upper Kirby real estate is among the best-performing properties in Houston over the last 5 years, ranking #21 in the list of Houston’s Neighborhoods With Best Land Value Appreciation.

Map of Upper Kirby

Upper Kirby Real Estate Trends


7. HYDE PARK / RIVER OAKS AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
Hyde Park $885,000 $329 26%

River Oaks is Houston’s most expensive neighborhood. Choosing a River Oaks home with good accessibility would be an excellent decision. Located in the geographic center of the city, it is one of the most accessible and best neighborhoods in Houston.

The neighborhood is north of the Upper Kirby District and is near many major thoroughfares such as Westheimer Road, Kirby Drive, and San Felipe Street.

Houston's three main districts, Downtown, Galleria, and Medical Center, are within 15 to 20 minutes from River Oaks.

The Southern and Eastern sides of River Oaks border the fabulous collection of restaurants, bars, boutiques, and art galleries at the River Oaks Shopping Center and the Upper Kirby/Greenway Plaza.

Despite all these, many parts of River Oaks retain a quiet ambiance, with acre-plus lots and deed restrictions to keep out commercial establishments. The entirety of River Oaks is a scenic view of towering trees that line streets, coupled with intricately detailed bushes that lead to pocket gardens.

Commonly referred to as a “River Oaks Neighbor,” Hyde Park is a small collection of homes on the Southeast side of River Oaks near Shepherd, Westheimer, and Montrose that have fabulous access to groceries, shops, restaurants, bars, parks, and schools.

Notable Establishments

This luxury region is one of the best places to live for great access to shops, restaurants, and the finer things of Houston’s inner loop.

Map of Hyde Park

Hyde Park Real Estate Trends


8. RICE MILITARY AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
Rice Military/Washington Corridor $562,500 $235 21%

Rice Military/Washington Corridor Map

Located in the center of Houston’s Inner Loop, Rice Military is bordered by Westcott on the west, Shepherd/Durham on the east, Washington on the north, and Buffalo Bayou on the south.

The Rice Military neighborhood is a few minutes away from Houston’s main districts. Galleria and Downtown Houston are roughly 10 minutes away.

Accessible homes in the Rice Military area are a stone’s throw away from Memorial Park, one of the nation’s largest urban parks with one of the largest trail systems anywhere in the city.

Houston Chronicle wrote, “Rice Military, a historic neighborhood on the fringes, is now a hip locale for young professionals and those without children interested in culture, fitness, and accessible living. One thing that appeals to these demographics is the ability to walk to restaurants, shopping, art galleries, and of course, Memorial Park, in addition to several other local parks.”

The majority of Rice Military’s establishments are bars and restaurants and are filled with excitement most weekends. Yelp also has over 500 rated establishments in the area.

Notable Establishments

Rice Military ranks #11 in Houston Neighborhoods With Best Land Value Appreciation.

Map of Rice Military/Washington Corridor

Rice Military/Washington Corridor Real Estate Trends


9. GALLERIA / UPTOWN PARK AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
Galleria $302,500 $193 -8%

Galleria Map

Located just outside the Inner Loop, the Galleria is one of Houston’s busiest and most exciting districts.

Strategically located at the corner of Southwest Freeway, A Galleria condo with great accessibility is always a good choice because the area is one of Houston's most accessible neighborhoods. Situated near the Galleria district is the refreshing expanse of Memorial Park, one of the country’s largest urban parks. Downtown Houston, Medical Center, and the West University area are about 15 to 20 minutes away from the area as well.

Most of the people who live in the Galleria/Uptown Park area live in condos and highrises. High-rise living allows residents to reside just a few blocks from numerous entertainment hubs like The Galleria Mall and Uptown Park, as well as several hundred restaurants, parks, and shops.

Galleria high-rises also offer great amenities: tennis courts, pools, saunas, fitness rooms, well-kept grounds, rooftop decks, and more. Porters, valet, building managers, concierges, and trash & dry cleaning pickup are also available at many luxury buildings.

Notable Establishments

Condos comprise the most popular real estate in the Galleria district. Most of the Best Houston Condo Investments are within luxury highrises within the area. Make it a point to compare Galleria Condos, as land values in the area can run quite high.

Map of Galleria

Galleria Real Estate Trends


10. WEST UNIVERSITY AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
West University/Southside Area $1,720,000 $465 49%

West University/Southside Area Map

West University offers easy access to Downtown Houston, The Medical Center, The Galleria, and Houston’s Inner Loop. The neighborhood is also right next to the Southwest Freeway, providing residents the benefit of accessibility to the rest of the city’s main business and commercial districts.

West University is also one of Houston’s Top 20 Most Expensive Neighborhoods.

West University homes with great accessibility offer proximity to some of the best public schools in the State of Texas, a private police and fire department, and the Rice Village Shopping Center with over 300 establishments.

Parts of West U also offer a fantastic small-town vibe with easy access to the Rice Village Shopping Center with over 300 establishments. The entire area is also divided into 26 blocks or sections, making it one of the most organized neighborhoods in Houston.

Notable Establishments

Aside from being one of Houston’s Most Expensive Neighborhoods, West University Real Estate has one Houston’s Best Land Value Appreciation.

Map of West University/Southside Area

West University/Southside Area Real Estate Trends


11. EAST DOWNTOWN AT A GLANCE

NEIGHBORHOOD MEDIAN HOME PRICE HOME PRICE / SQ FT 10-YR APPREC. %
East End Revitalized $355,575 $206 27%

East End Revitalized Map

East Downtown or EaDo as the locals call it, is one of Houston’s top, up-and-coming neighborhoods.

Located adjacent to Downtown Houston, this area was a graveyard of abandoned supermarkets and restaurants until about 10 years ago.

Today, EaDo is a vibrant Houston neighborhood. The major business districts of Downtown Houston, Texas Medical Center, and the Houston Ship Channel are all situated near East Downtown homes with great accessibility for residents looking for accessible places to live.

Located north of Interstate 45, it sits between the George R. Brown Convention Center and the East End district.

Formerly referred to as “Houston Chinatown,” EaDo was once filled with inexpensive land. Over the past few years, however, this community has seen sizeable investments in capital projects, on a scale that easily puts it among the largest of any part of Houston.

EaDoHouston.com dubbed the neighborhood as the “Art & Soul of Houston.” Living in EaDo has numerous lifestyle benefits, from the new BBVA Soccer stadium, MetroRail expansion, multiple new apartments & townhome complexes, and an explosion of new, highly-rated restaurants and bars.

Notable Establishments

The reinvention of the EaDo area has propelled it among Houston Neighborhoods With Best Land Value Appreciation.

Map of East End Revitalized

East End Revitalized Real Estate Trends


Sources, Methodology & Disclosures

Sources, Methodology & Disclosures

With all the available information out there about the top accessible neighborhoods in Houston, making a decision on which area to choose can be confusing. Get the advice of the best Houston Realtors and remove the guesswork when looking for the best Houston home that would be right for you.

Other Sources:

  1. Kinder Institute 2022 Houston Area Survey Report 8
  2. DSHS Texas
  3. Houston Chronicle
  4. Zagat
  5. Tripadvisor
  6. Chron: Development in Midtown on an upswing

Best Realtors: Paige Martin & The Houston Properties Team

Best Realtors: Paige Martin & The Houston Properties Team

The Houston Properties Team has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member. Each member is a specialist in his role – which is why our homes sell faster and for more money than average.

Paige Martin, Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty, and the Houston Properties Team are ranked amongst the top residential Realtors in the world.

They have been featured on TV and in dozens of publications including: The Wall Street Journal, Fortune Magazine, Reuters, Fox News in the Morning, Money Magazine, Houston Business Journal, Houstonia, and Houston Chronicle.

Paige Martin was just ranked as the #5 agent in the world with Keller Williams, and has completed over $1,000,000,000 in Houston residential real estate sales.

Houston Properties Team awards

Recent awards include:

– 2022: #1 Group by Closed Listing Volume, Keller Williams Memorial
– 2022: #1 Group by Closed Units, Keller Williams Memorial
– 2022: #1 Group by Closed Overall Volume, Keller Williams Memorial
– 2022: #1 Group by Closed Listing Units, Keller Williams Memorial
– 2022: #1 Residential Real Estate Team by Sales Volume, Houston Business Journal
– 2021: Best Real Estate Teams in America, RealTrends.com
– 2021: Top 100 Women Leaders in Real Estate of 2021
– 2021: America’s Top 100 Real Estate Agents
– 2021: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
– 2021: Best Houston Real Estate Team, Best of Reader’s Choice
– 2021: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
– 2021: #1 Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Memorial
– 2020: America’s Best Real Estate Teams, Best of America Trends
– 2020: Best Houston Real Estate Team, Best of Reader’s Choice
– 2020: Top Real Estate Team (Houston Properties Team), Houston Business Journal
– 2020: #6 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
– 2020: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas (Top Keller Williams Realtor)
– 2020: #1 Real Estate Team, Keller Williams Memorial
– 2019: Top Residential Realtors in Houston, Houston Business Journal
– 2019: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2019: #5 Individual Agent, KW Worldwide
– 2019: #1 Individual Agent, KW Texas
– 2018: #5 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
– 2018: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
– 2018: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
– 2018: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2018: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, Houston Business Journal
– 2018: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
– 2017: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
– 2017: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
– 2017: #10 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
– 2017: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2017: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, Houston Business Journal
– 2017: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
– 2016: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
– 2016: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
– 2016: #20 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Worldwide
– 2016: Texas’ Most Influential Realtors
– 2016: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, HBJ
– 2016: Five Star Realtor, Featured in Texas Monthly
– 2016: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2015: #9 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, United States
– 2015: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Texas
– 2015: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams, Houston
– 2015: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2015: Top 25 Residential Realtor in Houston, HBJ
– 2015: Five Star Realtor, Texas Monthly Magazine
– 2014: America’s Best Real Estate Agents, RealTrends.com
– 2014: #1 Individual Agent, Keller Williams Memorial
...in addition to over 318 additional awards.

Paige also serves a variety of non-profits, civic and community boards and was appointed by Houston’s Mayor to be on the downtown TIRZ board.

Benefits Of Working With The Houston Properties Team

best realtors in Houston

Our Team, composed of distinguished and competent Houston luxury realtors, has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member.

We find team approach as the most effective way to sell homes. We have dedicated people doing staging, marketing, social media, open houses and showings. Each Houston Properties Team member is a specialist in their role – which is why our homes sell faster and for more money than average.

The benefits of working with a team include:

To meet all the award-winning members of The Houston Properties Team, please go here.


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