West University/Southside Area Real Estate Guide

West University/Southside Area homes for sale & insider real estate guide

West University Place is an independent city in Houston's inner loop. Known for its stately traditional homes, the neighborhood is minutes away from Downtown Houston, the Galleria, and the Texas Medical Center.

West University houses some of the premier real estate in Houston thanks to:

• TOP RANKED SCHOOLS: In our list of Houston’s Best Public School Guide, West University Elementary is ranked among the top schools in the United States.

• GREAT REAL ESTATE APPRECIATION RATES: West University has one of the best five and ten year appreciation rates of any neighborhood in Houston.

• EXCLUSIVITY: With a median home price over $1M (and new construction constantly selling over $2M), West University is consistently ranked as one of the best and most exclusive neighborhoods in Houston.

• CENTRAL LOCATION: West University offers an easy commute to Houston’s major job hubs including: Downtown Houston, the Medical Center, the Galleria, Greenway Plaza, and all major highways.

• NEARBY RECREATIONAL SPACES: West University’s park system, baseball fields, recreation center, library, and Rice Village all make West U one of Houston’s most accessible communities.

Most of the West University community is made up of single-family homes with various architectural designs, some dating back to the 1930s. Each West U homes have sprawling lots ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 sq ft. Due to its popularity, West University real estate can be challenging to navigate.

To get personal advice on buying or selling a West University home, contact Paige Martin, one of the Top-Ranked Realtors in the United States.

“I loved working with Gaby Schwab! She helped me both purchase and sell a home - and she made both experiences as easy and seamless as they could be. In a crazy buyers market Gaby went above and beyond to make sure I found a great place and the purchase went through smoothly. With the sale she was fantastic throughout the process. Gaby is definitely someone you want on your side - whether you are buying or selling.” - Courtney Birmingham (Google Review)

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West University/Southside Area Homes For Sale

West University/Southside Area Homes For Rent

Table of Contents

1. West University/Southside Area Home Sale Trends
2. West University/Southside Area Best Realtor Insights
3. West University/Southside Area Maps, Location & Zip Code
4. West University/Southside Area Schools
5. West University/Southside Area Real Estate Market

West University/Southside Area Home Sale Trends

West University Place is a city within a city, subdivided into 26 sections called blocks. It has Bellaire to the west, Southside Place to the south, and Houston to the east and north.

West University is known for its:

• REAL ESTATE APPRECIATION RATES: Home prices are well over $1M, with one of the highest 10-year land value appreciation rates in Houston.

• CENTRAL LOCATION: West University homes are minutes away from Rice University, Texas Medical Center, the Galleria, Downtown Houston, and the Museum District.

• EASY ACCESSIBILITY: Nestled just south of Southwest Freeway, West U offers easy access to main roads like the Buffalo Speedway, Loop 610, and US 59 (Eastex Freeway).

West University also goes by “The Neighborhood City” as it exudes a small-town look that makes West University homes for sale highly sought-after.

West University/Southside Area Best Realtor Insights

Covering a total area of 2 square miles, West University Place is a “city within a city”, subdivided into 26 sections called blocks. It has Bellaire to the west, Southside Place to the south, and Houston to the east and north.

• Nestled south of the Southwest Freeway, West University real estate is minutes away from key Houston locations, including the Texas Medical Center, the Galleria, and Downtown. The city has convenient access to main roads like the Buffalo Speedway, Bissonnet Street, Kirby Drive, and Bellaire Boulevard, as well as Loop 610 and US 59.

• Some of Houston’s dining, retail, and entertainment hotspots – Rice Village, the Greenway Plaza, and the Galleria – are a short drive away from West University Place homes.

• Like Bellaire, West University is mostly made up of gorgeous single-family homes, some of which date back to the 1930s.

• West University real estate continues to post strong appreciation rates over the years. The average median price of homes in the city has reached over $1,000,000.

• Average price per square foot and land values have posted similar positive changes.

• During the 1990s and early 2000s, many of West U’s original homes were torn down to make way for new construction. West University homes range from recent construction to updated and carefully maintained vintage homes.

• The city of West University Place has a council-manager form of government and maintains its own fire and police departments.

• Homes in the area are zoned to the Houston ISD’s West University Elementary School, Pershing Middle School, and Lamar High School.

• Prices for West University homes for sale can range from $600,000 to more than $3,000,000.

• Lot sizes are typically between 5,000 to 20,000 square feet.

West University/Southside Area Maps, Location & Zip Code

West University/Southside Area Schools

West University homes are zoned to the Houston Independent School District (HISD).

West University Elementary School is located within the city.

Pershing Middle School and Lamar High School are nearby Braeswood Place and Upper Kirby, respectively.

*Note: For a more detailed outline of top schools near specific West University subdivisions, check our Best Houston Schools article or email me.

Elementary Schools

• Mark Twain Elementary School at 7500 Braes Blvd. The School opened its door on September 11, 1950. It was named after Mark Twain, one of America's most beloved writers and humorists. It seeks to build a community of lifelong learners formed on an interactive spirit that pursues to promote inquiry-based learning. Programs include dual-language programs, arts, and technology.

• West University Elementary School at 3756 University Blvd. West U Elementary serves kindergarten to 5th-grade students. It has a GreatSchools.org rating of 10/10. The institution seeks to establish a neighborhood school community in the heart of Houston that offers an exceptional academic experience to all students.

Middle Schools

• Pin Oak Middle School at 4601 Glenmont St, Bellaire. The School offers a Foreign Language magnet program and serves grades 6 to 8. It has a GreatSchools.org rating of 10/10.

• Pershing Middle School at 3838 Blue Bonnet Blvd. The School serves students in Grades 6 through 8 and offers a Fine Arts magnet program. It has a GreatSchools.org rating of 7/10. Seeks to establish future leaders through challenging the students to attain their personal and academic potential, assisting them in becoming efficient and meaningful members of the global society.

High Schools

• Lamar High School at 3325 Westheimer Rd. The School offers business management courses as well as International Baccalaureate programs. It has a GreatSchools.org rating of 7/10. The School provides a diverse student body with the best opportunities to obtain a robust, internationally recognized education and a wide range of extracurriculars in a nurturing environment.

West University Houston Private Schools

• Southampton Montessori School at 5012 Morningside Dr. It is a co-educational preschool with a GreatSchools.org community rating of 5/5.

• St. Mark's Episcopal School at 3816 Bellaire Blvd. The School serves students from preschool to Grade 8 and has a GreatSchools.org community rating of 4/5.

• The Post Oak School at 4600 Bissonnet St, Bellaire. The Post Oak School is a Montessori school serving elementary to high school students. It has a GreatSchools.org community rating of 4/5.

• Episcopal High School at 4650 Bissonnet St, Bellaire. Episcopal High School is a co-educational school with a curriculum based on academics, religion, fine arts, and athletics. It has a GreatSchools.org community rating of 4/5.

• St. Vincent De Paul Catholic School at 6802 Buffalo. The School is a parochial co-educational school for elementary to middle school students. It has a GreatSchools.org community rating of 4/5.

• St. John's School at 2401 Claremont Ln. St. John's School is one of "America's Elite Prep Schools" according to Forbes and "the best private school in Houston" according to the New York Times. St. John's admits students from K-12.

• St. Francis Episcopal Day School at 335 Piney Point Rd. A previous National Blue Ribbon School, the School admits elementary to middle school students. It has a GreatSchools.org community rating of 4/5.

Colleges and Universities

Rice University is just a few minutes east of West University Place. The city is also served by the Houston Community College System, with several campuses around Houston. The University of Houston and the Texas Southern University, on the other hand, are minutes away from West U.

To find an updated listing of all West University real estate zoned to any specific public school, please email Paige Martin at [email protected] with the property preference and budget that you're working with.

*Note: School zoning tends to change from year to year. The information provided above is accurate but not guaranteed. Please double-check by visiting the School's website.

West University/Southside Area Real Estate Market

West U Single-Family Home Sale Trends

West University homes are mostly single-family dwellings on mid-sized lots. Some of the area’s original homes from the 1920s and 1930s have been renovated, but most have since been replaced with two-story custom-built homes.

Homes in the city typically feature lot sizes between 5,000 to 11,000 square feet. The most expensive West University homes for sale, however, can feature as much as 20,000.

Home sizes can range from 2,000 to more than 5,000 square feet. Four- to five-bedroom floor plans are common. Traditional, Colonial, Contemporary, and other architectural styles are available in the area.

During the 1990s, the city changed its development rules to allow new construction in the area. Today, West University homes range from the city’s older cottages to 2-story contemporary homes.

West U Townhomes Sale Trends

West University townhomes are typically smaller, with about 1,500 to 2,500 square feet of living space. However, these properties are generally more affordable than single-family homes.

Prices for West University townhomes can start at around $300,000 and can go up to just under $1,000,000.

Notable townhomes in the city include:

• Westchester Court

• Auburn Place Townhomes

• Hampton Oaks

West University Condo Sale Trends

There are no mid- or high-rise West University condos for sale, but plenty of units are available in surrounding areas including 2520 Robinhood in nearby Rice Village.

Several condo buildings are located in the Museum District, Upper Kirby, and the Galleria, including:

• 2727 Kirby

• Lamar Tower

• Warwick Tower

• The River Oaks Highrise

• Greenway Hi-Rise Condominiums

• The Arabella

To see other condos within the Inner Loop, see Inner Loop Houston Condos. To see condos within the nearby Galleria area, see Galleria Houston Condos.

West University TX History

In 1917, Ben Hooper, a former governor of Tennessee, started the development of what is now known as West University Place. Some of the young community’s first lots were sold in the same year.

The city owes its name to Rice University, then known as Rice Institute. Most of the city’s streets were named after authors, colleges, and universities.

In 1924, residents pushed for incorporation, due in part to Houston’s reluctance to build infrastructure far from the city’s center. By 1939, the city of Houston continued to grow, but the then municipality refused to consolidate. In 1940, West U adopted a formal city charter.

Today, West University is one of Houston’s most affluent and most expensive neighborhoods.

Fun Things To Do In West University

Residents of West University Place enjoy a variety of activities and establishments within the neighborhood. The city’s many parks and green spaces offer facilities where residents can go bird watching, do team sports, or have a relaxing bike ride.

Colonial Park features a playground, a picnic area, tennis courts, a pavilion, and a sand volleyball court. It also offers a recreational center as well as a pool.

Wier Park, on the other hand, has lighted tennis courts and a basketball court.

West University residents aren’t far from retail either, as Rice Village, one of the area’s best-loved shopping destinations, is a stone’s throw away from the city. Covering 16 blocks with over 300 shops, the shopping district is home to a hodgepodge of high-end boutiques, small shops, restaurants, delis, and pubs.

Thanks to the city’s central location, residents are mere minutes from Houston’s finest, including the Galleria, the Museum District, Hermann Park, and Memorial Park.

Here are some of the must-visit places in and around West University Place:

Dining

• Bite Macarons

• Local Foods

• Uchi

• The Breakfast Klub

• Luna Pizzeria

• Hobbit Cafe

• Kolache Factory

Parks

• Colonial Park

• Friends Park

• Huffington Park

• Whitt Johnson Park

• Judson Park

• Wier Park

Nightlife

• Flying Saucer Draught Emporium

• Baker St. Pub and Grill

• The Ginger Man

• Grand Prize Bar

• Mezzanine Lounge

Groceries

• Rice Village

• H-E-B

• Kroger

• Urban Harvest Farmers Market

• Central Market – Houston

Nearby Outdoor Attractions

• Hermann Park

• Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park

• Rice Running Trail

• Memorial Park

• Buffalo Bayou Park

• Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

West University Place TX Realtor – Paige Martin

As featured on Fox News in the Morning, Houston Business Journal, and Houston Magazine, Paige Martin, a consistent Top Producing Broker-Associate and head of the Houston Properties Team, is ranked as one of the top residential real estate agents in the world.