INNER LOOP NEIGHBORHOOD INFO
What does living in the loop mean Houston?
The geographic areas of Houston are generally classified as either being inside or outside Interstate 610, known as the "The Loop." Inside the Loop generally encompasses the Central business district and the "island cities" of WestUniversity Place (West U.), Southside Place, and a portion of Bellaire.
Eat
There are plenty of places to eat and drink in the inner loop. Places like Calle Onze, Liberty Taco, B&B Butchers & Restaurants, Ambrosia, Restaurant Cinq, Roma. Just falafel and the fish to name a few. Many restaurants like these provide a touch of class to the area.
Live
Over 7 million people call Houston and Greater Houston home. It is the fourth most populated city in
the United States, Houston is home to the second-largest concentration of Fortune 1000 companies in the country, 49, behind New York, 72. Houston ranks first in total park acreage among U.S. cities with more than one million residents.
If you are looking to relocate to the area, I would love to meet you and hear your story.
Play
When local residents get outdoors, with their family they can hike and bike along the winding White Oak Bayou. Donovan Park is a beloved wooden playscape right on Heights Boulevard, and Stude park is ideal for a sunny day to enjoy the pool and sports fields, ideal for children of all ages.
THE HEIGHTS
The Heights is Houston’s oldest planned community, located northwest of downtown. The area is known for its diverse population and small-town quality of life while still being in the heart of the city. Tastefully updated turn-of-the century homes stand next to newly constructed Victorian– and charleston–style cottages with large, wrap-around porches. Numerous high-rise condos are currently being developed in response to the population growth predicted for the area. House hunters are drawn to the 19th Street Historic Business District, which offers a unique variety of specialty boutiques, antique shops, and funky eateries. The First Saturday Arts Market features live music, crafts, art, and more.
MONTROSE
Established in 1911, Montrose is one of the most eclectic areas in all of Houston. It’s home to music venues, vintage shopping, and historic residential architecture. South Montrose is nestled near the Museum District, which encompasses more than 50 cultural institutions, museums, and art galleries. TripAdvisor named Montrose one of the hippest neighborhoods in America in 2018.
RICE MILITARY
Rice Military and the Washington Avenue Corridor is a great place to live and play in the city of Houston. Some of the trendiest bars, bistros, and gastro-pubs make the Washington Corridor their home. The residents of this area love the close proximity to Memorial Park, Downtown, and the Galleria. This area has seen a lot of residential and retail development over the past 10 years and this trend continues. The housing in this area is very diverse. However, the dominant option is definitely luxury townhomes and patio homes. In the mid-90s, new townhome developments began to pop up throughout the area. These developments have helped to create a truly urban and uniquely big city experience in Houston.
MUSEUM DISTRICT
Culture runs deep in Houston’s Museum District, which welcomes nearly nine million visitors a year. The area is home to 18 museums within a 1.5-mile radius of the Mecom Fountain, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Rice University Art Gallery, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Children’s Museum, and more.
RIVER OAKS
River Oaks is well known as one of Houston’s oldest and most affluent neighborhoods. Located just three miles west of downtown in the Inner Loop, the area sports white-columned mansions dating from the 1920s, as well as Houston's oldest country club. The community is protected by high architectural standards and comprehensive building restrictions. The median home value in River Oaks is over $1 million.
UPPER KIRBY / GREENWAY PLAZA
Upper Kirby is a network of historic neighborhoods that are intermingling with redevelopment. The area is just minutes away from Greenway Plaza, downtown, The Galleria, and the Texas Medical Center, offering residents easy access to the places they live, work, and play. West Ave is home to an assortment of top-notch restaurants, art galleries, and trendy boutiques.
WEST UNIVERSITY / RICE VILLAGE
The third-most expensive neighborhood in Houston, the tree-lined West University area— West U, as locals call it—is a community of upper-middle classfamilies. On every block you’ll find an abundance of upscale housing options, including unique bungalows and newly remodeled homes. Home to Rice University and Rice Village Shopping Center, the neighborhood appeals to families and young professionals alike. Morningside Boulevard offers a good mix of lunch, dinner, and happy hour spots.
BELLAIRE
Bellaire is known for its quiet, tree-lined streets and highly ranked schools. Evelyn’s Park and its all-day café, Betsy’s, is a neighborhood hot spot, while Bellaire-Zindler Park features a pool and tennis courts as well as Bellaire Recreation Center and the Bellaire Civic Center. Nearby Meyerland is the center of Houston’s Jewish community.
EaDo / EAST END
East Downtown — known as EaDo — is budding with a diverse and evolving mix of nightlife and art galleries. The area’s walkability is part of the appeal; a day may include a jaunt to the Houston Dynamo Stadium and 8th Wonder Brewery, or Agricole Hospitality’s buzzy restaurants. A new METRORail line has improved connectivity.
OAK FOREST
It has been a wild ride in Oak Forest over the past few years. Located in the near northwest side of Houston, the neighborhood is positioned just outside Houston’s 610 Loop. This near-town location provides easy access to Houston’s two largest economic centers, Downtown Houston and Uptown Galleria. The area has seen a significant level of new development in recent years. Many of the original smaller homes in the neighborhood have been leveled and replaced with large 2 stories, a suburban home that is a great fit for families. The driver behind this transformation has been Oak Forest Elementary, one of the top Elementary schools among near-town neighborhoods. This neighborhood has a great family atmosphere. Many small parks dot the area and TC Jester Park provides a huge open outdoor space, complete with a dog park, frisbee golf course, swimming pool, and skate park. Oak Forest has a great suburban feel in a great central location.
GARDEN OAKS
With their huge, wooded lots and tight-knit community, Garden Oaks has become one of the more sought-after family-friendly neighborhoods in Northwest Houston. Located just north of Houston Heights and east of Oak Forest, this neighborhood is conveniently located to most of what Houston’s inner loop has to offer andprovides of an easy commute to downtown Houston. Established in 1937, thehomes of Garden Oaks range from bungalows and cottages to traditional twostory construction of the time. However, there has been a resurgence of newconstruction in the neighborhood in recent years, as families flock to great publicschools like Garden Oaks Elementary and private schools like Saint Rose ofLima. Dining and shopping options near the neighborhood have improvedtremendously in recent years. With the dramatic of resurgence of neighborhoodOak Forest and Houston Heights, restaurateurs and shop owners have enteredthe market to meet demand of the increasingly affluent residents. Recentlyestablished gastropubs like Shepherd Park and Cottonwood have quicklybecome neighborhood staples.
TIMBERGROVE & LAZYBROOK
Located in the northwest corner of Houston’s Inner Loop, Timbergrove and Lazybrook are two adjoining neighborhoods that provide a great combination of the urban and suburban. Built in the late 1950s to early 1960s, these deed-restricted communities provide a welcome departure from the urban density and congestion of Montrose, Rice Military, and other inner loop neighborhoods. Most of the homes are 1 story properties that stretch out over suburban-sized lots. Lots range in size from 6500 to over 10000 square feet. Many of the mid-century homes in the neighborhood have been updated with modern amenities and floor plans. However, you’ll also find a fixer-upper or even some recent or new construction if that’s more your style.
Despite the suburban feel of the neighborhoods, Timbergrove and Lazybrook are really close to the city. With that close proximity, comes all of the things that you would expect from a big city living. From great boutiques, as found in the 19th street shopping district to great restaurants like Lilo and Ella or Crisp, there is plenty to keep you hip and well-fed in these great neighborhoods.
UPTOWN / GALLERIA
This area exudes urban sophistication and cosmopolitan energy. Centrally located in the city’s Uptown district, The Galleria is comprised of hundreds of upscale restaurants and retailers, as well as soaring office towers that see more than 200,000 working professionals and visitors daily. Uptown is also home to many of the city’s largest hotels and boasts an array of housing options.