Few cities in the United States can boast the resume that Houston flaunts. 

Just take a look at some of its nicknames: “The Energy Capital of the World,” “The New Capital of Southern Cool,” and, for extra swagger points, “Clutch City,” an homage to the Houston Rockets’ 1994 and 1995 NBA Championships.

Home to twenty-five Fortune 500 companies, a landscape of culinary excellence featured prominently in Food & Wine and Bon Appetit, and nearly 1,500 acres of parks and green spaces, Houston is a powerhouse city that should satisfy even the most demanding homebuyer.

H-Town’s span is enormous; after all, it’s the fourth-largest city in the United States. But that means Texas home buyers will have (exciting) homework to do when exploring some of its legendary neighborhoods.

Below, the team from Prevu Real Estate will give you an insider’s look at Houston’s most coveted places to live, from the electrifying pace of Downtown Houston and bohemian airs of Greenway/Upper Kirby to the upscale elegance of River Oaks and historic Houston Heights.

Best neighborhoods in Houston

• Downtown Houston
• Montrose
• Memorial/Energy Corridor
• Museum District
• Greenway / Upper Kirby
• Houston Heights
• River Oaks
• West University

Downtown Houston

It’s difficult to imagine how 1.8 square miles can fit the Toyota Center, Houston City Hall, the renowned Discovery Green Park, the world-class Theater District, and, well, the list goes on. But somehow, Downtown Houston does it.

Houston’s most famous neighborhood is where it all began; it was the birthplace of what is now the most populous city in Texas. Today, it is home to nine Fortune 500 companies, James Beard Award-winning restaurants, and some of the most exciting entertainment available in all of Texas.

The Theater District alone, tucked away in the northern part of town, has enough venues to supply a year’s worth of weekend outings. The Hobby Center of the Performing Arts is the district’s cornerstone attraction. Here is where you’ll catch Tony Award-winning theater plays, world premieres of leading dance companies, and legendary musicals. Plus, you can enjoy uninterrupted views of the Houston skyline thanks to the venue’s 60-foot glass walls.  

But don’t let that skyline fool you; even though Houston is a model example of a full-blown metropolis, its array of verdant spaces can make you forget you’re exploring one of Texas’s busiest cities.

Visit Market Place Square to shop at the local flea market, or head to Sam Houston Park to relax by the pond and catch a glimpse of historic buildings. If you prefer a more active afternoon, type “Discovery Green Park” into Google Maps, and you won’t be disappointed. From a dedicated dog run to a wealth of outdoor games and activities, Discovery Green’s offerings make it one of the most popular parks in all of Houston.

Montrose

No major city is complete without a hipster art haven, and Montrose is Houston’s entry for that requirement. 

Speckled with eclectic stores, glamorous cocktail bars, and avant-garde art galleries, Montrose gives Austin’s famous slogan “Keep Austin Weird” a run for its money. Just a short distance from Downtown Austin, Montrose will feel like a different galaxy for anyone exploring for the first time.

The neighborhood’s history is a celebrated expression of social justice and community spirit. Montrose was the original site of Houston’s LGBTQ movement, and many of its famous gay bars, such as Ripcord and Eagle Houston, remain as a testament to that history.

If it’s your first visit, we recommend heading to Westheimer Road. The expansive avenue cuts through the middle of Montrose and is ladled with iconic vintage clothing stores, specialty cafes, and shops brimming with unique character. Be sure to stop by Leopard Lounge and Pavement to see their vintage collections.

The southernmost part of town is where Montrose’s art scene comes to life. The famed Menil Collection and the Rothko Chapel are the major draws for modern art connoisseurs, but the entire area is packed with various art galleries like Archway Gallery and Art of the World Gallery that champion local artists.

One more unbeatable perk helps solidify Montrose’s spot as one of Houston’s best neighborhoods: Buffalo Bayou Park.

Easily one of the city’s top green escapes, the Buffalo Bayou Park stretches across the entire northern section of Montrose, serving the neighborhood’s residents an unbeatable palette of outdoor activities, views of Downtown’s skyline, and 160 acres of outdoor space to explore.

Memorial/Energy Corridor

Memorial (which encompasses parts of the Energy Corridor) is a unique expression of Houston’s identity: it is home to major oil and energy companies, it has a priceless expanse of park space, and it’s filled with some of the city’s most coveted real estate. 

Memorial almost has a chameleon-like character: one moment, it’s a suburban haven lined with impeccable Ranch-style homes or updated Mid-Century Moderns, and at another, it’s a bustling shopping playground packed with record stores, quaint cafes, and upscale boutiques.

An undeniable perk that makes Memorial stand out is access to Interstate 10. The highway is a straight-shot route to Downtown Houston, boasting a 20-minute commute even with small pockets of traffic. This same connectivity will make it easy for you to access the rest of Houston, as well, all while enjoying the signature relaxed feel of Memorial.

Curious buyers with sites set on single-family homes should chalk up Memorial as one of their first stops. Large stretches of the popular neighborhood are dedicated to hosting spacious, trimmed lawns and large plots of land, all of which sport home styles ranging from Georgian Revival to Mediterranean.

If you’re wondering where you might spend a detox afternoon, head to the eastern part of town. This is where Terry Hershey Park virtually separates Memorial’s section of the Energy Corridor from the rest of the neighborhood.

Packed with 500 acres, the park features an exceptional collection of hiking and biking trails. Both the Buffalo Bayou Bike Trail and the Terry Hershey Hike and Bike Trail extend along the scenic Buffalo Bayou tributary. You can head east via the Terry Hershey trail and reach the Barker Reservoir or continue along the Buffalo Bayou trail west to explore the rest of Memorial.

Museum District

Montrose may have its eclectic collection of local galleries and unique art exhibitions, but the aptly named Museum District has Houston’s big guns on display.

Houston’s cultural heart is just a 12-minute drive from Downtown Houston (a 30-minute commute by bus or 20 minutes by bike), making it especially easy to combine an afternoon museum tour and a night of theatre in Downtown’s Theater District.

Home to 19 renowned museums and the Houston Zoo, the Museum District is crowned by the massive Hermann Park. McGovern Lake serves as the park’s centerpiece; from there, you can head to the links at Hermann Park Golf Course, get some R&R at the Japanese Garden, or visit the unforgettable Flamingo Pond. 

Access to the monumental park would have been enough to make any neighborhood stand out as one of the best in the city, but the Museum District takes it further with an astounding collection of world-class museums.

The undeniable crown jewel is the Museum of Fine Arts, featuring one of the country’s largest collections of art spanning nearly 6,000 years. The Children’s Museum is another highlight, serving as an excellent educational playground for families and kids. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is another headliner that can’t be missed; be sure to check out its Cockrell Butterfly Center and the Burke Baker Planetarium.

If the Museum District has what you need to settle in, then be prepared to peruse a vast offering of luxury townhouses, amenity-filled condos, and a selection of single-family homes. 

Greenway / Upper Kirby

Take the hip vibes of Montrose, add a master-planned business sector, and season with just the right amount of luxury, and you'll get Greenway/Upper Kirby.

A near-perfect concoction of upscale shopping and dining, curious art galleries, and residential ease, Greenway/Upper Kirby has quickly become one of the hippest neighborhoods for all kinds of residents, whether you’re settling down or living it up.

Greenway Plaza is the area’s biggest draw. Envisioned as a bustling business district in the 1960s, it evolved into one of Houston’s foremost commercial corridors, seamlessly combining dining, shopping, business, and high-end living within its expansive 52-acre campus. The complex now hosts offices of leading companies such as Amerigroup and Occidental Petroleum.

The Greenway Commons, meanwhile, showcases the neighborhood’s unparalleled shopping scene, featuring a Costco Wholesale, eclectic eateries, and various boutique shops. If this seems too “big-box retail” for you, then simply head a few blocks northeast, and you’ll discover the Urban Harvest Farmer’s Market, stocked with fresh local produce and goods that cater to a more holistic shopping experience. 

You also can’t talk about Upper Kirby without mentioning its roster of legendary restaurants. The iconic Tony’s has been fomenting its untouchable reputation for the last 57 years. It’s the prime example of high-end Italian cuisine, all served in an art-filled venue that has captivated Houston diners for decades.

From there, venture out to Kirby Dr., and you will be flanked by some of Houston’s best eateries. Grace’s cooks up authentic American classics with an upscale twist, while House of Pies serves some of the most sumptuous desserts you can ask for.

Houston Heights

Even Houston’s most luxurious neighborhoods still carry a down-to-earth vibe and a side of edgy character.   

Houston Heights, recognized as one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Houston, is also one of its most historic. The neighborhood dates back to the late 1890s when plans were laid to create an ideal getaway with an easy commute for those working in Downtown Houston. 

The result became a collection of storied homes still on display today and a breezy 16-minute commute to the heart of Downtown. Those same historical houses are on display today; classic Victorians, Craftsman, variations of Bungalows, and modern Farmhouses all make up an impressive part of some of Houston’s most sought-after real estate, and some are even on the National Register of Historic Places.

Through the years, Houston Heights became synonymous with luxury living. The homes here carry significant price tags, and lush, landscaped lawns quickly signal to visitors that they have entered a special part of the city. Yet even with its exclusivity defining part of its profile, Houston Heights serves up shops and eateries and a wholesome community spirit that is anything but a secluded upscale bubble.

Historic 19th Street is where you’ll get your first taste of the neighborhood’s charm. Quaint vinyl record stores, old-school barber shops, and cozy specialty cafes set the mood for a simple and unpretentious atmosphere anyone can enjoy. 

For local entertainment, Houston Heights serves up the First Saturday Arts Market. The market is usually held on the first Saturday of every month and has developed a reputation for championing local and up-and-coming artists.

Then there’s the star of the show, the Heights Theater. The vintage movie theater dates back to the early 1900s and still remains one of the timeless representations of the neighborhood's unique history.

River Oaks

Leave it to Houston to up the ante on what “luxury living” means. 

River Oaks is a masterpiece in upscale neighborhood design. Bejeweled with palatial estates and stunning mansions, the neighborhood is the undeniable pinnacle of some of the most coveted real estate Houston offers.

Memorial Park crowns River Oaks to the north, creating easy access to a verdant playground that can easily contend amongst the city’s most memorable parks and green spaces. The highly-lauded River Oaks Country Club caters to golf lovers and provides impeccable event accommodations.

Take one drive through the streets of River Oaks, and you’ll find your imagination tested to envision the best luxury home possible. Almost every home exudes architectural beauty, and plenty of iconic home styles, from Victorian to Mid-Century Modern, are displayed at the peak of their design. 

And yet, even with the stamp of “luxury” defining its character, River Oaks seamlessly flaunts access to charming haunts and attractions that rip your attention away from the jaw-dropping homes that line its tree-filled streets.

The historic Landmark’s River Oak Theater seems like a setpiece from a 50s Hollywood flick. The go-to for arthouse cinema, the theater has become an essential part of the neighborhood’s identity. It’s also conveniently located next to River Oaks Shopping Center, so you can indulge in retail therapy before heading to the movies. 

West University Place

If you’re in the market for something exceptionally unique, how about living in a city within a city?

Nestled right in the heart of Houston, West University Place, locally known as “West U,” is its own city within the city of Houston. But don’t be fooled; West U still feels like a neighborhood of Houston - and one of its most popular ones, too - if you don’t believe us, just look at its nickname: “The Neighborhood City.”

The area’s origins date back to 1917, and the reason it became a city on its own is partly due to Houston. At the time, Houston wasn’t willing to extend power lines that far from its center, thus causing Western University Place to seek incorporation. 

West U derives its name from its proximity to the famous Rice University. The institution is an undeniable influence on the area’s popularity and has essentially become a part of West U’s character. Many families with eyes set on sending their kids to school there also venture out to explore the city’s in-demand real estate offerings.

Even if you’re not here for academic achievements, West U’s selection of single-family homes, condos, and various townhouses can make any homebuyer stop and explore available listings. 

Primarily residential, the city has an unmistakable air of a relaxed bedroom community, but you won’t have to travel far to find entertainment. The nearby Rice Village serves as the city’s playground, offering shopping, dining, cafes, and a wealth of local boutiques, all in the vicinity of one of the state’s most prominent universities.