Relocating to Houston...where to live?

inmanlin22

Hi All,

 My husband and I are relocating to Houston from Chicago in July. We're used to walking everywhere and having restaurants, dry cleaners, etc. right around the corner. I'm having trouble figuring out where/which neighborhood to live. We'll be renting for the first year until we decide where we want to buy a home. Any help you could give about neighborhoods in Houston would be great. Thanks!

vscrivano23

Midtown or the Heights. 

Midtown is next to downtown but there aren't really any houses. It's all apartment living, but you can definitely walk everywhere. The Heights is a mash up of old a new. There are a lot of younger couples moving there and depending on where you're located you can probably walk to a couple restaurants. There are a few apartments downtown if you really wanted to live there, but it's mostly business people during the week.

RayMillerUnion

You would love Rice Village!  It is a fun area, and is close to all of those places.  The houses are beautiful, and you also have the option of staying in apartments over there also. 

 If you don't like the Rice Village area, you can also try the Galleria area.  But be careful where you look in the area.  Make sure you are on the right side of that area.  Ask your relator. 

Asherswife2113

The Clear Lake area is really great. There are places you could walk and in Pearland, just around the corner, there are great bike trails. This is one of the prettier parts of the Houston area too. And I-45 is right there which will take you anywhere you need to go in Houston. Downtown is about 15-30 min away. Good luck with your move!

Unknown

When we relocated to Houston, I was advised by a friend to look into Rice Village or the Galleria. The Galleria is good because of all the shops but because of that you'll look forward to daily traffic just trying to get to your street. After seeing Rice Village we were sold. Cafes, restaurants, cleaners, shopping, gyms, running trail, etc. are all within walking distance. Never have had an issue with safety concerns either. I'd totally recommend Rice Village. Good luck with the move and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. 

Stephcsz

I lived in Chicago for 10 years. (Lakeview; inner-driver between Irving Park & Montrose). So I was a city girl too. I can't wait to go back for an improv comedy event in October.
When I moved back to Houston about 5 years ago -- I went full-on suburbs! Ahhhh! I never imagined I'd ever have a car and have every possible store I'd ever need in a 2 miles radius.

I live in Katy. Specifically Cinco Ranch. It's a rapidly growing suburb west of Houston. I mean rapid! Houses are on the market for less than a week around here. 

To answer your question, if you want the same type of urban experience you had in Chicago then The Heights and Rice Village are good options.  Also Montrose (the Houston neighborhood; not the Chicago street). But get ready to drive. Houston is a car city.  But the good news is you won't spend 30-minutes driving around looking for parking on a side street, or digging out your car.

Oh, and there's central a/c everywhere here! No window units.

Welcome to Texas!