The Ultimate Houston Neighborhood Guide
Looking for the best neighborhoods in Houston? Our experts have done the research for you. See our comprehensive Houston neighborhood guides.
Welcome to Houston! We're the 4th most populous city in the US, covering over 600 square miles.
To help you find the best neighborhood to live in, we've created 28 different Houston neighborhood guides.
These resources include dozens of pages of:
- Neighborhood profiles
- Custom neighborhood maps
- Key community statistics
- 10-year real estate sales trends
- Exclusive buyer and seller tips from Paige Martin (one of the top-ranked Realtors in the United States, having sold over $1 billion of Houston real estate).
Explore Houston by reading below, or contact Paige Martin now for personal recommendations and advice on what Houston neighborhoods may be best for you.
"The Houston Properties Team went above and beyond during the home buying and selling process. We first worked with Paige and her team in 2012 and chose to work with them again in 2021. Their knowledge of the market and trends by neighborhood made them trusted advisors and helped us negotiate the best prices. Additionally, they were with us every step of the way to ensure things were as simple and efficient as possible for us. They also have a fabulous list of contractors. We were especially happy with their recommendations for painting walls and refinishing floors before we moved in.” – Jessica Graham
Table of Contents
- Neighborhood Guides by Region
- Neighborhood Guides by Amenities and Price
- Guide to Homes and Condos
- Other Popular Guides to Houston
- Houston Neighborhoods Map
- Houston Zip Code Map
- The Best Houston Realtor to Help You Buy or Sell Your Home
Neighborhood Guides by Region
"I’ve been so impressed with Brad‘s professionalism and dedication. He really focused on me and asked all the right questions to figure out how he could best be of service. And then he followed through. I would recommend Brad and the entire Houston Properties Team to anyone looking to purchase properties in Houston." - Chuck Marquardt
The 12 Best Houston Suburbs Overall
| The Woodlands | Montgomery | Tomball |
| Willis/New Waverly | La Porte/Shoreacres | Porter/New Caney East |
| Katy North | Sugar Land East | Richmond |
| Pearland | Galveston | Fresno |
The 20 Best Luxury Inner Loop Neighborhoods
The 16 Best Inner Loop Neighborhoods Under $750K
The 11 Best Luxury Close In Neighborhoods
| Memorial Villages | Wilchester | Bellaire Area |
| Frostwood | Memorial Forest | Tanglewood Area |
| Rivercrest | Royal Oaks | Briargrove |
| Memorial Close In | Westchase Area |
The 13 Best Close In Neighborhoods Under $750K
Neighborhood Guides by Amenities and Price
“We relocated to Texas from out of state 3 years ago, and Paige’s intimate knowledge of Houston neighborhoods, valuations, trends, and pitfalls was simply unmatched. We would never have been able to find our perfect home without her. She was calm and focused when everything seemed most challenging — a true professional and advocate who has become a dear friend. We are grateful to have met her!” - Gretchen & Brad Richter
The 11 Most Accessible Neighborhoods
According to the 40th annual study by Rice’s Kinder Institute, traffic remains one of Houston's most significant problems. As the city experiences dynamic growth, its population is projected to exceed 7.1 million before the end of the year. This means that traffic congestion in Houston is expected to worsen over the next decade.
With this in mind, our clients have been asking us about the best places to live where they can walk to grocery stores and restaurants and still be close to their work and their kids’ schools.
To answer that, we analyzed “Best Restaurants” rankings, compared walkability studies, overlaid grocery stores, compared neighborhoods using Houston’s Best Public School Guide, and interviewed dozens of our clients to find out the best neighborhoods in Houston in terms of accessibility.
See which neighborhoods made the list.
The 14 Best Master-planned Communities
Houston now has over 100 master-planned communities, giving homebuyers more options. But out of all the communities out there, which ones are the best for you and your family?
To create this list of the best master-planned communities, we looked at neighborhoods that are zoned to top-ranked schools, have great amenities, have affordable homes with good resale trends, are within 45 minutes of Houston, and have builders with quality reputations.
Check out which communities made the cut.
The 26 Best Gated Communities
Security, convenience, and low maintenance are the main attractions of Houston's gated communities. The allure of the lock-and-leave lifestyle draws many homebuyers to these areas.
The Bayou City boasts over 100 gated communities, ranging from well-established landmarks to newer developments. These communities vary in size, with some having fewer than a dozen homes. Some are also so exclusive that properties rarely come on the market.
We ranked 26 of these gated communities that are within 45 minutes of Downtown Houston. Most of these are located in Houston’s top suburbs, the Inner Loop’s best neighborhoods, or the city’s most expensive neighborhoods. They are also near major job centers and entertainment hubs, are zoned to some of Houston’s best schools, and are highly exclusive with limited inventories.
The 21 Best Golf Course Communities
Homes in golf course communities often feature beautiful views of well-maintained fairways, greens, and water features. The lush landscapes provide a serene and picturesque environment.
These communities also typically offer a variety of amenities beyond golf, such as tennis courts, swimming pools, fitness centers, clubhouses, dining options, and spa services. These amenities promote a luxurious lifestyle.
This is the kind of premium living that Houston’s best golf course communities offer, along with close proximity to top-performing school districts and major commercial hubs.
See the 21 best golf course communities that are some of the best places in Houston, Texas to live for avid golfers.
The Top 18 Active Adult Communities
With over 60 active adult communities in Houston, finding the ideal fit for you or your parents can be challenging.
To help, we ranked the top 18 active adult communities based on their amenities, locations, and median sales prices.
Additionally, we provided detailed information on each community's price points, average home square footage, and total number of homes.
We also addressed frequently asked questions about living in 55+ active adult communities in Houston, offering a comprehensive guide to assist potential residents in making informed decisions.
Here are the best Houston areas to live for active adults aged 55 and above.
The Top 20 Most Expensive Neighborhoods
Houston is home to some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country. To identify the best among these exclusive areas, we analyzed over 400,000 home sales from the past decade.
Our findings show that the top luxury neighborhoods in Houston are zoned to the best schools, are some of the most accessible, and belong to the list of Houston’s best suburbs.
See which communities made the list of the Top 20 Most Expensive Neighborhoods in Houston.
The Best Neighborhoods in Land Value Appreciation
Inflation rates are nearing an all-time high. This spike is driven by several factors, including the global economy, reduced spending during the lockdown (with Americans holding $2 trillion in savings since the onset of COVID-19), and a rapid return to normal life.
But real estate can be a good hedge against inflation because inflation has a "deflating effect" on debt. As home prices rise over time, the real value of mortgage debt decreases.
This acts as a buffer against price inflation, functioning like a natural discount. Essentially, mortgage payments are made with "cheaper dollars."
This effect is particularly beneficial in areas with historically strong land value appreciation, where the equity in your home increases while your fixed-rate mortgage payments remain unchanged.
We analyzed over 400,000 Houston home sales to identify the best Houston neighborhoods where land value appreciation rates can outpace inflation. Here’s what we found out.
Guide to Homes and Condos
"I was recommended through a close friend to reach out to Brad over here at Houston Properties and he has catered to my questions about renting and owning. As a young adult, he has helped me understand the market and where to begin with recommendations that I’ve even shared with others. I find Brad to be extremely trustworthy and honest which is hard to come by these days. I am looking forward to working with him down the line and his team over at HP." - Alexis Grace
A Guide to Houston Townhomes
Townhomes are among the fastest-growing housing segments in Houston, emerging as one of the city's best-performing markets.
New construction townhomes in the "Under $250K" and "Under $500K" categories are driving this growth. The appeal of townhomes lies in their smaller footprint, minimal maintenance, and affordability compared to single-family homes.
Rising demand has spurred townhome development in Houston's most sought-after neighborhoods, including EaDo, Rice Military, Montrose, Midtown, Camp Logan, and the Houston Heights area.
Houston offers a wide variety of townhomes for sale, with prices varying based on location, home size, and age.
A Guide to Houston Patio Homes
Patio homes, also known as "garden homes," are smaller properties popular for their low upkeep and maintenance costs. These typically detached homes are favored for their privacy and affordability. Many Houston patio homes are also located within sections of master-planned communities.
New patio homes in Houston are single-family, free-standing homes on small lots. Discover the best patio homes for sale in Houston here.
A Guide to Houston Multi Family Homes
In Houston, multi-family homes range in price from $130,000 to over $1,000,000, depending on factors such as size, occupancy, location, and condition. These properties are increasingly seen as a practical solution for purchasing larger, more expensive homes for extended family and friends.
Numerous multi-family homes are currently under construction throughout Houston. Additionally, these properties are becoming more appealing for real estate investments, with growing demand in the area.
A Guide to the Best Luxury Condos in Houston
Houston’s premier luxury condo buildings provide both exclusivity and convenience. Situated in highly desirable neighborhoods, these luxury condos are close to top shopping destinations and business districts. They often boast resort-style amenities such as infinity pools, party and conference rooms, private spas, and state-of-the-art fitness centers.
Residents enjoy easy access to highly-rated retail, dining, and entertainment options. Additionally, many of these properties are noted for some of the best 5-year appreciation rates among Houston's luxury high-rises.
A Guide to New Construction Condos in Houston
Houston is experiencing a construction boom, ranking 7th in the US for the highest number of new high-rise developments. Over 25 new high-rises have recently opened or are currently under construction.
This growth is centered around Houston's vibrant business districts, such as Downtown, the Galleria, the Energy Corridor, and the Medical Center, as more people move to the city and seek proximity to key areas to reduce commutes. These districts are also renowned for their excellent retail, dining, and entertainment options.
New construction condos are also emerging in Houston’s most accessible neighborhoods, including River Oaks, Briar Hollow, Upper Kirby, Rice Military, and the Museum District.
A Guide to Inner Loop Houston Condos
The Inner Loop neighborhoods are highly sought after due to their easy access to Downtown Houston, the Museum District, the Galleria, and River Oaks.
Shopping centers, restaurants, and top-rated schools are just minutes away from these areas. Residents benefit from a short commute to work with key business districts nearby.
In terms of land value, Inner Loop neighborhoods are among the best-performing in Houston.
A Guide to Downtown Houston Lofts and Condos
Downtown Houston lofts and condos are popular for their central location, high accessibility, relatively lower maintenance costs, and luxury amenities. Many of these residences are situated along or just a few blocks from the METRORail, making them convenient and desirable for those seeking close proximity to key city attractions and transit options
Here is the complete guide to the condos and lofts in Downtown Houston.
A Guide to Galleria Houston Condos
With its central location, the Galleria is renowned for upscale dining, shopping, and entertainment. The neighborhood is filled with retail hotspots, numerous fashion boutiques, and posh restaurants.
Several highrise and midrise condos in the Galleria offer hotel-like services such as 24-hour concierge, valet parking, and 24-hour security. Residents can enjoy amenities like massage rooms, saunas, steam rooms, pools, fitness centers, and tennis courts in many of these buildings.
Condos in this neighborhood are solid investments, demonstrating steady growth in the real estate market. The area is also highly accessible via the METRORapid Silver Line buses.
See all the luxury condos and highrises within Galleria.
A Guide to Medical Center Houston Condos
The Medical Center is one of Houston’s primary employment and business districts, hosting renowned hospitals, research and academic institutions, medical schools, pharmacy schools, dental schools, and nursing programs. As the largest medical complex in the US, it is home to over 3,500 businesses and more than 100,000 employees.
With its premier healthcare institutions, research centers, and academic programs, the Texas Medical Center stands as one of Houston’s largest employment hubs. Explore all condos in the area.
The 21 Best Houston Condos Near the METRORail
Houston’s Red, Green, and Purple lines form the city's 22.7-mile light rail system. These lines run from north to south, extending from East Downtown to Downtown's Main Street and branching out to the South Union area and the University of Houston in the southeast. Living near the METRORail offers a convenient way to navigate the city.
For homebuyers interested in purchasing a Houston condo along the METRORail, there are 21 options available, along with a few honorable mentions. We have listed and plotted them all on a map.
Other Popular Guides to Houston
“Paige demonstrated all qualities you want in a realtor – knowledgeable, attentive, responsive, patient. She put us into our first dream home, and due to that experience, we’ve returned to her time and again for our other real estate needs. You will quickly realize after working with Paige that while she focuses on completing your deal, her endgame is to ensure her clients’ needs are preserved and satisfied.” – Peter McGillivray & Jillian Jopling
Guide to Houston's Best Neighborhoods
Houston covers over 600 square miles and is home to millions, making it challenging to choose the right neighborhood.
An expert guide in Houston real estate can help you find the ideal home in the best locations. Our team has analyzed key community statistics and long-term real estate trends to compile a comprehensive Houston neighborhoods list.
Factors that make a Houston neighborhood desirable include amenities, proximity to top-rated schools and job centers, and strong appreciation rates.
Our free 58-page guide to Houston's Best Neighborhoods includes:
- Houston neighborhood maps
- Overview of Houston neighborhoods
- Houston real estate trends
- Listings of Houston homes for sale with pictures and overviews, and more
Houston Relocation Guide
Houston isn’t just any city; it’s a dynamic, multicultural hub. In this guide, we provide hard numbers and facts to help you make an informed decision about your relocation.
We also discuss the pros and cons of living in Houston, offer practical tips for a smooth transition, and take you on a virtual tour of Houston’s diverse neighborhoods. You’ll learn about its thriving job market, top-notch schools, excellent healthcare facilities, and much more.
How To Avoid Buying In Houston's Flooded Zones
It’s no secret that parts of Houston are highly prone to flooding. This is why you need an expert to navigate Houston’s flood-prone areas.
Our team has researched neighborhoods that fared well and those that didn’t during the most recent flooding events in Houston, along with post-flood home prices and market trends, to help you avoid buying a flooded home and price appropriately.
A Guide to the Home Buying Process in Houston
Buying a home can be exceptionally challenging for many people. Only 20% of buyers report having no difficulty with the process. Common challenges include finding the right property (56%), completing paperwork (15%), and understanding the steps involved (13%).
We want to make this process as easy as possible for you, so we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to buying a home. This guide provides a step-by-step breakdown of the entire process, from deciding to buy a property to finally getting your keys. We'll also explain how long each stage typically takes, helping you navigate the home buying journey smoothly.
How to Downsize Your Home in Houston
Sixteen percent of Americans are looking to downsize to a smaller home in their next move. Among them, 37% are Millennials and Gen Xers, while over half are Baby Boomers and members of the Silent Generation.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the size, cost, and maintenance of your current home, downsizing might be the solution.
In this comprehensive guide, we cover everything you need to know about downsizing. You'll learn the advantages and disadvantages, the financial implications of selling your current home and buying a smaller one, and the practical steps to take once you start the process.
Houston Neighborhoods Map
"Buying a house in Houston with The Houston Properties Team was just the start of our relationship. They helped me build friends, relationships and support as new residents in Houston. They truly went above and beyond to help make our lives better even after our move." – Brandon
Houston spans over 600 square miles and is home to 7.15 million people in the metropolitan area. This makes it overwhelming to choose the right neighborhood.
Having a knowledgeable team with in-depth expertise about Houston neighborhoods can greatly help in selecting the best location to find your ideal property.
Houston Zip Code Map
"As a partner of the Houston Properties Team, I can confidently say they exceed all expectations. Their expertise, continuous innovation, and stellar reputation make them a joy to work with. Brittney Coyle, in particular, stands out with her honest advice and dedicated support. If you want the best Houston real estate experience, the Houston Properties Team is the way to go!" - Kelly Siminski
Finding the right neighborhood in Houston is exciting but can be challenging.
A great Realtor can assist you in choosing the best property by considering your preferred neighborhoods, desired property types, and budget.
The Best Houston Realtor to Help You Buy or Sell Your Home
The Houston Properties Team has a well-defined structure based on the individual strengths of each member. Each member is a specialist in their 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 among 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, completing over $1 Billion in Houston residential real estate sales.
Her recent awards include:
– 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, and civic and community boards. She was appointed by the mayor of Houston to be on the downtown TIRZ board.
Benefits Of Working With The Houston Properties Team
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:
- the ability to be in two or three places at one time; a member can handle showings, while another answer calls
- collective time and experience of members
- targeted advice and marketing of agent expert in your area
- competitive advantage by simply having more resources, more ideas, and more perspectives
- a “checks and balances” system; selling and buying a home in Houston is an intensely complex process
- more people addressing field calls and questions from buyers and agents to facilitate a faster, successful sale
- efficient multi-tasking; one agent takes care of inspections and repair work, while another agent focuses on administrative details
- multiple marketing channels using members’ networks
- constant attention: guaranteed focus on your home and your transaction
- lower risk for mistakes. Multiple moving parts increase oversights. A team approach handles these “parts” separately
- flexibility in negotiation and marketing
- better management of document flow
- increased foot traffic through more timely and effective showing schedule coordination; and
- increased sphere of influence and exposure to more potential buyers.
To meet all the award-winning members of the Houston Properties Team, please go here.
Best Houston Real Estate Resources
- Houston Texas Zip Code Map | HoustonProperties
- An Ultimate Guide to the Best Active 55+ Communities in Houston
- How To Avoid Buying In Houston's Flooded Zones
- Sunset Terrace Homes For Sale & Real Estate Trends
- Falls At Dry Creek Homes For Sale & Real Estate Trends
