A Breakdown Of Houston's Neighborhoods

Houston is America's fourth largest city and is known for its big business and leadership in the energy sector. Besides its status as a hub for the oil and gas industry, Houston is also a city of diverse people and quaint neighborhoods, each with its own distinction. A drive through the sprawling metropolis yields many pleasant surprises from one neighborhood to the next and these differences provide Houston with a sense of cultural identity. Here are some of the more notable neighborhoods within the city limits.
Houston Heights
www.houstonheights.org

Often referred to simply as "The Heights," Houston Heights is one of the city's most popular destinations for entertainment. Several notable restaurants dot the landscape and one doesn't have to venture very far to find boutiques, galleries and other places of artistic interest. Locals have countless options for food and fun and a typical evening could involve a live concert at Fitzgerald's followed by a delicious meal at Asia Market and a round of craft beer at Onion Creek Cafe. The residents who call Houston Heights their home are steadfast, loyal and unyielding in their choice of neighborhood residence. Many who live in Houston Heights admit they would not relocate for any reason, even if they knew that selling their home would result in a large financial gain. The sense of community, the architecture, the entertainment and more place Houston Heights in a league of its own.

Greenspoint
www.greenspoint.org

Located north of downtown near George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Greenspoint is mostly about business. The neighborhood is home to several large companies and it includes millions of square feet of office space. Large, international companies such as Noble Energy and Canrig Drilling Technology are headquartered in Greenspoint and ExxonMobil maintains a large presence. Surrounding all of this business are dozens of restaurants, hotels and residential areas all within a short distance of Interstate 45. Greenspoint residents can select among a variety of eateries such as Brown Sugar's Bar-B-Que or Rising Roll Gourmet before settling in for the evening in one of the several fine apartment complexes. Greenspoint boasts less expensive rents than those found in other parts of Houston and the location of this growing neighborhood makes it perfect for those who love entertainment and want to live close to where they work.

Westchase
www.westchasedistrict.com

Travel to southwest Houston between Westheimer road and the Westpark tollway and you will have arrived in the neighborhood known as Westchase. This neighborhood is home to several large employers such as BMC Software and Men's Wearhouse and, thanks to its close proximity to major thoroughfares, it is an ideal location for businesses and for those who prefer the action associated with an urban lifestyle. Westchase is considered a special district for governmental purposes and it even has its own board of directors who represent and promote the region's interests. Besides the hundreds of businesses in the area, Westchase is also home to the Westchase Shopping Center and the Marriott Hotel Westchase, the area's largest place of lodging. The combination of big business, comfortable residential areas and easy access to major interstate highways and the Galleria make the Westchase neighborhood one of the most desirable in the city of Houston.

Related: Top Bed & Breakfasts In Houston

Montrose

No neighborhood listing for Houston would be complete without mentioning Houston's Montrose area. In contrast to many other urban centers, Montrose is mainly a residential neighborhood with only a scattering of businesses. Known for its vibrant culture, Montrose is home to budding artists, musicians, an active LGBT community and is also home to the University of Saint Thomas, one of Houston's lesser-known but certainly respectable institutions of higher learning. Residents of the Montrose area are within walking distance of stores, shops, bars, restaurants and cultural outlets. Notable places to visit in Montrose include the fabulous Menil Collection and its large display of private art and the Rothko Chapel, a place of meditative quiet in an otherwise bustling neighborhood. It adds up to an active, spirited community and a great place to call home.

Museum District
www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org

The Houston neighborhood known as the Museum District is the perfect location for those who love education, culture and learning. With approximately 20 museums in the area, the Museum District is ideal for the intellectual and curious-minded among us. Those who take up residence in the Museum District usually lease apartments or condos and make their way from museum to gallery to cultural center on foot. Several of these museums, like the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Museum of Natural Science, enjoy national acclaim as some of the best museums in the United States. A good number of these cultural and educational attractions are offered free of admission fees so local residents can visit as often as they like at no cost. Once filled with educational knowledge, residents can fill their stomachs at local restaurants such as Lucille's and enjoy a glass of merlot at Zimm's Martini & Wine Bar. Close proximity to the Houston Zoo and a short drive to downtown make the Museum District one of Houston's best areas for living, learning and thriving.

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Bryan Carey is a Houston, Texas resident with an avid interest in restaurants, dining, breweries, wineries, festivals, cultural events, museums, theatre, concerts, and other forms of entertainment. He has been writing about entertainment, travel, and related topics for more than fifteen years and has thousands of articles to his credit. His work can be found at Examiner.com.