Best Neighborhoods in Houston

by Sr. Editor on October 21, 2010

At 634 square miles, Houston could contain the cities of New York, Washington, D.C., Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis and Miami, and its multiple neighborhoods are just as diverse as those cities. Though it’s most known for its energy industry, Houston has a large base in the manufacturing, aeronautics, education, transportation and health care sectors, and its varied neighborhoods provide opportunities to live near anything you desire, whether it’s work- or school-related. If you’re thinking about moving to Houston, consider the following neighborhoods, considered to be the best in the city.

Kingwood
Known as the “livable forest,” Kingwood has multiple greenbelts so residents can run and bike, and it’s surrounded by wooded vistas and tree-lined streets. Plus, there’s plenty of green on the four golf courses in Kingwood, including Kingwood Country Club, which has 10 dining rooms, 26 tennis courts, a staff of tennis professionals and a water park.

Medical Center
Apartment complexes and homes in the Medical Center area are near M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, one of America’s leading treatment and research facilities, as well as Ben Taub Hospital, the Baylor School of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital. Houston’s largest park, Hermann Park, is in this neighborhood, home to the Houston Zoo, an 18-hole public golf course and a kiddie train.

Museum District
Just north of the Medical Center is the Museum District, a generally safe area that has 18 museums, including the Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Health Museum, Houston Center for Photography and the Children’s Museum. Fifteen of the museums have gift shops and five have dining areas.

Downtown
The center for Houston’s government and city offices, downtown Houston also has a cultural side. Catch a show at the Houston Grand Opera or Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, and afterwards, grab a drink or bite to eat at one of the many bars and restaurants. In the spring, watch an Astros game at Minute Maid Park, and during the winter, see a Rockets game at the Toyota Center.

The Heights
This low-key neighborhood has the largest concentration of historic homes in Houston, privately maintained parks, several churches and a public library. The Heights has a unique, slightly eccentric culture with a variety of antique and specialty shops, as well as a spectacular Heights Playground for the little ones.

Third Ward
The Third Ward is one of the six historic wards of Houston and is located about two miles southeast of downtown Houston. Live here if you’re attending school at Texas Southern University or the University of Houston, and after school or work, head down Dowling Street for late-night live blues.

Rice Village
In this charming area, you’ll find tree-lined streets, beautiful homes, cute cafés, low crime rates and Rice University. You can’t help but learn here, as almost all streets in off Kirby Drive are named after universities, colleges and poets. Rice Village is mostly 30-year-olds and younger, with college students, post-grads and young married couples, who love the late hours of the bars and restaurants in the area.

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How to Recoup After Holiday Spending

by Sr. Editor on February 5, 2009

The Holidays were great! Parties, vacations, entertaining guests, holiday shopping, buying presents for you…and now the bills have arrived at your Houston apartment.“I can’t believe I spent that much.” “ I thought I was being conservative!” Spending money during the holidays was fun at the time, but now the lights and tinsel are gone and so is the money.

a picture of a person paying their bills
Photo by: Patrick W.

First you need to sit down and calculate how much you owe on your charge cards or how much you spent out of your emergency fund. [click to continue…]

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Holiday Office Party Dos and Don’ts

by Sr. Editor on December 1, 2008

a picture of a houston office party
Photo By: Saad.Akhtar

It happens ever year in the city of Houston. A holiday office party is thrown and, instead of following the implicit rules of business etiquette, some genius at the party drinks too much, says too much, does too much, and ends up without a job the following week. Not a good way to end the holiday season. In order to avoid having this happen to you, reacquaint yourself with office party dos and don’ts by reading our list of tips below. [click to continue…]

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Quick Holiday Money Saving Tips

by Sr. Editor on November 19, 2008

It’s that time of year again…where am I going to get the money for decorating, gifts, parties, and of course travel? Believe it or not, with a little planning and creativity, you can make it through this holiday season and save money without taking away from the holiday spirit.

a picture of people christmas shopping

Photo by: Carrie

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Scrapbooking Made Simple: All You Need To Know

by Sr. Editor on November 5, 2008

For so many, scrapbooking is about memories. These artistic expressions of family and friends at home, on vacation, and experiencing life’s milestones capture moments you don’t want to forget. [click to continue…]

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Grocery Store Math

by Sr. Editor on October 30, 2008

Everything you spend money on gas, clothing, food, and even the utilities in your Houston home is increasing in price. Saving money wherever you can becomes that much more important. One of the easiest places to save a couple bucks is in the supermarket. However, it’s just as easy to overspend if you don’t know how to evaluate and compare prices for the products you’re buying. [click to continue…]

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What’s Your Financial IQ? Learn to Manage Your Money

by Sr. Editor on October 23, 2008

When the end of the month rolls around, do you look at your account and wish you could have saved more? Do you have a retirement plan or even a savings account? If you lost your job, how long could you survive without a paycheck? Are you searching for a home but don’t know if you can afford it? These questions aren’t the easiest to ask yourself, but they are a good way to start evaluating your finances.
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Make Life Easier, Use USPS.com

by Sr. Editor on October 15, 2008

Waiting on snail mail can be a real drag now-a-days. We’re so used to getting instant responses and mail through texts, email and IM. However, the post office isn’t completely out of date. You can skip the long lines at the post office, because chances are you can do what you need to online in the comfort of your home.
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What is a Bailout?

The word ‘bailout’ is when a bankrupt, or nearly bankrupt, business, such as a bank or corporation, is given more liquidity so it can meet its financial obligations. Usually this kind of company has a short-term cash flow problem but has sufficient assets, so its given funds to tide it over. [click to continue…]

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Small Apartment Spaces: Decorative Dining Rooms

by Sr. Editor on October 1, 2008

Moving into apartments in Houston can be exciting– but many people often find that a small apartment is often lacking in dining space. If the dining area in your place is tiny, and you don’t want to end up sitting on your sofa in front of a TV tray every night, you’d do well to pay attention to these decorating tips from seasoned interior designers:

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Finding a Church In Your New City

by on September 19, 2008

If you’ve moved to a new city and are trying to find a church, you may realize that it’s harder than you expected. It’s important the congregation you join is one where you’ll feel at home and a place where you’ll continue to grow emotionally, spiritually and intellectually.

Here’s how to pinpoint a new church in Houston that’s a good fit for you:

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How to Find Great Service in Houston

by Sr. Editor on September 17, 2008

Moving to the city of Houston can be the beginning of an exciting adventure. From enjoying Houston apartments, to exploring museums, to fantastic shopping venues and much more, becoming a resident of this great city is sure to change your life forever.

But many other changes take place when moving to a new location – and some of these changes might seem like complete hassles. For example, that spectacular hair stylist that you’ve gone to loyally for ten years – who will replace her? Or the dentist that knows the sensitive spot on your upper bicuspid? Where will you find another like him?

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What You Need To Know About Renter Blacklists

by Sr. Editor on September 12, 2008

If you’ve ever had a legal dispute with a landlord that ended up in court, it might be a good idea to acquaint yourself with renter blacklists.

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Fall Crafts for Houston Apartments

by Sr. Editor on September 10, 2008

Fall will soon be in the air and summer will be just a memory. With the advent of cooler weather on the horizon, it’s time to think about seasonal décor and home accessories that will put you more in the fall mood.

Even though Houston doesn’t ‘feel’ the fall weather until the middle of winter, you can easy create a fall feeling in your home. With a few fall crafts, you’ll turn your home into a cozy, warm place to spend the autumn. [click to continue…]

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5 Things to Do for Labor Day Weekend in Houston

by Sr. Editor on August 29, 2008

Labor Day is coming up and Houstonians are looking for things to do. While some people will head out of town, there are many who will stay put and enjoy the holiday. So what Houston events are going on during the Labor Day weekend? Let’s take a look. [click to continue…]

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