Houston Neighborhoods – Montrose

When shopping for Houston Neighborhoods – Montrose should be at the top of your list! To me, Montrose is the heart of Houston. Some people march to the beat of their own drum. If you’re that person, Montrose is the neighborhood for you. Other people prefer to jam out to top 40; Montrose is for them too! At around 4 square miles, Montrose is one of the largest areas in central Houston. It borders Midtown, Downtown, River Oaks, Upper Kirby, The Museum District and Memorial Heights. This neighborhood has been changing and evolving from the beginnings of Houston, and it has had ups and downs. The Montrose of old was filled with punk rock, ladies of the night, tattoo parlors and old, cheap duplexes. Today, it’s quite a bit cleaner and calmer with a collection of notable restaurants, antique shops, rows of townhouses, and a sprinkling of the old haunts that give it character, all within walking distance. If you’re looking for a steal of a deal on rent, you can still find a 100 year old, 500 square foot one bedroom in a duplex with a window unit and micro-fridge for under $1000. You can also buy a historic tree-lined bungalow for well over a million dollars, and there are plenty of options in between.

Walkability ★★★★★

While you probably can’t walk to work from Montrose (unless you work at a coffee shop around the corner), you can walk outside your home and there are countless establishments within walking distance. I dare you to head just one block in any direction in Montrose and you will find multiple coffee shops, restaurants, bars, clubs, museums or shops to amuse you.

Transportation ★★☆☆☆

Who needs transportation when everything is right around the corner?! This is the one area that Montrose is lacking. The METRO bus has stations all around to get you anywhere in the city you need, but there isn’t a METROrail line, yet. However, one of the best things about Montrose is the neighborhood is great for bicycling with the tree-lined streets and laid-back atmosphere, and the city has set up several B-cycle rental stations throughout the area.

Dining ★★★★★

This is where Montrose really destroys the rest of Houston and foodies from around the nation flock to visit. We are home to James Beard award winner, Chris Shepherd, and his notable restaurant, Underbelly, is just a block off Montrose along Westheimer. If you haven’t had the pork belly, you haven’t lived! Just one block the other direction, Uchi is regarded as one of the best, if not the best, sushi restaurants in Houston. Local favorites such as Rivas, Nam Chinese, Baba Yega’s and others have stood the test of time serving delicious affordable food and remaining integral parts of the community.

Nightlife ★★★★☆

Montrose is home to some of the Houston’s oldest bars and clubs, and if there’s a scene you’re into, Montrose has a place for you. Numbers nightclub is often referred to by Houstonians as “the first club I ever went to” and for good reason. The place while, dingy and a bit terrifying has 80’s music, cheap drinks (like real cheap) and welcomes everyone. On the other side of the coin, Rudyards has kept Montrose thrashing and moshing for lord knows how long, and they have food! Maybe, Madonnarama is the key to your heart. If so, head over to South Beach where there is sure to be sweaty people on the dance floor and plenty of foam. West Alabama Ice House, Houston’s oldest ice house, is just at the edge before you reach Upper Kirby, opens early, and is the perfect spot for enjoying a nice afternoon on the patio, with the dog! If your palate is a bit more refined and you need vermouth and Chartreuse, and something gently stirred rather than shaken, let the mixologists at Anvil take care of you. Montrose has something for everyone!

Pet Friendly ★★★★★

Montrose isn’t filled with dog parks, but there is an abundance of green space. The older homes have yards and the tree-lined streets are perfect for long leisurely walks with the furbaby. If letting it run free with other dogs is important to you, Webster Park, near midtown has a good size run, and Ervan Chew Dog Park is on Richmond at Dunlavy. The construction at Buffalo Bayou Park included a formal dog park with water attractions, and is scheduled to open January 17^th!

Average Home Purchase Price: $520,174*

Average One Bedroom Rental Rate – Privately Owned: $1060**

Average One Bedroom Rental Rate – Class A Apartment: $1472***

*data calculated on January 4, 2015 from HAR.com using condominiums, townhouses and freestanding houses sold in the “Montrose” market area in the past 90 days with at least 1 bedroom and an average square footage of 2206 square feet. This average rate does not take into account studio or efficiency condominiums.

** data calculated on January 4, 2015 from HAR.com using one bedroom condominiums, apartments and 1-4 family complexes leased in the “Montrose” market area in the past 90 days ranging in size, quality and condition. This average rate does not take into account studio or efficiency lease options.

*** data calculated on January 4, 2015 using the most recent “best rate available within 60 days” published on UrbanLeasing.com for traditional one bedroom one bathroom apartments at Class A apartment communities in the Montrose area. A “Class A” apartment is new or recently updated, well maintained and offers luxury finishes, gated access, on-site parking, washer and dryer, and amenities include at minimum a pool, fitness center and cyber café. This average rate does not take into consideration studio or efficiency apartment homes. The team at UrbanLeasing.com updates rates on a daily basis as market data becomes available.

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