Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is a booming business hub and center of entertainment and culture. As such, Downtown is a favorite spot among Houstonians and visitors. Until the past decade, Downtown Houston was mainly a business district, but more and more people are choosing to live and play in the area now. Mostly highrises, the styles of homes in the area are mainly lofts and condominiums.
Accessibility: With an overall Transit Score of 88, Downtown Houston is considered to be highly accessible, due in part to its excellent public transportation options. Visitors can also rest easy knowing that Downtown is very bikeable. Walk Score rates Downtown a 72 in its Walk Score profile, making it one of the top ten neighborhoods in Houston for foot travel.
Parks, Recreation, and Greenspaces: There are several parks in Downtown Houston. Residents and visitors are sure to enjoy these notable Downtown parks:
Discovery Green: Surrounded by the George R. Brown Convention Center, Discovery Green spans across 12 acres of land and includes two restaurants, a kids’ play area, two dog runs, a man-made lake, an amphitheater, and an event lawn.
Buffalo Bayou Park: Since the northwest part of Downtown rests against the Buffalo Bayou, Buffalo Bayou Park is a wonderful place for residents to go to take in a sunset or some city views. The park includes children’s playgrounds, canoeing and kayaking trails, a dog park, and areas for hiking and biking.
Commute: Since public transportation in Downtown Houston is excellent, those whose commutes don’t take them too far out of the neighborhood will fare best. Over 100,000 employees commute through Downtown every day, and 32% of them use public transit. Easy access to Interstate 69 and bike sharing services also help facilitate the commute.
Downtown Appreciation Values: Residents of Downtown will see their values remain pretty steady with just over a 3% appreciation over a period of 10 years.
Desirable Schools: Students living in and around Downtown have a multitude of options for schooling and may be zoned to the following schools:
Public Elementary Schools in Downtown Houston:
Public Middle Schools in Downtown Houston:
Public High Schools in Downtown Houston:
Private Schools in Downtown Houston:
- Incarnate Word Academy
- Metropolitan Montessori Schools
- Cathedral House Episcopal School
- The Children First Elementary Academy
History: Not long after Texas won the Battle of San Jacinto, the City of Houston was created. Downtown is essentially what Houston was in 1836 when Augustus C. and John K. Allen purchased nearly 6,700 acres of land near Buffalo Bayou. The pair began selling land for $1.00 per acre and advertised this throughout the Union. Within one year, Houston had 1,200 occupants and has continued to grow ever since.
Shopping: Downtown Houston’s Shopping District just about covers residents’ shopping needs. GreenStreet contains restaurants that cater to everyone’s preferences and the Shops at Houston Center offers many stores. With the Shopping District becoming the center of live entertainment, it also provides much more than just shopping.
Community: With numerous parks, restaurants, shops, and transportation and entertainment options, Downtown is a great place to hang out in Houston. Currently, there are approximately 9,300 residents living in Downtown and 65,000 residents within Greater Downtown. Housing opportunities in Downtown Houston are hard to come by, though, so this part of the city tends to attract young professionals, empty nesters, reverse commuters, and very small families.
Culture: Downtown has a growing arts and culture scene that’s hard to miss. The House of Blues, Bisong Art Gallery, Alley Theatre, Art Factory, Bayou Place, and the Toyota Center are just some hotspots for entertainment. It’s not hard to catch a live show or try out a new dish in Downtown, which makes it a popular destination for Houstonians and tourists alike.
Buying loft and condominium properties can be tricky to navigate on your own with increased HOA fees and lender guidelines. If you are looking to sell or buy real estate in Downtown, Houston, Texas, contact Angel Fultz, Houston Realtor, and a downtown specialist to advise and guide you.