With the advent of the pandemic and widespread remote work opportunities, many people rethought their day-to-day life—including the place they called home. Regardless of how you personally handled this upheaval to your routine, the U.S. real estate market is still feeling it. 

In popular metro areas like Houston, it is most definitely sizzling. Home inventory is low, demand is high and as we learned in Economics 101, this means high prices…record high prices, in fact. 

According to Norada Real Estate Investments, “The average price of a single-family home increased 12.6 percent to $383,807, while the median price increased 16.3 percent to $314,000, tying the record high set in June 2021.” 

If you’re trying to buy a house, that hurts. It really hurts. But as a seller, it’s party time.

So, pain and parties aside, if you’re committed to buying a house in Houston, where exactly should you look? Which neighborhoods are hot and why? 

Whether you’re looking for a trendy, urban oasis or a relaxing, ranch-style retreat, we’ll take a look at some of the best Houston-area homesteads to put down roots.

East End, aka EaDo (East Downtown)

As recently as 10 years ago, this area was mostly deserted, made up of empty shopping centers and failed businesses. According to the Houston Properties Team, developers began to pour capital—to the tune of more than $250 million—into the area. And now, along with the new BBVA Soccer stadium and MetroRail expansion, the area also features plenty of new eateries and entertainment options.  

With both historic homes and landmarks alongside new construction, houses in the East End have a median purchase price of about $330,000. According to the SpaceWise blog from Extra Storage Space, both young professionals and retirees are looking to call the East End home.

Attractive initially because of its affordability, EaDo has plenty of other features that home buyers value:

• Near the University of Houston and Texas Southern University
• Borders downtown Houston and the suburbs
• Features a METRORail line for easy access to other areas

Never fear, while transportation and other practical concerns are important, this area doesn’t lack for entertainment and recreation options

From the East End Farmers Market for healthy eats to a splatter battle at Urban War Zone Paintball, you’re sure to find something that fills your Saturdays with fun. The area also boasts a bit of Houston’s culinary history as the home of The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation. Known for being the establishment that introduced Houston to fajitas, you can grab dinner and then head out to one of several breweries, bakeries and coffee shops that boast treats for any palate.  

Perhaps the most unique feature to this trendy area (at least according to our editors) is its proximity to the D&W Lounge, aka the “best dive bar in Texas.” Because who doesn’t want to be able to snag a bevvie on the cheap at their local dive bar?

Houston Heights

The Heights has a lot going for it, including excellent real estate appreciation, a high walkability rating and plenty of history. 

Named by CultureMap as “one of the most walkable neighborhoods in Houston,” Houston Heights is a haven for those who enjoy taking a quick jaunt down to the neighborhood coffee shop in the morning or biking along the White Oak Bayou Greenway before trying one of the 450+ (!) Yelp-rated establishments.

With a median home price of $560,000, buyers can choose from character-filled Victorian houses, Craftsman-style builds and more modern options like condominiums. Great for young professionals and families alike, the commute to downtown is short and sweet and the schools are highly-ranked.

Other highlights include:

• Quick access to I-10, I-45, and I-610
• Several parks including Little Thicket and Woodland Parks
• Easy access to the Medical Center and Galleria

And best of all (again, according to our editors) is an entire restaurant devoted to mac ‘n cheese! At Jus’ Mac, they have unique options like the Pit Master, Big Easy, and Chicken & Waffle. Um, we’ll take them all, please.

Cottage Grove

About seven years ago, new development spurred the boom in the Cottage Grove neighborhood. In fact, it’s ranked #1 on the Houston Properties’ list of best Houston neighborhoods by land value appreciation Since Houston’s real estate market remains hot and inventory is still low, everything points to continuing growth for 2022.

Snagging a new domicile in Cottage Grove will cost you a median price of $425,000, with the majority of housing options including exclusive developments and gated communities. During construction, builders focused on creating modern, luxurious homes within gated communities. Featuring names like Larkin at Cottage Grove, Patterson Heights, and Reserve at Washington, Cottage Grove is now established as one of Houston’s nicest areas.

Situated just three miles northwest of downtown, a commute from Cottage Grove is quick and (relatively) painless—a major plus for young professionals and families. It’s also close to the Medical Center, shopping and entertainment.

Other highlights include:

• Close proximity to Memorial Park Golf Course, the Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail, and the Houston Arboretum and Nature Park
• Historic significance as a stop for the Houston and Texas Central Railway during the 20s and 30s
• Top schools including Lamar High School, an IB World School

Our editors’ pick for Cottage Grove? Yeah, it’s food again. We’d love to try Urban Eats bistro+bar+market. Because food+drinks+shopping=winning. We’re on board!

Montrose

One of Houston’s reliably popular neighborhoods, Montrose has a bit of everything. Residents love the unique flair that belongs to Montrose alone, made up, for example, of 1920s mansions just down the road from some of the top restaurants in the state of Texas. 

According to The Houston Chronicle, “Montrose, the central Houston community known for its diverse lifestyles, vibrant street life and stately historic homes, is being honored by the American Planning Association … as one of the country’s 10 great neighborhoods.”

Offering homes with a median price of $680,000, diversity is the name of the game when it comes to houses in the area. From mansions to bungalows to modern condos, you’ll find most any option, and they’re all within walking distance of unique boutiques, tasty eateries and fun street art. 

Other highlights include:

• Nine restaurants often found on the “Top Restaurants in the State of Texas” list
• Cultural hub with museums featuring Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse
• Central Loop location

We know you’re waiting for it. For our editors’ pick, we’ll stick with what we know (aside from real estate) – FOOD! We’re going with The Burger Joint, both because we love burgers and the unpretentious name. And they probably have milkshakes, which make everything better. 

We’ve just barely scratched the surface of the fantastic neighborhoods in the Houston area, but here’s the bottom line. If you’re planning to buy real estate in the Houston area, now is a good time. According to Norada Real Estate, forecasts from both Zillow and NeighborhoodScout.com indicate a continued rise in home values in 2022.

No matter where in Houston you decide to buy, though, we hope you’ll try our restaurant suggestions!