NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: Montrose, Houston, Texas

VOLUME VII: NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT

Montrose, Houston, Texas

Compiled by Nikki Davidson

The Montrose neighborhood is a historically posh area that has left tradition in the past. The four-square-mile area is now a bright, saucy entertainment mecca with unbridled individuality. The offbeat neighborhood is also considered one of the strangest but most vibrant places in Houston.

Street musicians, hippies and artists took over the community during the 1960s, and their presence remains today. The LGBTQ+ community has a deep connection with Montrose. And the shops, restaurants and attractions are both luxurious and unusual.

According to the Houston Association of Realtors, homes in Montrose are listed at an average price of $936,640, and the average rent is $2,546 per month. Houses in Montrose have a median build year of 1966 and typically have three bedrooms.

Jobs in Montrose

According to the Great Houston Partnership, 2021 was the best year on record for Houston's job growth, with 151,800 jobs created in the city during that period.

Sectors that added 10,000 or more jobs in 2021 include the restaurant and bar industry, professional scientific and technical service jobs, health care and social assistance positions, transportation and warehousing, administrative and support services, and employment for workers in the mining and logging industries.

The top employers in the area are the local hospital systems, H-E-B and Walmart.

According to the City of Houston's Planning and Development Department, the last recorded unemployment rate in the Neartown and Montrose neighborhoods was 3%. Meanwhile, 40% of the neighborhood's population earned more than $100,001 in 2015.

Education in Montrose

Montrose is part of the Houston Independent School District, the largest school district in Texas. There are 274 schools for students in grades K-12 in the metropolitan area. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the district's student-to-teacher ratio is 16.76.

Quality of Life in Montrose

Montrose is a walkable community; transportation optional. There's a generous amount of green space in the neighborhood despite its heavy density of restaurants, bars and retail establishments.

A 2.3-mile-long municipal park in the neighborhood, Buffalo Bayou Park stretches across 160 acres. Dogs are allowed in the park, and vendors in the natural space rent out bicycles and canoes to visitors.

Shopping, Dining and Entertainment in Montrose

Montrose was established as an LGBTQ-friendly neighborhood about 50 years ago, and that presence is still a big part of the community and nightlife today. The area has many popular gay bars, including Numbers, a nightclub with a large dance floor that initially opened as a gay disco in the 1970s during the gay rights movement. Today, it hosts weekly dance nights and concerts on special occasions.

The neighborhood is also home to a quirky set of vintage and antique stores on Westheimer Road. A thriving artistic community operates several boutique home decor stores, and world-class art museums and galleries nearby.

Montrose is also a foodie paradise. Popular eatery options include a late-night classic burger joint, hip steakhouse, quirky gastropub and a fine-dining Mexican restaurant.

Other Notable Facts About Montrose Include:

Montrose was a center for health and emotional support for the LGBTQ+ community during the AIDS crisis in the 1980s. The neighborhood used to have many more gay bars than it does today.
A young Clark Gable once lived in Montrose when he was studying acting. Gable's former home was eventually torn down to make space for luxury apartments.
The neighborhood's official website is HoustonTX.gov.

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: Little Elm, Dallas, Texas

Little Elm, Texas, is one of the fastest-growing municipalities in the state for a reason. Just 20 years ago, it was known as a sleepy little lakefront town on Lake Lewisville, but it's since boomed into a rapidly growing suburb with 50,000 people.

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: Travis Heights, Austin, Texas

Located in South Austin, the Travis Heights neighborhood is one of the most coveted places to call home in the capital region of Texas. The community is in a central location near Downtown Austin and has easy access to I-35, allowing a quick and easy drive to other parts of the city. It’s also located within walking distance to SoCo, a lively area in South Congress.

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: Georgetown, Texas

Renters searching for a growing city that maintains a small-town vibe will fall in love with Georgetown, Texas. This little piece of paradise, just 30 minutes north of Austin, is known for its southern hospitality, booming job market, award-winning education and exceptional quality of life.

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: Sugar Land, Texas

If you’re looking to live in one of the best places in Texas, Sugar Land makes the cut, according to Stacker. With a 2020 population of more than 117K, Sugar Land is the 33rd largest city in Texas and the 249th largest city in the United States.

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: Frisco, Texas

For renters looking for a family-oriented city just outside of Dallas, Frisco is around 30 miles to the north. It’s an easy commute away from the Dallas metro area, located in Denton and Collin Counties. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and frequently recognized nationally as a great place to live.

Repairs: Who Pays for What?

For a landlord, a rental property is an uphill battle against mishaps, calamities, the hands of time and sometimes nature itself. To guard their investment, property owners must plan ahead, maneuver tactfully and sometimes be prepared to cut their losses.

Neighborhood Spotlight · Nov 4, 2022

Can Pet-Friendly Homes Bring Better Tenants?

“Do you have a pet-friendly policy?” It’s a common question that landlords receive before attempting to rent a single-family home.