Neighborhood Guide: Neartown - Montrose, Houston

As one of Houston’s most walkable, creatively-minded, and eclectic neighborhoods, Neartown-Montrose offers a wealth of things to do. The neighborhood is one of the most desirable places to live in Houston and welcomes a mix of residents looking for historic charm blended with modern amenities. Before you pack up and move to this neighborhood, there are some things you should know. Find out all of the details in this guide to Neartown-Montrose, Houston.

Buckhead History

The area of Neartown - Montrose is one of the city's oldest neighborhoods in Houston, The Neartown Association has played a huge role to help improve the quality of life, preserve its historic homes, and revitalize the neighborhood. 

As one of Houston's most eclectic communities, the neighborhood of Neartown - Montrose attracts a free-spirited, creative class. The area was once known for its affordable housing to help foster the creative spirit. The neighborhood is one of the most desirable areas of Houston.

What's Neartown - Montrose Like Today?

Today, the community offers a prime location for artists and musicians with proximity to performance and entertainment venues. Neartown-Montrose is also a thriving LGBTQ+ neighborhood that's experiencing rapid growth for the last few decades and often compared to Greenwich Village in New York City. The area is known for boutiques, coffee shops, hip restaurants, and nightlife options.

Neartown - Montrose's Location

Montrose, located in west-central Houston, is situated north of Interstate 69 and U.S. Highway 59, just south of Allen Parkway. It’s just under four miles from downtown Houston's core attractions, including the Downtown Aquarium, Discovery Green, Minute Maid Park, and Market Square Park.

Montrose is also home to many great attractions, including one of Houston’s most prized art institutions: the Menil Collection. Buffalo Bayou Park is a 160-acre park that stretches across Allen Parkway, offering unbeatable views of the bayou and plenty to keep busy, such as performance spaces, a play area, and bike trails. Another historic part of the Houston community found in Montrose is the Sages Repertory Theatre, which has been in the community since 1978.

Montrose’s other unforgettable attractions include the Art League Houston, which hosts over 100 art classes annually for both artists and non-artists. Residents of Montrose can enjoy a warm and welcoming environment while they learn how to become an artist or work on perfecting their craft. The Art League Houston is one of the oldest non-profit art organizations in the city.

If you’re looking to get out and about to enjoy all that Montrose has to offer, you can try checking out Westheimer on a Saturday night with a bar crawl. Stop by local favorites, including the Hay Merchant, Present Company, Catbird, Anvil Bar and Refuge, Boondocks, Pistoleros, ending at La Grange.

Other great bars with even better happy hours to check out include Bar Boheme, Bacco, and Postino Wine Cafe.

Find a Neartown - Montrose Apartment

Newcomers to the neighborhood will find a mix of newer townhouses and apartment complexes and historic homes for rent. With a reputation as a creative and trendy neighborhood, Neartown - Montrose, Houston Apartment attracts a mix of young professionals seeking proximity to entertaining, dining, and shopping. Many of them commute into Downtown Houston and take advantage of the neighborhood’s close proximity. Browse our Neartown - Montrose listings to find a home you’ll love.

Neartown - Montrose's Demographics

Over 31,000 people call Montrose home and there’s a nearly even ratio of male to female residents, with 52% male and 48% female. Montrose is a smaller area in Houston, and while it is incredibly inviting to your professionals, it is also an excellent place for families and the elderly.

The majority of Montrose residents fall within the 25 to 34-year-old age bracket and have never been married. For those with children in married couples in this area, 55% of them have children younger than six years old.

Montrose is the most walkable neighborhood in Houston with a walk score of 85. Such high walkability makes it an attractive option for young professionals and seniors looking to retire near the action. You'll also see college students scattered around who attend one of the 40 colleges and universities in the Houston region.

Although the area has such an excellent walk score, owning a vehicle is still the preferred method of transportation in Montrose because of the overall density of Houston.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Houston is $1,320, and the average for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,794. However, you should expect to pay slightly less for a Montrose apartment, as the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Montrose is $1,100, and the average for a two-bedroom apartment is $1,295.

While rent prices have been steadily increasing in the Houston area since the beginning of 2021, they have been dropping specifically in Montrose, making it an attractive location within Houston for new residents.

Neartown - Montrose's Transporation

Neartown-Montrose is known as a relatively walkable and bikeable neighborhood in Houston. Locals love this aspect of the neighborhood as it allows them to get outdoors and enjoy the day. According to Walkscore, Neartown-Montrose is the second most walkable neighborhood in Houston. The neighborhood also scores well for accessibility to public transportation and ease of biking. The private Wave jitney service also offers day and weekly passes, or a monthly membership to hop on and off to connect to Houston's primary nightlife areas, including the Neartown-Montrose area. Of course, owning a car in Houston is the norm because of the city’s density. Be sure to consider your commute options before deciding on a neighborhood.

Is Neartown - Montrose Safe?

Montrose is not the safest area in Houston but does have areas that are safer than others. Overall, 69% of residents in Montrose say that they feel comfortable walking around the city alone after dark.

The crimes in Montrose tend to be property-related, such as vandalism or burglary. The total crime rate is well above the national average, as are the violent crime and property crime rates.

There are plenty of townhouses and apartment complexes around Montrose located in gated communities, offering an added layer of safety to residential living situations. Families also move into Buckhead for its reputation for quality schools, safety, and access to amenities.

Montrose has seen improvements in its crime rates in the last decade, and today, the majority of crimes that do occur are petty. Residents often park their cars in their garages overnight to avoid any temptation for break-ins. Many residents recommend bringing expensive items in your yard or on your patio overnight and always locking up any bicycles when unattended.

Neartown - Montrose's Major Employers

Montrose is an epicenter of culture, food, art, and nightlife, making it an eccentric neighborhood to live in. With the four-square-mile area, you can easily find a job at a local cocktail bar, a quaint B&B, or a relaxing art gallery.

As part of Houston, Montrose is centrally located to dozens of Fortune 500 companies, including the building automation system company FMC Technologies and food distributor Sysco.

The largest medical campus in the world is located in Houston at the Texas Medical Center. This campus is just over three miles from the heart of Montrose and is home to over 50 healthcare, education, and research institutions.

Just under thirty miles to the southeast of Montrose is the NASA Johnson Space Center, another significant employer in the Houston area. People who work in this aerospace hub with specific skill sets or advanced degrees can easily earn as much as $200,000 per year.

Houston saw a dip in employment during the pandemic. However, growth and development are still relatively strong. Compared to similar-sized cities, Houston has a less healthy job market with an index score of 6.6 out of 10 and an unemployment rate of 8.7. As conditions continue to ease, the job market is expected to gain speed.

Things to Do in Neartown - Montrose, Houston

New to the neighborhood and looking for some things to do? Here are the first things to check out in Neartown - Montrose. 

See the Skyline Views at Buffalo Bayou Park

For spectacular city views, go for a run at the 160-acre green space at Buffalo Bayou Park. Take in the downtown views at the Wortham Insurance Terrace of the Water Works or take a scenic adventure along the Buffalo Bayou with a canoe or kayaking rental. Take time to see the beautiful gardens lining the hiking and biking trails. You can even rent a bike from the Bike Barn at the nearby Water Works and enjoy Houston’s outdoors. 

Take a Brewery Bike Tour

Gather your neighbors for a Pedal Party and snack, drink, and chat while riding around on the "Fietscafe." Invented in Amsterdam, each is handmade and resembles a giant table where guests sit on each side and pedal as your tour guide helps navigate you along your route. Choose the Montrose route to get to know the neighborhood, see the sites, and enjoy some exercise all while sipping beers with new friends.

See a Show at Stages Repertory Theatre

Founded in 1979, Stages Repertory Theatre grew into one of Houston's leading theatre companies and the city's sixth largest nonprofit performing arts producer. All shows are rehearsed and constructed on-site, and work to foster the talent of locals. In addition to a rotating calendar of events, Stages also offers a student matinee series. Here you can enroll in performance and production internship programs for college students, or a summer conservatory for middle and high schoolers. 

Go Bar and Restaurant Hopping

As one of Houston's most popular foodie neighborhoods, Montrose offers beautiful dining, pubs, and cocktail bars. For top-notch service with classic cocktails at one of the best bars in Houston, try Anvil Bar & Refuge. Or for some casual fun, head to West Alabama Ice House and crack open a cold beer while playing dominoes, cards, cornhole, or pool. And over at the Hay Merchant, you can pair Korean goat dumplings and pork rinds with cold beers. There’s no shortage of awesome spots to eat and drink in this neighborhood. 

Indulge in a Shopping Spree

Those moving into a Montrose apartment will quickly realize they are close to incredible shopping. An eclectic mix of retail stores, art galleries, boutiques, and more in a four-square-mile area make it a prime spot for a shopping spree. For handcrafted local goods, check out the artwork and gifts at Space Montrose. For second-hand goods, try Cottage Thrift Shop that serves as a vocational training site to help The Women's Home organization. For antiques, swing by Old Blue House Antique Shop.

Listen to Honky-Tonk Music

Pay homage to legendary cattle rancher Charles Goodnight at honky-tonk favorite Goodnight Charlie's. Settle in for some live music over cocktails, cheesesteaks, blackened Gulf shrimp, taquitos, and sweet churros. On weekends, the dance floor turns into a mash-up of diverse locals ranging from artists to clean-cut professionals. Join the crowd and tap your toes to the music.

See the Waugh Bridge Bats

If you're unaware that Houston has its own thriving bat population, you're not alone. But just head over to the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony to see Mexican free-tailed bats descend upon insects at nightfall. Make a night of it and go see the bats, then go on a pub crawl with your neighbors. The bats are a sight to behold, but if it gives you the creeps, just remember bats help balance the insect population and pests. It’s a bit strange, but it’s a part of the culture.

See an Off-the-Wall Event at Rudyard's British Pub

Known as the "living room of Montrose", Rudyard's British Pub serves seriously amazing cheeseburgers and bar food. Order sub grub and watch locals battle it out over official league darts. The lively staff welcomes regulars like friends and see a mix of white-collared to bohemian artists and everything in between. Live bands play a rotation of punk, rock, metal, indie, and pop in the upstairs room.

One of the best parts of living in Neartown-Montrose is its unique vibe and mix of amenities. Take a stroll in this walkable neighborhood and discover all of your new favorites for yourself. Check our Montrose apartment listings with all of the modern amenities you’re looking for to find your new home in this vibrant neighborhood. 

Attend a Festival

Neartown-Montrose residents love embracing the neighborhoods cultural and outdoor fun, and festivals are no exception. Keep an eye on what kind of cultural offerings St. Thomas University has to offer like their Greek and Italian festivals. There's also an annual Montrose Crawl where adults don their Halloween costume and crawl to the bars between Dunlavy and Montrose on Westheimer for a night of fun and contests. If you are looking for a strong sense of community, you’ll find it here. 

Poscol Houston via Instagram

Where to Eat and Drink in Neartown - Montrose, Houston

Looking for some of the best bites in the neighborhood? We’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite restaurants in the Neartown - Montrose neighborhood. 

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

Go for breakfast and get there early. Snooze, an A.M. Eatery isn’t messing around when it comes to delivering bomb breakfast food. This is a vibrant, retro-themed kind of joint where you’ll experience some of the best pancakes of your life. Get the Pancake Flight where you try three flavors like Pineapple Upside Down, Blueberry Danish and Peachy Keen Pancakes. They also do specialty Pancakes of the Day, so be sure to ask your server when you go! 

If you like your breakfast more savory, then opt for the Bravocado Toast.  The rustic bread, smashed avocado, red onion honey jam, and two sunny sides up eggs is the perfect start to a weekend brunch. If you want to leave extremely full but completely satisfied, go for the Steak and Eggs Benny. To toast with, they serve bubbles on tap, flavored mimosas, bloody marys and even a brewmosa, which is Belgian wheat beer with fresh orange juice.  

Vinoteca Poscol

For an intimate, delicious Italian meal, head to Vinoteca Poscol. It will feel as if you have wandered across the world into a wine bar on the streets of Venice. They focus on Italian wines and small plates, like their famous house-cured salami. Divine entrees include Butternut Squash Risotto, Cannelloni with Broccoli, Tomato and Reggiano and Chicken Liver Paté. 

With close to 100 wines to choose from, you are sure to find one that fits your palate and it’s served by the glass or bottle. If you’re a cheese lover, you can pair your wine with a regional cheese flight of cow, sheep and mixed milk options. If you are on the hunt for a good date night spot, look no further. 

Bar Boheme  

A hidden gem in Neartown-Montrose is the beautiful Bar Boheme. It boasts a subtle old world, artsy vibe serving up sharable bites and delicious drinks. They have tasty thin-crust pizzas with eclectic toppings, like the Truffle Mushroom and Spicy Goat Cheese. Other menu favorites are the Vietnamese Fries, Bombay Spinach Dip, Hummus, and Handmade Empanadas. Pair your snacks with a Strawberry Margarita or the Springtime Fairy. Come for a fun time at the Drag Show Brunch and share a giant fishbowl drink with friends.

Is Neartown - Montrose Right for You?

Montrose is an eclectic neighborhood known for its arts, culture, and lively nightlife. Both young professionals and families will feel right at home in Montrose, as they settle into an urban lifestyle without compromising green space and safety.

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