This centrally-located, Houston neighborhood is offbeat and eclectic. With great places to shop and eat, a thriving bar scene, and great indie art galleries, you gain major cool points if you call Montrose, Houston your home.
Where is Montrose in Houston?
With a prime spot in Harris County, Montrose encompasses the 77006, 77098 and 77019 ZIP codes. Nestled between Allen Parkway and Highway 59, the neighborhood sits beside Midtown and Downtown to the east, and River Oaks and Kirby to the west.
Source: Rent.
There’s a lot packed into the neighborhood’s four square miles. From tattoo parlors to coffee shops, art galleries to thrift stores, living here means never having to worry you won’t find something to do.
The variety of housing options also make it an attractive place to live. However, it’s one of the more expensive areas in Houston to call home. The average one-bedroom apartment in Montrose costs more than $1,400 — about $150 more expensive than the city-wide average.
It may cost a little more, but living in the center of so much activity is perfect for those who like being close to home while maintaining a thriving social life.
Living in Montrose, Houston
Montrose is one of Houston’s major cultural areas. It’s a melting pot for hipsters, art aficionados, foodies and more. Its diversity is thanks to a long-standing acceptance of all people. Even when Houston, as a whole, felt intolerant, Montrose has always stood on its own platform, away from the mainstream.
Today, its bohemian vibe and proximity to museums and other local attractions mean the neighborhood has a lot going for it. It’s also why it’s considered one of the best places to live in Texas.
Demographics
The ambiance in Montrose definitely attracts a specific crowd. Most residents are unmarried and in their mid-to-late thirties. It’s a popular neighborhood for young professionals due to its proximity to downtown.
You also find a thriving, well-established LGBTQ community here, with plenty of hot spots catering to this specific audience.
Education
Although small in square miles, Montrose has both public and private schools available. There’s even a magnet school, High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Most of the schools rank above average as well.
If it’s time to consider getting a higher education Montrose is also home to the University of St. Thomas. This private, Catholic university features smaller classes and a great student-to-teacher ratio.
Safety
While it’s not the safest neighborhood in Houston, Montrose is definitely not the worst. Sixty-nine percent of the residents would feel comfortable walking alone at night.
Crimes in this area typically consist of those related to property. Vandalism, burglary or any situation where property gets stolen or destroyed fits into this category.
Transportation
Designed as one of Houston’s original streetcar suburbs, Montrose has a transportation score of 61.4. While it’s a neighborhood where most residents own cars, there’s also a series of bus lines and several light rail stations. This makes it relatively easy to move between Montrose and its popular next-door neighborhoods. Commuters will also find it easy to take public transportation to work each day.
Recreation and culture
A mix of indoor and outdoor activities is what Montrose is all about. You can spend warm summers and pleasant springs at one of the many parks in the area. Montrose also contains a great greenbelt, a quaint village square and an off-leash dog park.
For those colder months, when you’re ready to stay inside, check out the unique museums and art galleries around the neighborhood. Take time to discover significant bits of history from around the world. Enjoy the work of all different types of artists. There’s even a gallery within the Art League of Houston inspired by origami.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Montrose is as varied as the population within the neighborhood. You’ll find artsy bars, dance clubs, chill lounges and plenty of LGBTQ-friendly establishments. You can even take part in the Westheimer Bar Crawl to sample drinks in a wide variety of pubs and bars in a single night.
The local flair
Other attractive parts of living in Montrose are the unique shopping and tasty restaurants. Stores lean more toward an indie style, with a collection of antique shops and thrift stores. Those on a mission for that truly unique find will discover some hidden gems at places like City Vintage or The Fashion Time Machine.
When all that shopping starts your tummy rumbling, take advantage of the many locally-owned restaurants throughout the neighborhood. For some top-quality Mexican cuisine, sample the mole at Hugo’s. For a meal that’s a little more “Texas,” grab some street tacos at Pistolero’s.
10 things to do in Montrose
This is an area made for moving and grooving with a walk score of 82.9. Amble about and explore, or concentrate your time along Lower Westheimer (that’s the place where the bar crawl is).
To get you started, here are 10 things to do in Montrose.
- The Menil Collection houses a private art collection of 17,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs and rare books.
- Rothko Chapel is non-denominational, with an interior that’s also considered a work of modern art. You’ll also find 14 paintings inside by Mark Rothko.
- Buffalo Bayou Park is a 160-acre green space that offers anything from gardens to bike trails, paddle craft to a dog park.
- Cutting down into the Museum District, Mandell Park is a bit smaller, but no less impressive with its assortment of native plants, trees, birds and butterflies.
- The Printing Museum looks at the history, art and technology of printing. By the time your visit is complete, you’ll understand the impact this medium has made on society.
- The free Houston Center for Photography displays some of the finest contemporary photography of today. You can also take classes or participate in workshops throughout the year.
- Art League Houston is also free with a fully-functioning school, exhibitions and public art help connect the community through what they see and create.
- To enjoy a little live entertainment, Montrose has Stages Repertory Theatre. Its productions strive to tell stories that inspire people to live more deeply and boldly.
- Space Montrose sells hand-crafted goods from over 200 artisans, 70 percent of which are Texas-based.
- No list of things to do anywhere in Texas is complete without talking about food. To sample an ever-changing menu of seasonal tastes, including a rotating assortment of pies, check out Nobie’s.
Finding an apartment in Montrose
No matter which Houston neighborhood is right for you, each brings something special to the city. Montrose gives it an indie touch as you easily bounce from vintage record shop to coffee shop to thrift shop. Not only that, its location within the city is ideal.
If you’re looking for a change that’s packed with things to do and hip places to visit, consider making Montrose your next home.
