Downtown Houston,TX Living Locations/Safety/ etc..?

Question

Hello, I will be a student intern during the summer in Houston working in the Downtown area. Where are some good places to live for young people? I am 22 years old and looking for a fun but safe area to live. Which areas should I avoid? My budget is pretty flexible..

Answer 1

For a fun-loving 22-year-old student intern I would definitely suggest the Midtown area. Just south of downtown, there are lots of apartments, great restaurants, light rail access, bars and clubs, grocery store, and one of the most walkable atmospheres in the Houston area. Look at the following apartment complexes for ideas:

Post Midtown Square
http://www.postproperties.com/ApartmentHome/PropertyInfo.aspx?PropertyId=Post%20Midtown%20Square&Type=PAH

Amli Midtown
http://www.amli.com/Community/Community.aspx?RegionTag=houston&ACH=False&CommunityTag=midtown

If you're looking for activity and lots of young people with quick access to downtown (and also a neighborhood feel), this is the place. As with all "urban" neighborhoods, there is crime, and staying close in to the downtown area you will be exposed to it. But just be prepared and get to know your neighbors, have a buddy with you and be alert!

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

First of all, you don't want to live downtown. Downtown living is mostly loft apartments and I don't think your budget is flexible enough. Second, it isn't really for young people. Most residents are yupsters and DINKS (double income, no kids) who have to drive to Montrose for groceries.

If you have a car, and you'll either need that or a good bus route map, you could live anywhere. You could dry the Montrose, but they do have crime (but an... ahem... eclectic mix of people). There's always West U and the Museum District (be sure to stay on the WEST side of 288).

Your tastes may be different from mine (I was 22 in the early 80s, and as preppie as one could be). Try this map and select Downtown.

http://www.apartments.com/Texas/Houston&Vicinity/InnerLoop

Check ALL maps, because quite a few of the addresses I looked at were inside Loop 610, but not downtown. Avoid "Southeast" unless you like crime.

You'll probably want something furnished.

In addition, you might be better off renting a room as most apartment properties don't do three month leases.

http://houston.craigslist.org/roo/

The link above is for room rentals through CraigsList. All I can say there is "caveat emptor."

Answer 3

You can live in the Montrose or the Heights pretty cheap in a garage apartment. The lofts near downtown are great for students, but hard to find on a 3 month lease. Downtown, Heights, Montrose are the best areas if you like the fine arts, performing arts, food, mixed cultures, coffee shops, etc. Tons of free stuff to do. Or you can commute (public transportation is available) and live in the Clear Lake area if you like watersports. There are many, many nice apartment complexes, but finding one for only three months will be challenging.

Answer 4

The area around Rice University is pretty, full of stuff to do, and not far from downtown...and most Rice undergrads don't stick around H-town for the summer, so you may be able to find a sublet. Apartment complexes heavy on the students include the Greenbriar, the Greenbriar Chateau, Holly Hall, Brompton Court...

Good luck!