Moving to Houston with your family? H-Town is one of the top destinations for families, thanks to its affordable housing, excellent school districts, and abundant family-friendly activities. Here are the five best neighborhoods for families in Houston!
Greater Heights
Photo via @lemongroverealty
- Home Price: $362,028 median purchase price; $1,040 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 34% of Texas cities
Greater Heights is a great place for families who want to buy a home in Houston near the city’s culture and entertainment. This Houston neighborhood is known for its historical charm and welcoming atmosphere where families can find a variety of housing styles like Craftsman, Queen Anne, and Victorian-style homes and bungalows. Greater Heights residents can also experience great local Houston art at installations like True North on Heights Boulevard. Plus, parents will find top-notch schools in Houston like Travis Elementary School, Hamilton Middle School, and Heights High School, and families moving to Greater Heights can attend community events like block parties, festivals, and street fairs like White Linen Nights and Lights in the Heights.
Things to Do in Greater Heights
Catch a live musical performance by artists like King Buffalo or Kid Bloom at White Oak Musical Hall. Check out the wildlife while walking on the nature trails at the West 11th Street Park, which is within walking distance from the neighborhood. Grab tickets to see artists like the American Aquarium or Paul House at The Heights Theater. Get fresh produce, meats, and baked goods at the Houston Farmers Market. Attend a meet-and-greet with the animals, play carnival-style games, or let the kiddos experience the amusement rides at the Downtown Aquarium. Stop for Louisiana-inspired seafood dishes like Crawfish or Boiled Shrimp at Boil House. Order Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese, Maple Bacon Hot Wings, or a Frito Pie Burger at Jus Mac. Savor dishes like a Hot Chicken Sandwich, Bacon Cheeseburger, or Hottie Melt at The Waffle Bus. Or sip a cocktail or craft beer while listening to live music at Dan Electros Guitar Bar.
Houston Museum District
Photo via @edkornhauser
- Home Price: $97,556 median purchase price; $739 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 23% of Texas cities
Known as the arts and culture hub of Space City, the Houston Museum District is an excellent place for families looking for walkable streets and unique things to do. This Houston neighborhood offers families a range of housing choices, including affordable Mid-Century Modern homes, gorgeous Italianate houses, modest townhomes, charming bungalows, and mid or high-rise condos. Plus, the Houston Museum District boasts 19 museums with a variety of affordable or free entertainment for kids and adults alike! Downtown Houston and the Upper Kirby District—which is home to art galleries, antique shops, and trendy restaurants—can be easily accessed via this Houston neighborhood’s transportation options, including the METRORail, B-Cycle stations, and more.
Things to Do in Houston Museum District
Let the kids ride on the kiddie train, rent a pedal boat and explore the waters, or listen to the Houston Symphony perform at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park. Check out the sculpture garden or browse over 70,000 works of art created throughout the world at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Visit the Houston Zoo to see over 6,000 species of animals or sign the little ones up for Camp Zoofari. Get out with the family and explore exhibits like FlowWorks or Cyberchase at the Children’s Museum Houston. Start off your morning with vegan dishes like Breakfast Tacos, a Pecan Pie Waffle, or a Breakfast Quesadilla at Mo’ Better Brews. Chow down on Shrimp & Grits, an Oyster BLT, or Tuna Sandwich for lunch at Lucille’s. Grab a seat and try the Fried Fish Basket, Cajun Bowl, or Buffalo Wings at Turkey Leg Hut. Or end the workday with Bananas Foster Cheesecake and a glass of Michelle Domain Champagne or Pura 8 Chile Merlot at UnWine.
River Oaks
Photo via @jenniferlernerhoustonrealtor
- Home Price: $623,948 median purchase price; $1,211 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 45% of Texas cities
Searching for a Houston neighborhood ideal for families? Consider living in River Oaks! This family-friendly neighborhood has a rich history, and is filled with a variety of housing options like Spanish Colonial Revival and English Tudor-style homes. Families and parents can experience luxury amenities in this Houston neighborhood—from upscale shopping and entertainment in areas like the River Oaks District, to social clubs like the Briar Club and River Oaks Garden Club. Not to mention, parents can send their children to top-rated private schools, such as Xavier Educational Academy, River Oaks Baptist School, and St. John’s School. River Oaks’ abundant green space can be enjoyed by families looking for outdoor activities and sports—or families can visit places like River Oaks Park, which makes up a majority of its northern border.
Things to Do in River Oaks
Go for a run, play a game of golf, or take a summer yoga class at Memorial Park. Embark on a Meadow Happy Hour Hike or bring the kids along on Tyke Hikes and Tiny Trekkers nature explorations at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. View interactive art installations and immersive rooms through the lens of color at the Color Factory. Stroll through the Art of the World Gallery to find Modern and Contemporary art from new and even famous artists like Pablo Picasso. Find a collection of American furnishings, ceramics, and paintings from around the world at the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. Begin your day at Common Bond cafe and chow down on breakfast food like the Chef’s Scramble, Biscuits & Gravy, or French Toast & Bacon. Feast on Ouisie’s Original Chicken Fried Steak, Braised Short Rib Au Jus, or Seafood Crepes at Ouisie’s Table. Indulge in a Roasted Tomato Flatbread, Ahi Tuna Tartare, or Brick Oven-Roasted Chilean Sea Bass at Seasons 52. Or satisfy your Cajun food cravings with dishes like Seafood Gumbo, Pasta Zeus, or Fried Calamari at Bayou City Seafood & Pasta.
Spring Branch
Photo via @rustycablerealtor
- Home Price: $215,498 median purchase price; $872 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 33% of Texas cities
Spring Branch is a safe, affordable Houston neighborhood offering residents family-friendly activities, amenities, and community events to attend throughout the year, such as the Polish Festival and West Houston Food Truck Festival. Plus, this Houston neighborhood is filled with tree-lined streets, abundant green space, and a mixture of housing styles for families, including Mid-Century Modern homes, modern townhouses, and Ranches. Families in Spring Branch can send their children to quality schools within the neighborhood like Spring Branch Elementary School, Spring Branch Middle School, and Academy of Choice. Spring Branch also provides various transportation options and major highways like I-10 and I-610 for commuters, and is only a 20-minute drive from Downtown Houston!
Things to Do in Spring Branch
Explore scenic trails or spend an afternoon bird-watching at Edith L Moore Nature Sanctuary. Play a game of soccer or softball on the fields, visit the wildlife habitat and aviary, or explore the small zoo at Bear Creek Pioneers Park. Enroll the kids in a Youth Summer Tennis program at Agnes Moffitt Park. Challenge yourself to an escape room experience with the family at the Escape Game Houston. Start your day with an Espresso, Chai Latte, or Buzz Cold Brew at Buzz & Bites. Indulge in plates like Bayou Wings, a Shrimp Po-Boy, or Snow Crab at Bayou Seafood & Wings. Grab plates like Boneless Short Ribs, Kimchi Fried Rice, or Bori Beef Cuts at BORI. Or get dishes like Beef Brisket, Sweet and Spicy Chicken Wings, or Jok Bal at BBQ Garden Korean Restaurant.
Sugar Land
Photo via @karlaarjona
- Home Price: $283,472 median purchase price; $884 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 31% of Texas cities
Want to raise your kids in one of the most affordable areas of Houston? Consider raising them in Sugar Land—one of the best suburbs of Houston! Located in the southwest part of the Houston metro, Sugar Land has everything families could want—spacious housing, low crime rates, and plenty of things to do with kids. Residents of this Houston suburb can find places to visit in Sugar Land for people of all ages, as well as community-focused events like Movies on the Lawn, Bikes and Brews, the Peach Truck, and more. In addition, Sugar Land is part of the Fort Bend ISD, so families have access to highly-rated public schools like Walker Station Elementary School and Clements High School!
Things to Do in Sugar Land
Hike or bike the three-mile trail or catch a local concert at the amphitheater at Oyster Creek Park. Peruse the Cockrell Butterfly Center and visit the Burke Baker Planetarium at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Have a day of fun at the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center, which offers interactive exhibits like Kidtropolis, USA and Amazingly Immature. Head to Constellation Field for a Sugar Land Space Cowboys (MiLB) baseball game or attend family-friendly activities like the Space Cowboys Baseball Camp. Visit local Houston businesses like Vino & Vinyl, House of Blooms, and 139Made—or stroll along a Great Public Space in Texas, the Sugar Land Town Square. Order an Egg Burger, Fiery Cheese Melt, or a Zinger Chicken at Fanoosh. Grab a table at Alings Chinese Bistro and enjoy dishes like American Chicken Chop Suey, Chili Shrimp, or Stir Fired Bok Choy. Or dig into comfort foods like Margherita Pizza or Picadillo Tacos the whole family will love at Jupiter Pizza and Waffles Co.
***
Moving to Houston? With convenient storage facilities throughout the Houston metro—including Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, and more—Extra Space Storage can help with your transition. Find affordable storage units in Houston!
Neighborhood and suburb statistics from AreaVibes
