Houston ranks third in the best places to live in Texas in 2021-2022. And as one of the top largest cities and the fourth most populated city in the country, Houston is rapidly growing because of its diverse economy. Among the 150 metro areas in the United States analyzed by the U.S. News, Houston is #39 in the Best Places to Live, #93 in the Best Places to Retire and #3 in the Best Places to live in Texas. So if you’re looking to move to a culturally rich metropolis or a tranquil residential suburb then Houston is the ideal place to be.
Houston is founded in the 1830s with only neighborhoods divided into quadrants or wards. Today, the city is growing exponentially and has become a global city for culture, medicine, and research. So whether you’re just looking for your next property investment in Houston or you’re still trying to figure out the best place to live in Houston in 2022 – let’s do a quick recap on the best places to live, raise a family, and buy an existing or new construction home in Houston this year according to current data. After all, Houston is home to various unique neighborhoods and suburbs and it’s crucial to weigh them all against what you’re exactly looking for.
The Best Place to Live & Buy a House in Houston
The Safest Neighborhoods In Houston For 2021 by HomeSnacks
- West University
- Midtown
- Far Northeast
- Downtown
- Pasadina
The Best Neighborhoods In Houston For 2021 by HomeSnacks
- West University
- Greater Memorial
- Rice
- Downtown
- Rice Military
HomeSnacks listed West University as the safest and the best neighborhood in Houston in 2021 according to the most recent FBI crime data. Now let’s check the housing market data of West U to know why it’s the best and the safest neighborhood in Houston.
West U Housing Data (As of July 1, 2021) by HomeTownLocator
| HOUSING | |
|---|---|
| Total HU (Housing Units) | 5,982 (100%) |
| Owner Occupied HU | 5,075 (84.8%) |
| Renter Occupied HU | 546 ( 9.1%) |
| Vacant Housing Units | 361 ( 6.0%) |
| Median Home Value | $1,192,223 |
| Average Home Value | $1,250,532 |
| Housing Affordability Index3 | 93 |
Why West University
West University or West U is a city located in the U.S. state of Texas within the Houston–Sugar Land metropolitan area bounded roughly by Kirby Drive to the east, Union Pacific St. Louis Southwestern Railway railroad track to the west, Bellaire Boulevard/West Holcombe Boulevard to the south, and Bissonnet and Law Streets to the north. West U offers an easy commute to Houston’s major job hubs and all major highways, as well as most dining, retail, and entertainment hotspots like Downtown Houston, The Medical Center, The Galleria, Greenway Plaza, and Rice Village. There are 26 subdivisions within West U, which are mostly 1930s to mid-20th century bungalows or single-family homes zoned to top-ranked schools. Living in West U offers a mix of an urban and suburban feel with its amazing local bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and parks.
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2021 Best Suburbs to Buy a House in the Houston Area
- Brookside Village
- Nassau Bay
- Taylor Lake Village
- Friendswood
- Cinco Ranch
2021 Best Suburbs to Live the Houston Area by Niche
- The Woodlands
- Cinco Ranch
- Nassau Bay
- Sugarland
- Spring Valley Village
2021 Best Suburbs to Raise a Family in the Houston Area by Niche
- The Woodlands
- Cinco Ranch
- Spring Valley Village
- Sugarland
- Friendswood
More and more people are looking into the suburbs due to their exodus from the office – a recent trend brought by the global pandemic. The rise of working from home almost anywhere is in fact favoring smaller metro areas, neighborhoods, and suburbs with lower home prices and rents. Now let’s check the housing market data of The Woodlands to know why it’s the best suburb in Houston.
The Woodlands Housing Data (As of July 1, 2021) by HomeTownLocator
| HOUSING | |
|---|---|
| Total HU (Housing Units) | 47,498 (100%) |
| Owner Occupied HU | 31,973 (67.3%) |
| Renter Occupied HU | 13,336 (28.1%) |
| Vacant Housing Units | 2,189 ( 4.6%) |
| Median Home Value | $380,467 |
| Average Home Value | $513,156 |
| Housing Affordability Index3 | 161 |
Why The Woodlands
The Woodlands is a 28,000-acre forested suburb, which is in Montgomery County and has a population of 120,558 as of July 2021. The Woodlands is organized into villages that feature various parks, commercial centers, golf areas, corporate offices, and of course residential properties from single-family homes to luxury estates. If you’re considering the Woodlands as your next home, then you’ll surely love this affluent community full of luxury houses, which is teeming with excellent amenities and has some of the best schools in Houston and in Texas.
Photo: Houston Public Media via houstonpublicmedia.org
Choose the neighborhood, not just the house.
Let’s be honest… finding the right home that checks all the boxes is difficult and challenging. For one, it’s nearly impossible to find the perfect house that meets all your needs. Too meticulous and you could miss the one that suits you. Too lax and you could end up with something that can cost you more than you’re supposed to.
Choosing the right house that fits you and your family’s needs requires a lot of rational thinking. Just because you like how it’s staged, doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Sometimes you need to expand your criteria, search more, and wait longer for another home. Inform your agent about your negotiables and non-negotiables because it matters.
Luminous Homes has built various neighborhoods and communities with new construction homes that feature terrific open floor plans, nifty home features, and generous amenities. With Luminous Homes, you’re one step closer to having the dream home you’ve always wanted.
Explore our Communities
Austin Kramer Heights – SOLD OUT
ParkView At Oak Forest
Houston Uptown Village
Houston is an amazing place to live in, one of the best places to raise a family, and definitely one of the best places to buy a house. So whether you’re looking to buy a house or build a new construction home in 2022, choosing the right location is an important factor. And you’ve got a lot of things to consider as well such as mortgage rates, local housing market indicators, local community life, nearby schools if you have a family, commute times when you’re moving because of your work, your finances, and so much more. It’s a little bit tricky and overwhelming to pick the right neighborhood in Houston for your lifestyle and needs, but the help of an experienced local real estate professional that can represent your interests will ensure that you have the right options laid out in front of you so you can make a smart purchase.
Build with Luminous Homes
Luminous Homes provides exceptional single-family residences committed to exceeding expectations by capitalizing on over 23 years of combined experience in residential real estate and high-end custom home design. Each home we design and build is held to a higher standard of quality, ensuring that our clients move into a home that exudes superior craftsmanship, insightful design, and coveted features.
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