Neartown Houston Apartments & Rentals

Rent an apartment in Neartown Houston, TX, and you will be part of a neighborhood with a rich residential history. The area between downtown Houston and the Houston Medical Center has some of the city's oldest and most historic neighborhoods. One of these is Montrose, which was first surveyed in 1911. Neartown is often compared to Greenwich Village in New York because it attracts an diverse mix of people and businesses. Some famous individuals have called Neartown home, including actor Clark Gable, business magnate Howard Hughes and newsman Walter Cronkite, who grew up there.

Today, Neartown has undergone a renaissance. From its Bohemian days in the 1960s and '70s, the area declined for a time. It was rediscovered in the '90s and new construction brought an influx of new residents, mainly young professionals and young marrieds with and without small children. They are attracted by the upscale, close-to-downtown location and the neighborhood's artsy, eclectic feel.

Neartown, with its trendy feel, offers a variety of cafes, outdoor patio dining, restaurants, bars and night clubs. Adding to the vibrant night scene are the many college students who live in the neighborhood. They attend nearby schools like the University of Houston, Rice University and the University of Saint Thomas.

Pedestrian-friendly Neartown also is bustling with fashionable boutiques and shops. Anchoring retail activities is the historic River Oaks Shopping Center. Originally built in 1927, this Neartown landmark has undergone extensive renovations in recent years. It was an innovator at the time for appealing to new automobile culture. The mall features the River Oaks Theater. This historic movie house, built in the 1930s, specializes in screening foreign and independent films on its three screens.

Neartown is home to the Menil Collection, a private family art collection open to the public. The park-like setting offers space for cultural institutions and gallery spaces. Neartown also is adjacent to Houston's Museum District with its many attractions. Among these are: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Children's Museum.

The rental market in Neartown, with its many new and renovated buildings, is more expensive than other Houston neighborhoods. One-bedroom apartments range from $900 to $1,250 and up. Two-bedroom apartments in a newer low-rise can range from $1,250 to more than $1,800 monthly. Most of these buildings offer a wide range of amenities and a great location for community to downtown.

The area also offers a limited number of condos, townhomes and single family homes. Condo and townhome rents are somewhat higher, about $2,000 for a two-bedroom with one and a half baths.

Residents of Neartown live in Houston City Council District D. Visit Houston city government for more information. The area is served by the Eleanor K. Freed-Montrose Neighborhood Library. Children living in Neartown attend schools operated by the Houston Independent School District.

Zip codes serving the Neartown area include: 77006 and 77019.