Where to Stay in Houston: The 5 Best Neighborhoods for Short-Term Lease Options

Current Average Rental Pricing for Apartments in Houston

One of the things I love about Houston is that, no matter what you need, want, or are looking for, you can find it here. There are great career and educational opportunities. There are parks, animal preserves, beaches, shopping centers, an entire museum district, art galleries, historical architecture and sites, cultural venues, restaurants and bars with just about any cuisine imaginable, and more. The downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods make it easy to enjoy life in the "thick of things," but those who enjoy peace and quiet in addition to easy access to multiple amenities can have the best of both worlds by staying in an unincorporated neighborhood on Houston's outskirts. My name is Lori, and as your ApartmentHomeLiving.com local expert for Houston, Texas, I'd like to introduce you to some of Houston's best neighborhoods with the most short-term rental opportunities.

Medical Center Area

If you're in town to get medical care at the largest medical complex in the world, the Medical Center area is an ideal place to stay. One important benefit is that you'll most likely be able to walk or take public transport to your appointments, which is a huge plus in a city well-known for its traffic jams and expensive, hard-to-find parking spots. There are plenty of local restaurants, including many right inside the area's largest hospitals, making it easy to find a bite to eat when you're out and about. Plus, the Medical Center Area is great for students as it's just a few miles away from many of Houston's largest, best-known universities. You can get around by car, public transport, or even by bike in some cases.

Even so, short-term rentals in this part of town aren't just for students and people needing medical care. This part of town has lots to offer individuals and families from all walks of life. The northern end of the district is home to Houston's unbeatable Hermann Park, a great spot to walk, jog, hang out with the kids, or simply relax and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. The Houston Zoo, located right inside the park, is second to none. Set aside a full day if you plan to visit; our family spent over three hours there a few years ago and still didn't see all the animals and attractions. Tickets are free for the first Tuesday of the month, but only if you reserve them online in advance. If you visit during the city's almost unbearable summer heat, I highly recommend the Museum of Natural Science at the northern end of the park. It's home to some amazing attractions, and there are always new shows, talks, temporary exhibits, and fun activities. The nearby Children's Museum has great educational exhibitions and entertainment opportunities that are sure to please kids and adults of all ages; our kids have great memories of our visit. Short-term rental apartments abound in this part of town and the surrounding neighborhoods, although it's not an ideal spot for someone looking for a short-term rental house.

Current Average Rental Pricing for Apartments in the Medical Center Area

Houston Heights

There are many good reasons to pick the Heights as your temporary home. There are not just apartments but also plenty of houses for rent, making it an ideal place to stay if you're visiting with a group or your family. As a residential area, it's a lot calmer and quieter than the busy downtown areas. There are no highways or large roads running through the neighborhoods, keeping traffic to a minimum. At the same time, restaurants, grocery stores, and other amenities dot the area and nearby neighborhoods, making it easy to find anything you need at just about any time. If you're from out of state and aren't familiar with Texas' iconic HEB grocery stores, there's one right in the neighborhood and it's well worth a visit. The store has a huge selection of just about every food imaginable, and you can shop online and pick up your groceries for free if you don't have the time to shop in person.

Well-known for its historic architecture and unique vibe, Houston Heights also offers residents plenty of unique entertainment opportunities, including live performances at the Heights Theater, a first Saturday arts markets, vintage stores, and iconic restaurants. As an added benefit, Houston Heights is centrally located to make it easy for visitors to get around without too many delays. It's just over six miles from downtown Houston, and there are plenty of buses and trams that travel between the two areas. The NRG Stadium is just over nine miles away if you want to catch a game. It's fifteen miles away from Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport; you can also take public transportation to get there, although it takes about three times longer than traveling by car. Houston's Hobby Airport is about the same distance away but in the opposite direction, and public transportation takes only twice as long as traveling by cH

Current Average Rental Pricing for Apartments in the Heights Area of Houston

Energy Corridor

The Energy Corridor runs along the bustling I-10 highway on Houston's western edge. There are both houses and apartments for rent, but it's easier to find a short-term rental apartment than a short-term rental house. If you're looking for an area with plenty of amenities and don't mind a bit of noise, this is the place to be. It's one of the most diverse neighborhoods in town and local eateries offer food from multiple cuisines. Blue Agave Cantina, for instance, cooks up some amazing Mexican food. Post Oak Grill is home to scrumptious, upscale American cuisine, while the Café Benedicte is the place to go for Mediterranean food. My oldest loves the nearby Dave and Busters, which offers not just great food but also games and prizes. Local grocery stores include HEB, Kroger, and Walmart. However, don't expect to see cultural attractions or the many museums and art galleries Houston is well-known for in this area; as a business district, it has a commercial feel instead of a residential or historic vibe.

Ironically, the Energy Corridor can also be a great spot for nature lovers as it's nestled between two of Houston's largest green spaces. George Bush Park on the southwestern edge is a whopping 7,800 acres and includes a dog park, jogging trails, ponds, playgrounds, sports fields, and even a shooting range. Bear Creek Pioneers Park on the northwestern side is over 2,100 acres and offers playgrounds, pavilions, sports fields, an equestrian trail, exercise stations, and pickleball courts. Our family loves the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary just a few miles to the east of the neighborhood, and I'd highly recommend this small park to anyone who loves nature and animals. It has a nature center, birding trail, and a nursery for native plants. As an added bonus, the park has volunteer openings every third Saturday (from October to March) for those who enjoy being outdoors and don't mind a little dirt and hard work.

Current Average Rental Pricing for Apartments in the Energy Corridor Area of Houston

Spring

Spring isn't the neighborhood of choice if you want to spend most of your time close to Houston's city center. While it's still part of the Houston Metropolitan area, it's about 25 miles from the city center, and it will feel like a million miles if you happen to travel during one of Houston's infamous rush hours. Even so, there are many good reasons to choose a short-term rental in this charming area, not the least of which is the fact that there isn't nearly as much ongoing construction and renovation work as there is downtown and in other suburban areas close to Houston, such as Kingwood and New Caney. Spring is a charming city with plenty of greenery and outdoor recreational areas. We especially enjoyed our visits to Mercer Botanical Gardens and Arboretum on the city's southern edge; there are beautiful flowers, charming playgrounds, and plenty of charming walkways. Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center isn't far; we enjoy taking part in bi-monthly kids science/nature classes and activities and monthly bird walks, but there are also classes and hikes for adults,Tai-Chi classes, and tours of the park's recreated homestead. Old Town Spring isn't a spot you want to miss; you can tour local art galleries, shop for unique gifts, and enjoy a bite to eat at one of the town's iconic restaurants.

Perhaps the only drawback of staying in Spring is that there isn't much available in the way of public transport. Getting around by car isn't hard; Hardy Toll Road runs through town and the I-45 runs along Spring's western edge, but you'll need to rely on Uber or Lyft if you don't have your own vehicle. On the other hand, if you've rented a vehicle, and you're looking for a bit more excitement than Spring offers, a quick trip up north to The Woodlands may be a far better bet than heading into Houston. It's just over seven miles away and is home to large shopping districts, luxurious spas, and an unbeatable nightlife scene. Lake Woodlands offers paddle boarding, kayaking, fishing, high-class dining and live music, while the town's Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion gets high marks for its great shows.

Current Average Rental Pricing for Apartments in the Spring Area

Clear Lake

There are both apartments and houses available for rent in this charming area on Houston's southeastern edge. It seems pretty far from the hustle and bustle, but don't let that give you the impression that this is a small town with nothing going on. Clear Lake is quite close to some great beaches. I personally recommend Sylvan Beach Park if you have kids, because the water is shallow and buoys are around to stop kids from swimming too far out. Plus, there are bathrooms and a large playground nearby. However, it's definitely not the only waterfront area worth a visit. Kemah Boardwalk is the place to go if you're looking for a bite to eat, fun activities to take part in, or simply a relaxing stroll by the Gulf. El Jardin Beach and Bayshore Park also get high marks. Plan to visit during the spring or fall if you want to avoid the crowds, hurricanes and temperatures over 100 degrees.

Clear Lake is also home to Space Center Houston, a must-see attraction for anyone interested in space exploration. You can go inside a replica of the shuttle Independence, take a tram tour of the NASA Johnson Space Center, view artifacts that have made it to space and back, and learn more about NASA's future plans for returning to the moon. On the other side, if you're more of a "down to earth" type of person, you'll want to check out the nature preserves close to this coastal town. The Nassau Bay Peninsula Wildlife Trail is close to Clear Lake's southeastern border and offers views of animals ranging from alligators to rabbits. The Armand Bayou Nature Center has five miles of walking trails as well as guided safari trips, bat hikes, firefly hikes, and educational activities for kids.

Current Average Rental Pricing for Apartments in the Clear Lake Area

Remember, this is just a small sample of Houston's many neighborhoods, all of which have at least a few short-term rental listings. What's more, there isn't really a single neighborhood or part of town that's inherently better than all others. Finding the right place to stay is really a matter of determining what you want out of America's fourth-largest city and then finding the area that best meets your needs and budget. Just rest assured that, no matter which part of town you settle on, you're sure to find friendly people, great amenities, good food, and plenty of things to see and do. Houston really has something for everybody.