The Heights is Houston's hottest neighborhood and has been for a decade. Tree-lined streets, cute bungalows, the 19th Street shopping district, and White Oak Music Hall. But the shine is wearing off in some areas.
What's great:
- The tree canopy. The Heights has more trees per block than almost anywhere in Houston. Walking down Harvard or Yale streets in the spring is beautiful.
- The bike trail along the MKT corridor is excellent. You can bike from the Heights to downtown in 15 minutes.
- 19th Street has independent shops, restaurants, and bars that still feel local.
- White Oak Music Hall brings legit touring acts.
What's not great:
- Property taxes are insane. A $500K bungalow = $12,000+/year in property taxes. The Heights is in the HISD district which adds to the rate.
- The dry laws. Parts of the Heights are technically "dry" — restaurants can serve alcohol with a food order but you can't buy liquor in a store. This is from a 1912 ordinance that refuses to die.
- New construction townhomes are everywhere. Developers buy a bungalow for $400K, tear it down, and build three townhomes at $550K each. The density is increasing without the infrastructure to support it.
- Flooding. The Heights floods during heavy rain events. White Oak Bayou runs right through it.
Cost of living:
- Rent: $1,600-2,400 for a 1BR
- Bungalows: $450-700K (if you can find one that hasn't been torn down)
- Townhomes: $500-750K (new construction)
Source: Heights resident since 2021, Harris County Appraisal District, HCFCD flood maps
Developers are destroying the Heights. Every bungalow that gets torn down takes a piece of the neighborhood's soul with it.