Meradith
Scottsdale
What area of Houston would you recommend for a young professional to live? Want plenty of nearby restaurants and bars. Possibly trails and running areas. Easy to meet other singles in their late 20s and 30s. Want to find something within a 25 minute max drive to Willowbrook Mall in Northwest Houston. Thanks in advance!
I would live in the Midtown or Houston Heights areas of Houston. They are both pretty central and have tons of great bars, restaurants, and parks within walking distance. Lots of single professionals living in these areas and a great night life. Both areas would meet your requirement for the 25 min drive to Willowbrook Mall (assuming non-rush hour traffic times).
I 100% agree with all the neighborhoods the others have listed. I lived in Houston for 6 years during my 20s and those are your best bets -- close to the action, lots of character, and relatively safe. However, you mention you need to live near Willowbrook -the problem is Willowbrook is a 30-minute drive from all those cool neighborhoods inside the loop. Willowbrook does have some nice neighborhoods nearby - esp Vintage Park, Champions, and Jersey Village - but they are much more family oriented and the dining/restaurants are not great. If you do decide to live on that side of town, I can't recommend Raveneaux Luxury Apartment Residences highly enough.
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There are several apartment complexes, town homes, and neighborhoods around The Vintage - Willowbrook | Kelsey-Seybold Clinic It's minutes from Willowbrook Mall.
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I lived in Houston for most of my life. I recommend the Houston Heights, Rice Military, Montrose, Midtown, and the Greenway/Upper Kirby Neighborhoods. Downtown has been improving as well. The best bars and restaurants in the city are located in these neighborhoods. The two main city parks, Washington Ave./ Memorial Park and Buffalo Bayou Park, are in the vicinity as well.
My top 3 recommendations are the Heights, Rice Military and Midtown. Heights is more of a neighborhood with small houses and townhomes. If you are going to live in Midtown or Montrose it will probably be in an apartment/condo.
Good Luck!
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Firstly, if you want to live in or near an area frequented by young people, you're going to have to be "inside the loop," meaning with in the 610 loop around Houston. This is probably going to prevent you from being 25 minutes from the Willowbrook Mall during any hours with traffic (7am-9am, 3pm-6:30pm on a good day).
If you're willing to fight that, though, here are your best places to live in Houston for your criteria:
Plenty of Restaurants and Bars:
Running Trails
General Areas of Young Populations
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Houston Heights is a great place to live but may be further than you want. The Woodlands would be a good choice.
I would say the closer you are to Willowbrook the better. There are a few bar and restaurants within the mall area and some further on down 1960. Houston is very spread out so a 25 minute drive may not get you as far as you'd like.