West University Place
The West University Place neighborhood is a beloved two-square-mile section of Houston located within the 610 Loop. This city is bordered by Bellaire to the north and west, Braeswood Place to the south, and Southampton and Texas Medical Center to the east. It’s earned recognition from the media for its numerous community successes, including earning CNNMoney’s #12 spot in Top-Earning Towns in 2011. The area is also known for its wonderful restaurants, diversity, and new construction as the neighborhood continues to grow.
Accessibility: West University Place is one of the most walkable communities in Houston, with grocery stores, schools, libraries, and churches all within easy walking distance. For those in search of nightlife and an abundance of daytime events, Texas Medical Center is a short drive away.
Parks and Recreation: Located north of Brays Bayou, there are plenty of green spaces available in West University Place. for those looking to stretch their legs. Colonial Park, Whitt Johnson Park, and Wier Park are just a few major parks within neighborhood limits.
Some smaller neighborhood green spaces in West University Place:
Jennie Elizabeth Hughes Park is the newest addition to West University Place’s Park system. Friends Park, located on Rice Boulevard, is small but filled with beautiful landscaping and plenty of benches to relax on.
Commute: This is a wonderful place for Houstonians who seek a more residential neighborhood with nightlife and culture just a few minutes away. Interstate 69 and the 610 Loop are both easy to access, facilitating commutes to Houston neighborhoods near and far.
Appreciation Values: As a neighborhood loaded with new construction and renovation, and in which some of Houston’s oldest two-story colonials reside, West University Place is a good place to lay down roots long-term. Homeowners in this city inside a city also enjoy high appreciation values over time, with a 10-year real estate appreciation of 68.01%.
Desirable Schools:
Elementary: West University Elementary School is known as one of the best elementary schools in West University Place.
Middle School: Located near the intersection of the 610 Loop and U.S. Route 59, Pin Oak Middle School is a National Blue Ribbon award-winner that serves grades 6 through 8, and is part of the Houston Independent School District (HISD).
High School: Lamar High School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school established with the goal of providing a rigorous education to a diverse body of students.
Private School Institutions:
- Xavier Educational Academy
- St. Mark’s Episcopal School
Historic: The city was formed in 1910 by then-Governor of Tennessee, Ben W. Hooper, when he purchased a swath of land southwest of Houston. The Houston West End Realty Company President, A.D. Foreman, placed the first properties up for sale on April 1, 1917. Foreman invested $100,000 of his own money to bring electrical, water, and telephone service to this small section of town. By 1923, just 40 families lived in the area – a lot has changed since, though fewer than 16,000 people live here today. The name West University Place is derived from its location west of the University Place neighborhood.
Shopping: Residents can find ample places to shop in and around the eastern border with University Place and Southampton. A quick trip north to Bellaire, and residents will find grocery, pet, and hardware stores to cover all of their needs. Inside West University Place, residents can expect necessities to cost approximately 5% less than the national average.
Community: Colonial Park Pool is a wonderful place for kids and families to cool off and can even be rented by residents for private use for a fee. West University Place’s numerous parks are also great spots to spend time with the family.
Since it is a city, it has its own dedicated police and fire departments, too, so residents can rest knowing they’re safe.
Culture: In West University Place, you can easily drive to Minute Maid Park to see the Astros, or head to NRG Stadium or the Toyota Center. The city has a four percent five-year growth rate, and the average household income is nearly four times the average American household income, making it one of the wealthiest communities in the United States. West University Place is also well-known as one of the safest neighborhoods in Houston, making it an ideal place to raise a family.
Due to the Braes Bayou system flowing through the city of West University Place, having an agent help you navigate flood zones to avoid homes damaged by floods (such as Hurricane Harvey.) Houston native and West University Place expert, Angel Fultz, Houston Realtor is well-versed in the flood vernacular and areas hit hardest. Contact her today to start shopping for your home!
