If you are relocating to Texas and seeking furnished apartments in Houston, then you are fortunate. Houston has many exciting neighborhoods, where you will be able to find just the right properties to meet your needs. Houston can be a confusing city to get a handle on, because there appear to be two (or more) downtowns. Because Houston has very few zoning laws, development did not happen in the same fashion as most major cities. However, most people divide the city into three categories based on the major highways: "Inside The Loop" is the main urban center, "Outside the Loop" is the next layer outside that center, and when you are "Outside the Beltway" you have entered the suburbs. Here at Short Term Stay Houston, we've prepared a brief overview of some of the city's best-known neighborhoods in hopes it may help you locate the area that best fits your needs.

Inside The Loop

Downtown:
Downtown is a bustling with businesses, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The downtown area is home to four professional sports teams, enough performing arts companies to satisfy any cultural cravings, and enough restaurants and nightlife options to suit every taste and budget. Main Street is Downtown's center for nightlife, with dozens and dozens of bars and clubs. When you're living in one of our Downtown furnished apartments Houston, being in the city's downtown area allows you the advantage of being right in the middle of all of the action.

Museum District:
Just outside of downtown, to the southwest, the Museum District is home to a wide array of cultural institutions and other entertainment venues which cater to millions of annual visitors. In addition to all the museums, there are a variety of other cultural exhibits, art galleries, and other attractions.

Midtown:
Situated in-between Downtown and the Museum District is Houston's Midtown section. In this most contemporary of neighborhoods, you will find that most Houston furnished apartments are situated in the form of high-rise apartments and lofts. This is a great neighborhood for leaving the car in the garage and just strolling around on foot. The area's young professionals love the busy feeling of the Midtown scene, where they find plenty of delicious food choices, chic art galleries, and theaters.

Montrose:
If you're the type of person looking for short term rentals in Houston in a more diverse neighborhood that verges on the eccentric, then Montrose may be a good choice. In Montrose you can find not only antiques, fine dining, museums and art galleries, but also tattoo parlors and quirky boutiques. With its large Hispanic and gay populations, Montrose is one of the more diverse neighborhoods in Houston. Boasting a wide variety of architectural styles and a trendy but cultured ambiance, perhaps Montrose can best be described as "eclectic".

The Heights:
The lovely neighborhood of Heights is a more low-key area, with wooded paths for strolling to the area's high-caliber restaurants and shopping. Best-known for its architectural heritage, this historic Houston neighborhood also has offbeat attractions such as the Art Car Museum. Consider going with a short term rental in Houston in this area of town if a more quiet ambiance is more your speed.

River Oaks:
Situated between Uptown and Downtown, and home to the famous River Oaks Shopping Center, this popular neighborhood is extremely convenient to Downtown. River Oaks Shopping Center is Texas's oldest shopping center (and the US's second oldest). It also houses the well-known River Oaks Movie Theatre. This area's convenient centralized location makes it a good option for temporary housing in Houston

Outside The Loop

Medical Center/Reliant Park:
The largest concentration of medical centers in the world is located in Houston, including Texas Medical Center, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, The M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Hermann Hospital, and Baylor College of Medicine. If medical care is among your reasons for seeking short term rentals in Houston, a location in or around Medical Center may be a wise choice. And adjacent to Medical Center is Reliant Park, home of the Houston Texans, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and other attractions.

Uptown/Galleria:
Uptown is a major shopping destination, not only for Houstonians, but for people from all over the US. Boasting over 5 million square feet of retail space, this neighborhood includes The Galleria, the country's 4th largest shopping mall. Uptown is known for its high-end sophistication, with many designer stores and boutiques. It is Houston's center of fashionable living. In selecting short term rentals Houston, if convenient access to world-class shopping is important, then proximity to Uptown/Galleria is a great choice.

Memorial Park:
The Memorial Park neighborhood has a mishmash of tony drinking establishments and honky tonk bars. It is also home to many of Houston's favorite restaurants. This neighborhood has been revitalized, with new townhouses, mixed-use properties, and popular restaurants and bars replacing formerly run-down establishments.

Southwest:
Southwest is made up of several smaller, diverse neighborhoods, including not only shopping and entertainment areas, but also educational areas such as Rice University, Texas Medical Center, and the Museum District. Houston's Chinatown (the second largest Chinatown in the country) is also located in the Southwest section of Houston.

Outside the Beltway

Katy:
Katy is a popular residential area to the west of Downtown Houston which has many new high-end developments and master planned communities. It also has a number of well-established older developments.

Sugar Land:
Sugar Land is its own city, but considered part of the Houston metropolitan area. It is one of the wealthiest cities in Texas, and also one of its fastest-growing cities. Deriving its name from its original founding as a sugar plantation, Katy is home to many upscale professional families. Visitors who don't want to live in Houston proper but want to maintain access to all of the city's benefits should consider Sugarland.

It is very easy to get around Houston with an automobile, thanks to the city's vast highway system. The city boasts a number of well-developed major highways that make travel around the city pretty easy to figure out. But traffic can make that travel a nightmare at certain times. Generally speaking, rush hour lasts from 7AM to 9AM in the morning and from 4PM to 6PM in the evening. Beware-traffic moves slowly if at all during those hours. Public transportation may be a better choice if you are planning to stay close to Downtown. However, if you need to do a lot of business outside the Downtown area, especially to suburbs outside the beltway, there is no easy way to do that without having a car. Consider that when planning your stay to one of our furnished apartments in Houston.

Public Transportation:
A popular light rail line called METRORail is run by the city's transit authority, METRO. Our Short Term Stay Houston clients will be happy to know they may be able to skip a car rental if their plan is to stay close to downtown. METRO also runs the city's bus lines. If you think you might be traveling a lot on METRO, think about purchasing a Metro Q Card. This card can be used like a debit card throughout the METRO system. Don't expect to see too many Houstonians on board, though. The free or inexpensive parking Downtown and the city's suburban sprawl (and habit) combine to lead most Houston residents to choose driving their own automobiles over public transport.

Taxis:
There are plenty of taxis in the Downtown area, and they are an inexpensive way to get around. The Six in the City (get it?) program lets you move around within a specified zone for a $6 flat-rate fare. Houston's taxi companies include the following:

• Lone Star Cab
• Ultra Cab
• The Houston Wave
• Houston and Suburban Transportation
• Taxis Fiesta
• Envios Fiesta
• Red Sea Cab

Limousine:
For airport transportation, or just something a little more luxurious than a taxi, a limo might be nice. Should you need limousine service, consider one of the following companies:

• LaBresse Limousine
• Houston Executive Limousines
• Houston Corporate Limo

Driving:
The good news for those staying in a Houston short term rental is that the highway system in Houston is relatively straightforward. The two loop highways that ring Houston are Interstate 610 (known locally as "The Loop"), and the Sam Houston Tollway, often called "The Beltway" or "Beltway 8". The main highway than runs North and South is Highway 45 (aka the Gulf Freeway or North Freeway). That can be a little confusing as it is called different things depending on where on it you are driving, but the number 45 signage is consistent. The main highway that runs East and West is Highway 10, another highway with multiple names such as "Baytown-East Freeway" or "Katy Freeway".

Airports:
There are two major commercial airports that serve the city of Houston, and also two smaller regional airports:

William P. Hobby Airport, (HOU): This is the smaller of Houston's two major airports. Located 7 miles south of downtown (off of I-45 South), it is more convenient than George Bush Intercontinental if you are travelling to Downtown. Its major carrier is Southwest Airlines. Delta, American, and JetBlue also provide service to and from HOU.

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): This is by far the larger of the two major airports, but its location is less convenient. It is 23 miles north of downtown, adjacent to 45 North and the Sam Houston Tollway. IAH is United Airlines's largest hub city, and the airport serves almost all of the US domestic and many international airlines.

In addition to matching you up with premiere furnished apartments Houston, we can also direct you to places that cater to your sense of fun and adventure. Houston is city with many, many different chances to have fun outside or take in some culture.

Outdoor Activities:
If you have kids in tow (or even if you don't) The Houston Zoo is a popular destination. It has over 6,000 animal residents and is host to nearly 2 million visitors each year. If you are in the mood for golf, Houston has many beautiful golf courses including Bay Oaks Country Club. Check with your home club to see if there is reciprocal access, or go as a guest of a local friend. The Houston Zoological Gardens are part of Hermann Park, which also contains a public golf course and an outdoor theater. If a walking tour of some historic homes is more your type of outdoor activity, you might enjoy the Market Square Historic District, located Downtown. Catch up on your Texas and Houston history while you take a lovely stroll through a beautiful area.

If you're looking for walking trails while visiting short term rentals in Houston, you won't go wrong with the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. There are 5 miles of beautiful trails through this 155-acre wooded sanctuary. Peruse different natural habitats while you get in some outdoor exercise. Don't forget to look for the many examples of local wildlife, such as frogs and turtles. If horseback riding trails are more your speed, look into the riding tours at Cypress Trails. There is also Memorial Park which is a huge area with many miles of jogging and walking paths.

While visiting one of our Houston short term rentals, take time to take in some of the amazing sightseeing attractions around the city. The Waterwall (also known as The Williams Waterwall) , close to The Galleria, is one of the must-see city landmarks listed on all of the Houston to-do lists. Built in 1985, this 64-foot-high vertical wall of falling water is a relaxing and refreshing way to cool off on a hot summer day. You might also enjoy the nearby indoor ice skating rink at The Galleria, if you want to really cool off!

Last but not least, there is also the famous Houston tunnel system, which is a network of pedestrian subterranean walkways which link over 80 city blocks of government office buildings, banks, restaurants, hotels, theaters, and other office buildings. Just twenty feet below street level, it runs almost seven miles in length. Within the tunnel you will find newsstands, gift shops, banks, dry cleaners, and food courts. These tunnels are used regularly by the local city office workers and the downtown tourists as well.

Sport for Spectators:
While visiting your furnished apartment in Houston you may want to take in a professional sports event, and if so, you're in the right city! Houston's professional sports teams include the Houston Astros baseball team, which is part of Major League Baseball's National League. The Astros' home field is Minute Maid Park. If it's football season, check out a Houston Texans game. This NFL franchise makes its home at Reliant Stadium. If winter sports are more your speed, you've got the Houston Aeros hockey team or the Houston Rockets basketball team to choose from. Both of these Houston teams call The Toyota Center their home court.

Arts & Culture:
The Houston Museum District contains a vast assortment of museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions in one central location. With over 7 million annual visitors to the District's 19 museums, there is something for everyone staying with us in one of our short term rentals Houston. Both in the Museum District and in greater Houston, you can enjoy some of the following standout attractions.

Museums:

• The Houston Museum of Natural Science
• Houston Fire Museum
• Asia Society Texas Center
• Houston Maritime Museum
• The Houston Center for Photography
• Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
• Space Center Houston
• Children's Museum of Houston

If the Performing Arts are what you are after, Downtown's Theater District has 17,000 seats in just a 17 block area. Smaller venues are also spread throughout the city. Some worth investigating include the following locations.

Performing Arts:

• Alley Theatre
• Express Children's Theater
• The Ensemble Theater
• Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
• Bayou City Performing Arts
• Houston Grand Opera
• Wortham Center
• Theater Under the Stars
• Miller Outdoor Theater
• Wortham Center

Dining:
You will find a sophisticated restaurant scene in Houston, with influences that span the range from Cajun and Creole to Vietnamese and Latin American. No matter what cuisine you are looking for while visiting your short term rentals Houston, you will be able to locate a restaurant that provides it. Typical Houston dining is heavy on the red meat, barbecue, Tex-Mex and chili. Some classic Houston options include crabcakes or shrimp and grits at Ouisie's Table, Southwestern cuisine at RDG, crawfish etouffe at Brennan's of Houston, or gumbo and a ribeye steak at Christie's Seafood and Steaks.

More upscale options include, The Capital Grille, Restaurant Cinq, Mark's American Cuisine, Tony's, Pappas Brothers Steakhouse, Eddie V's Prime Seafood, Da Marco, Mockingbird Bistro, and Quattro.

Nightlife:
A great place to get a handle on the nightlife scene in Houston is The Houston Press, which provides a free weekly guide to current musical and comedy acts as well as information on Houston's clubs and bars. The Chronicle, Houston's daily paper, also, has an entertainment section with great information on nightlife. The favorite locations for nighttime fun are Downtown, Montrose, and the Richmond Strip area near the Galleria.

A few bar options that you might enjoy are 360 Sports Lounge, 3rd Bar, Alice's Tall Texan, Anvil Bar and Refuge, Baker St. Pub and Grill, Bar Munich, Big Woodrow's, Black Labrador Pub, Catbirds, and Midtown Drinkery.

Popular nightclubs and live music venues include The Big Easy Social and Pleasure Club, City Streets, Sambuca, Spy, Polly Esther's Culture Club, Fitzgeralds, Avant Garden, Sambuca Jazz Cafe, Club Ei8ht, and Blur Bar.

Shopping:
Houston is famous for a lot of things, and one thing that many Houston furnished apartment guests seek out is the city's world-class shopping experience. Houston has several major shopping districts, and you are sure to find something to your taste in one or more of them.

The most popular shopping area in Houston is Uptown/Galleria. The Galleria itself is known worldwide and has over 300 stores. This includes major department stores and many high-end retailers. It is Houston's top tourist destination, and even contains a famous skating rink. Across the street from The Galleria is Centre at Post Oak, another large shopping center. Rice Village, located near Downtown, is 16 blocks of small independent shops mixed among high-end national retailers. If your travels take you to Downtown, you may enjoy a stop at the Shops at Houston Center, a collection of small boutiques and eclectic specialty stores. If you happen to be in Houston's Chinatown, a wide array of imports from many Asian countries will be at hand. The famous River Oaks Shopping Center, Houston's oldest, houses a fashionable mix of boutiques, antique shops, galleries, and specialty stores. In Gallery Row, you can find an assortment of galleries, antique shops, designer showrooms and specialty furnishings retailers. If you have the time and inclination, check out the monthly Back Bay Market, outdoors in Clear Lake. Browse the market's antiques and arts and crafts and look for bargains. Trader's Village, Houston's premier flea market, is another fun weekend activity.

Moving to a new city can be challenging, so when you're staying at one of our furnished apartments Houston, we work to provide information that may be useful during your stay. Below is a brief list of some of the local hospitals and medical centers, schools, and places of worship.

Hospitals:

• Texas Medical Center
• Methodist West Houston Hospital
• Intracare Hospital North
• Park Plaza Hospital
• Riverside General Hospital
• The Woman's Hospital of Texas
• Christus-St. Joseph Hospital
• St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital
• Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center

Schools:
Moving your family to a new place necessitates finding excellent schools. Residents of furnished apartments in Houston will find many excellent private and public schools in Houston.

Some Houston elementary schools are:

• Askew Elementary School
• Benbrook Elementary School
• Codwell Elementary School
• Windsor Village Elementary School
• Tijerina Elementary School
• Shearn Elementary School
• Lovett Elementary School
• Galleos Elementary School

Some Houston middle schools are:

• Attucks Middle School
• Las Americas Middle School
• Gregory-Lincoln Middle School
• Grady Middle School
• Fleming Middle School
• Fondren Middle School
• Hogg Middle School

Some Houston high schools are:

• Milby High School
• Wheatley High School
• Furr High School
• Sharpstown High School
• Waltrip High School
• Chavez High School
• Challenge High School
• Barbara Jordan High School
• Lamar High School

If you are pursuing a graduate or master's degree, you can rest assured that Houston has outstanding colleges and universities to help you in your scholarly pursuits, including these:

• Texas Southern University
• Rice University
• Houston Baptist University
• University of Houston
• Baylor College of Medicine
• University of St. Thomas
• Lone Star Community College
• Thurgood Marshall School of Law

Places of Worship:

Though you may think of Houston as primarily a Baptist city, congregations of other faiths are plentiful, with many diverse religions represented in the city, including synagogues and mosques for Judaism and Islam. No matter what your religious beliefs are, you will be able to locate a center for worship. Here is a list of just a few of Houston's places of worship:

Churches:
Abundant Life Cathedral Church
Bamore Road Baptist Church
Beech Grove Baptist Church
Boynton United Methodist Church
Christian Assembly of Houston
Clinton Park Methodist Church
Christ the Incarnate Word Catholic Church
First Presbyterian Church of Tomball

Synagogues:
Congregation Brith Shalom
Congregation Ahavat Yisrael
Congregation Beth Yeshurun
Congregation Beth Shalom of The Woodlands
Congregation Shaar Hashalom

Mosques & Islamic Centers:
El Farouq Mosque
Makkah Masjid Greater Houston
First Talim Masjid Muhammad
Houston Masjid
Al-Muhiymin Masjid