Local Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in Houston

Houston is home to insane traffic, the nation's most complex highway system, and unstable weather that will leave you wondering if the four seasons are still a thing. At the same time, the city also has highly-rated colleges and universities that offer a top-tier education and unbeatable career opportunities. I'm Lori, your apartmenthomeliving.com local expert for Houston, TX. I've lived in the greater metropolitan area since mid-2020, and I'd like to help you get to know some of the best neighborhoods to rent near major colleges and universities in Houston.

Rice University

Rice University is an urban educational institution currently ranked among the top twenty universities in the United States. It is well known for its commitment to academic excellence and comprehensive assistance to low-income students. Rice offers fifty majors, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degrees. 

Rice Village

If you're looking for student apartments near Rice University, Rice Village is likely one of your best bets. It's less than a mile from the university; what's more, everything you need is right in walking distance, be it charming places to get a coffee or a bite to eat, a local thrift shop for affordable housewares or clothing, or local bars where you can hang out and spend time with family and friends. While there are some recognized brand names such as Starbucks in the neighborhood, most shops are small mom-and-pop establishments.

West University Place

If peace and quiet are your thing, West University Place is ideal. It's mainly a residential area with plenty of small parks, but restaurants and stores are just a quick trip down Kirby Drive on the neighborhood's east side. The local Pho5 restaurant in the shopping center sandwiched between Kirby Drive and Main Street is well worth a visit, and I've found the nearby Ross and 5 Below offer some great deals. The neighborhood is only a couple of miles from Rice University, and you can get there by walking, driving, or taking public transport,

Old Braeswood

I can tell you from personal experience that Houston's Hermann Park and Houston Zoo are well worth repeated visits, as are the many museums in Houston's Museum District. Old Braeswood, near the heart of downtown Houston, offers easy access to these and many other unbeatable attractions. The neighborhood is just one mile south of Rice University and you can easily reach the campus by walking, riding a bike, driving or taking public transport. However, you'll want to watch out for busy traffic times, as rush hour in this part of town is no joke. You'll likely find it faster and easier to walk to school and back than to try driving during peak traffic times. 

University of Houston

The University of Houston is one of the best public universities in the country. It's affordable yet offers a top-tier education. Its Center for Entrepreneurship is number 1 in the United States and the university has more Texas Intellectual Property Awards than any other university in the Lone Star State. UH offers more than 200 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree options along with several professional degree programs. 

Greater Eastwood

If you want to step out of the modern world and into the past, Greater Eastwood is an ideal neighborhood to live in or visit. The old-fashioned architecture is sure to catch your eye, as are unique mom-and-pop establishments such as Coral Sword and Mandola's Deli. The neighborhood is mostly residential, but there are plenty of cafés and restaurants around. Getting around is easy as I-45 runs across the southern end of the neighborhood and there is no shortage of public transport options. UH is just a couple of miles south of Greater Eastwood while the Museum District and downtown attractions are only five miles away. 

Greater Third Ward

Greater Third Ward is one of six historic wards in Houston and home to a vibrant, diverse African American community. The University of Houston's large campus takes up a great deal of the neighborhood, as does Texas Southern University, so don't be surprised to see a lot of students walking to and from classes, local restaurants and cafés, or small parks. There isn't much public transportation inside the neighborhood, but most students will find the campus within walking distance. Transport to downtown Houston runs from the University every twenty minutes, making it convenient and cheap to get around the city and enjoy all its amenities. 

MacGregor

MacGregor is a fairly small neighborhood running along the southern end of Greater Third Ward. It's mostly residential but doesn't have the relaxed, laid-back feel of many suburban areas. With large roads such as North MacGregor Way and South MacGregor Way running through the area, you can expect a busy vibe. Even so, it's an ideal location for anyone who wants to get around downtown Houston easily. Hermann Park is right on the western end of the neighborhood, as are Houston's Medical and Museum districts. The University of Houston is less than a mile away, and you can get there by bike, public transport, or on foot. Great places to grab a bite to eat include LA Burgers and Daiquiris, and Popeye's Louisiana Kitchen.

The University of St. Thomas (TX)

The University of St. Thomas is small compared to many of Houston's best-known universities, but it has much to offer students from all walks of life. The facility gets high marks for small class sizes and for providing each undergraduate student with an online success coach. It has 40 undergraduate and 30 graduate degree programs, with popular options including healthcare and business/marketing. There are also pre-professional, associate, and certification programs for young people who are ready to embark on a career path sooner rather than later. Students from low-income families can qualify for free tuition and the school has a high application acceptance rate that makes it easy for applicants to enroll.  

River Oaks

River Oaks may be best known for its upscale stores and diverse restaurants, but it's also an ideal spot to live if you appreciate wildlife, birds in particular. Houston Arboretum and Botanical Garden runs along the northern edge of the neighborhood and is home to over 600 bird species as well as other animals such as turtles, snakes, and fish. Public transport isn't hard to come by, making it easy to get to the university and back; however, bear in mind that the trip, which takes about 10 minutes by car, is more than twice as long if you use public transportation. Getting downtown can take some time, especially if you travel during peak travel times.

Hyde Park

Hyde Park is one of Houston's smaller neighborhoods. It's a historic area with unique architecture and businesses. It's also fairly calm thanks to the fact that main roads don't run throughout the neighborhood. There aren't a lot of amenities, but there are quite a few restaurants and cafés that are well worth a visit. Its proximity to the University of St. Thomas makes it ideal for out-of-town students, as you can walk to the campus in under half an hour or bike there in under 10 minutes. Public transportation is readily available to and from the University as well as to other parts of Houston, including downtown and the Museum District. However, it takes quite a bit longer to travel by public transport to and from Hyde Park than it would take by car. 

Bellaire

Bellaire is a bit far from the University of St. Thomas. However, since the 610 runs through the neighborhood, it's not hard to get to and from campus. Several public transport options take between thirty and fifty minutes each way; alternatively, it's a 15-minute drive by car. It's a pleasant, mostly residential neighborhood with plenty of small parks for walking, biking, or simply relaxing and enjoying the view. Two HEB grocery stores in the neighborhood offer a huge assortment of food options and there are plenty of restaurants on the western edge of the neighborhood, including Dandelion Café, Adulis, and Pollo Campero.

Baylor College of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine, located in the heart of Houston's Medical District, offers its students unprecedented opportunities thanks to its affiliations with some of the nation's best hospitals, including Texas Children's Hospital, MD Anderson, Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, and Menninger Clinic. Not surprisingly, Baylor is considered one of the top 150 medical universities in the world and is one of the top twenty universities in the United States to study nursing, anesthesia, genetics, and cell biology. It's also one of the most diverse medical universities in the nation. 

Medical Center

After many months of experience driving to and from the Medical Center neighborhood at all times of the day and night, I can tell you this: the only thing harder than getting in and out of the area during peak travel times is finding affordable parking. If you plan on studying at Baylor College of Medicine, living in walking distance from the campus and the hospitals it partners with is a huge plus. There are plenty of restaurants between Fanin Street and Main Street as well as down Holcombe Boulevard; even so, you'll be surprised to find that restaurant cafeterias at both Texas Children's Hospital and MD Anderson offer plentiful and affordable food options, including stuffed spuds, grilled hamburgers and fries, and fresh salad bars. The area is a busy, bustling one, but Hermann Park on the northeastern side has plenty of space to walk, ride a bike, or simply enjoy nature's beauty. Houston's Zoo is also within walking distance (and trust me, you'd probably rather walk than spend long minutes looking for parking). 

Astrodome

If you can't find a place to stay in the Medical Center neighborhood, Astrodome is your next best bet. It takes about 15 minutes to get to Baylor on a bike or by public transport, which is plentiful in the area. There is a jogging trail and a few small parks but overall, the area is a mix of residential and business communities. The western edge, running from Old Spanish Trail to Main Road, has some great places to eat. I personally recommend the Pho5 restaurant, Wing Stop, and Sonic. 

Meyerland

Meyerland in West Houston is a charming residential neighborhood named after the Meyer family, which originally bought the 6,000 acres that now make up a large part of the neighborhood. North Braeswood Boulevard and South Braeswood Boulevard run east-to-west through the neighborhood, which makes it easy to get around town but difficult to get peace and quiet if you live close to either of these main roads. Public transport is available, but allow yourself about an hour to get from Meyerland to Baylor if you don't own a vehicle. There are plenty of amenities in town, as the Meyerland Plaza is home to dozens of businesses ranging from nail salons to department stores to unique eateries. However, there is one important downside to the area and that is that it's flood-prone. Take flooding warnings seriously even if you don't rent a ground-floor apartment, as you could find yourself stuck in a complex surrounded by water if you don't get out in time. 

One of the things I like best about the greater Houston metropolitan area is that there are so many opportunities. The city is home to not only top-tier educational institutions but also opportunities for job training. There's something for everyone here, no matter where you're from, what you want to study, or which career you plan on pursuing after graduation. Granted, there are some challenges, and finding the right place to rent is perhaps one of the biggest hurdles to overcome once you've secured a spot at the university of your choice. If you're from out of town, consider the options listed above, think about the neighborhood that would best meet your needs, set a budget limit, and then find the place that will put you on the path to making your dreams come true.