Montrose - Houston, TX

Dubbed the "Heart of Houston," this neighborhood is home to renovated homes and bungalows and was named one of the best neighborhoods in Houston. Throughout the years, Montrose has always been the cultural hub of the city. The first apartment hotel opened on Montrose Boulevard in 1921. Later, the first area LBGT clubs and bars were established here.

The Printing Museum has vintage and modern technology exhibits such as the old printing press and allows visitors a glimpse of the history of civilization. Open daily, museum visitors can take a tour or browse the exhibitions on their own. The Heritage Society hosts 19th century homes and collects artifacts from the Houston area.

Considered a cultural hub, Montrose has a host international restaurants and bars for all different varieties of diners.

The world famous Pass and Provisions has won several awards for its elite menu options and fine dining experience. Considered a premier location during Houston Restaurant Week, this restaurant requires reservations and hosts lunch and dinner every day. Dinner is also served on the weekends. Located on Taft, visit this eatery and choose from the extensive American cuisine. Try the duck confit tortelloni or roasted stripe bass with cabbage for dinner. Have the biscuits and gravy during brunch or wood-oven baked eggs florentine with spinach.This award winning restaurant has definitely earned its spot as one of the best in Houston.

Laid back and fun could be used to describe The Refinery Burgers and Whiskey, which serves old fashioned burgers and aged whiskey. Perfect for watching the game or hanging out with friends, this pub has a menu filled with burgers, hot dogs and sandwiches. Try the chili cheese fries with the Red Adair bacon cheeseburger or the spindletop burger topped with hot sauce and a fried egg.

Choose from fast food options such as the Texas favorite Whataburger or grab a sandwich from Subway if you're on the go. Chilis and Cafe Express would also provide nice meals for someone on a budget seeking a decent meal.

For entertainment at night, residents go to the local bars and nightclubs. As one of the most diverse areas in Houston, nightclubs and bars accommodate all of the area's residents. Etro Lounge has a very mixed crowd and great music. Open daily until 2 a.m., it can be booked for events and private parties. This 80s bar hosts happy hour during the week and has $2 beers and $5 wells.

Nearby music venues include Bayou City Bar and Grill and Hard Rock Cafe to add to the diverse musical variety of the neighborhood.

Uber Houston services the Montrose area with Uber X, XL, Black and SUV. Cab arrangements can also be made in a timely manner.

Metro bus routes operate throughout the area with stops at nearly every corner. Route 34 goes to the Museum District and the Medical Center while connecting routes can be found to travel to downtown.

The area's primary traveling option would be driving. Meters can be found in high traffic areas, but free parking can be found at various places. On the outskirts of the area, easy access to US-59 and I-45 is available.

Streets are lined with sidewalks, making walking easy for pedestrians. Walking is common throughout the area and most establishments are conveniently located. Bike lanes can be found as well, making the streets safe for bikers.

Closer to the downtown area, Sam Houston Park attracts joggers and families hoping to enjoy a day at the park. This park houses historical monuments and buildings, and visitors come from all around to get a glimpse of these features. During the holiday season, the annual Candlelight Tour in the Park is popular with locals, while area children enjoy the playground all year long.

Located on Dunalvy, Ervan Chew Park was one of the first parks to allow pets to roam freely. This park is a popular destination for those with dogs.

The cost of living in this renovated area exceeds the average cost of living in Houston. Coming in at approximately 25 percent more than Houston and 14 percent more than the national average, Montrose offers upscale living and old world charm. This renovated area has historical neighborhoods and vintage homes, and "eclectic" would adequately describe this upbeat community. One-bedroom apartments can cost as low as $1,000 but can easily sky rocket to $1,600. The average cost of an apartment comes in around $1,300.

It only costs a few bucks to get to the city, and gas prices sit at 25 percent more than the national average. The average cost of a beer can cost up to $6.

Nearby shopping malls include the River Oaks Shopping Center and the Market at Village Center, both of which house a number of franchises and chain stores, while surrounding neighborhood streets are peppered with trendy fashion boutiques and specialty shops.

Handymen and home improvement buffs can shop at the local Home Depot, while audiophiles can make an appointment at Modia to create a rockin' home theater system. Grocery shopping options include Whole Foods, Randalls and HEB, all conveniently located in the central Montrose shopping district. Urban Harvest Farmers Market and The City Hall Farmers Market provide fresh produce, bakery items and other goods to neighborhood patrons at select times throughout the year.

Hunt for treasures from designers like Versace, Prada, and Chanel at the Guild Shop resale and consignment shop. The tidy shop sells vintage clothing and jewelry along with collectible items, home accents and furniture. This place accepts only mint condition donations, and all proceeds go to local charity.