Montrose is one of the older neighborhoods of Houston although, like the emerging Midtown section nearby, it has experienced many changes in the last few years. Just west of Downtown Houston, it is a mix of old stately homes, brick bungalows, townhomes, high-rises, lofts and apartment complexes. It is this close-in location and diversity that buyers find most appealing about the community.

Many homes have been completely renovated and updated while others remain almost untouched by time. Still, a large percentage have been torn down and replaced by higher density townhomes and lofts. Yet all possess great character and seem to embrace the eclectic nature of the neighborhood that surrounds them.

The people, too, are a well-rounded mix -from artists, musicians and students to business professionals and corporate executives. The shops are just as diverse and the restaurants include a sampling of fare from all over the world.

Named for an historic town in Scotland, Montrose was developed in 1911 by J.W. Link, of the Houston Land Corporation. Link's house, pictured at right, is now the Administrative Building for St. Thomas University on Montrose Boulevard. Buffalo Bayou forms Montrose’s northern boundary, with Highway 59 and the Museum District to the south, Shepherd and the Upper Kirby District to the west, and Midtown and a revitalized Downtown to the east.

So historic is the area, that in one small pocket, Courtlandt Place, all homes are listed in the national historic registry. Other surrounding neighborhoods, such as Westmoreland, Avondale and Cherryhurst, retain much of their original character, and many homes have alley access to garages in back generating a southern, small-town atmosphere. In nearby areas such as Hyde Park, resale shops, beauty shops and law offices are sprinkled in with houses, duplexes and older apartment buildings.

The West Gray/River Oaks shopping area completes the balance by offering grocery markets, movie theatres, a wide variety of retail and clothing stores, resale boutiques, coffee houses, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Because of its wide-ranging diversity, Montrose has an equally wide range of property values. Small older townhomes may be priced as low as under $100,000 while a new construction penthouse loft is offered for over $1 million. Most new construction townhomes are priced in the $200,000-$300,000 range but many sell in the high $400,000s and low $500,000s. Older properties range from the $100,000s to the $300,000s.

Residents of Montrose appreciate living close-in to Downtown, the Museum District, and the Medical Center, and enjoy easy freeway access to other parts of Houston. For those who aim for this lifestyle, the Montrose area offers the best of all worlds.