The Inner Loop West University & Bellaire

The Inner Loop area comprises the cities of Bellaire and West University, as well as those parts of Houston located inside Loop 610. The area is a mixture of historical landmarks, museums, arts, sports arenas (Astrodome, Compaq Center), medical facilities(The Medical Center), fine restaurants, and first-class shopping. (The Galleria shopping center complex is located just outside the loop on Westheimer.)

The Inner Loop area combines older homes with new construction. Many of the older homes are purchased strictly for their lots and location, and are being replaced with new homes ranging from 2,000 to 8,000 square feet. Most of the new homes in this area start around $300,000, and can go into the seven figures. Resale housing is also available but demand is high in what is currently a seller's market. Many older homes are about 1,500 square feet and have only two bedrooms, a den, a kitchen and a detached, one-car garage. These homes generally start at about $150,000. The trade-off, however, is the charm of the older neighborhoods and easier access to Houston's best attractions.