West University-Southside Area

Welcome to West University-Southside Area

Welcome to the neighborhood city.

Close to Rice University, West U feels like a small town that happens to be surrounded by one of the largest cities in the country. In 1939, residents resisted attempts to be absorbed into the city of Houston and the municipality has happily maintained its independence ever since.

The neighborhood known as “West U” offers two square miles of low-key, but high-end, living inside the 610 Loop. The first lots went on the market in 1917, and this affluent, autonomous suburb consistently lands on national “best places to live” lists.

Small white storefront with blue shutters and a woman at the service window.

Storefront with eCakes and Steel City Pops signs beneath a turquoise awning.

Neighborhood pizza shop with a striped awning and sidewalk café tables.

What to Expect

Strong schools, dependable local services, and gathering spots.

Thanks to its history of zoning codes and private police and fire departments, West U prides itself on providing residents with covetable quality-of-life amenities. Top-ranked West University Elementary School is a particularly popular draw. And though mostly residential, the neighborhood has a good number of shops and eateries on convenient corners.

Books displayed on bookstore shelves, with handwritten recommendation cards beneath them.

Avocado toast topped with a fried egg and roasted tomato on a white plate.

Café interior with people seated at a counter beneath exposed ceiling beams and a large wall clock.

The Lifestyle

Where families and social butterflies thrive.

West U families take advantage of the swimming pool and many programs at the local rec center, and the neighborhood boasts one of the largest little leagues in the country. Friends and neighbors, who often volunteer together, catch up at popular hangouts like Tiny’s No. 5 and Little Matt’s or at the open-air Rice Village mall.

A woman browses a book beside tall stacks of books in a bookstore.

Cyclist on a shaded residential street lined with mature trees and homes.

Roasted vegetables topped with greens and crumbled cheese beside a red plate.

Unexpected Appeal

Pocket parks perfect for recharging.

Tucked into West University’s orderly grid are charming pocket parks like Colonial Park, which has a popular neighborhood pool, and Friends Park, which has brick-lined walkways and a striking clock tower.

A woman jogs along a leafy, sunlit neighborhood sidewalk beneath mature trees.

The Market

Classic architecture and a hefty dose of charm.

Forties-era, split-level brick bungalows bordering parks. Traditional stucco stunners that have gone up in recent years. Farmhouse-style homes with inviting porches. In West U, the homes tend to be unique and unfailingly endearing.

Two-story red-brick house framed by mature trees, with landscaped gardens and a walkway to the front door.

Blue-and-white house with an American flag, curved front walkway, and large shade trees.

White two-story house with a wide brown garage door and black front entry, framed by trees.

Two-story pink stucco house with dark green windows and doors, trimmed hedges, and a straight front walkway.

You'll Fall In Love With

The family-nurturing atmosphere–and steady property values.

Rich in recreational resources, solid schools, and kid-friendly hot spots (not to mention next door to Houston’s vaunted Museum District), West U has long been considered an ideal place to raise a family, making it a smart investment for homeowners.

Two women sit at an umbrella-shaded patio table beside a hedge and lawn.