Bellaire, TX

Founded in 1908 by the vice president of the Burlington Railroad, Bellaire was created to serve as a residential neighborhood and agricultural trading center. Founder William Wright Baldwin claimed the neighborhood earned its name, which means "good air." for the gusty, cool breezes that whisked through the area. Bellaire was Incorporated as a city in 1918 and remained fairly small until the building boom after World War II. As Houston continued to grow, affluent families moved to Bellaire for its proximity to business districts, a phenomenon that still occurs today. From the 1990s on, Bellaire rapidly grew in population size and economic development. Bellaire houses one museum, the Telephone Museum off Bissonnet Street. The neighborhood lacks a significant art scene, though locals enjoy annual events such as the Nature Discovery Center's Pumpkin Patch, a Recycle Fest, and the esteemed Wine and Tapas event.

Hungry residents head to the section of Bissonnet Street west of Rice Avenue. Popular restaurants cluster the area and give locals a diverse mix of cuisine from Greek to Asian Fusion steakhouses. Stop at Bernie’s Burger Bus on Bellaire Boulevard to experience a food bus serving “old school awesome” burgers made from scratch. The creative education-themed menu makes devouring "The Substitute" both fun and tasty. This large, sloppy burger layers bleu cheese, crispy bacon and burgundy laced mushrooms atop a juicy angus patty. Locals say a side of the hand-cut, truffle-laced fries tastes so good you may cry at the table. Wash it all down with a caramel apple pie milkshake for a lunch that leaves you daydreaming about your old classrooms.

Located on the boundary of Bellaire and Gulfton, Café Piquet serves authentic Cuban food that turns first-time visitors into regulars. The ropa vieja is rumored to be the best in the country, though fried pork chops with a side of plantain chips are the real showstoppers. Top off your Carnival Cubano with a Cuban coffee, a silky, espresso-like coffee sweetened to perfection. With take-out and delivery available, you can whisk your taste buds across the Gulf of Mexico any time you like.

Bellaire’s lack of music venues and trendy bars is more than redeemed by offerings in the surrounding areas. For the best in nightlife, head out of Bellaire to nearby Gulfton. Begin your night with drinks and dancing at the Firehouse Saloon on the Southwest Freeway. Locals say the ticket prices are well worth it for an evening packed with live music and a romp on the dance floor. With hours extending past 1 a.m., you can count on this saloon to keep you entertained all night. Residents also venture to Gulfton for its selection of bars and pubs, such as the Richmond Arms Pub on Richmond Avenue.

Residents of Bellaire heavily depend on cars for transportation. Most areas are not walkable, though the intersection of Bissonnet Street and Rice Avenue is more accessible on foot. With more than 93 percent of locals driving or carpooling, public transportation gets less attention. However, the city is serviced by bus lines 2, 17, 33, 49 and 65 at the Bellaire Transit Center on Bellaire Boulevard. Locals can call ahead for taxi service or use Uber to schedule rides. Car renters and locals with their own wheels have a relatively easy time finding free parking, especially around major businesses. If you’re heading out of town, access the West Loop to connect to the Southwest Freeway. Bikers should keep to Rice Avenue, Renwick Drive, Newcastle Street and local parks to avoid heavy traffic.

Recreation and green spaces remain a key aspect of life in Bellaire. Residents can access one of six relaxing getaways within the Bellaire limits. To escape the hustle and bustle, stroll around trails in Russ Pitman Park. This urban oasis encompasses just over 4 acres and provides locals a quiet retreat to walk pets or picnic under gazebos. Bikers are welcome along the paths, though the short loops may not be ideal for intense workouts. Families enjoy the park's educational nature center and playground.

Lafayette Park appeals to owners of dogs for its designated dog park. If you’re searching for a place to let your furry friends run free, this location reigns as the primary space for your pooch to get some exercise. Avoid romping around after rain since this popular park is known to get muddy, although small pools are available to help clean up your muddy pooch.

Compared to Houston, life in Bellaire comes at an affordable price tag with the exception of real estate. In fact, the prices of typical goods and services such as health care and groceries match Houston’s almost exactly. The immense difference in housing causes Bellaire to come in with an overall cost of living about 64 percent higher than Houston’s. Though only 11 percent of residents choose to rent, they face median monthly payments of $1,500. A basic one-bedroom apartment starts at $950.

Shoppers in Bellaire can access the best of chain retailers without exclusively relying on them. Big-name stores such as Ross frequently get upstaged by small, local shops such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. This little thrift shop carries apparel from popular brands at prices even Ross can’t compete with, and locals appreciate the selection and quality. Music lovers flock to Bissonnet Street to purchase their favorite oldies tracks at Black Dog Records. The LP selection stays updated with the best in old and new titles. Dig around for your chance at discovering a rare musical gem, or skip the search and pick up a recommendation from the owner. If you’re searching for elegant antique accessories, head to Queen of Heirs on Locust Street. Located inside the Magnolia House cottage, this collection of one-of-a-kind pieces leaves vintage lovers drooling at the counter. Locals advise love birds to skip traditional ring stores in favor of Queen of Heirs. The combination of brilliant jewels and their mysterious histories jets this jewelry boutique to the top of Bellaire’s retail list. If you’re looking to relocate to Bellaire, purchase all the necessary furniture from Sunshine Resale Shop on Bellaire Boulevard. For more high-end purchases, locals head uptown to the Galleria, a shopping center widely considered the best in all of Houston.

Grocery store chains such as HEB speckle the neighborhood with convenient food options. Randall's Food & Pharmacy and Whole Foods are popular choices for quick grocery runs. Just outside of Bellaire’s eastern boundary lies iBurn, a specialty grocery story specializing in herbs and spiced favorites. This go-to spot for hot sauce and salsa gained its reputation Hot Sauce Festivals. After residents have one lick of the barbecue sauce with bacon, they’re hooked for life. Bellaire doesn’t currently host a farmers’ market, though residents can head to Highland Village for the Urban Harvest Farmers’ Market on Suffolk Drive.