Your Expert Guide

Highland Village: Contemporary luxury in a highly desirable location

Agent Jack Swonson.

Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

There are so many great places to live in Houston that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community

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“When you reside in Highland Village, you're centrally located and close to so many special places and activities in Houston,” says Jack Swonson, who has been living in the area for 17 years. “In addition to the incredible neighborhoods, there’s a mix of fabulous shopping and restaurants and easy access to the major arteries that connect you to the rest of the city.”

A self-described United States Air Force brat, Swonson also served 21 years in the USAF as an F-16 pilot.

Now he appreciates being able to use the critical skills he developed in the military to positively impact people's lives and help them find their dream home.

A longtime ski whiz who has raced, instructed, and skied all around the United States and Europe, Swonson also puts his experience on the slopes to work for his real estate clients, too.

Having established a dedicated team of knowledgeable, established agents from 18 of Sotheby’s resorts across the U.S. and Canada, he provides Houstonians with the best network of mountain resort expertise when they travel to their favorite vacation destinations.

Closer to home, Swonson shared a few of his personal favorites about life in Highland Village. Here's his guide:

Where to eat & drink
Swonson’s short list includes Escalante's for the best Tex-Mex and Ragin Cajun when you need your gumbo fix.

Bosscat Kitchen & Libations has a wonderful bar and atmosphere, and so does Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette, he advises.

For patio time, he heads to Toulouse Café & Bar, where they often bring in live music, too.

Elois Nichols Grill & Liquors is an American bistro with a great lunch and dinner, and their house cocktails are a food group in their own right.

And for delicious Southern food and old-school River Oaks charm, all you need is Ouisie's Table.

Where to play
“The Ivy Dog Park is a great place to chill and relax in a couple of Adirondack chairs under the trees,” says Swonson.

Where to live
Swonson mentions that Highland Village is turning into the contemporary/modern destination in the city, boasting neighborhoods that work for anyone who wants to be close to the culture of Houston and everything that's luxurious.

“Oak Estates and Afton Oaks, which are part of River Oaks, are in the middle of everything happening in Houston,” he adds.

Swonson recently sold the elegant home at 30 Lana Lane in West Lane Place to clients who were transferring from Chicago.

“This subdivision is known for a more quiet, professional mood, which was perfect for this empty-nester couple,” he says. “The home is luxurious and located in an area where they can walk to any amenities they desire.”

“Professional, knowledgeable, and honest, Jack is here to help — protecting you now and for your future real estate needs,” says the buyer.

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Jack Swonson works and plays in Highland Village. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email jack.swonson@sir.com, or call 713-456-9381.

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rent affordability news

Houstonians need to make nearly $68,000 to afford rent in 2025

Photo courtesy of Dolce Midtown Apartments

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A new rental report from Zillow has revealed Houston renters need to make about 23 percent more money than they did five years ago in order to afford rent in 2025.

Zillow analysts examined the income needed to afford rent in 50 major U.S. metros, and determined rent prices in each city as of April 2025.

The average Houston renter needs to make $67,731 a year to afford living in the city, the report found. To afford rent for a single-family home, the income needed increases even further to $85,017.

Despite Houston's rising rent cost of living, it's still more affordable than many other cities. Nationally, the average income needed for someone to comfortably afford rent comes out to nearly $81,000. The study says that figure has increased nearly 35 percent since 2020.

"Housing costs have surged since pre-pandemic, with rents growing quite a bit faster than wages," said senior Zillow economist Orphe Divounguy. "This often leaves little room for other expenses, making it particularly difficult for those hoping to save for a down payment on a future home. High upfront costs are often overlooked, which can keep renters in their current homes."

Rent prices in Houston averaged $1,693 last month, which is less costly than the national average rent price of $2,024. Additionally, Houstonians are spending about 24 percent of their income on rent, while the typical American spends almost 30 percent of their income on rent.

Renters are also saving hundreds of dollars in comparison to those that own their homes, as a recent SmartAsset study discovered the median monthly housing costs for a Houston homeowner came out to $2,219.

At least we're not living on the East or West Coast, where eight U.S. metros require six-figure incomes to afford rent. Residents in San Jose, California need to make $136,532 a year to afford rent, the highest out of all 50 U.S. cities. Rent prices in San Jose came out to $3,413 in April.

Here's how much money renters need to afford living in other Texas metros, according to Zillow:

Dallas – $71,413
Austin – $68,840
San Antonio – $58,590

zillow housing report rent prices affordability houston