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.
---

“When you’re living in a giant city with so much concrete everywhere, Memorial's green landscape is literally different,” says real estate professional Shayna Andrews. “Abundant foliage with winding streets make it seem like you're somewhere else entirely. Hearing, seeing, and experiencing nature while living super-close to everything makes for a perfect location.”

A native Houstonian, Andrews’ parents lived in close-in Memorial for “eons,” she says. “We had three homes in the first 20 years of my life — all within two miles of one another off Memorial Drive!”

After a successful 25-year career in packaging, Andrews made the leap to real estate. She has also owned her own general contracting business and worked in new home sales for a larger developer. These experiences afforded her a list of trustworthy vendors and contacts which she readily passes along to clients.

Her background has also equipped her to make expert recommendations for easy and effective updates, furniture placement and/or removal, and arrangement of personal items so that a home is approachable to all prospective buyers.

Embracing total dedication and commitment to her work, Andrews considers her clients an extension of her family and is passionate about relationship-building.

With her two daughters away at college, when she’s not working Andrews enjoys riding her bike, practicing yoga, swimming, needlepointing, and spending time with her fur babies.

Andrews also shared a list of her favorites about life in close-in Memorial. Here’s what she had to say:

Where to eat & drink
Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette on Memorial is a favorite of Andrews’. They serve up modern comfort food with Gulf Coast influences — and live music every Friday and Saturday night.

Brunch on the weekends is also a class act, with decadent specialties like soufflé pancakes, lobster Benedict, upside-down avocado quiche, and red velvet waffles with fried chicken, in addition to loads of other breakfast-meets-lunch faves.

Andrews also frequents Jonathan's The Rub, Federal American Grill, Beck's Prime, and Memorial Tacos.

Where to play
For the great outdoors, Andrews heads to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center or Memorial Park for its bike trails and its beautiful 100-acre Eastern Glades — complete with a boardwalk and lake.

The Memorial Park Golf Course and Driving Range is another go-to place.

She also recommends the Spring Branch Memorial Library and the spa at The Houstonian.

Where to live
“The interesting thing about Memorial is that there are all sorts of styles of homes, from one-story ranchers to mega-mansions and everything in between,” says Andrews. “And the architectural styles vary just as much, including Mediterranean, French, Georgian, and modern.”

Built by esteemed Houston-based builder Iraj Taghi, 9125 Chatsworth Dr. is one of many homes in the neighborhood that shows off the gorgeous Mediterranean architecture. Situated on a half-acre and surrounded by mature trees, the 7,000-square-foot estate is reminiscent of a private Italianate villa.

“Shayna Andrews was the right agent when making our decision on a broker,” said the seller. “She worked very hard and made selling our home stress-free. Her knowledge of the Memorial market was unmatched by anyone else we interviewed. We truly felt the advice she gave us was in our best interest. We definitely recommend anyone selling a luxury home in the area to consider Shayna.”

---

Shayna Andrews works and plays in Memorial Close-In. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email shayna.andrews@sothebys.realty, or call 713-367-8906.