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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Developed in 1911, Montrose is merely four square miles — but don’t let its small size fool you. Situated just west of downtown Houston, it’s a vibrant pocket of bold eccentricity and diversity in the heart of the city, where you can celebrate art, culture, food, and nightlife.

A licensed real estate agent since 1986, Judy Cohen has lived off and on in the Montrose since 1979 and loves celebrating the uniqueness of the area and its residential real estate.

When she’s not checking the box on every possible detail for her clients, she volunteers with Casa de Esperanza and the City of West University Senior Services and has been a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Committee for six years.

Cohen offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Montrose. Here's her guide to the area:

Where to eat & drink
Hugo’s is the namesake restaurant of James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega and serves authentic, regional Mexican cuisine. But don’t just go for dinner; this place has one of the best Sunday brunch buffets in town. The chilaquiles and the huevos poblanos — poached eggs over sweet cornbread with roasted potatoes and asparagus — are musts.

There are a number of Mediterranean places, including Aladdin, a local institution.

You can also journey around the world with global flavors from the Far East, India, Africa, the Caribbean, and more at The Traveler’s Table.

Among the bars in the neighborhood, many would point to Anvil as the epitome of the cocktail scene, with their take on 100 classic drinks along with seasonal, creative spins on bevvies.

Where to play
The quaint Cherryhurst Park in the heart of Montrose has a playground, lighted tennis court, and a large green space and park benches; it’s also just one side street away from the bar and restaurant scene.

On Westheimer, there’s a quirky conglomeration of shops and more, from antiques to thrift stores and boutiques. “One of my favorite gems is the weekend market at Montrose and Westheimer,” says Cohen. It’s hosted every Sunday from noon to 5 pm.

Where to live
“There is a big mix of homes in the area; you can have a new-construction home next to a duplex,” says Cohen. “But I love the older Craftsman-style homes that have been restored and updated.”

One thing to note is that some of the neighborhoods, like Cherryhurst, are deed-restricted so they do not allow small-lot patio or townhomes.

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Judy Cohen works and plays in Montrose. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email judy.cohen@sothebyshomes.com, or call 832-755-9654.