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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“Bellaire is truly a village, a close-in community where neighbors know neighbors and help one another,” says Belinda B. Schmidt, a fifth-generation Texan who has called this neighborhood home for 27 years. “It's a great place for kids to ride bikes, play sports together, and walk the dog. Families go to worship together and meet at the parks. Citizens are active in city operations and government.”

Located just a few miles southwest of downtown Houston, Bellaire is also known for its affordability, large lots, and good schools, all while featuring the hip and urban feel of being inside the loop.

Like so many Bellaire residents, Schmidt brings enriched experience from afar: London, Denver, and also Pittsburgh, where she received her MBA from Carnegie Mellon University. She is an accomplished facilitator and simplifies the real estate chaos with uncanny clarity to help clients find their place in the world, in Bellaire and beyond.

When she’s not advocating for her clients and their real estate goals, you might find Schmidt cheering on the Longhorns — her son and daughter are the fourth generation to graduate from The University of Texas at Austin.

Schmidt also offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Bellaire. Here's her guide:

Where to play
“I love to walk to Evelyn's Park and hang out at the outside dining area,” says Schmidt. “I meet my friends for tasty food and drinks at Betsy’s while listening to a local band. The majestic oak trees provide a stunning canopy and green space.”

Evelyn's Park also features a stunning waterpark and pool with great recreational facilities, Schmidt adds. The inception of this park, she notes, highlights how citizens come together to create the new and improved.

She also suggests walking a bit further down the road for a stroll through the Nature Discovery Center.

Where to eat & drink
“Bellaire has so many great, casual places,” says Schmidt. “The one I am enjoying most right now is a new-ish restaurant called The 401, which is named after our ZIP code: 77401. It has a lovely outdoor space and delightful bar.”

She also likes their on-trend menu offerings, and that they have some good, healthy options, too, including Mediterranean fusion bowls, kebab plates, and more.

Of course, let it be known that the 401 also has creative variations on pizza, like truffle-mushroom and shrimp and mango (you can do a cauli crust) and Southern chicken-fried chicken — because, balance.

Where to live
Bellaire homes stand out for their diversity and mix of home profiles.

“It's not a cookie-cutter kind of neighborhood!” Schmidt says. “Rather, Bellaire boasts a combination of cute ranch-style homes next to elegant contemporary ‘mansions’ across from stucco Mediterranean-inspired residences. As a general rule, the lot sizes are large for a neighborhood inside the loop.”

To further help her clients, Schmidt prepares a monthly Bellaire market report that explores listing inventory, current demand, and anticipated supply. To receive the latest report each month, email Schmidt at the address below to subscribe.

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Belinda B. Schmidt works and plays in Bellaire. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email belinda.schmidt@sir.com, or call 713-417-1177. You can also follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.