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    Your Expert Guide

    Avalon Place: Great schools + involved neighbors form a strong foundation

    CultureMap Create
    Nov 15, 2024 | 12:17 pm

    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.
    ---

    Those seeking community, great schools (both public and private), and gorgeous homes should check out Avalon Place.

    "In Avalon Place, you’re not just buying a home — you’re embracing a lifestyle," says real estate agent Blake Kunetka. "It’s a choice to live among beauty and convenience, sophistication and warmth."

    Some of Kunetka's first real estate transactions were in Avalon Place, but it's more than that nostalgia that perpetuates her good vibes about the neighborhood.

    "Ever since my children were babies, I have spent many days and evenings with friends who live in Avalon Place," she says. "Walking our kids in strollers, watching the children play with their friends outside, grilling in friends' backyards, and attending dinner parties, birthday gatherings, or just hanging out watching football together."

    The neighborhood is known for this strong sense of community, with neighbors often engaging in community events and gatherings. "This combination of luxury, convenience, and community," Kunetka notes, makes Avalon Place a highly desirable neighborhood.

    "Whether you’re a professional seeking proximity to Houston's business districts, a family looking for community, or anyone who values a balance between elegance and charm, Avalon Place welcomes you home," says Kunetka.

    Kunetka offered up a few of her personal favorites about life in Avalon Place. Here's her guide:

    Where to eat & drink
    Giacomo's, an Italian cafe and wine bar, and Relish, which serves American fare with Mediterranean flair, are two that top Kunetka's list.

    2121 Pelham Avalon Place Houston home
      
    Photo courtesy of Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty

    Many homes here feature beautifully crafted architectural details like gables, columns, and ornamental ironwork.

    Where to play
    Just minutes from Avalon Place, Buffalo Bayou Park stretches over 160 acres, providing scenic trails, paddle-boarding options, and picnic areas with skyline views.

    The park’s lesser-known features, like the Cistern — a historic underground reservoir turned into an art installation — offer a truly unique experience. Residents love this hidden gem for quiet morning walks, sunset views, and picnics beneath the city lights.

    What to see
    A quick drive takes you to the Menil Collection, a world-class, free-entry art museum in Montrose.

    Beyond the main museum, the campus includes the Byzantine Fresco Chapel and the Rothko Chapel, which offer peaceful spots for reflection and exploration. The surrounding green spaces are perfect for a quiet afternoon, making it a delightful cultural escape near Avalon Place.

    Part of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the beautifully preserved estate and museum of Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens showcases American decorative arts and furnishings in a lush garden setting. Located in nearby River Oaks, it feels like a journey back in time, allowing residents to enjoy tranquil garden paths and seasonal blooms, especially when the azaleas are in full bloom.

    Where to live
    "Homes in Avalon Place embody a timeless elegance that blends classical architectural charm with modern luxury," says Kunetka. "This neighborhood boasts a stunning array of styles, often featuring traditional and Colonial designs mixed with Mediterranean and French influences."

    Many homes in Avalon Place showcase brick or stucco facades, large windows, and beautifully crafted architectural details like gables, columns, and ornamental ironwork. These residences often sit on spacious lots, with lush landscaping and mature trees providing both privacy and aesthetic appeal.

    Inside, the homes typically feature high ceilings, spacious layouts, and refined finishes. Hardwood floors, detailed moldings, and grand staircases add a sense of sophistication, while open floorplans and expansive kitchens cater to modern lifestyles. Large windows and French doors are common, allowing ample natural light to flow through the spaces and often connecting indoor areas with inviting outdoor patios, gardens, or pools.

    "This harmony between classical elegance and contemporary comfort is what defines the homes in Avalon Place, making it a perfect blend of luxury and warmth," Kunetka says.

    ---

    Blake Kunetka works and plays in Avalon Place. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email blake.kunetka@sothebys.realty, or call 713-545-6599.

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    rent affordability news

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

    Amber Heckler
    May 13, 2025 | 12:30 pm
    Dolce Midtown Apartments Houston
    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
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