Your Expert Guide

Tanglewood Area: Classic and convenient right outside downtown Houston

Agent Angela Chiang.

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.

---

As a busy mom of two who is often on the go, Angela Chiang understands the importance of not sitting in traffic. That's why she's extra grateful to live and work in the Tanglewood area of Houston.

"It is a fantastic city-centric area, ultra convenient with something for everyone. The location and charm really draw people in to the area," the real estate agent says. "Whether it be Tanglewood, Briargrove, Broad Oaks, Westhaven Estates, or Briarcroft, people are coming to live here for the excellent location near parks, schools, shopping, dining, and grocery stores. Most people are incredibly busy with jobs and family, so sitting in traffic isn't usually an option."

In her 11 years as an agent with Martha Turner Sotheby's International Realty, Chiang has consistently had listings and buyers in the Tanglewood area.

This prime location boasts streets that are lined with gorgeous, mature trees and generous landscaping.

Excellent schools are also nearby, including T.H. Rogers, Duchesne Academy, Kinkaid, Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, Second Baptist, St. Francis Episcopal, St. Martin's, and Briargrove Elementary.

Chiang, who speaks both English and Mandarin Chinese, recently moved to the Tanglewood area with her husband and two young children. Previously, the family had lived in nearby Camp Logan, in the Memorial Park area, for 15 years.

Chiang shared a few of her personal favorites about life in the Tanglewood area. Here's her guide:

Where to eat & drink
"Grabbing lunch that is quick and delicious is key on those days where you don't have the bandwidth to decide the age-old question of 'what should I eat today,'" Chiang says. "Trinity Thai is my go-to lunch spot. They offer online ordering, curbside pickup typically within 10 minutes, friendly service, and some of the best Thai food in the city for $10-$12. Lunch is my opportunity to enjoy my love for spicy food because my kids are at school and I don't have to share!"

Chiang also calls out Kenny and Ziggy's, Buffalo Grille, Uchiko, Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Caracol, burger-chan, Roegels Barbecue, Killen's STQ, Chama Gaucha, Craft Pita, and Rocambolesc Gelateria as delicious dining destinations.

"One unique thing that this area offers is six grocery stores in a two-mile radius: Trader Joe's, HEB San Felipe, two Whole Foods Markets, Kroger, and Randalls," offers Chiang.

Where to play
Catch live music at The Rustic or an al-fresco flick at Rooftop Cinema Club, Chiang recommends, or browse all the shops at The Galleria.

For nature and exercise, she gives special notice to The Houstonian, Houston Country Club, Trotter YMCA, and Memorial Park.

What to see
The Christmas lights are especially magical in Tanglewood, says Chiang.

Where to live
"Typical homes in the Tanglewood area are designed by top architects on large lots, lined with towering live oak trees and lush landscaping," the agent says. "From original one-story bungalows to newer construction single-family homes, there are a variety of styles, from traditional, modern, Spanish, English, and more. When describing the neighborhood, the word 'classic' comes to mind."

In addition to the single-family homes, the area also encompasses patio homes, luxury high-rises, and townhomes, providing something for everyone.

---

Angela Chiang works and plays in the Tanglewood area. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email angela.chiang@sothebyshomes.com, or call 832-212-1446.

q&a homes for sale interview promoted

THE AMERICAN DREAM

How long it takes to save for a home down payment in Houston

iStock

Houstonians don't have to save long to afford a down payment.

Saving for a down payment remains one of the biggest barriers to homeownership nationwide, but a new report from Realtor.com shows San Antonio area buyers face a far shorter wait than most Americans.

According to the real estate site’s 2025 analysis, the typical U.S. household needs seven years to save for a standard down payment, a notable improvement from the 12-year peak in 2022. Still, the timeline remains roughly double the pre-pandemic norm, reflecting higher home prices, larger down payments, and lower household savings rates.

Houston, however, stood out as one of the most accessible major metros in the nation. The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro boasted one of the shortest time sto save for a down payment among the nation’s 50 largest markets, with households needing just 3.5 years to reach a typical down payment, according to the study.

The report found that Houston’s median down payment from January through November was $14,927. A median household income of $83,452 was estimated to produce an annual savings of $4,228. Notably, San Antonio, the only other Texas city included in the report, had the shortest time to save for a down payment at just 1.3 years.

Nationally, the time needed to save has shortened as home price growth cooled and affordability modestly improved. Still, saving for a down payment takes significantly longer than it did before the pandemic.

“Higher home prices and intensified competition have pushed typical down payments higher, at the same time that inflation and rising household expenses have reduced savings rates,” said Danielle Hale, chief economist at Realtor.com, in a release. “Although conditions have improved since 2022, today’s timeline shows that saving for a home takes meaningfully longer than it did before the pandemic, especially in high-cost markets.”

Lower savings rates have played a key role. The U.S. personal savings rate has averaged 5.1 percent of income so far in 2025, down from the pre-pandemic norm of 6.5 percent, limiting how quickly households can build funds for upfront housing costs. Meanwhile, the typical down payment has more than doubled over the past six years — rising from about $13,900 in the third quarter of 2019 to $30,400 in the third quarter of 2025.

In high-cost coastal metros, the impact is far more severe. Saving for a down payment can take 20 to more than 35 years in California cities like San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego, effectively sidelining many first-time and moderate-income buyers.

“In high-cost markets, the typical down payment alone exceeds a full year of household income,” said Hannah Jones, Realtor.com senior economic research analyst. “That reality makes homeownership feel unattainable for many buyers, particularly younger households trying to enter the market for the first time.”

Despite those challenges, the report notes that roughly three-quarters of Americans still consider homeownership part of the American dream. Realtor.com says easing rents could help first-time buyers save more, while repeat buyers may use accumulated savings to reduce loan balances and manage higher monthly payments.

“Saving consistently, even in small amounts, is a meaningful first step toward homeownership,” Jones said. “In today’s market, building that financial cushion can make a real difference when buyers are ready to act.”

home market economy down payments home ownership real estate

Your Expert Guide

Tanglewood Area: Classic and convenient right outside downtown Houston

THE AMERICAN DREAM

How long it takes to save for a home down payment in Houston

Major closures, celeb sightings, more top Houston restaurant news 2025

Houston's only Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant now open in Bellaire

CultureMap's 11 favorite new bars that shook up Houston in 2025