Rice Village Neighborhood Guide

Researching Rice Village neighborhood in Houston Texas? Here is a complete guide with the most up to date information about Rice Village neighborhood!

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Overview

ABOUT Rice Village

Rice Village is a commercial and residential neighborhood in southwest Houston, TX. The neighborhood is especially well-known for its large selection of shops, restaurants and bars. Established in 1938, the neighborhood has a distinctly historic feel that both residents and visitors enjoy.

Tucked in between Houston’s medical district and the tree-lined streets of West University Place, Rice Village has both an upscale and laid back feel. Residents of one of Rice Village’s many luxury apartment communities enjoy close proximity to plenty of dining and shopping options. In addition to having many local shops and restaurants, Rice Village is a short 10-minute drive from Houston’s famed Museum District.

The neighborhood is also close to Rice University and all of its amenities as well as the Texas Medical Center. Rice Village is just down the road from the South and Southwest Freeways, and is an ideal place for those who commute to a central Houston location for work.

Rice Village is a lively neighborhood that’s two parts commercial and one part residential. This bustling part of Houston is full of fine dining options, fantastic shops and plenty of entertainment options. The neighborhood has a small population of about 250 people, and it’s mostly home to working professionals in their early 40s.

The local apartment communities offer the perfect combination of warmth and luxury, and the average rent is about $2,000 a month. The average household income is $145,000 compared to Houston’s $48,000 average. About $44% of residents make over $200,000 a year with 28% of the population earning between $100,000 and $200,000.

TOP Rice Village HIGHLIGHTS

Fantastic dining options
Great shops and boutiques
Luxury apartment communities
Close to Houston museums
Historic neighborhood
Art and entertainment
Easy commutes
Beautiful surroundings

Natural Disasters

Rice Village has a humid subtropical climate that is heavily influenced by the Gulf of Mexico. Most severe weather events in this area are floods occurring between May and October.

At roughly 50 inches, this neighborhood’s annual precipitation level is high relative to Texas. Rice Village can also be impacted by heavy rainfall that results from hurricanes and downgrading tropical storms.

Thunderstorms and supercells have a high chance of creating tornadoes in the Greater Houston area. Commonly, tornadoes touch down in the spring. Sizable hailstorms cause significant amounts of property damage to Houston neighborhoods such as Rice Village.

Extreme heat and droughts are also commonplace in this corner of Texas.

Commute

Rice Village is a convenient neighborhood for commuters. It’s surrounded by popular travel routes, with the Southwest Freeway a short five-minute drive to the north. Residents can also drive about 15 minutes east to hop on the South Freeway that goes through Downtown Houston to the north and all the way to the Gulf of Mexico to the south.

For those who travel a lot for business, the George Bush Intercontinental Airport is a 30-minute drive north while the West Houston Airport is 30 minutes west and Sugar Land Regional Airport is 30 minutes south.

Crime Rate

The overall crime rate in Rice Village falls an estimated 26% under Houston’s average. This neighborhood is also considered safer than 27% of Texas cities.

Rice Village’s violent crime rate is 38% higher than the national average. However, violent crimes occur roughly half as frequently here as they do in other Houston neighborhoods.

Rice Village’s property crime rate is about 46% higher than the U.S. average. The neighborhood’s property crime rate per 100K people is 3,218, which tracks under Houston’s same rate of 4,010 and Texas’s rate of 2,367.

The odds of experiencing a violent or property crime in Rice Village are around 1 in 27.

Education

SCHOOLS IN Rice Village

Although there are no schools (if not counting preschools) located within Rice Village itself, parents can enjoy easy access to some of the best schools in Houston. Top-rated schools are within five minutes of Rice Village and both private and public options are available. Parents of younger children can even opt for the local Southampton Montessori.

For high school, students have their pick from public schools such as Post Oak and Lamar High School and prestigious private institutions like Episcopal High School. No matter where students choose to attend school, parents can rest assured their children are getting an exceptional education.

The schools that surround Rice Village offer top-rated programs from pre-kindergarten through high school. Students will enjoy excellent academic programs and will be able to challenge themselves artistically and academically throughout their school years.

The schools surrounding Rice Villages are staffed by skilled and passionate teaching professionals who encourage students to challenge themselves and expand on their skills while discovering new ones.

Schools

ELEMENTARY
Roberts Elementary School: Roberts Elementary School is less than five minutes from Rice Village, making it the closest elementary school. The school encourages students to make connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they observe in the real world. Teachers use a variety of teaching methods and enrichment programs to ensure the needs of every student are met. West University Elementary: West University Elementary is a short five-minute drive from Rice Village. The school serves students from kindergarten through fifth grade. In addition to its excellent academic program, the school has a number of enrichment programs. Students can participate in Math Club, Art Night and the International Festival, to name a few. The Rice School: The Rice School is a little over five minutes south of Rice Village. The school serves students from Kindergarten through eighth grade. The Rice School is a little different from other elementary schools in the area as it is a Houston Independent School District (HISD) magnet school that specializes in science, technology, engineering and math.
MIDDLE
Pershing Middle School: Pershing Middle School is located 10 minutes southwest of Rice Village in Southside Place. Pershing is well-known for its exceptional academic and fine arts programs. In fact, the school is an HISD magnet school specializing in fine arts. However, students of Pershing can also take part in other extracurricular activities, including a number of athletics programs. Pin Oak Middle School: Pin Oak has programs for students in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. It is located about 15 minutes west of Rice Village in Bellaire. In addition to its excellent academics, the school also has a number of arts programs and miscellaneous electives. Students can participate in fine arts, band, dance, photography, urban agriculture, world language and more.
HIGH
Lamar High School: Lamar High School is less than 10 minutes north of Rice Village in Greenway/Upper Kirby. Lamar is an International Baccalaureate World School and students of the school receive a rigorous, internationally accepted education. The high school strives to find a balance between challenging students academically and inviting them to discover a passion for the arts and physical fitness. Challenge Early College High School: Challenge Early College High School is located 10 minutes west of Rice Village in Bellaire. The school is a high school within the Houston Community College West Loop campus. The school challenges and engages students with a diverse curriculum and a variety of clubs, sports teams, electives and extracurricular activities.
PRIVATE
Episcopal High School: The prestigious Episcopal High School is located 10 minutes west of Rice Village in Bellaire. The high school’s mission is to help students embrace their true potential. They offer an exceptional curriculum that covers all subjects as well as performing and visual arts programs. Episcopal also has a well-known athletics program, and nearly 90% of pupils participate in a sport. Post Oak High School: Post Oak is a private Montessori high school located in Houston’s Museum District. Students at Post Oak get direct experience at the many institutions within Houston’s Museum District and Texas Medical Center. The school sets up academic internships so that students can identify their passions and better prepare for life after school.

Real Estate

Rice Village Housing 2020

The real estate market is especially competitive in Rice Village, and housing prices are much higher when compared to the Houston average. In general, the median sale price of homes in Rice Village is about $250 per square foot with a detached house costing about $1,077,000 and a townhouse averaging $500,000.

In comparison, the Houston averages are about $280,000 for a detached house and about $295,000 for a townhouse. Rice Village is in a phase of expansion, and real estate prices are expected to continue to rise. The median sale price has increased by nearly 60% since 2010, but by only 1% since 2019.

Available real estate within Rice Village tends to be one to two-bedroom condos and apartments. However, there are larger single family homes available in the surrounding neighborhoods. The larger properties are typically located in Southampton Place and University Place.

Rice Village Homes for Sale

Housing options within Rice Village are primarily limited to luxury apartments, townhouses and condos. The main housing complexes in Rice Village are The Moderne Rice Village and Hanover Rice Village in the north.

Condos in The Moderne Rice Village have two bedrooms and feature 360-degree panoramic views. These condos are conveniently located near local shops and restaurants as well as Houston’s best entertainment districts. As of April 2020, condos at The Moderne Rice Village cost over $1,200,000.

Hanover Rice Village offers luxury apartments right in the heart of Rice Village. There are one, two and three-bedroom apartments available and as of Spring 2020, rent can range anywhere from $1,400 to over $5,000.

Although housing is limited to luxury apartments and condos within Rice Village, there are plenty of homes and townhouses in the surrounding neighborhood of Southampton, Greenway/Upper Kirby, Old Braeswood and University Place.

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Things to do

Rice Village is a lively neighborhood full of entertainment options. Residents can enjoy hours of shopping in the district’s many boutiques and indulge in the happy hour menu at one of the many pubs and wine bars. Rice Village is also the perfect place to meet up with friends for a coffee or a bite to eat as it’s full of some of Houston’s best cafes and restaurants. In addition to the exceptional shopping and dining options, Rice Village is also home to many beauty boutiques and spas. Spend the day at Beautique Day Spa or indulge in a manicure and a facial at Susan’s Nail and Facial. Once you’ve explored all that Rice Village has to offer, drive the 10 minutes to Houston’s Museum District. This famous Houston district has art, history and science museums as well as the Houston Zoo. On a nice day, pack a picnic and head to Hermann Park to enjoy Houston’s natural beauty.
Shop ‘til you drop
Rice Village is probably best known for its amazing shopping scene. The neighborhood is packed with a mix of highstreet stores and upscale boutiques. There are over 30 stores specializing in everything from fashion, beauty and interior design. Grab a friend and hit the stores for a fun day out.
Sample the restaurants
The dining options in Rice Village are second only to the shopping options. Enjoy a romantic Italian meal with a loved one at Prego or grab a quick sandwich from Mendocino Farms. If you’re looking for something healthy to fuel your day, pop into Sweetgreen healthy and seasonal food. Rice Village has something for everyone.
Indulge in a spa day
Whether you’re tired from a shopping spree or from a long week at work, nothing is more rejuvenating than a day at the spa. Luckily, Rice Village has a selection of the finest spas, nail salons and hairdressers. Enjoy a Swedish massage and add on a facial and pedicure while you’re at it.
Take a walking history tour
Rice Village dates back to 1938 and it’s a true Houston icon. One of the best ways to appreciate the neighborhood’s rich history and varied architecture is to take a self-guided walking tour. Start on Tangley Street to the north or University Boulevard to the south and meander through the streets, stopping at shops and restaurants as you go.
Explore Houston’s Museum District
Although there’s plenty to do in Rice Village, a visit to Houston’s Museums District is a must. The famous district is a short 10-minute drive from the neighborhood and it’s perfect for a fun family day out. Spend the day exploring its selection of history, science and art museums. Make sure you stop in the Children’s Museum while you’re there!
Visit the Houston Zoo
Located 10 minutes east of Rice Village in the middle of Hermann Park, the Houston Zoo is always worth a visit. Visitors to the zoo are able to enjoy over 6,000 animals in their natural habitat. The zoo also hosts family nature experiences and daily Meet the Keeper talks.
Enjoy a picnic at Hermann Park
Residents of Rice Village enjoy easy access to one of Houston’s biggest parks. Hermann Park covers 445 acres and includes a Japanese garden, a natural science museum and a picturesque lake. Pack a picnic and head out to explore the park on foot or by bike.
Play golf at Hermann Park Golf Course
If you’re an avid golfer, then the Hermann Park Golf Course is the place for you. The 18-hole course is lined with breathtaking oaks and includes a clubhouse that sells food and drink. This course is less than a 10-minute drive from Rice Village.

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