Roya Arfa
Realtor®
GRI, ABR, CMS, QSC
Beth Wolff Realtors

royaarfa@bethwolff.com
713-376-4692



Bellaire

Just a short commute to downtown Houston, Bellaire is one of the top residential areas near the city, says Roya Arfa, Texas Realtor and Relocation Specialist for Beth Wolff Realtors in Houston. Surrounded by the cities of Houston and West University Place, Bellaire features large lots with tall oaks and a wide selection of homes ranging from renovated 1950- and 1960-era ranches to contemporary, custom-built mansions. With a population of approximately 17,000, Bellaire has the feel of a cozy, small town, yet has all the amenities of one of the largest, most exciting cities in the country conveniently nearby.

William W. Baldwin, president of the South End Land Company, established Bellaire in 1908 on the former 9,500-acre ranch of William M. Rice, the founder of Rice University. Reportedly, "Bellaire" (or "Good Air") was so named because of the pleasant breezes coming from the Gulf of Mexico, but it is more accurately referred to as the "City of Homes."

A family-oriented city, Bellaire prides itself on providing a high quality of life with ample green space, a dog park, a family aquatic center featuring competition, diving, lap and leisure pools, and a remarkably affordable recreation center with a full range of fitness equipment, classes and tennis courts. The area's Little League baseball teams have been national champions, not once, not twice, but seven times, and its schools are known for their exceptional academic and athletic programs. Bellaire High School, for example, has graduated more National Merit Finalists than any other school in the U.S., and its baseball program has sent several players to the Major Leagues. In addition, Bellaire is recognized for its excellence in public safety, its active recycling program, and its city council's commitment to preserving this community's small town allure throughout its subdivisions, including Bellaire Oaks, Southdale, Post Oak Terrace, Braeburn Valley and Braeburn Country Club Estates.

West University

The city of West University Place has the charm of a small New England town with all the resources of metropolitan Houston, says Roya Arfa, Texas Realtor and Relocation Specialist for Beth Wolff Realtors of Houston. Adjacent to Rice University for which it was named, affluent "West U" features distinctive residential properties in wide-ranging architectural styles along its peaceful, oak-shaded streets.

Developed in 1917 by former Tennessee governor Ben Hooper, West U is known for its outstanding public safety and its strict residential zoning codes, which preserve its special "college-town" allure. Its prestigious subdivisions such as Mathews Place, Barbara Place, Berquist Park, Cherdee, Collegeview, Colonial Terrace, Emory, Dora Oaks, Fairhaven and Fairhaven Colonial Terrace, Gauntt Place, Grams and Jandor Garden attract an interesting mix of wealthy professionals and academics.

With seven parks in its two square mile area, West U is alive with walking, running and bicycling enthusiasts. It is a fun, safe community that enjoys close proximity to Houston's finest cultural, healthcare and intellectual centers – theatres, professional sports venues, the zoo, art galleries, museums, prestigious universities and the Texas Medical Center are all easily accessible. Families with children are drawn to the excellent public and private schools, youth baseball, soccer and other sports leagues, and the neighborhood's swimming and recreation center, which hosts a variety of community events, including Second Saturday Concerts, an annual Easter Egg Hunt and Christmas Tree Lighting, and the annual Fathers & Flashlights Camp Out.

There are more than 300 diverse restaurants, music venues, upscale boutiques and national retail establishments within the Rice Village shopping center locale to serve the diverse and discriminating interests of its residents. And, the Rice University Farmer's Market, held every Tuesday from 3:30 to 7 p.m., and the area's curbside recycling program caters encourage an eco-friendly, healthful lifestyle.

Meyerland

Touted as the model for master-planned communities when it was founded in the late 1950s, Meyerland remains a desirable Houston neighborhood because of its strict deed restrictions, beautifully maintained ranch-style homes, spacious yards, excellent schools, community spirit and prime location, says Roya Arfa, Texas Realtor and Relocation Specialist for Beth Wolff Realtors in Houston.

Close to downtown Houston and less than five miles from the Texas Medical Center and the Museum District, Meyerland is an exceptionally warm community for families, young professionals and retirees. Many Houstonians who grew up in the Meyerland area return to the neighborhood when they start their own families because of its friendly people, convenient shopping, family-oriented events and excellent schools.

The neighborhood is home to several outstanding elementary schools, as well as Johnston Middle School and Bellaire High School, two of Houston Independent School District's best-performing magnet programs. Parents of preschool children find support from the Meyerland Mothers of Young Children, one of the most active organizations of its kind in Houston.

Meyerland boasts several parks, including the Braes Bayou Trail, a 10.2 mile paved waterfront stretch popular with runners, cyclists, tri-athletes, walkers and mothers with strollers. The Jewish Community Center provides a myriad of cultural and recreational activities for people of all faiths and all ages, and there are many civic and athletic programs for the neighborhood, including garden clubs, Little League baseball and swim teams. Three synagogues serve the area, a reflection of its strong Jewish heritage.

The neighborhood's Meyerland Plaza offers residents some excellent shopping and entertainment options. This outdoor shopping center features ample parking and more than 50 retail stores, restaurants and other businesses, including Borders Bookstore, which hosts a variety of community events for singles and families alike.