Sunset Terrace/Montclair, Houston facts for kids

Sunset Terrace and Montclair Place are two neighborhoods located inside the 610 Loop in Harris County, Texas, United States. These two areas share a community group called the Sunset Terrace/Montclair Civic Association. Most of Sunset Terrace is part of West University Place, while the rest of Sunset Terrace and all of Montclair are within the city of Houston.

History of Sunset Terrace and Montclair

A long time ago, a cemetery was located where Auden and Drake streets meet in what is now Sunset Terrace. In 1956, the Sunset Terrace Garden Club planted beautiful oleanders to improve a ditch that used to belong to a Harris County "poor farm" – a place where people who were struggling could live and work.

These neighborhoods were created in the late 1940s and soon after became part of the city. Between January 1990 and October 1991, the value of homes in the area went up by 21%. In October 1991, the average house cost about $102.46 per square foot. A study found that Sunset Terrace was one of the neighborhoods where house prices were increasing the fastest.

What the Neighborhood Looks Like

This community is located inside the 610 Loop, which is a major highway that circles Houston. Sunset Terrace and Montclair are bordered by Weslayan Street to the west, Westpark Drive to the north, Edloe Street to the east, and Bissonnet Street to the south. The area is situated between West University Place and Interstate 69/U.S. Route 59 (also known as the Southwest Freeway). It's also close to popular spots like Highland Village, Rice Village, Rice University, and The Galleria shopping mall.

The neighborhoods are known for their many old, large oak trees. The streets in the community are named after different universities and colleges in the U.S. The lots (pieces of land) in Sunset Terrace/Montclair are generally larger than those in nearby West University Place. Many lots are bigger than 10,000 square feet (about 929 square meters). In 1995, a real estate agent named Joanne Flynn mentioned that you could get a bigger lot in Sunset Terrace for the same price as a smaller one in West University Place. In 2009, another real estate agent, Kathleen Dunwoody Graf, said that people often choose Sunset Terrace because of its central location and large lots.

Homes and Apartments

In 2009, the prices of houses in Sunset Terrace ranged from about $300,000 to nearly $2 million. The less expensive homes were typically one-story ranch houses built in the late 1940s and 1950s, usually with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. These older homes were priced between $300,000 and $600,000 in 2009. By that time, many of the older houses had been torn down and replaced with new stone and stucco homes, which often cost up to $2 million. These newer homes often feature stucco exteriors, outdoor kitchens, and large spaces for entertaining. In 2009, Dunwoody Graf noted that more people were buying older, cheaper houses and fixing them up. Back in 1995, older homes cost between $130,000 and $250,000, while newer homes were $300,000 and higher.

As of 1995, there were also several apartment complexes in Sunset Terrace/Montclair. Some apartments are located along Law Street, and some duplexes (buildings with two separate living units) can be found on the edges of the neighborhoods.

Community Life

Many residents of Sunset Terrace enjoy planning and participating in neighborhood events, which helps create a strong community feeling.

Education Opportunities

Public Schools for Kids

The Houston Independent School District serves the children living in Sunset Terrace. Students typically attend:

• West University Elementary School
• Pershing Middle School (with Pin Oak Middle School as another option)
• Lamar High School

Before August 1994, some parts of the neighborhood went to Will Rogers Elementary School, while others went to West University Elementary. West University Elementary generally had higher test scores. When The Rice School opened, it helped reduce the number of students at West University Elementary. This allowed the school's attendance zone to be changed to include all of Sunset Terrace/Montclair. In 1995, a company called C.T.I. Information Services reported that the test scores for the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) at West University Elementary, Pershing Middle, and Lamar High were above average. Davis Whiteford, who was the president of the Sunset Terrace/Montclair Civic Association, said that these good schools attracted many families to buy homes in Sunset Terrace.

Colleges and Universities

For higher education, the Houston Community College System serves the residents of Sunset Terrace.

Postal Services

The closest United States Postal Service office for residents is the Weslayan Post Office, located at 5340 Weslayan Street, Houston, Texas, 77005-1048.

Local News

The Houston Chronicle is the main regional newspaper for the area.

Local news is also provided by the West University Examiner, which is distributed in the community.

Another local newspaper distributed in the community is the Village News and Southwest News.

People from the Neighborhood

• Maryann Young, who was a candidate for Houston City Council District C, a spokesperson for city controller George Greanias, a public affairs consultant, and a news reporter. She also served as the president of the Sunset Terrace/Montclair civic association.