# Where to Live in Houston for an Energy Corridor Job > Downtown energy offices vs. the Energy Corridor: high rise options by commute, incl. The Fountains, The McKinley and The Watt. URL: https://houstonhighriseapartments.com/guide/relocating-to-houston-energy-job/ Last-Modified: 2026-10-19 Tags: where to live in houston for energy corridor job, apartments near energy corridor, memorial city high rise apartments Renter explainer # Relocating to Houston for an Energy Job: High Rises by Commute Downtown energy offices vs. the Energy Corridor: high rise options by commute, incl. The Fountains, The McKinley and The Watt. By Houston High Rise Apartment Team · Updated October 19, 2026 ·3 min read ![West Houston skyline along I-10 at golden hour from a residential high rise](/images/featured/west-houston-skyline-along-i-10-at-golden-hour-fro.webp) ## Two Energy Hubs, Two Different Searches Houston’s energy jobs cluster in two places: Downtown, where many oil and gas, utility and energy-finance firms keep headquarters, and the Energy Corridor along the I-10 Katy Freeway in west Houston. Where you live should follow where you work. This guide compares both and lists the high rises that fit each commute. It is part of our corporate and relocation housing service [/corporate-relocation-housing/ →](/corporate-relocation-housing/) . ![High rise apartment balcony overlooking tree canopy and distant office towers, warm light](/images/content/high-rise-apartment-balcony-overlooking-tree-canop.webp) ## If Your Office Is Downtown Live inner loop. Downtown has the biggest high rise selection in Houston: 12 towers we track, with starting rents from $925 to $2,443. The Downtown Houston Tunnel System connects many office buildings underground, and the METRORail Red Line runs down Main Street. Midtown and the Museum District sit a few stops south. Good picks for Downtown energy offices: - **Aris Market Square** (409 Travis, Hines): from $1,682, 2 months free plus $1,500 (Oct 2026) - **One Park Place** (1400 McKinney): from $2,443, near Discovery Green - **Brava** (414 Milam, Hines): from $1,715, 1.5 months free plus $1K - **The Star** (1111 Rusk): from $1,714, historic conversion See our Downtown neighborhood page [/neighborhoods/high-rise-apartments-downtown-houston/ →](/neighborhoods/high-rise-apartments-downtown-houston/) . ## If Your Office Is in the Energy Corridor Live west. The Energy Corridor sits along I-10 west of Beltway 8, and an inbound-outbound commute from the inner loop can be long at rush hour. Memorial City and Westlake Park put you much closer. | Building | Location | Starting rent | Top of range | Special (Oct 2026) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | The Watt | 550 Westlake Park Blvd | $1,750 | $3,828 | 3 mo free + $1K look-and-lease | | The Fountains at Memorial City | 9870 Gaylord Dr | $2,125 | $8,530 | None listed | | The McKinley at Memorial City | 9757 Katy Fwy | $2,712 | $9,999 | None listed | The Watt (Greystar, delivered 2025) had one of the deepest specials in our data. The Fountains and The McKinley (both Morgan) sit near Memorial City’s shopping and medical campus. ![Westlake Park office towers along the Katy Freeway at golden hour](/images/content/energy-corridor-office-towers-along-the-katy-freew.webp) ## The I-10 Commute Trade-Off Many energy professionals want inner-loop dining and nightlife but work in the Energy Corridor. That can work if you commute against traffic, which on I-10 usually means living inner loop and driving west in the morning. Drive times change a lot by hour, so we check routes for your specific office rather than quoting averages. If you want a middle ground, the Galleria/Uptown towers and The Westcott near Memorial Park sit between the two hubs. > **Before you pick a side of town** > > Ask your new team where people live and what time they leave. Then test the drive at rush hour on a map app for the exact office address. ## Lifestyle Differences - **Inner loop (Downtown, Montrose, Midtown):** walkable dining, nightlife, parks like Discovery Green and Buffalo Bayou Park, and rail in some corridors. - **West side (Memorial City, Westlake Park):** shorter commutes, newer suburban-style amenities, Memorial City Mall, and Terry Hershey Park trails nearby. More car-dependent. ## Relocation Logistics Energy employers often offer lump-sum relocation or temporary housing allowances. Compare a furnished short-term unit against a 12-month lease before you commit; our corporate vs. personal lease guide [/guide/corporate-lease-vs-personal-lease/ →](/guide/corporate-lease-vs-personal-lease/) helps. ## Questions to Ask Before You Choose a Side of Town 1. **Is your role hybrid?** Two office days a week makes an inner-loop address with a longer drive much easier to justify. 2. **Where do your teammates live?** Carpools and after-work plans follow people. 3. **Will you travel often?** Proximity to Bush Intercontinental or Hobby airport may matter more than the office commute. 4. **Do you have a spouse or partner working elsewhere?** Pick a midpoint, such as the Galleria or River Oaks. ## West-Side Living Notes Memorial City and Westlake Park offer newer towers, shopping at Memorial City Mall, and quick access to the I-10 Katy Freeway and Beltway 8. You give up some of the inner loop’s walkable dining and nightlife, but you gain time on weekdays. ## Inner-Loop Living Notes Downtown, Montrose and Midtown offer restaurants, parks, events and rail along the Red Line. A reverse commute west on I-10 in the morning is often manageable, but evenings can be slow. Test the drive at your real hours before you sign. ## Get a Commute-First Shortlist Send your office address and start date in the questionnaire. We will send towers on both sides of town with this week’s specials so you can compare. Our Houston relocation guide [/guide/houston-relocation-guide-high-rise/ →](/guide/houston-relocation-guide-high-rise/) covers other employer hubs. Start your search [/contact/#questionnaire →](/contact/#questionnaire) . FAQ ## Quick Answers ### Should I live Downtown or near the Energy Corridor? It depends on where your office is. If you work in the Energy Corridor along I-10, Memorial City and Westlake Park cut the commute. If you work Downtown, live inner loop. Reverse commutes on I-10 are usually easier than inbound ones. ### Are there high rises near Memorial City? Yes. The Fountains at Memorial City and The McKinley at Memorial City are on the Katy Freeway corridor, and The Watt is in Westlake Park. ### Do west-side towers have specials? The Watt had 3 months free plus $1K look-and-lease in October 2026. The Fountains and The McKinley did not list specials at that time. ### Is the Energy Corridor walkable? Parts of Westlake Park and Memorial City are walkable to offices and shopping, but most residents drive. There is no light rail. Next step ## Learn more about Corporate & Relocation High Rise Housing Remote-friendly high rise search for transferees, new hires and TMC residents, organized around where you will work. Explore Corporate & Relocation [/corporate-relocation-housing/ →](/corporate-relocation-housing/) Start Your Search [/contact/#questionnaire →](/contact/#questionnaire) Keep reading ## More Corporate & Relocation Guides ![Texas Medical Center skyline at golden hour from a nearby residential high rise](/images/featured/texas-medical-center-skyline-at-golden-hour-from-a.webp) ### Houston Apartments for Medical Residents and Fellows [Houston Apartments for Medical Residents and Fellows →](/guide/apartments-for-medical-residents-houston/) ![Furnished executive high rise apartment in Houston with skyline view, golden-hour light](/images/featured/furnished-executive-high-rise-apartment-in-houston.webp) ### Corporate Lease vs. Personal Lease vs. Extended-Stay in Houston [Corporate Lease vs. Personal Lease vs. Extended-Stay in Houston →](/guide/corporate-lease-vs-personal-lease/) ![Panoramic Houston skyline at golden hour showing Downtown and Uptown towers](/images/featured/panoramic-houston-skyline-at-golden-hour-showing-d.webp) ### Houston Relocation Guide: Neighborhood Picks by Employer [Houston Relocation Guide: Neighborhood Picks by Employer →](/guide/houston-relocation-guide-high-rise/) ![Moving boxes in a bright Houston high rise living room with skyline view, golden-hour light](/images/featured/moving-boxes-in-a-bright-houston-high-rise-living-.webp) ### How to Rent a Houston High Rise Before You Move [How to Rent a Houston High Rise Before You Move →](/guide/rent-houston-high-rise-remotely/)