The EZ Guide On Living In Houston

Welcome to Houston, where dynamic city living meets a big heart and skies. This sprawling metropolis is rich in just about everything: cultural diversity, history, entertainment, jobs… You name it, and the Space City has it! Get an overview of the vital information to prepare for moving to Houston. We unpack what you need to know about everything from its unique climate to navigating the job market. Read on to discover the essential aspects of living in Houston.

A Brief History of Houston

Houston was founded in 1836 near the banks of Buffalo Bayou (now known as Allen’s Landing). In 1846, the US annexed this once-independent nation and made it the temporary capital of the Republic of Texas.  

Named after General Sam Houston, the city initially grew as a transportation hub. The port and the rail system made it vital to the whole region for shipping all matters of goods. The discovery of oil-fueled that growth even more. By the 1900s, over 58,000 people lived and worked in the southern hot spot.

Houston began as a humble barge-and-rail economy. But it has since diversified beyond oil and gas. Now, it includes industries like healthcare, technology, and finance. In the 1960s, the Johnson Space Center was established. It played a key role in America’s space program, bringing a new, diverse flavor to Houston life. 

Today, “H-Town,” as locals call it, is the fourth-largest city in the United States. It’s a sprawling urban metropolis where southern hospitality meets urban chic and big Texas living.

It’s Hotter in Houston 

Two words summarize Houston weather: hot and humid. Long and scorching summers bring temperatures that creep above 90°F. And that heat index? Hope you like the triple digits!

Add in the waves of moisture washing in from the nearby Houston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s a recipe for days so humid your clothes stick to you the moment you step outside.

Being that humid, you bet Houston sees a fair share of rain, so an umbrella should be a staple in your car. Heavy flash flooding and rains from a tropical storm aren’t out of the question living here. 

On the positive, winters are drier and mild. It’s the best time of year to be outside in Houston. 

Hope You Like Traffic

Houston is vast. Many newcomers underestimate just how big Houston is. Given the city’s size, public transportation may not be the most efficient for every area. That said, it does have a MetroRail, rapid bus, local bus, and HOV options for moving around. As a hint on how big the metro is, the public transportation department runs over 1,200 buses to make it all work.

Driving remains the preferred way to get around. But with 2.3 million people living in Houston, you bet the roads get backed up. The congested roadways usually rank among the nation’s worst cities to drive. 

Add to that Houston’s sprawling nature. Residents spend a significant amount of time in their cars–an average 31-minute commute as of 2023. 

Be prepared for traffic congestion, especially during rush hours. Occasional floods, long drives, and rough roads are also common. Therefore, investing in a reliable vehicle like an SUV or truck is wise.

Those near the downtown area do have a BCycle public bike-sharing program. It’s an alternative way to get around those theater and car districts. 

Crime Rates and Safety

Houston’s safety rating leaves room for improvement. It’s worse than other sprawling metros, including New York and Los Angeles. In 2022, based on FBI-reported violent crimes data, it ranked the 14th worst in the nation.

Like any large city, crime rates vary between neighborhoods. Generally, the city is welcoming, with a strong community vibe in many areas. For instance, the Hunters Creek Village Research and West University areas had lower total crime rates. 

Choose where to live in Houston carefully to ensure you feel safe. 

Keep More of Your Money

Despite being a major metro, Houston reports a lower cost of living. Locals spend about 3% less than the national average but beware of hidden costs. Houston’s so large your actual living costs greatly depend on where you find a home. 

Its housing costs are 25% under average, but transportation runs 19% over. The key to managing this line item is to find the right balance between where you work and live.

If you choose to live in the downtown area, factor in parking fees. In Master-Planned Communities, add in the HOA fees and landscaping costs. Those all change the living costs for specific Houston communities.

Lots of Work in Houston

Houston’s economy is booming, with a mix of industries such as oil and gas, healthcare, and finance. By one measure, it’s the 30th most prosperous economy in the nation as of 2023.

It has the highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in Texas, with over 24 having headquarters in Houston. Four of them are on the Fortune 500 Global list. Best of all, they represent diverse sectors. At the top is professional, scientific, and technical work, which makes up 14.8% of Houston’s job market. On its heels, 12.6% of jobs are in the health care and social assistance field. The top employers by size are H-E-B, Houston Methodists, and Memorial Hermann Health System. But six of the next 13 are in healthcare.

Nearly every tracked industry has a footprint that contributes to Houston’s economy. That includes construction, educational services, manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and finance. 

Accompanying big names like Kroger, Shell Oil, and United Airlines are thousands of local businesses. The city’s entrepreneurial spirit and business-friendly environment make it an excellent startup city. Houston ranks in the top 50 globally for startup business growth.

Houston Real Estate and Top Neighborhoods

The city’s diverse housing market provides incredible variety at attractive prices. You can live in an urban loft downtown. Or in a suburban home in a master-planned community. Or in a spacious estate in one of the city’s many rich neighborhoods. Houston has any kind of living.

As of March 2024, total home sales were down, but active inventory was starting to grow—on trend with the rest of the nation. Single-family median home prices were $330,000, while the market had a 3.5-month supply of inventory. Townhomes and condos had a median price of $235,000. Get updated on current homes for sale in Houston.

When choosing a location, pay attention to flood zones. Some areas in Houston are low-lying, and heavy rains can lead to back-ups. Additionally, consider renting first to find the perfect neighborhood fit. Houston is large, so it has many great communities. It takes time to get to know which could work for you. 

That said, the Houston metro markets with the most sales activity in the first quarter of 2024 were:

·      Porter/New Caney West

·      Conroe Southeast

·      Crosby Area

·      Conroe Northeast

·      Cleveland Area

All five are suburbs of greater Houston. In Porter, about 68% of home sales were new construction. All five had average sale prices under the market’s going median rate for March 2024. 

Inside the “Inner Loop,” or the city limits, some popular neighborhoods are:

·      River Oaks

·      Braeswood

·      Memorial Park

·      Houston Heights

·      Upper Kirby

A Leader In Healthcare Access and Quality

Need specialized medical care? Not to worry! Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the world’s largest concentration of healthcare institutions. 

The Texas Medical Center is a 675-acre sprawling campus with multiple renowned hospitals and research institutions. Its choice of care is diverse, with 13 teaching hospitals, a dental college, a pharmacy college, and an optometry college. Major academic medical centers like Houston Methodist and Memorial Hermann are at the cutting edge of research and studies. 

All told, Houston has 85 hospitals and 19,300 beds to keep locals healthy and meet their medical needs. 

Houston also runs community health centers with affordable primary care, preventive services, and specialty care. These centers ensure everyone has access to quality healthcare, regardless of their financial situation.

For residents, that means the ultimate peace of mind regarding healthcare services and access. People come from around the nation specifically to be treated by Houston’s doctors.

A Short “Bucket List” of Top Attractions and Things to Do

Part of the fun of moving to Houston is exploring all the fun and exciting things to do! Pick your flavor, and Houston has it. Here are a few highlights of what to check out once you’re settled into Houston:

Space Center Houston: Step into the world of space exploration. Tour astronaut training facilities and marvel at historic spacecraft. You can even touch a moon rock.

Houston Museum District: Enjoy arts and culture thanks to a diverse museum collection in one easy-to-visit block. You have 19 institutions, so it’s a place to come back to frequently. Stops include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Children’s Museum of Houston.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center: Stroll a 155-acre preserve at the western edge of Memorial Park. Inside are five miles of trails.

The Galleria: Shop till you drop at one of the largest shopping malls in the country. The Galleria takes more than one visit. Its four floors contain over 400 stores, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: This is Texas, and what’s the Lone Star State without a rodeo? This is an annual March event that lasts two weeks.

Buffalo Bayou Park: Houston has quite a collection of green spaces, but not all have iconic views of downtown like this one. Meander the trails as you check out its public art installations. Plus, there’s access to kayaking and paddleboarding.

Hermann Park: Add one more green space for your Houston bucket list. Locals love all you can do and see at Hermann Park. There’s a Japanese garden, golf course, miniature trains, edible garden, sculpture walks, fountains, and the Zoo. 

Houston Street Art: It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s everywhere. Houston has an incredible art scene; a lot of it is public art with murals and art installations. Check out the mosaics at Smither Park or Rice University’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace show.

Sports Games: Take your pick on this one. The Major League Baseball (MLB) Astros play at Minute Maid Park, and the National Basketball Association (NBA) Rockets are at the Toyota Center. The National Football League (NFL) Texans hit the field at NRG Stadium. Houston also has professional women’s and men’s soccer teams. 

Quirks of Houston’s Culture

Houston’s cultural diversity is one of its most defining and enriching characteristics. About half of Houston residents speak a language other than English at home, and the US Census reports a diverse 145 languages! People hail from all over: Mexico, Vietnam, China, Lebanon, India, and much more. It’s a place where everyone can find a community to call home. For Houston, that makes it a melting pot of fantastic international cuisines, festivals, and traditions. 

Another interesting quirk is Houston’s car culture. Perhaps we should say truck culture? Check out the ArtCar Museum to see what we mean. Modified cars are on the roads. Among these are “slab culture” modified trucks, restored and customized GM vehicles. 

If you live on the west side of town, don’t be alarmed the first time you hear a long cawing noise. Chances are it’s one of the roaming wild peacocks. Yes, they are extremely loud. 

Houston has over 10,000 restaurants, so it’s no wonder so many locals eat out frequently! By one measure, residents dine out about seven times a week. The top items ordered are tamales, breakfast tacos, Pho, and Viet-Cajun Crawfish. 

Local Insights for New Houstonians

• Prepare for the Heat: Ensure your home is well-equipped with a robust air conditioning system. Those heat indexes are no joke. Additionally, understanding the local weather conditions can make a big difference in your daily life. Houston has flooded dramatically in the past. 
• Consider Your Commute: Living close to your workplace is crucial due to the city’s size and traffic. Houstonians have one of the longest commutes in the nation.
• Know Your Lingo. Has someone asked if you’re living in the Inner Loop? This is the boundary between the city of Houston and its suburbs formed by Interstate 610. It runs almost 38 miles–a hint at how big Houston is!
• So Much To Eat! The dining reflects the city’s diverse roots and people. Even better? There’s not a lot of chain eating here. Instead, there are homegrown Tex-Mex restaurants and Creole joints. Definitely try the Vietnamese-style crawfish. Should barbeque and tacos not be your thing, don’t worry. The vegan cafes are flourishing, too. Bring your appetite with you to Houston.

Living in Houston

Houston’s sprawl means it has diverse cultural, cuisine, and history pockets. It’s a city with much to explore and love. Moving to Houston means stepping into a lifestyle bigger than you can imagine. We hope this guide helps you navigate your new home. Welcome to Houston!