If you’re thinking of moving to Houston, TX (also known as H-Town or Space City!) from either in or out of state, there are a bunch of things to consider before booking your move!
With rising costs of groceries and housing, it’s increasingly popular for people to make the move to a more affordable city. Houston is currently the 4th largest city in all of the United States, and remains one of the more affordable cities to live in — no wonder people are making the move to Houston!
History of Houston: Why are so many people moving to Houston?
Incorporated in 1837, Houston has a history of fast growth, a strong job market, culturally diverse residents, and an affordable cost of living, making it a friendly place to live for families and young professionals.
This fast economic growth has the oil and gas industry to thank, resulting in a 17% population increase from 2009 to 2019. With a steady job market and an affordable cost of living, it’s no surprise there are more than 2.3 million Houstonites. Don’t let these numbers scare you, there are a bunch of reasons for you and/or your family to join these 2.3 million individuals and call Houston your home.
Out of these 2.3 million people living in Houston, a large percentage is made up of immigrants, making Houston a diverse cultural landscape. More people means more cultures, expanding Houston’s arts, food, and entertainment scene — which you’ll learn more about later in this guide.
Houston’s Climate & Geography: Is Houston a desirable place to live?
Located 165 miles east of Austin and 250 miles south of Dallas, the city of Houston includes over 630 square miles of land (and water — we don’t call it Bayou City for nothing!).
We have exactly four major bayous that pass through the city:
- Buffalo Bayou (the one that runs into downtown!)
- Houston Ship Channel
- Brays Bayou
- White Oak Bayou
However, Houston’s flat topography makes it more susceptible to flooding. Hurricane Harvey (2017) was the city’s most recent devastating flood, so deciding where to live in Houston is even more important! If you haven’t lived in an area susceptible to hurricanes or flooding before, we recommend getting prepared.
You may have already heard about Houston’s hot, humid summers, but that shouldn’t scare you away — the invention of air conditioning and Houston’s impeccable underground walkways offer pedestrians a place to beat the heat navigating downtown. Did you know this system of tunnels connects 95 city blocks? That’s right! Getting around downtown has never been easier.
Alongside the heat and humidity are cooler temperatures in the winter (averaging 43 degrees Fahrenheit in January). The good news is temperatures rarely drop below freezing and there is little to no snowfall — no shoveling for you!
14 Things You Should Know Before Moving To Houston
Consider the following reasons to help you decide why moving to Houston is the smartest move you’ll ever make!
1. Get In The Loop — The Best Neighborhoods To Live In Houston.
Houston is made up of nine different wards that fall either within the “610 Loop” (interstate 610) or outside. Understanding what “the loop” is in Houston is the first step to becoming a local.
Local Houstonites argue about whether neighborhoods inside the loop or outside of the loop are better, but we’ll break it down for you to choose:
- Inside the loop: The inner circle is referred to as the business district where most of the entertainment, restaurants, and businesses are located. Younger professionals are drawn to the inner-loop to live closer to work and fun — it’s all about work-life balance!
- Outside the loop: The outer loop includes the many suburban neighborhoods where families and individuals looking for a peaceful, laidback place prefer to reside.
No matter where you choose to live, either inside or outside “the loop”, we can guarantee you’ll love living in Houston.
Best Neighborhoods Inside “The Loop”
| Neighborhood | Average Rent | Average Home Value | Great For: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montrose | $2,596 | $293K | Young professionals, new families, nightlife, and unique hangouts! |
| Midtown | $2,025 | $381K | Young professionals, families, nightlife, diversity, walkability. |
| Heights | $2,301 | $677K | Historic homes, walkability, families. |
| Downtown | $2,965 | $870K | Nightlife, urban lifestyle, young professionals, diversity. |
| River Oaks | $2,254 | $2.5M | Professionals, families, shopping. |
| Museum District | $2,461 | $510K | Culture, young families, art. |
| Upper Kirby | $2,198 | $635K | Culture, young professionals, art. |
Best Neighborhoods Outside “The Loop”
| Neighborhood | Average Rent | Average Home Value | Great For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Woodlands | $1,673 | $530K | Young families, professionals, diversity, public schools, activities. |
| Sugar Land | $1,901 | $431K | Diversity, young professionals, young families, public schools, nightlife, activities. |
| Katy | $1,691 | $415K | Young families, public schools, diversity, pet-friendly, professionals. |
| Pearland | $1,650 | $367K | Schools, shopping, families, young professionals, affordable housing. |
| Cypress | $1,567 | $396K | Amenities, culture, families, young professionals, affordable housing. |
| Kingwood | $1,411 | $377k | Young families, young professionals, public schools, diversity. |
| Friendswood | $1,408 | $435K | Young families, public schools, affordable housing, diversity, amenities. |
| League City | $1,491 | $372K | Public schools, young professionals, young families, diversity, nightlife, amenities, affordable housing. |
2. Have Your Pick: Explore Houston’s Diverse Housing Market!
Houston is home to a wide variety of neighborhoods from million dollar mansions to trendy, affordable apartments — there’s a little something for everyone. Before making the move to Houston, make sure to pick the neighborhood that suits your living style. Whether that be close to work, in a reputable school district, access to good nightlife, near outdoor trails, etc.
Something really awesome about Houston is the number of walkable neighborhoods! Even though the city is vastly spread across a large area, there are a ton of walkable neighborhoods to help residents avoid any nasty commutes. From Montrose and Midtown to West University Place, you’re sure to find one in every corner of the city!
3. Get More For Your Money: Enjoy Houston’s Affordable Cost Of Living.
In this economy, money is everything! One of the biggest reasons to consider a move to Houston is how affordable it is to live here. With a 13% cheaper cost of living than in Austin, here are some of the reasons people are making the move to Houston:
- Houston has one of the lowest housing costs compared to other major metro cities in the US — sitting at 17% less than the national average.
- Cost of living is right on par with the national average with a median household income ($56,000+) that is slightly higher than the national average. This means you get a higher quality of life.
- While Houston does have a high sales tax (8%), there is no income tax — meaning you bring more of your paycheck home!
If you’re looking to live in a big metroplex that can easily support families and young professionals looking for a higher quality of life, consider booking your move to Houston now!
4. Make The Smart Move: Experience Houston’s Reputable Schools For A Better Education
Houston’s public school system (HISD) is known for its AP Program and its diverse resources for students — with a strong reputation, newcomers to Houston can enjoy only the best education for themselves and their kids!
Outside of public education, there are 285 private schools in Houston, ranging from preschools to high schools. However, the average tuition for private schools in Houston is $15,562, higher than the Texas average tuition of $10,668.
If it’s higher education you have your eyes set on, Houston has over 40 colleges and universities in the Houston area with a total of 14 higher education institutions located directly in Houston. These institutions include:
5. Inclusion Matters: Celebrate Houston’s Rich Cultural Diversity!
A large percentage of Houston’s 2.3 million residents is made up of immigrants, making Houston a diverse cultural landscape. There’s no shortage of diverse activities, events, restaurants, and communities (e.g. Old Town Harrisburg) for residents to feel safe and welcome in.
Over a quarter of residents are from Hispanic descent, making Houston’s Hispanic community the third-largest in the United States. The diversity within the Hispanic and Latino communities alone is vast.
Houston’s Mexican-American community also plays an important role in Houston’s diversity. Magnolia Park houses Houston’s largest Mexican-American community and played a large role in deepening the Houston Ship Channel, allowing larger cargo ships to pass through, aiding in Houston’s ports becoming one of the largest in the nation.
6. Bored? Never! Enjoy A Wide Variety Of Experiences In Houston.
Houston has a wide variety of things to do — really, a never-ending list! — from out-of-this-world museums and great shopping to a lively performing arts scene and epic sports teams, there’s always something for you to do!
We’ve included some of our moving team’s favorite local Houston activities and spaces below for you to check out:
Theatre & Arts
What can we say, Houston is an artsy city! Whether you’re looking to catch the next big production in Houston’s Theatre District or learn to draw at the Menil Drawing Institute.
Sports Culture
Ever wonder how many sports teams Houston has? Houston is home to 7 professional major league sports teams that includes:
- Houston Astros (MLB)
- Houston Texans (NFL)
- Houston Rockets (NBA)
- Houston Dynamo (MLS)
- Houston Dash (NWSL)
- Scrap Yard Dawgs (NPF)
- Houston SaberCats (MLR)
What Houston lacks is an NHL team, so if you’re big on hockey, this may not be the sports community you’re looking for! Otherwise, our local Houston movers have included their favorite sports bars to watch the big game:
- Little Woodrow’s Midtown
- Pitch 25
- Saint Arnold Beer Garden
- Patterson Park
- Home Run Dugout
- Drift
- Moneky’s Trail
Shopping
If you need it, you can guarantee there’s a place to shop for it in Houston! Whether you’re shopping for furniture for your new home, finding a cute gift for Mother’s Day, thrifting for the best finds, or scoping out a new high profile bag, you’re in the right city.
Our movers have provided their (and their families) favorite places to shop below:
- The Galleria
- Traders Village
- River Oaks Shipping Center
- Houston Farmers Market
- Rice Village
- Highland Village
- Post HTX
Museums & Attractions
Hold onto your cowboy hats, there’s almost too much to see and do in Houston! From Houston’s Livestock Show and Rodeo to the Space Centre, there’s something for everyone.
Our local Houston movers have included a list of their favorite events and attractions below:
- Natural Science Museum
- Houston Zoo
- Space Center Houston
- Houston Downton Aquarium
- Houston Murals
- Discovery Green
- Cockrell Butterfly Center
- Kemah Boardwalk
- Houston Botanic Garden
Music & Nightlife
Houston loves its music, just as much as it loves heading out for a night on the town! Whether you’re looking to hit up a concert at one of Houston’s many live music venues or looking for an after-party, you’re in for a treat. This list could go on forever, so instead, we wanted to provide you with a list of our local Houston moving team’s favorite spots:
- Barbella: For disco, dance music, and EDM.
- Sekai: Top artists and DJ’s play a lot of R&B and hip hop hits.
- Stampede Houston: Texas-Style nightclub.
- Etro Nightclub: 80’s retro style club
Parks & Nature Centres
Our Houston moving team aren’t just nature lovers, but big animal lovers too — and there’s nothing better than getting out for a hike or walking with your best friend! Houston is home to more than 50,000 acres worth of park spaces. Whether you’re looking to enjoy the wide open green spaces of Buffalo Bayou Park, take your dog for a run at Millie Bush Bark Dog Park, or take a coffee break in Tranquility Park (downtown), we guarantee there’s an outdoor space just waiting for you nearby!
Here are some of our Houston moving team’s favorite outdoor spaces:
- Discovery Green for relaxing activities!
- Hermann Park for running!
- George Bush Park for biking!
- Johnny Steele Dog Park for your best friends!
7. Did Someone Say Tex-Mex? Expand Your Taste Buds With Houston’s Food Scene.
Houston is known for its Tex-Mex, breakfast tacos, chicken fried steak, and even more classic Houston dishes we’re excited for you to try! To keep things digestible (note the pun), our local moving team has provided you with a list of their top Houston restaurants for classic Houston dishes:
- El Patio
- Little Pappasito’s Cantina
- Goode Co. Kitchen and Cantina
- El Tiempo Cantina
- Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen
- Original Ninfa’s
The food in Houston is also greatly influenced by its diversity, mixing international influences with Texan flare. Here are some more food recommendations that highlight Houston’s tasty diversity:
8. It’s Easier To Find A Job! Explore Houston’s Expanding Job Market.
You know how they say Silicon Valley is the tech capital of the world? Replace tech companies with Fortune 500 companies and you’ve got Houston! Did you know there are more Fortune 500 companies located in Houston than in New York? That’s right! It’s time to find your dream job.
With a wealth of high-paying and highly skilled jobs available across vast industries (e.g. aerospace, healthcare, education, etc) there’s no question more and more people are making the move to Houston for their next career.
In addition, Houston has a thriving entrepreneurial scene, making this a great place to start your next business!
9. Experience Accessible Travel, But Subpar Transportation In Houston
It’s almost cliché to say that nobody likes to take public transportation, and trust the words ring true here in Houston — but at least it’s there!
Taking public transportation anywhere in Houston will always take longer than driving, but unlike some other cities in the world, Houston’s bus system spans across the entire city with dozens of routes. if there’s a place you want to go, you can guarantee there’s a bus to get you there!
The bus fare ain’t so bad either — only $1.25 with varied discounts for a wide range of groups. If you do decide to drive, remember our weather can go from extreme heat to extreme downpours, so always give yourself time. If you decide to book your move, make a transportation plan based on the neighborhood you choose to avoid the headache.
Alongside Houston’s bus routes is its METRORail. Similar to the travel time needed to take the bus, the MetroRail isn’t much faster, but with access to downtown Houston, Midtown, Museum District, and Texas Medical Centre, if there’s somewhere you need to be, there’s a train for it! If you’re going to be working downtown, the Red Line is the one you want — trust us, this is the best way to avoid rush hour traffic.
Due to the vastness of the city, Houston also has a bunch of park and ride options with an outstanding Bike Share (ByCycle Houston) setup — there’s no shortage of ways to get around Houston!
Accessible transportation within city limits isn’t the only way to get around, Houston is also home to two major airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. Hobby Airport (HOU).
What are you waiting for? Book your move to a city that makes vacationing more convenient!
10. Find An Abundance Of High-Quality Healthcare In Houston.
Quality healthcare is difficult to find in the best of times, but we’re lucky to have pretty good access to a large number of healthcare providers and different organizations that not only provide healthcare, but jobs.
Some of our major hospitals and healthcare centers include:
- Texas Children’s Hospital
- Houston Methodist Hospital
- Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center
- Texas Medical Centre
- University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
With over 18,500 licensed physicians living in Houston, you’re never far away from care. However, more and more Houstonites have less access to healthcare insurance as a result of high coverage costs and limited access and enrollment to systems like Medicaid — something to investigate further when planning a move to Houston!
11. Take Part In Houston’s Family Friendly Atmosphere.
Houston isn’t just a great place for young professionals, it’s an ideal place to raise a family. Not only does Houston have an abundance of safe, quiet, and walkable neighborhoods, the cost of living and home prices make it easier to start a family than anywhere else in the state!
We’ve asked our Houston moving team what their favorite family-friendly activities are:
12. Get Involved: Join A Friendly & Supportive Community In Houston!
If you’re a person who likes to get involved in community events or volunteering, there’s no shortage of opportunities in Houston. Here are just a few of the volunteering and community events our Houston moving team gets involved with every year:
13. Don’t Be Nervous! It’s Easy To Learn The Local Lingo In Houston.
Here are some of the lingo our Houston movers think you should know:
- Slab: “Slow low and banging” car that has been fully customized. Houston’s hip-hop culture was invented and is known for its slab-out cars.
- Mo City: This is Missouri city, just outside of Houston.
- Inside or outside the loop: This means if it’s inside of the 610 loop or outside of the 610 loop.
- Clutch City: When the Rockets won their first NBA championship they used the mascot Clutch to represent the city.
- Trill: Means true and real.
- Dome: Refers to the Astrodome which is the “Eighth wonder of the world”
14. Be Aware Of Local Zoning Laws — They Don’t Exist In Houston!
Last, but not least, it’s incredibly important to remember that Houston does not have any zoning laws. However, development is governed by codes that address how property can be subdivided, but these codes don’t address land use.
Houston is currently the largest city in the United States with zero zoning regulations, meaning they rely on the market to determine land use. Although this may benefit private property owners and result in a more diverse landscape, it’s difficult to know what may be built near your new home.
Tips To Remember After Your Move To Houston
If the above list was enough for you to book your move, our Houston moving team wanted to provide you with some additional tips to make sure you’re safe and comfortable in your new home:
- Update your address! Don’t forget to update official records and other important documentation (e.g. passport, medical records, banking, etc) with your new address.
- Change your locks! Ensure your and your family’s safety with new locks.
- Confirm your driver’s license is valid in Houston and update your vehicle registration.
- Set up utilities: electricity, water, gas, internet, and other cable services.
- Remember to register to vote at your new address — the sooner you remember the less of a headache the next election will be!
- Learn how waste management in Houston works! There’s nothing worse than a growing pile of garbage and/or recycling in your garage.
Check out our blog for more helpful tips on settling into your new home!
