6 Reasons People Are Moving To Houston

            Every year Houston gets a plethora of people that move into the city from all cultures. In 2015-2016 alone a total of 56,587 people moved into Houston According to Houston.org And it is no surprise with the mixture of cultures, Houston has something for everyone! Here are the 6 main reasons people move to Houston.

    1. Living in Houston is more affordable than other large metropolitans.

Cost of living in Houston, how it compares

With all things considered, Houston’s cost of living is reasonable, but it fluctuates based on several factors. There are relatively simple ways you can make a living in Houston more affordable. For instance, living close to your job will not only cut down commute time, but it will also save you some money on gas and car repair. Choosing to rent an apartment in an up-and-coming neighborhood will be significantly more affordable than selecting a larger single-family home in a well-established community.

In comparison to other cities with similar offerings, Houston is actually a bit cheaper, which is a huge plus. If you were to compare the cost of living in Houston to Chicago, you would find living in Houston is more affordable on all accounts, but not by much. Overall, Houston is 8% cheaper than living in Chicago. More appropriately, consider that the cost of living in Houston is 13% cheaper than Austin TX, which could play into why some residents ultimately choose Houston as their Texas city of choice.

Cost of Living Pros and Cons:

Pro: House prices are less expensive than Austin

Con: But the housing market in Houston is more costly than in Dallas.

Pro: Energy costs are competitive due to fewer regulations than other states.

Con: You might pay more for insurance in Houston.

Pro: There is no state income tax.

Con: There are relatively higher property taxes in Houston and a sales tax over 8%.

    2. Figuring out where to live in Houston is simple.

Houston neighborhoods and suburbs

Like New Orleans, Houston is home to many inner waterways, which is why many refer to this town as the Bayou City. These waterways provide natural barriers that carve out some Houston’s most desirable neighborhoods and suburbs.

But the most geographically significant marker in Houston is the loop. Become familiar with this highway before you decide to live here. Loop 610 creates a large circular barrier within Houston, subsequently labeling destinations as either within or outside of this manmade roadway. Generally speaking, lots of singles and culturally relevant, trendy experiences are located inside the loop whereas the suburbs, white picket fences, and families are located outside the loop.

Whether you wish to be inside or outside the loop is perhaps the first decision you should make. Next, decide which is the best neighborhood for you based on your lifestyle. Like any city, it’s important to steer clear of dangerous neighborhoods in Houston depending on your comfort level. Most commonly, Houston natives will stress to you the importance of picking an area to live that is close to where you work.

Best Houston Neighborhoods:

Garden Oaks / Oak Forest — Located in the Inner Loop, residents pride themselves on being hip “Inner-Loopers” in this Houston neighborhood. If you like to go out to an eclectic wine bar or pub after work, this might be the town for you.

Cypress — This area is currently one of the hottest markets in the city of Houston. There’s a ton of new development, pretty trees, and one of the highest ranked school districts in Texas, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD.

East Downtown — This niche neighborhood is very urban and was initially filled with Chinese and Vietnamese immigrants. When these immigrants resettled elsewhere in the 90’s, this region was plagued with vacant buildings and businesses. But thanks to some savvy developers, the area is seeing a considerable revitalization and is working to become an essential residential sector of downtown.

Best Houston Suburbs:

The Woodlands — This suburb of Houston is home to a little over 100,000 residents and has a median home price just above $300,000. Just like its name implies, The Woodlands has a lot of nature and green space, along with some quaint shopping centers. The cost of living might be high, but the good schools and relatively safe neighborhood may make this area an ideal choice for a young family.

Katy — This tiny suburb is home to nearly 16,000 people and is much more affordable than The Woodlands regarding housing costs. As more and more people discover this suburb, more is being invested in new restaurants and entertainment. Get in before this area becomes oversaturated.

Galveston — As one of the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey, the suburb of Galveston is seeing some major regrowth. Areas that were closed after the hurricane are being reopened and communities are rebuilding with the help of many area organizations. This area has beautiful views but is one to consider only if you’re comfortable navigating hurricane force weather from time to time.

    3. It is possible to buy a house in Houston on a modest income.

Houston housing market after Hurricane Harvey

Because Houston is so large, there are many options to consider, and each housing market has different offerings as far as what your dollar will buy you. But with the help of a realtor and a little luck, you can find a house on almost any budget.

If you’re new to the Houston area and looking to relocate there, using a well-versed realtor will be more critical than ever. Within one neighborhood, you will have some sections within flood zones and some that are generally unaffected. If a price seems too good to be true, there might be a reason for that. But even with the area bouncing back from Hurricane Harvey, the housing market is still lively.

According to Mark Dimas, one of the top real estate agents in Houston, the market has only been minimally impacted by Hurricane Harvey. The people displaced from the storm haven’t yet entered the market to drive prices up or down. “Hurricane Harvey wiped out about 10% of the inventory. I don’t think the storm impacts the value tremendously at this time,” Dimas notes.  “So, while there are buyers that are out there that were displaced, it’s not a ton of them. Will it impact? Yes, but it will probably take 12 more months.”

Read Also: Renting vs. Buying in Houston

    4. The population in Houston is booming thanks to the job market.

Job market in Houston

Houston has a rapidly expanding job market that has turned many heads in Houston’s direction over the last decade. And because there are loose zoning laws, businesses have opportunities to open up shop all over the city. This means you might find a skyscraper next to a mom and pop bakery. Business is welcomed, which is apparent with so many leading companies placing their headquarters in Houston.

The growing economy feeds into an overall positive atmosphere throughout the area, which plays into a more positive quality of life. The better the economy, the less people have to worry about job security and being able to keep the lights on. No city has a perfect economy, but Houston could be a fine respite if you have struggled to find a decent paying job elsewhere.

Top Houston Industries:

Energy

Aerospace and aviation

Distribution

Manufacturing

Life Sciences

    5. There are thousands of things to do in Houston.

Things to do in Houston TX

Life in Houston Texas is a unique blend of Texas traditions and a more modern city lifestyle. What makes Houston an ideal place to live are all the various places to go and things to see and do, many of which you won’t find in other cities.

Events for All Ages:

Museum District — Though you need a car for most things in Houston, you won’t need a car to explore the museum district. Museum fans can walk to different sections and visit up to 19 museums within a 12 block radius.

Theater District — This section of downtown has seen a lot of revitalization over the last decade, providing many residents with access to incredible shows in the handful of venues located here.

The Galleria — Didn’t think a mall could be an attraction? The Galleria in Houston welcomes over 30 million visitors each year! With over 400 stores and restaurants, there’s plenty to keep you occupied for hours, including some high-end and high-fashion shops you won’t find in every city.

Underground Tunnel Tour — Houston lacks a large scale subway system, but it is home to the most extensive collection of pedestrian tunnels in the world. Take a tour and learn how these tunnels came to be.

Kids’ Activities:

Space Center Houston — Houston is home to the NASA Johnson Space Center, and while most residents can’t visit NASA, the Space Center Houston is a chance for visitors to learn more about its discoveries.

Downtown Aquarium — Fish and an underwater adventure aren’t the only things you’ll see at this aquarium. Enjoy the Houston skyline from their Ferris wheel or visit their white tiger exhibit.

Houston Zoo — With over 6,000 animals and insects on permanent display, this zoo is worth visiting more than once. Their mission is to help educate and change practices to preserve and protect wildlife.

 Houston Sports & Athletics:

Professional Teams — There are plenty of professional sports teams to cheer on. Some teams include the Houston Rockets in the NBA and the Houston Texans in the NFL. Houston is also home to the 2017 MLB World Series winner, the Houston Astros.

Houston’s Astrodome — Will this well-known sports dome be torn down? Since many call it the Eighth Wonder of the World, maybe not. Despite years of vacancy, the Texas Historical Commission made the site a designated State Antiquities Landmark in 2017.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo — Sometimes people who live in Houston forget that they live in Texas. But for 20 days out of the year, Houstonians celebrate Texas heritage and culture at this Livestock show and rodeo.

    6. Being outside in Houston is enjoyable most of the year.

Fun things to do outside in Houston

This moving guide wouldn’t be complete without some mention of weather and quality of life in Houston. In the large picture, weather in Houston is beautiful and spending a day outside with a light jacket in the middle of January is not unusual. However, there are some weather-related factors to know.

First, it rains often in Houston, more so than other Texas cities. Though the rain may not last for longer than an hour, getting daily showers is common. Also, in the height of the summer, extreme heat and humidity can be a problem. With that weather comes some extreme mosquitos and other insects.

So long as you are prepared with a well air conditioned car and interior space (and some bug spray), navigating the summer heat is arguably more comfortable than navigating an extreme winter up north. Just be sure to have a hurricane safety plan in place for hurricane season.

When the weather is nice enough where you don’t simply hop from one air-conditioned vessel to the next, make sure you enjoy some of the green space Houston has to offer.

Things to Explore Outdoors:

Hermann Park — With 445 acres of space, Hermann Park is one of the most important green spaces in Houston. Complete with a railroad, there are plenty of activities for families and people of all ages.

Memorial Park —

Discovery Green — This urban green space in the heart of Houston hosts more than 600 free events each year. It is home to many large-scale events including the Houston Korean Festival and many 2017 Super Bowl festivities.

Buffalo Bayou Park — Enjoy a break from the heat underneath the Dandelion Fountain (aka the Gus S. Wortham Memorial Fountain), which is a popular destination within the 160  acres of green space in this park. Take a pup on your strolls? Visit the Johnny Steele Dog Park located near Allen Parkway and Montrose Boulevard. - https://bit.ly/2n3H6tu

“Let us make your move as simple as possible that way you can begin to enjoy Houston and everything it has to offer!” – Jovani Frank Lions Gate Realty

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