Living in Houston
Located next to the Gulf of Mexico and Galveston Bay, you will find the beautiful city of Houston. It is the most populated city in Texas and is also considered one of the best places to live in the state, thanks to its high quality of life and welcoming atmosphere. Best known for its space exploration, energy industry, and affordable housing, it’s easy to see why Houston is a top destination for those looking to relocate.
Housing is Affordable
As previously mentioned, living in Houston is quite affordable compared to other major cities such as San Francisco, New York, and LA. The cost of living is even about 5% lower than Dallas and 19% lower than Austin. Combine reasonable housing prices with a median household income that is slightly higher than the national average, and you have a city that supports families and individuals looking to enjoy a quality standard of life.
Where to Live in Houston
While moving to a new city can be stressful in itself, choosing the right neighborhood can often feel overwhelming. Fortunately, Houston has a wide variety of unique and charming neighborhoods to choose from. Many factors will go into choosing a neighborhood, including affordability, safety, location, and access to amenities, but here are a few of Houston’s top neighborhoods to help make your decision easier.
Midtown
Located in central Houston and close to Downtown, Midtown attracts young professionals thanks to its abundance of bars, restaurants, coffee shops, and local businesses. This trendy, upscale neighborhood is very walkable and close to some of the city’s most popular attractions.
Memorial
Memorial offers the perfect balance between city and suburban life, making it an ideal location for both young professionals and families. It is known for its highly-rated schools, parks, and green spaces, large lots, and location just 20 minutes from downtown.
Houston Museum District
This is one of the most popular and culturally rich neighborhoods in Houston. As the name suggests, the neighborhood is home to 19 museums, attracting artists, photographers, historians, and scientists. It is also considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Houston.
River Oaks
This upscale and affluent neighborhood is one of the most expensive neighborhoods in not only Houston but the U.S. It offers premiere real estate, rich history, stately mansions, and luxurious shopping and restaurants. It attracts wealthy families and retirees.
Montrose
Often referred to as the “Austin of Houston,” Montrose is an arty and boho community known for its hip and edgy culture. There is a wide variety of single-family homes, apartments, condos, and townhomes, along with bars, restaurants, and cool art galleries.
Thriving Job Market
Houston’s booming job market is one of the main reasons the city has seen such tremendous growth. Thousands of jobs are attracting young professionals to the area. The most popular industries in the area are oil and gas, medical research, aerospace, technology, and healthcare. The city is home to some of the best healthcare facilities in the country, including Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston Methodist Hospital, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center, and the world-renowned M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Houston is also home to the NASA Johnson Space Center, a premiere destination for astronaut training, research, and flight control. Multiple Fortune 500 companies are also headquartered in Houston, including Walmart, Shell Oil Company, United Airlines, and Kroger, just to name a few.
World-Class Food Scene
As the 4th largest city in the U.S., it should come as no surprise that Houston has quite an impressive food scene. There are countless restaurants featuring delicious dishes, including barbeque, Tex-Mex, and international cuisine. Check out these local favorites in Houston:
Athena’s Greek & European Kitchen: As the name suggests, this restaurant serves authentic Greek and European cuisine made from scratch.
The Original Kolache Shoppe: Kolaches are a Czech baked pastry that originated in Texas, and this is the original location founded in 1965. Try both sweet and savory flavors, including roast beef, pastrami, beef fajita, raspberry, and apple.
Boot Texan Kitchen: This family-owned restaurant is known for its delicious BBA-Cajun meals, tender brisket, and pulled pork. It also features fall-off-the-bone ribs and catfish.
The Breakfast Klub: Featuring homemade chicken and waffles and classic comfort food, this is one of the most popular breakfast spots in Houston.
There’s So Much to Do
There are more than enough things to keep you entertained in Houston. From spending a day at the NASA Space Center to exploring the city’s many museums, there is something for everyone. Here are some of the top attractions in Houston:
- Buffalo Bayou Park: 2.3 miles and 160 acres of green space located along the Buffalo Bayou near Downtown Houston
- The Museum of Fine Arts: One of the largest museums in the country, with nearly 70,000 works of art from all over the world.
- Houston Galleria: upscale shopping mall in Downtown Houston with over 400 stores
- Houston Arboretum and Nature Center: Nature center that features 5 miles of walking trails, a butterfly island, a wildlife garden, and a pond.
Helpful guides
We have put together several guides on moving to Houston from some popular cities. Read these for more information:
Ready to Move to Houston? Allied Van Lines Can Help
The warm weather, countless attractions, affordable housing, and booming job market make Houston a fantastic place to live, work, and play. If you are looking to relocate to the Houston area, start by calling the professionals at Allied Van Lines. As a leader in the moving industry for more than 95 years, our knowledgeable and highly experienced specialists can guide you through the moving process. With the help of our team, you can save time, money, and a tremendous amount of stress. We know exactly what it takes to plan and execute a seamless move. Call Allied today for more information about our moving services, and let us help with your relocation to Houston!