1. Please, Call Me H-Town
Houston? There’s no need to be so formal about it. Just call it H-Town like the cool kids.
2. Houston Is Growing Fast
And it’s not just the buildings that are getting bigger. The job market in Houston is soaring which has caused quite a population boom in the past decade.
3. Houston Isn’t Texas (Except When It Is)
Check your Texan stereotypes at the border. Houston is definitely part of Texas, but it’s progressive and becoming trendier every year.
4. The Median Houstonian Is Getting Younger
As the population grows in Houston, so does the younger crowd. As a result of growing opportunity, affordability, awesome food, lots of art and a great nightlife scene, the median age in Houston is 33 years old.
5. In Houston, It’s Wise To Live Near Where You Work
Houston isn’t exactly a walkable city and the traffic is one of the biggest downfalls here. Allstate reports the average commute cost in Houston can add up to $6,000 annually. So do yourself a favor and live as close to where you’re working as possible to cut down on the commute time and enjoy the city.
6. Houston Is A City You Can Afford
Houston traffic might be a nightmare but the cost of living far outweighs it. Compared to other major cities around the country, Houston’s affordability is almost too good to be true.
7. Houston Is Full Of Energy … Literally
In most cities, residents are lucky if they have two energy companies to choose from. Usually, you have one and that’s what you’re stuck with. Houston residents have a ton of options when picking an energy company thanks to their laws on energy regulation, keeping rates competitive and rewards and services optimal for customers.
8. Art Is Everywhere In Houston
Fine art, contemporary collections, and tons of galleries – Houston has it all. That’s why the city won four of twenty-four “best show” awards from the International Association of Art Critics in 2012.
9. And There Are Museums Galore
Families love Houston thanks to having so many awesome museums at their disposal in the Museum District. There are 20 museums to choose from all within a 12 block radius including The Children’s Museum and Museum of Natural Science.
10. Houstonians Know How To Keep In The Loop
Houston is separated by highways. The Inner Loop is a freeway called 610. When you’re inside the Loop, you’re downtown in the trendy areas.
var googletag = googletag || {};
googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];
(function() {
var gads = document.createElement(‘script’);
gads.async = true;
gads.type = ‘text/javascript’;
var useSSL = ‘https:’ == document.location.protocol;
gads.src = (useSSL ? ‘https:’ : ‘http:’) +
‘//www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js’;
var node = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0];
node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node);
})();
googletag.cmd.push(function() {
googletag.defineSlot(‘/1014900/M_Blog_300x250_Inline’, [300, 250], ‘div-gpt-ad-1425403311834-0’).addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
googletag.enableServices();
});
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1425403311834-0’); });
11. Folks In Houston Take Barbecue Seriously
A lot of cities claim to have the best barbecue. But Houston is willing to take every one of them on in a taste test. Come on now, this is Texas! There are a lot of big name places like Pappas Bar-B-Q, but the truest barbecue is found in the no-frills, hole-in-the-wall places.
12. There’s No Better Place To Find Tex-Mex
For all intents and purposes, Texans might as well be honorary Mexicans. Of course they know how to do Tex Mex, they invented it. In Houston, you’ll find some of the best at places like Torchy’s and Ninfa’s Original on Navigation.
13. Houstonians Know When To Find The Happiest Hours
Houston has the Happy Hour market cornered. Friday evenings are popular with the happy hour crowd which leads all the way into Sunday Funday when you can start your morning out with mimosas and keep them coming until the Texans game is over.
14. Houston Is Texans Fan Territory
Don’t make the mistake of trying to be a Cowboys fan here in Houston. This is Texans territory and J.J. Watt is king.
15. No One Knows The Fate Of The Astrodome
Come to Houston and you’ll see The Astrodome, the coolest sports dome ever built. Except it’s completely empty. Ask any of the locals what they’re doing with it and they’ll tell you that your guess is as good as theirs. No one wants to see it demolished, but sitting empty is just a crime.
16. Houston’s Taxes Are A Different Beast
Texas has no state tax which can be a big draw in a major city like Houston. But you won’t get away tax-free. Property taxes can be higher than average in many parts in the city and the 8.25% sales tax tends to balance things out.
17. It’s Even Hotter And More Humid Than People Think
Everyone knows that Texas is hot. But you don’t really know heat until you’ve experienced summer in Houston, a city which proudly boasts how often temperatures soar into the hundreds.
Don’t even think about trying to survive Houston without air conditioning – in your car and in your home.
18. But There Is An Upside To The Heat
Summer can be brutal, but nothing beats standing out on your porch or balcony in shorts in the middle of January while the rest of the country is digging out from the latest blizzard. And with 204 days of full sunshine annually, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy it.
19. Houstonians Are Prepared For Some Crazy Storms
Houston weather can go from “what a beautiful day” to “seek shelter” in minutes flat.
20. Houstonians Enjoy Their Food, But They Also Don’t Skip The Gym Membership
Because the food is amazing and you’re never going to want to stop eating. Houston has over 11,000 restaurants alone covering every style you can think of.
var googletag = googletag || {};
googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || [];
(function() {
var gads = document.createElement(‘script’);
gads.async = true;
gads.type = ‘text/javascript’;
var useSSL = ‘https:’ == document.location.protocol;
gads.src = (useSSL ? ‘https:’ : ‘http:’) +
‘//www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js’;
var node = document.getElementsByTagName(‘script’)[0];
node.parentNode.insertBefore(gads, node);
})();
googletag.cmd.push(function() {
googletag.defineSlot(‘/1014900/M_Blog_300x250_Inline2’, [300, 250], ‘div-gpt-ad-1425403275176-0’).addService(googletag.pubads());
googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest();
googletag.enableServices();
});
googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-1425403275176-0’); });
21. In Houston, You Could Wake Up To A Skyscraper In Your Backyard
Theoretically speaking, of course. There are no zoning laws in Houston. This is awesome because it means that all areas of the city are open to new prospects.
The downside, though, is that a Hooters could open up next door to your house.
22. Houstonians Like (And Need) Their Cars
Did you know that only 10 percent of New York City residents own cars? In comparison, 90 percent of Houston residents own cars. Don’t show up with a bike and think it will do. The city is working hard to improve bike lanes and paths, but it’s still a work in progress.
23. Houston’s Public Transit Is Improving
Another work in progress is the public transit. It’s way better than it was a decade or more ago.
There is a great light rail system connecting downtown to midtown and the Museum District, the Medical Center, Rice University and NRG Par along with an improving bus system.
24. Houstonians Know To Invest In A Lot Of Bug Spray
Mosquitoes have to eat, too. They’re so much of a nuisance and growing health concern, the city actually drives a truck around filling the air with bug spray to help try to keep them at bay.
25. Houston Isn’t Gun Shy
One thing that does remind you that you’re in Texas when you live in Houston are the gun laws. They’re pretty loose here and you’re allowed to carry (even on college campuses) as long as you follow the concealed carry laws.
26. To Houstonians, Beyonce Is Queen
Okay, so Beyonce is kind of queen everywhere you go these days. But in Houston, she’s flat out royalty. Everyone loves their favorite hometown girl turned megastar.
27. A Vacation Is Just A Drive Away
Just because you’re in the city doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some fun in the sand and sun. Houston doesn’t have a beach of its own but locals enjoy spending time at the gorgeous beaches in Galveston which is only 45 minutes away
28. Houston Is The Way Out Of This World
Houston is home to a small organization that has worked on some ground breaking technology called NASA. You may have heard of them.
29. Hold Onto Your Pants
There’s always something fun to do in Houston, from the Houston Zoo to skydiving simulations at IFly Houston and everything in between. One thing is for sure–you’ll never be bored.
30.Houstonians Are The Best Kind Of People
Houston is filled with the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. They’ll hold the door open for you, say please and thank you, and if you ever need directions or recommendations, they’ll give you way more than you expected. It’s the Houston way.
Like This Post? You’ll Definitely Love These:
