{"id":41263,"date":"2015-05-05T11:12:16","date_gmt":"2015-05-05T18:12:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/?p=41263"},"modified":"2015-05-05T11:12:16","modified_gmt":"2015-05-05T18:12:16","slug":"moving-to-houston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.movoto.com\/blog\/moving-to-houston\/","title":{"rendered":"30 Things To Know About Houston Before You Move There"},"content":{"rendered":"

1. Please, Call Me H-Town<\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Keepcalm-o-matic<\/div>\n

Houston? There\u2019s no need to be so formal about it. Just call it H-Town like the cool kids.<\/p>\n

2. Houston Is Growing Fast <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Katie Haugland <\/div>\n

And it\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

3. Houston Isn\u2019t Texas (Except When It Is) <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Bob Owen<\/div>\n

Check your Texan stereotypes at the border. Houston is definitely part of Texas, but it\u2019s progressive and becoming trendier every year.<\/p>\n

4. The Median Houstonian Is Getting Younger<\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Visit Houston Facebook <\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

5. In Houston, It\u2019s Wise To Live Near Where You Work <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: All State <\/div>\n

Houston isn\u2019t 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\u2019re working as possible to cut down on the commute time and enjoy the city.<\/p>\n

6. Houston Is A City You Can Afford <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: nmsp6 <\/div>\n

Houston traffic might be a nightmare but the cost of living far outweighs it. Compared to other major cities around the country, Houston\u2019s affordability is almost too good to be true.<\/p>\n

7. Houston Is Full Of Energy \u2026 Literally<\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Bauer.edu <\/div>\n

In most cities, residents are lucky if they have two energy companies to choose from. Usually, you have one and that\u2019s what you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

8. Art Is Everywhere In Houston<\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Facebook <\/div>\n

Fine art, contemporary collections, and tons of galleries \u2013 Houston has it all. That\u2019s why the city won four of twenty-four \u201cbest show\u201d awards from the International Association of Art Critics in 2012.<\/p>\n

9. And There Are Museums Galore <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Children\u2019s Museum of Houston Facebook <\/div>\n

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\u2019s Museum and Museum of Natural Science.<\/p>\n

10. Houstonians Know How To Keep In The Loop<\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: City-Data<\/div>\n

Houston is separated by highways. The Inner Loop is a freeway called 610. When you\u2019re inside the Loop, you\u2019re downtown in the trendy areas.<\/p>\n

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11. Folks In Houston Take Barbecue Seriously<\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Houston Barbecue Festival Facebook <\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

12. There\u2019s No Better Place To Find Tex-Mex<\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Torchy\u2019s Tacos \u2013 Shepherd Dr. Facebook <\/div>\n

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\u2019ll find some of the best at places like Torchy\u2019s and Ninfa\u2019s Original on Navigation.<\/p>\n

13. Houstonians Know When To Find The Happiest Hours <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Ninfa\u2019s Original on Navigation Facebook <\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

14. Houston Is Texans Fan Territory <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Houston Texan Facebook <\/div>\n

Don\u2019t make the mistake of trying to be a Cowboys fan here in Houston. This is Texans territory and J.J. Watt is king.<\/p>\n

15. No One Knows The Fate Of The Astrodome <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: ecleanmag <\/div>\n

Come to Houston and you\u2019ll see The Astrodome, the coolest sports dome ever built. Except it\u2019s completely empty. Ask any of the locals what they\u2019re doing with it and they\u2019ll tell you that your guess is as good as theirs. No one wants to see it demolished, but sitting empty is just a crime.<\/p>\n

16. Houston\u2019s Taxes Are A Different Beast <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Patriot Update <\/div>\n

Texas has no state tax which can be a big draw in a major city like Houston. But you won\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

17. It\u2019s Even Hotter And More Humid Than People Think <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Fox News <\/div>\n

Everyone knows that Texas is hot. But you don\u2019t really know heat until you\u2019ve experienced summer in Houston, a city which proudly boasts how often temperatures soar into the hundreds.
\nDon\u2019t even think about trying to survive Houston without air conditioning \u2013 in your car and in your home.<\/p>\n

18. But There Is An Upside To The Heat <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Quick Meme <\/div>\n

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\u2019ll have plenty of time to enjoy it.<\/p>\n

19. Houstonians Are Prepared For Some Crazy Storms <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Flickr user Ed T <\/div>\n

Houston weather can go from \u201cwhat a beautiful day\u201d to \u201cseek shelter\u201d in minutes flat.<\/p>\n

20. Houstonians Enjoy Their Food, But They Also Don\u2019t Skip The Gym Membership <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Laurence Simon via Flickr <\/div>\n

Because the food is amazing and you\u2019re never going to want to stop eating. Houston has over 11,000 restaurants alone covering every style you can think of.<\/p>\n

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21. In Houston, You Could Wake Up To A Skyscraper In Your Backyard <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Hudson Photo <\/div>\n

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.
\nThe downside, though, is that a Hooters could open up next door to your house.<\/p>\n

22. Houstonians Like (And Need) Their Cars <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Visit Houston Facebook<\/div>\n

Did you know that only 10 percent of New York City residents own cars? In comparison, 90 percent of Houston residents own cars. Don\u2019t show up with a bike and think it will do. The city is working hard to improve bike lanes and paths, but it\u2019s still a work in progress.<\/p>\n

23. Houston\u2019s Public Transit Is Improving <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Downtown Houston Facebook <\/div>\n

Another work in progress is the public transit. It\u2019s way better than it was a decade or more ago.
\nThere 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.<\/p>\n

24. Houstonians Know To Invest In A Lot Of Bug Spray <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: H. Michael Miley via Flickr <\/div>\n

Mosquitoes have to eat, too. They\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

25. Houston Isn\u2019t Gun Shy <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Houston Chronical<\/div>\n

One thing that does remind you that you\u2019re in Texas when you live in Houston are the gun laws. They\u2019re pretty loose here and you\u2019re allowed to carry (even on college campuses) as long as you follow the concealed carry laws.<\/p>\n

26. To Houstonians, Beyonce Is Queen <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Style Blazer <\/div>\n

Okay, so Beyonce is kind of queen everywhere you go these days. But in Houston, she\u2019s flat out royalty. Everyone loves their favorite hometown girl turned megastar.<\/p>\n

27. A Vacation Is Just A Drive Away <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Visit Houston Facebook <\/div>\n

Just because you\u2019re in the city doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t enjoy some fun in the sand and sun. Houston doesn\u2019t have a beach of its own but locals enjoy spending time at the gorgeous beaches in Galveston which is only 45 minutes away<\/p>\n

28. Houston Is The Way Out Of This World <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Visit Houston Facebook <\/div>\n

Houston is home to a small organization that has worked on some ground breaking technology called NASA. You may have heard of them.<\/p>\n

29. Hold Onto Your Pants <\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Visit Houston Facebook <\/div>\n

There\u2019s 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\u2019ll never be bored.<\/p>\n

30.Houstonians Are The Best Kind Of People<\/h2>\n

\"30<\/p>\n

Source: Rebloggy <\/div>\n

Houston is filled with the friendliest people you\u2019ll ever meet. They\u2019ll hold the door open for you, say please and thank you, and if you ever need directions or recommendations, they\u2019ll give you way more than you expected. It\u2019s the Houston way.
\n Like This Post? You\u2019ll Definitely Love These:<\/b><\/p>\n