Houston Downtown Texas (Photo Credit: Alamy)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• List of Million Dollar Neighborhoods in Houston, TX
• List of Master Planned Communities in Houston, TX
• List of Gated Communities in Houston, TX
• List of 55+ Communities in Houston, TX
• List of Neighborhoods and Communities in Houston, TX
• List of Inner Loop Houston Neighborhoods
• List of Neighborhood Videos in Houston, TX
• List of New Home Communities in Houston, TX
• List of Public Schools in Houston, TX
• Living in Houston, TX: What I LOVE and What I HATE
• Discover Houston: Your Ultimate Real Estate Guide
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOUSTON, TEXAS
Some quick facts before we get to a lot of the good stuff here in the 4th largest city in the US. Houston proper has a population of about 2.4 million, with the metropolitan area housing a total of about 7 million folks. Lots of people, yes … lots of land space (nearly 640 square miles), yes … so, it isn’t a “shoulder-to-shoulder” environment. For loads of history and information, you can spend some time on this Wikipedia site. A city of this size has lots going on and lots of “branches” to what it offers.
Houston has many nicknames but takes its actual name after General Sam Houston. The city was founded by investors in 1836 and incorporated in 1837. Some of the more popular nicknames include “Space City” (because of the prominence of NASA and the city’s importance in space exploration), “Bayou City” (the ten wandering waterways of the city), and “H-town” (well, you know – “H” is for Houston!) This Houston Real Estate Guide will let you decide which nickname best suits Houston in your eyes!
Things that make living in Houston GREAT!
For a city of this size, the biggest take-away is affordability. The cost-of-living index runs about 96. For comparison, New York City is about 170 and San Francisco around 240! Along with this affordability is the fact that only New York City has more Fortune 500 companies than Houston. Houston is a BIG corporate and global power player! The job market is strong with some of the biggest sectors being medical, gas/oil, technology, and finance/business. Your Houston Real Estate Guide also points out the diversity of the city – an ethnic melting pot! With cultural diversity comes ALL kinds of culinary options as well as cultural events, festivals, and exhibits. We will hit on some other great things, like recreation, entertainment, transportation options, professional and collegiate sports, and livability in a bit.
Of course, there might be a few “not so great” things to consider, and as your Houston Real Estate Guide it is my job to point out:
- Traffic – there’s loads of it, and public transportation is attempting to improve … that said, living and working in actual Houston/downtown minimizes greatly the traffic conundrum!
- Weather – it’s hot and often humid. Some relish it, and others relish the mild winter months the most. Also, located on the Gulf of Mexico, there is a proneness to flooding and buying property likely means buying flood insurance.
- Crime rate – it’s a city, there is crime, being aware and vigilant are always important.
There are lots of opinions out there about the pros and cons of living in Houston, or anywhere for that matter! You can google away and find all sorts of thinking and judgment. Here is a site your Houston Real Estate Guide likes.
Houston Real Estate Guide | Living “In the Loop”
If you are planning on living IN Houston, that means understanding the “square-ish” Interstate 610 loop that houses the central urban center of the city. Houstonians refer to life here as “in The Loop” or “outside The Loop”! In The Loop there is a higher concentration of nightlife and restaurants, events and happenings, and a much easier commute. Some great neighborhoods to look at include: Houston Heights, River Oaks, West University, and Hobby Area.
Proximity to loads of attractions and transportation options is one of the finest reasons to stay “in The Loop”! Huge green space is offered in Hermann Park, access to public transportation makes getting from here to there pretty simple, the Museum District offers options for everyone, options for cuisine and cocktails are over-the-top with choices, as your Houston Real Estate Guide it is impossible to list favorites because there are SO MANY options and cuisines to try!
Houston Real Estate Guide | Houston Mentions
Although Houston isn’t really considered a “tourist town” don’t let that fool you … the list of things to do is varied and long. From downtown you can be at the beach in about 30 minutes, Sylvan Beach is probably the closest. Other things to do in the area include the Houston Zoo, the Shark Voyage Houston Aquarium, and some major annual events include the famous Houston Rodeo and the Renaissance Festival.
There are two major airports in the Houston metro, downtown you will find Houston Hobby to be super convenient, in the northern part of town is the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. As previously noted, Houston is evolving with public transportation, but lots of Texans still prefer their own wheels.
Sports are big in the city. You might want to grab some Rockets and Astros gear and get tickets to some professional sports action! With year-round sunny and warm weather, Houston is a city that loves sports, parks, and recreation. Find your skates, bike, shoes, racket, gear, and get going!
Education here tends to be geared toward K-12 more in the suburbs and higher education offerings in the downtown area with Rice University, University of Houston, and others.
If you are reading to be “in The Loop”, or anywhere in the metro area, this Houston Real Estate Guide is ready to grab a list of properties to check out and get you landed in H-Town!
• The Ultimate Home Buyer’s Guide
• The Ultimate Home Seller’s Guide
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