2,340,890
Population
Sunny Days: 230
95100 Affordability
85100 Schools
90100 Diversity
65100 Safety
Houston, Texas
The Big Heart
Houston Skyline, Credit: Adrian Newell
Sam Houston Park
Houston Metrorail
Downtown Houston, Credit: CY
LookyLOO Review of Houston
It’s A Rocket Ship (And a Relatively Cheap Ride)
The economy of Houston is exploding with a diverse set of industries including Aerospace & Aviation, Manufacturing, Energy (oil has softened but still big), Healthcare, and Digital Tech. Making a good living here is even more compelling when you realize how much less expensive Houston is compared to crazy cities like San Francisco (179% more expensive), New York (94% more expensive), or the other “hotter” cities in Texas, like Austin (19% more expensive).
Speaking of hot cities -- for many from the Great White North the idea of year-round sun sounds awesome. It is critical to know ahead of time though that not only does Houston get HOT, but the fact that it is surrounded by water and low-lying floodlands means it gets HUMID.
Lifestyle
Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country and this diversity drives a cultural experience unlike many other cities in the country or the world. Inside the 610 loop, which is the “center” of Houston is an incredible concentration of museums, theaters (the cultural kind), art galleries, and a stunning collection of amazing restaurants with food from all over the world. Outside the 610 are more mellow neighborhoods, and then an incredible spread of suburbs that comprise a metroplex that is 15% larger than the entire state of New Jersey.
What is different about Houston is its working-class spirit and unpretentious behavior that is so different from many of the other major cities. Here you can attend a world-class performance, eat at a five-star restaurant and yet it never feels super-fancy or full of itself. Your life here would more likely be filled with trips to the local coffee shop and neighborhood park than the ballet but good to know you can go if you’d like, right?
If you want to check out the happenings in Houston here is the calendar of events:
https://www.visithoustontexas.com/events/
One final note: Texas is a concealed-carry state, which means the lifestyle here includes locals packing heat when they are out and about. If that bothers you then perhaps Texas won’t be your cup of tea.
Worklife
Houston is also diverse in terms of its business opportunities. Presumably, everyone knows that energy is big business here, but Houston also has the largest medical center in the world (Texas Medical Center). The different industries that are exploding in Houston are referenced above so we’ll stick to other characteristics: 1) The commutes truly suck here. If you can be a wfh’er we’d recommend it. 2) No state income tax!!!! You get to keep more of your dough. 3) Houston has a network of tunnels and sky bridges so if you work downtown you can avoid the icky-sticky when you’re walking around.
Overall Houston has a great business culture. While Texas in general and Houston in particular have grown, that has largely been on the back of people coming here for jobs. With the rise in wfh’ers who can enjoy what Houston has to offer without any commute, we imagine more growth is on the way.
Why You Should Move Here Now?
The City With No Limits
We know a lot of people are looking to get away from big cities but Houston seems like a place that might receive some of that escaping traffic from the denser cities of the Northeast and Northwest. If you’re moving south but want the diversity, culture & art experiences, food scene and vibrant population of some of those cities but in a more chill, easier to afford package, then Houston’s the spot.
Reviews of Houston from Locals
SIR_ / Lives In Houston / Updated 2y ago
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It helps to realize that Houston has never had a draw besides $$ and opportunity (In contrast to NYC’s arts & culture, San Diego’s climate and geography, etc.).
What that means is you have a lot of people who came here for jobs (Ranching/Ag at first, then O&G, now healthcare and just about anything else). The weather sucks and the land is a drained swamp, but people have come from all over the world to make a better life. Or they’ve come here because there is family or a community they love.
There’s only one thing that fits the bill: FOOD. I genuinely believe if I had to eat in only one city in the world for the rest of my life, Houston might be it. If you tell me you want Chinese food, I have to ask how much time and $$ you want to spend, plus float a few regional options.
Largest West African population in the world outside of West Africa. A Mecca of BBQ and Tex Mex, to the extent that Bourdain explicitly skipped ALL barbecue and Tex Mex during his episode here because that is so self-evident.
Watch his episode, or the Gulf Coast/Bayou episode of David Chang’s ugly delicious. The food IS the story of Houston. Did you know that the trinity bay has a lot of the same crustaceans as the Mekong River delta, and that Houston was growing rapidly during the time of the Vietnam war. BOOM - Houston has one of the country’s most vibrant Vietnamese communities and Viet Cajun food is an amazing genre unto itself.
Honestly, I don’t like it here. I’m here because we have family, and the food, low cost of living, and fantastic airport make the city work for me.
But no…you’re not really missing anything. Houston is all about living the good life with people you love, one bite at a time.
For more reviews from locals check out: reviews section
Living in Houston
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Neighborhoods in Houston
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The Area
The Houston metroplex is massive in ways peeps from the Northeast are going to have a tough time comprehending. At over 10k square miles it is larger than five U.S. states: New Hampshire, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island. It lies on the Gulf of Mexico but access to swimmable beaches is tricky. Galveston is a popular destination, particularly East Beach, but the Gulf of Galveston can be hit or miss as a swimmable water source. Generally if you’re looking for a true beach vacation Houstonians head to South Padre Island or across to Destin, Florida.
One of the great things about Houston is its proximity to other major cities. Dallas, Austin and San Antonio are all ~ 3 hours or less of a drive, and an hour and a few minutes flight time. The icing on the cake is that New Orleans is only a 5 hour drive (or 1 hour flight) in case your craving for Beignets gets out of hand.