Houston is a huge city in such a big state, so there’s a factor to consider when moving here. Before relocating to Homes for Sale in Houston,, TX, learn about its lively culinary scene, diverse neighborhoods, inexpensive housing options, and mosquito-inducing heat.
Houston, Texas, and the southern United States’ most populated metropolis, with over 2.3 million citizens spread across 637 square miles. Houston is located in the southeast part of the Texas Triangle, a mega-region that comprises Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas-Fort Worth. Before we get to the facts, take a virtual tour of Houston’s downtown and midtown.
Houston’s Cost Of Living
Moving to Houston from another city may be cheaper and it is easy to find Homes For Sale in Houston, TX:
- Of all 277 cities surveyed by the Council for Public and Economic Research, Houston has the second-lowest total cost of living, at 4.2 percent less than the average (C2ER).
- The C2ER reports that housing expenses are 11.5 percent below the state median and 51 percent below the median of the 20 most populated U.S. metros.
Increased House Prices
The Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) says prices remain affordable even though they rose from 2019 to 2020:
- In 2020, the cost of housing was $260,000, up 6.1 percent from 2019.
- In 2020, the median sales price was $324,000, up 5.9% from 2019.
A Range Of Apartment Complexes in All Budget Ranges
Homes for Sale in Houston, TX median rent for a 2-bedroom apartment are $1,200, somewhat more than the global rate. But that’s not the full story. Due to its size and intricacy, Houston has a broad rental market with affordable, moderate, and premium housing options.
The Great Houston Neighborhoods
It’s hard to miss the square-ish Interstate 610, which locals call “the Loop” on the Houston, TX map. You’ll notice large differences between areas within and outside this main highway, each giving benefits depending on your housing needs.
Living in the Loop has its Perks
Shorter commutes, a better restaurant and bar scene, and more museums and cultural activities. Here are a few top Houston neighborhoods inside the Loop and one near the border:
Houston Highlands
The Tops is a walking community with a unique eating and vintage culture northwest of downtown. New Victorian and Charleston-style cottages merge nicely with renovated historic residences, valued at $520,000 on average.
River Oaks
Not far from downtown, River Oaks is one of Houston’s oldest and wealthiest communities, and rigorous architectural standards and zoning laws protect it. River Oaks is a gated community with a typical house value of nearly $2.35 million.
West University
the site to Rice University is routinely regarded as one of Houston’s greatest areas to live. In addition to the neighborhood’s parks and shopping, the neighborhood’s park system drives up typical property prices to over $1 million, with new development selling for over $2 million.
Clear Lake
This location is near the Johnson Space Center and major aerospace companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin. Single-family houses in older neighborhoods, luxury townhomes in walled compounds, and condominiums range from $100,000 to over $1 million.
Sugar Land
Located 20 miles southwest of Houston, Sugar Land has a typical property value of $330,000. Master-planned neighborhoods with tennis courts, lakes, top-rated schools and handy restaurants and shopping attract families.
Woodlands
The Woodlands is an honors master-planned community located 28 miles northwest of downtown Houston. Nine communities and commercial centers maintain 8,000 acres of woodland and open space. There are 411 homes for sale in Houston, TX.
Surprise in Houston’s Diversity
Houston is the most culturally diversified metropolitan metropolis in the U.S., with no particular ethnic or racial group dominating. Houston has a developing Museum and Theater Districts, an emotional eating and nightlife scene, and a crowded calendar of festivals and trade fairs. The Bayou City Art Festival, Houston Auto Show, Houston Fashion Week, Houston Gay Pride Parade, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo attract visitors from all over the world.
Nicknames Include “Space City,” “Bayou City,” Etc.
Houston has so many nicknames that a Wikipedia page is dedicated to them. The most common names are “Space City” for the NASA Johnson Space Center and “Bayou City” for the area’s ten meandering canals.
Bayou City Has Superlatives
Houston is adept at being either first or creating records. Some examples:
- The Texas Medical Center in Houston is the biggest.
- Houston’s Galleria is Texas’ largest retail mall.
- The Astrodome was the first domed stadium.
- Houston had the country’s first Hindu Mandir temple.
- Houston has the most parkland per capita of over a million people of any U.S. metropolis.
- Only the Houston Grand Opera has won all 3 Grammy, Tony, and Emmy honors.
Choice of Peoples
Why do school-age Houston parents choose the suburbs while college students want the city? Most top-rated schools in Houston are in Friendswood, Tomball, Katy, and Barbers Hill, all outside the Houston Loop. The University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and Rice University are among the prominent universities in the Houston region. A comprehensive array of medical, nursing, dental, and pharmacy schools are located in the Texas Medical Center.
About The Weather
Houston is for heat lovers. The city has a subtropical climate, with January lows around 40°F and August highs about 95°F. The city receives plenty of rain throughout the year, with rare dry spells and storms from the Atlantic in the summer. Aside from the humidity and heat, here are two things to consider considering moving to Houston:
- Houston is in danger of flooding from storms like Harvey and other meteorological disasters.
- Houston’s air quality may cause respiratory difficulties. Various studies, including the Rice Kinder Institute for Urban Research, claim that significant chemical pollution, high temperatures, and prolonged rain and humidity make living with asthma, allergies, and lung difficulties harder.
Houston Criminality
If you’re concerned about crime, know that Houston has a higher rate than other U.S. cities. A violent or commercial crime victimization rate of 1 in 18 is one of the worst. Gangs, illegal drug trafficking, and economic distress contribute to local crime. Mayor Sylvester Turner has proposed a concerted effort to reduce crime in the city’s issue areas: Westside, South Gessner, and Southeast Houston. This personal safety handbook also encourages residents to take action to reduce their chance of being targeted.
The journey begins when you arrive to find Homes for Sale in Houston, TX. Getting to know the city’s unique cultural environment could be one of the best interesting and gratifying experiences.