Living in Houston
There’s so much more than big trucks, big hats and big oil in this city: Houston is a colorful, fast-paced, exciting place where people of all backgrounds are welcomed with open arms.
Since its early days as an oil town on the coast of Texas, Houston has had its fair share of elaborate wealth. Since then, the city has witnessed the rise of international variety and millennial power that makes up today’s H-town.
As you drive down I-10, passing multilingual billboards and flipping through radio stations filled with the chatter of Pakistani, Vietnamese and Mexican radio hosts, you’ll get an idea of just how diverse this city has become - both culturally and economically.
Houston is home to America’s youngest and most ethnically diverse population. (Fun fact: there are more millennials than baby boomers!) Houstonians are famously warm and welcoming welcoming , with the city now home one of the largest refugee populations in the entire country.
Your typical backyard barbecue may still include a slow-smoked brisket, but neighbors are equally likely to add Viet-Cajun crawfish, Salvadorian carne adobada, and Congolese pili pili to the mix. And, of course, beer. That’s just how this free-wheeling cultural melting pot rolls.
While this diversity has enriched the city culturally, young professionals and wealthy philanthropists have been hard-at-work turning the city’s most neglected downtown areas into a modern urban playland. Formerly abandoned avenues have sprung to life with hip mixed-use developments and new, glorious sidewalks for pedestrians. The results are inspiring.
landmarks
Houston is full of landmarks new and old. On a weekend, Moody Gardens provide fun, group-oriented activities for families and friends. If you’re looking for a rush of adrenaline, a visit to the iconic Kemah Boardwalk will let you ride roller coasters to your heart’s desire. The Downtown Aquarium is the best of both worlds: it boasts fun rides that people of all ages can enjoy, in addition to a teeming aquarium with over 200 species.
There’s also the iconic skyline and the Museum District. There’s the famous Beer Can House, which is exactly what it sounds like. There’s the modern design of its newest shopping malls, as well as historic standbys like the Bayou Bend Collection, the Rienzi Mansion, and Sam Houston Park. And of course, there is plenty of stunning architecture, like the Heights Theater, Williams Tower, and First United Methodist Church.
activities
Parks
Houstonians are in love with their city parks. There are more than 50,000 acres of green space in this urban jungle. The historic Sam Houston Park, established in 1899, is the oldest in town. Meanwhile, the new Buffalo Bayou Park is a new addition where you can walk, jog, or skate through 160 acres of waterfront trails, public art and the subterranean Cistern. Hermann Park is another star attraction, with its Japanese Garden, train, reflection pool and the Miller Theater. Then there are the dozens of community-centered local parks where neighbors gather to hang out, grill out, play a little frisbee and let the kids run wild.
Museums
In Houston’s Museum District, you can can walk a 1.5-mile radius of museums big and small. Take a tour of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the more focused collections at the Asia Society Texas Center, the Houston Center for Photography, or the Museum of Fine Arts.
Rodeo
No southern city is complete without a big, rowdy rodeo. Houston’s rodeo is one of the best. For 20 nights, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo brings millions of fans to its world-class rodeo arena. There’s bull riding, mutton busting, livestock competitions, and a rotating stage of famous bands ranging from country to pop, rock and R&B.
transportation
Public transportation is provided by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, or METRO for short. This extensive system includes buses, light rail and lift vans that run throughout the city and surrounding areas. In addition to its newly-expanded transit, Houston has also added over 160 miles of dedicated bikeways, and is in the process of expanding its street cycling networks. There is also a bike sharing system, called Houston B-cycle, which operates 29 stations around the downtown area.
sports
Houston is home to several famous major-league sports teams, including the Rockets (NBA), the Texans (NFL), the Astros (MLB), the Houston Dynamo (MLS), and the Houston Dash (NWLS).
The Reliant Astrodome in Houston is the first domed stadium in the country. Another Houston claim to fame is that NRG Stadium is the first stadium in the NFL with a retractable roof.
weather
Houston weather is tough on Texans, and even tougher on its northern transplants. During the summer months, daily highs hover around 95 degrees, with humidity sending the heat index over 100 degrees for days at a time.
Along with the heat also comes hurricane season. When the oceans warm up and hurricanes hit the Gulf of Mexico, intense storms can cause flooding, power outages, and dangerous conditions that force residents to evacuate the city. It’s certainly not something you have to deal with everyday, but you can never be too prepared.
company headquarters
Half of the Fortune 500 Companies in Texas are located in Houston. The largest public companies headquartered in Houston include Phillips 66 (oil refining), ConocoPhillips (oil & gas), Enterprise Products Partners (oil and gas pipelines), Sysco (food wholesale), Plains GP Holdings (oil and gas pipelines), National Oilwell Varco (oilfield equipment), and Baker Hughes (oilfield equipment). The largest private companies headquartered in Houston include Gulf States Toyota, Republic National Distributing Company, and Tauber Oil Company.
Rent Trends for Apartments in Houston
| Bedroom count | Houston | vs Last Month |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $1,375 |  up 5.85% |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,239 | up 1.14% |
| 2 Bedroom | $1,495 | up 1.36% |
| 3 Bedroom | $1,949 | up 2.58% |
| 4 Bedroom | $2,150 | No change |
Neighborhoods in Houston
East Downtown (EaDo)
Uptown
Washington Corridor
Chinatown
Houston Heights
Montrose
River Oaks
West University
Renting an Apartment in Houston
Renter’s Insurance
Because of the aforementioned weather issues, it’s a good idea to purchase renter’s insurance. The cost is minimal, and can usually be bundled with your car insurance for less than $15 per month. This will keep you covered in the event of a flood, robbery, or any other mishap.
Affordability
Whether you’re looking for a large two bedroom with luxury amenities or simply searching for cheap apartments in Houston, you’ll be happy to know that this city is full of affordable options. In fact, the cost of living here is pretty reasonable overall.
Location
Picking the right location is essential to surviving in Houston - mostly because of the traffic. If possible, try to find an apartment near your place of work or near a transit station.
Cities Near Houston
Top Neighborhoods in Houston
Find Your Dream Apartment for Rent in Houston
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