Atmosphere

Houston does a great job of feeling like a powerful and global city in certain areas, and a laid back, down-home vibe in others. Due to the massive size of the city and the variety in terms of neighborhoods and architecture, the atmosphere varies throughout Houston.

For example, if you love living and being right near the action, renting in downtown Houston is a great option for you. You will be close to bars, world class restaurants, museums, and never have to worry about running out of things to do. However, if you prefer quieter living with your family, Houston has plenty of options for that too. Many different neighborhoods in Houston feature large single family homes, schools, parks, and everything else you and your family may want.

Numerous Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in Houston and there are many of different industries for residents to work in. Everything is bigger in Texas, and that includes the business. The GDP of the Houston area is massive and the city exports billions of dollars of petroleum, chemical, and oil products each and every year. So while the people here definitely work hard, they also play hard and Houston is a great destination for delicious food, shopping and for those who love arts and culture.

History

In 1836, two real estate entrepreneurs purchased some land in Texas with the purpose of developing and founding a city. Soon after developing the city, Houston became a railroad hub in the exportation of cotton. Oil was then discovered around Houston a few decades later, and this discovery led to massive growth in Houston. Other industries began to thrive in Houston and now, millions of people live there and work in a number of different areas and the economy of Houston is quite diverse, like its population.

Despite the growth, popularity and size of Houston, the rent is actually decently affordable. Overall, the average rent for an apartment in Houston is just shy of $1300. Of course, some areas are cheaper or more expensive based on safety, location, and other factors, but affordable rent is definitely possible in Houston.

Just like there are a variety of different rental prices in Houston, there are also a ton of options when it comes to real estate. If you are a family or individual who likes their own space and quieter living, numerous neighborhoods in Houston can offer you this. These neighborhoods feature quiet streets, lots of green space and parks, single-family homes, and larger lots. The design and architecture of these homes can also vary as neighborhoods feature a good mix of modern and more historic dwellings. However, if your perfect home is a high-rise apartment, this can be found in Houston to. Downtown living (in either modern or traditional building) provides you with easy access to shopping, bars/restaurants, a quick commute to work and other helpful amenities.

Getting Around

Due to the size of Houston in terms of land and population, driving is the most popular way of getting around by a fairly wide margin. About 70% of Houston residents drive to work and another 15% carpool every day for their commute. There is an extensive freeway system in and around Houston, but the city still experiences a fair amount of traffic congestion.

For those who want to avoid the congestion on the busy roads of Houston, there are several public transit options available. Public transportation in the form of buses, light rails and lift vans is available throughout Houston. There are numerous stops throughout the city for public transit and taking the bus and train are becoming more popular due to the traffic in the city.

The warm and mild climate in Houston makes options like bike riding and walking viable as well. While going long distances isn’t easy, these options are great for only going a few blocks. Houston also has over 150 miles of dedicated bikeways (a number which is always growing) to encourage more people to use a bicycle as a main mode of transportation.

Universities Nearby

University of Houston

Rice University

Texas Southern University

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