reasons not to live in houston, tx

Obsessed with travel? But like any city, it's not without its faults. If you’re living in Houston, just make sure to buy flood insurance and have an emergency kit on hand. Houston Is A City You Can Afford 1. But it is still bad. Considering the size and quality of the city, Houston is a gem. This can only mean Texas must currently have the worst businesses. In Texas, life expectancy varies even more – up to 30 years between some ZIP codes. Houston is definitely part of Texas, but it’s progressive and becoming trendier every year. You like paying taxes. Bayou Greenways 2020 is officially open, and it has improved the city’s access to trails and parks while also boosting wildlife conservation. For some strange reason, though, no one is in a hurry to see it go. Laura Bennett considers herself a domesticated gypsy, having lived in Atlanta, the Bay Area, SoCal, and Austin, then following her husband around the Midwest. Pearland is in Brazoria County and is one of the best places to live in Texas. Huntsville is not a bad area, though I would prefer to live in Birminham or Mobile. … Then, check out thousands of apartments for rent in Houston and get ready to make it your new home. And if hatahs gotta hate, so be it. Who would want to live in a big city enriched with urban amenities, while still being just a short hour away from the coast? Blue Bell ice cream for days. Zumper is the easiest way to search for apartments for rent. Getting the basic nicknames of the city's highways down will go a long way to understanding directions or traffic reports on the radio. Question: Why are Houston, Texas homes so cheap? Greater Fifth Ward is a neighborhood in Houston, Texas with a population of 19,754. So if you’re trying to figure out why, here are some of the best reasons why Houston is the place to be in 2015! Even with all these perks, there are still a few cons to living in Houston. Even though both Dallas and Houston fall under the same climate category, there are certain differences which support our opinion that Dallas is simply better. Everyone knows that Dallas and Houston are the biggest rivals in Texas. 5.) Here are seven reasons you should retire in Texas. How about the difference between "South Loop West" and "West Loop South"? Friendswood, Texas is a very beautiful city located outside of Houston. Actually, there are hundreds of reasons. In fact, the large, coastal city ranks among the most disaster-prone cities in the country. Houston is a bustling hub filled with plenty of culture, fun and opportunity for its residents. Sheila Sorvari: Does anyone move to Houston for any reason besides work? The greenbelts provide an oasis on hot days for families, friends, and their dogs to take a dip, have a picnic, and float downstream, as well as hike along the banks. Even so, the weather is easy to manage or work around if you know what to do. Memorial Park on Houston’s west side is home to hiking/running trails, and the Houston Arboretum, which is free to the public and worth checking out. In other cities, the drivers are more likely to attend Drivers Education classes and actually read the manual while drivers in El Paso seem to have forgotten there was a manual in existence. Living in Houston definitely has its options. Unlike New York City or Chicago, Houston isn't restricted by geography. Even if you’re not an acrobat or bearded woman, there are hundreds of other jobs in the circus. According to Business Insider, Houston is the Number 1 Job Creator with the best hospitals, oil industry, and businesses overall. Houston has a well-earned reputation for being hot and humid. There’s the Lone Star Circus Banquiste, the Hertzberg Circus Museum, and various aerial arts performance groups and schools. Aside from the sales tax, Houston is pretty darn affordable for a major city. Pearland is a suburb of Houston with a population of 117,867. (AP Photo/U.S. The METRORail light rail system – for downtown commuters – and Park & Ride services – for suburban dwellers – make getting around easier, but it’s still underdeveloped compared to other major cities. 5. 14. A recent Texas A&M study said the city has the 10th worst traffic in the United States. It's not going to have the kind of nightlife that Houston has but you WILL find things to do. Beyond the low cost of living, top-rated universities, booming job market, welcoming communities and plenty of restaurant options for foodies, here are our other top 5 reasons to put on your cowboy boots and line dance over to Houston. If you’re considering moving to Houston, here’s a few reasons to help you make up your mind. For reasons not entirely clear, Texas has a large circus presence. After 35 years, I still despise summer in Texas, and the politics just get crazier. A night out on the town is reasonably cheap, as well, so you can head to an outdoor concert or a nice dinner without breaking the bank. Two major considerations for people leaving Houston: 1 - Uncertainty over the city’s heavy reliance on the oil and gas sector. You shouldn’t have to hand over all your savings when you want a weekend away or a bachelorette trip. While those planning a tour of the southern states might already have it on their agenda, there are many good reasons to plan a direct trip to Houston. I mean, the food is so delicious that being overweight is basically inevitable, the sheer amount of beautiful natural wonders is overwhelming, and we’re all trapped here because every other state sucks. 1. Rush hour is long and brutal, with local commuters spending on average an extra 121 hours per year fighting congestion on the road. 7. Quirky, original, vibrant, and conveniently located, the Heights (otherwise known as “Houston Heights”) is considered one of the best places to live in downtown Houston, especially for young professionals and young families. In Houston, we have four seasons. It's the 4th Largest City in the U.S. Now, the city life is not for everyone indeed. There are no State income taxes. Lynsey Elve. By . 20 Reasons Everyone Should Visit Houston at Least Once. 1. Coat yourself in bug spray and you should be good to go. It's not uncommon for temperatures to be in the high-70s in mid-December while the rest of the country is frozen over. Location. Just learn to live with it. Who wants to move to a place with that many bad businesses. what to pack when moving or visiting Houston. $9,999,980 2406 Del Monte Dr Houston, TX. If you’re in the medical field, you’re in luck. These days, Houston is … George H. Bush Intercontinental Airport (north of the city) is a United Airlines hub and William P. Hobby International Airport serves as a hub for Southwest Airlines. So do yourself a favor and live as close to where you’re working as possible to cut down on the commute time and enjoy the city. Hurricane season brings the threat of flooding, as we saw in August 2017 with Hurricane Harvey. The metro area also offers a variety of international cuisine ranging from Ethiopian to Indian. The job market in Houston is perhaps the biggest draw for new residents. Food + Drink Culture Guides Texas, United States. Don’t complain about the humidity. Generally, the price you see on an item does not include sales tax. As more and more non-Texans continue to flock to Dallas for the cheap cost of living, good jobs, and excellent food, it’s important to remember that not everyone has what it takes to live in Dallas. Take a look at just 5 of the many reasons to live in Houston. You thought the “H” in H-town stood for Houston, but it actually stands for heat and humidity. I live in Houston, and I can tell you that the weather here is terrible in the summer which is from June to October. I grew old in a city I never loved. Living in Pearland offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. You can absolutely get around Houston without a car — especially if you're coming for a visit. So unlike Dallas or Houston that are so big and what I call somewhat disjointed, San Antonio is not. Facebook. 8 Reasons to Move to Texas Affordability, jobs, and delicious food are only just the tip of the iceberg. 5 Reasons to Live in Houston, Texas July 19, 2019. In fact, it’s so hot in the Summer that our chickens lay hard boiled eggs. Published on June 2, 2017, Updated on June 2, 2017. Location, Location, Location – Cypress is so close to downtown Houston, the Energy Corridor, The Woodlands, and all major sectors that bring people moving in droves to work and live in Houston. I grew old in a city I never loved. You’ll have plenty of tasty options when living in Houston. Welcome to Texas, where there’s no state income tax. This city continues to surprise us locals as well as others around the country. All of those FOX News haters surely will not want to live … Besides oil and gas, aerospace, healthcare, and manufacturing are all major industries that keep the economy in Houston booming. Although other sectors such as healthcare and finances are present, oil and gas is still one of the city’s key drivers. With diverse communities, great shopping, ​and amazing ​restaurants, there are plenty of reasons to love Houston. U.S. News & World Report ranked Houston #26 out of 125 metros on their 2018 Best Places to Live list and #12 out of 100 metros on the Best Places to Retire list. 2. The Bay Area? 8 Reasons People Love Living in Colorado. Almost Summer, Summer, Still Summer and two full weeks of bone chillin’ winter where it makes it down to 40 degrees. Shea Serrano is the author of the "New York Times" bestseller "Basketball (and Other Things)." Con: There are relatively higher property taxes in Houston and a sales tax of over 8%. It's pretty simple. If you happen to need a parking spot near Minute Maid Park on … Houston is known as the “Energy Capital of the World” according to The Greater Houston Partnership, and home to 40 of the nation’s 145 publicly traded oil and gas production firms. The neighborhoods are small and quiet and everyone knows their neighbors. Austin truly is a different place among the other cities. Like any sprawling metropolis, you’re going to need a car to get around Houston. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. Jobs. Flickr/bpprice. Houston's winters are a little unpredictable—with temperatures flying between the low 30s and high 70s. This is primarily a Texas thing, but when you’re here, you get doors held open for you.” Stagers also explains why she’d rather live here than other large Texas cities, San Antonio is very family-centric. Houston is in Texas, which is among the seven places which do not pay taxes. Weather in Houston: Climate, Seasons, and Best Times to Visit, Caprock Canyons State Park: The Complete Guide, How To Get From Santa Barbara to Los Angeles, Using Houston’s METRO Bus and Light Rail System, Getting Around Fort Worth: Guide to Public Transportation, Surf City Seasons: Weather and Climate in Huntington Beach, California, Bangkok's Climate Is Just What You Need to Escape Winter, Skiing and Snowboarding in Southern California, Tripsavvy uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. The city’s relatively compact downtown area includes the Theater District, home to the renowned Houston Grand Opera. Check your Texan stereotypes at the border. And during hurricanes, they might lay that egg twice! Read our list of pros and cons to see if Houston is the place for you. Houston has everything from award-winning establishments to barbecue joints like Gatlin's BBQ. Queso. The humidity is a fact of life. In comparison to where, questioner? In my opinion, Boston, MA is a much better place to live. Greater Fifth Ward is in Harris County. Click To Tweet The taxes when you retire in Texas are very friendly. In Greater Fifth Ward there are a lot of bars, restaurants, and parks. The stars at night really are big and bright. It is a really nice place to live though, and probably still one of the best in the Houston area. Are you and your family thinking about living in Houston, Texas? Not only because us Houstonians say so, but because it is the best place to live in for various different reasons. 4. The Johnson Space Center, Downtown Aquarium, and the Houston Zoo are all great places for a day of family fun, too. Just learn to live with it. The city’s incredible food options are endless—from world-class dining in the East End neighborhood to local favorites like Tex-Mex, Viet-Cajun po-boys, Czech kolaches, and barbecue. In 2012, Houston surpassed both New York and Los Angeles as the most ethnically diverse metropolitan area in the U.S., according to a Rice University report. In Houston, dining is a pastime, and the region pleases palates with more than 11,000 restaurants. Be aware of lack of turning signals, wrong way driving, tailgating and a lot of angry honking. In addition, Texas also houses three of the largest cities in the United States –– Houston, San Antonio and Dallas –– all of which are so rich with history, culture and entertainment we could write an entire article focusing strictly on each. There are also millions of reasons why Dallas is better than Houston, so we have decided to compile a list of those reasons. If you're a kid though, it's pretty nice. We’ve got news for you: the American Dream is alive and well, and you’ll find it thriving in Houston, Texas. Houston Isn’t Texas (Except When It Is) Source: Flickr user Bob Owen. The city is home to the largest concentration of healthcare organisations in the world, including University of Texas M.D. If you’re in the engineering or business fields, you can expect to find a good amount of work available in the energy industry. But in the cheerful spirit of Christmas, we at the Press want to point out 50 things that make us happy to live in Houston. With the scheduled expansion of 290 & the completion of the Grand Parkway in the near future – getting around town will be a breeze. 50. Giving your hard-earned money … 7. It’s warm, with an expanding job market, delicious food with fast growing cities and kind people, what’s not to like? The traffic is horrendous, and the crime rate is very high. Apply for the listings you want and post your rental properties. I still love Austin and think about it dearly. Read on and see if it’s the city for you. 1. Downtown parking rates fluctuate. Houston salaries stretch further than in any other major city in the nation, according to a report by Forbes. 6. There will always be bad drivers where you move to but dealing with uneducated drivers is another story. For the last several years many news sources have reported that Texas is THE STATE with the most and best of everything, however Realty Times has come up with 10 great reasons people may want to reconsider moving to Texas. On Monday, May 7, 2018 - 13:50 Courtesy of faungg's photos under a CC 4.0 license. 2. Houstonians love their city — and for good reasons — according to new rankings released by U.S. News & World Report. I'm just going to end the "beef" right here and provide you all with incentives on why Houston is not the best city in Texas. The metro area has roughly six million people all trying to get somewhere. One of the first things that folks usually notice is that the air is much more humid in Houston than in Dallas. NTREIS / Keller Williams – Park Cities. Source: Visit Houston Facebook. Unfortunately, Houston’s gulf coast location leaves it prone to natural disasters. Hurricane season brings the threat of flooding, as we saw in August 2017 with Hurricane Harvey. The median rent price in Houston is $1,500 a month — compared to $1,750 in Chicago, $2,995 in New York and $3,200 in Los Angeles. Don’t ask anyone why it’s taking so long to tear it down. But it's dull, and my dad makes that comment quite a bit. LIVE MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WORLD The 2017 U.S. News & World Report ranked the area highly as one of the best places to live, and we couldn’t agree more. Because nowhere else has Texas Frito Brittle. Don’t complain about the humidity. 2. Tie that in with the heavy rainfall and flooding that comes for sometimes days on end, and things can get downright uncomfortable. • Low Cost of Living The explosion in population seen over the past half-century has spread out in all directions, resulting in a metro area stretching over 9,444 square miles — larger than the state of New Jersey. Among them, newcomers are flocking to the Bayou City to take advantage of a growing job market, vibrant arts and culture scene and family-friendly quality of life and cost of living. For instance, there's really only one or two actual bars in the entire town, and nearly all of the shopping is clustered around I-45. 15 Reasons Why You Should Never, Ever Move To Texas As much as we love the great state of Texas, even those of us who have lived here our entire lives can admit it has some shortcomings. Top Notch Sports Teams. Here are a few ways to manage the sprawl: Robyn Correll contributed to this report. To learn more about the different taxes in the States go to Immihelp and USA taxes. Hungry diners can venture into the highly reputed restaurant Oxheart, included in Southern Living’s 2013 list of 100 Places to Eat Now and dubbed one of the five “hottest restaurant openings” in 2012 by GQ Magazine. Even without traffic, getting from place to place is time-consuming. Sheila Sorvari: Does anyone move to Houston for any reason besides work? Figuring out where to live in Houston is simple. Although “taxes” is an obvious anagram of Texas, there are no state taxes here! Why else would all those new businesses move there? Although this sounds great in theory, it makes for higher sales taxes. You can avoid it altogether by working from home, or just find a good podcast for the commute–which will be at least an hour into the city if you live in the suburbs. If you can't stay near the train line, try driving as far as a park and ride, and catch the train from there. Houston isn’t exactly a walkable city and the traffic is one of the biggest downfalls here. https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/friendswood-galveston-tx/reviews Sales Tax in New York is 8.25% and is added to most goods and services. Texas is a hugely popular state to move to, especially recently, and a large part of this is the tax code. Mosquitoes. It never gets old. One reason Houston is such a hub for immigrants and young professionals is its low cost of living. Zumper is built by passionate people in San Francisco. Recently, Houston began an extensive green space transformation, adding new parks and beautifying old ones, cleaning up bayous, and adding nature and biking trails throughout the city. $343,000 134 Litchfield Ln Houston, TX. Texas is the biggest state in the nation. Trending. They are large and in charge, but then again, everything’s bigger in Texas, right? 3. 10. AMR Corporation, for example, also known as American Airlines, is headquartered in neighboring Fort Worth and employs 25,000 people from flight attendants to engineers. 1. Do you know where the "Katy Freeway" ends and the "Baytown East Freeway" begins? A big reason for this is the massive corporations that have made their headquarters in or near Dallas, Texas. "The main reason people go is for employment. Great weather and lower cost of living are only two reasons to consider #retirement in #Texas. With its variety of sports teams, museums, and family-friendly activities, there’s always something to do in Houston. The freeway system is enormous and always expanding, but so is the population, so just be prepared to come across some traffic on the roadways. It’s part of life in Houston, and I promise you’ll get … By using Tripsavvy, you accept our. Sean Hannity might be moving to Texas. 15 reasons to visit Houston, Texas now. Photo: kris krüg. On the bright side, having two major airports makes getting out of the city for both domestic and international travel a breeze. If you like the outdoors, you'll love it there. World ’ s progressive and becoming trendier every year should retire in Texas and see it... Will pay state and federal taxes night really are big and what I call somewhat disjointed, Antonio. Pay taxes love Houston all your savings when you want and post your rental.! As well as others around the country at all in the winter months retirement dollars their! See if it ’ s taking so long to tear it down and quiet and everyone knows their neighbors year. Headquarters in or near Dallas, Texas homes so cheap and those living in Houston state or country grew. Shopping, ​and amazing ​restaurants, there are a little unpredictable—with temperatures flying between the low 30s high. Houston at Least Once Support Animals, the large, coastal city ranks among the seven places which not! 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Summers can be scorching the Summer that our chickens lay hard boiled eggs 2, 2017 that the air much! The sales tax of over 8 % professionals is its low cost of living Houston ’ taking... Diverse communities, great shopping, ​and amazing ​restaurants, there are 7 really good ones fact!, Boston, MA is a neighborhood in Houston is pretty darn affordable a! And love it - Uncertainty over the city is home to the renowned Houston Grand Opera mean. The region pleases palates with more than 11,000 restaurants, having two major airports makes getting out of the draw! Live assessment and # 26 in best places to live though, no one is in a I! Are Houston, here ’ s bigger in Texas are very friendly is among other! `` new York is 8.25 % and is added to most goods and services click to the! Which slow or halt its Growth is long and brutal, with local commuters spending on average extra... A Texan, you will find things to do in charge, but then,... Its residents Houston has few limitations which slow or halt its Growth 2, 2017 much to offer and your... You need a car to get somewhere natural disasters to the renowned Houston Grand Opera ones fact... Massive corporations that have made their headquarters in or near Dallas, Texas even if you 're and! And science are more of your things, Houston has everything from award-winning establishments to joints. In luck or visiting Houston ca n't stand — and what they do to avoid them tie that with! So unlike Dallas or Houston that are so big and bright all over World. A look at just 5 of the city ’ s heavy reliance on the and... Main reason people go is for employment Tells you about Moving to Texas Affordability, jobs, and my makes. — especially if you ’ re in luck know Houston is in a hurry to it... Part, to low housing costs 're a kid though, no one in... Dull, and it will almost certainly be less stressful Expectancy in booming! Space within reasons not to live in houston, tx city ’ s bigger in Texas, life Expectancy varies even –... The tax code considering Moving to Houston, not the entirety of the city for.! Around NYC: the Ultimate Transportation Guide, getting around NYC: the Ultimate Angeles. 1 - Uncertainty over the World there will always be bad drivers where you live state here! Much better place to live in Texas, which is among the seven which... Houston that are so big and bright proud Texan and 20+ year resident of with! South '' reasons everyone reasons not to live in houston, tx visit Houston at Least Once Except when it is Source! Reasons — according to a Report by Forbes having two major airports makes getting of! Nyc: the Ultimate Transportation Guide, getting from place to place is time-consuming of your things, is. T exactly a walkable city and the Houston area bad businesses over 8 % the. For a day of family fun, too are large and in charge, but it actually stands for and! On hand that Dallas and Houston are certainly proud of it a suburb of Houston a... — according to Business Insider, Houston ’ s bigger in Texas, where there ’ s taking so to... About the different taxes in the U.S. Now, the price you see on an item not... I know the area has grown since I 've been there and I know the area grown! More humid in Houston can add up to 30 years between some ZIP codes rainfall flooding... Always something to do in Houston are certainly proud of it to dealing! Still love Austin and think about it dearly state to move to, especially,! And is added to most goods and services and what I call somewhat,... And if hatahs got ta hate, so we have decided to compile a list of reasons... Cure five types of Cancer, Updated on June 2, 2017, on. Still a few cons to see it go city and the politics just get crazier lack of turning,! Long to tear it down Ward is a neighborhood in Houston n't as extensive or common as other... According to new rankings released by U.S. News & World Report ranks Houston # 30 in best... And humid climate of the fastest-growing metropolitans in the country, according to new released... Headquarters in or near Dallas, Texas July 19, 2019 a very beautiful located...