Your Guide to Moving to Houston, TX
Known as “The Bayou City” for the waterways that run around and through it, Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States. When you get here, you’ll quickly realize that this culturally diverse and economically powerful city has a unique way of radiating small-town charm. Whether you’re looking for job opportunities, a low cost of living, or the ideal place to raise a family, Houston is a wonderful place to call home. Read on to find out why.
A Thriving Economy
Houston is a place that is attracting talent from all over the country and the world. The city offers high-paying career opportunities in a diverse range of industries including oil and gas, energy, aerospace, engineering, healthcare, and education. In fact, there are more Fortune 500 companies located in Houston than in any other city in the U.S. besides New York. As a growing city with a strong economy, Houston also offers strong prospects for entrepreneurs and business owners and has been recognized for its strong culture of innovation. With new housing options all over the Houston area, you can be sure to find a home with a convenient commute to your workplace.
Cultural Diversity and Endless Entertainment Options
Ranked as the most diverse city in the country, Houston is often described as a melting pot of cultures. People from all over the world choose to move to Houston for the way in which diversity is welcomed and celebrated. In fact, almost half of all Houston residents speak a language other than English. This diversity creates a truly inclusive and vibrant culture in the city, with ethnic restaurants, stores, neighborhoods, and festivals to be found everywhere.
Houston is also packed with attractions and entertainment options that appeal to people of all ages and interests. The Houston Museum District has dozens of museums that include natural science, history, art, and even a zoo. The Houston Theater District is where residents go to enjoy all kinds of music, dance, theater, and comedy productions. Houston also boasts world-class shopping and dining, as well as all kinds of professional sports including local baseball, football, basketball, and soccer teams.
A Family-Friendly Environment with High-Quality Education Options
Most big cities would not be considered as the most family-friendly environments, but Houston is different. The city is filled with safe neighborhoods that offer parks, green spaces, and plenty of activities and amenities for kids. And when you consider that Houston also offers a wide variety of high-quality schooling options, it truly makes it an ideal place to raise a family.
There are more than 20 public school districts that serve the Houston area, with Houston ISD being the largest. Both Friendswood and Katy ISDs have been ranked as the best Houston school districts and are also amongst the top school districts in Texas. The Houston area also has more than 270 private schools, several of which are ranked as some of the best schools in Texas.
Houston is also home to the well-reputed Rice University and University of Houston, as well as more than 40 other public and private universities and colleges.
Wonderful Weather
If you like warm weather, you’ll love Houston. With a subtropical climate, the temperature ranges between a comfortable 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit on most days of the year. Winters are mild with average temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers in Houston can feel uncomfortable since temperatures can rise above 90 degrees and humidity levels are also high. But residents will be quick to tell you that the uncomfortable summer months won’t last long, and there are plenty of places to cool down with AC and ice cream treats!
Low Cost of Living
If you like the opportunity and excitement of living in a big city but don’t like the price tag, Houston is the place for you. Houston’s cost of living is slightly lower than the national average and also lower than other major cities in Texas including Austin and Dallas. People who relocate to Houston from an expensive city like New York or San Francisco are usually surprised by just how much cheaper it is. Buying a home in a desirable neighborhood is much more affordable than it is in other cities, and even day-to-day expenses like groceries and utilities are cheaper. Add to that the fact that there is no state income tax in Texas and you’ll have no doubt that your money will stretch further living in Houston.
Diverse Neighborhoods
Being such a large city, Houston has dozens of neighborhoods to choose from. With all the options you have, you can be sure you’ll find a neighborhood you love here in Houston, no matter what your lifestyle, needs, and budget are.
The Inner Loop
Interstate 610 is a major highway that loops around the city. The Inner Loop is the area inside I-610’s loop, which includes Houston’s central business district and its most popular entertainment and dining venues. The area includes Houston’s downtown, as well as several other nearby neighborhoods such as Midtown, River Oaks, and West University. The inner loop has some of Houston’s most coveted neighborhoods and housing prices per square foot tend to be more expensive in these areas.
North Houston
Travel north of the city and you’ll find neighborhoods with a more suburban, small-town feels, such as Conroe, Spring, and Tomball. Residents of North Houston are able to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle with several lakes in the area and an abundance of parks and green spaces. Being close to downtown, the area is also popular with commuters and those who want easy access to amenities and entertainment options. North Houston also boasts an array of high-quality schools.
West Houston
West Houston is a diverse area that combines cultural heritage with suburban living. The area includes neighborhoods such as Alief, Katy, and Westchase, which are all known for their suburban lifestyles and high-quality schools. West Houston is packed with amenities and entertainment options and is also just a short drive from downtown.
South Houston
With easy access to downtown and Hobby Airport, South Houston is a very convenient location. Neighborhoods in this area, such as Missouri City, Richmond, and Sugar Land, have ample space and are not densely populated. The area is also known for its parks, shopping centers, and recreational venues.
East Houston
Work in the city and spend your weekends enjoying the waterfront–that’s the life that East Houston residents live. Whether you enjoy swimming, boating, water sports, or fishing, you’ll have it all at your fingertips living in East Houston. Neighborhoods in this area include Baytown, Clear Lake, and Friendswood, which all boast waterfront living, an array of outdoor activities, and close proximity to the city.
A New Construction Home Is Your Best Bet in Houston
Houston offers all the benefits of living in a big city with a much lower cost of living and a friendly atmosphere. It’s no wonder that people from all over the country and the world are flocking to Houston to take advantage of the excellent job opportunities and quality of life the city offers.
Finding the right home in Houston can be a difficult and overwhelming task, with so many neighborhoods to choose from and hundreds of thousands of homebuyers to compete with. Choosing to search for a newly constructed home takes much of the hassle and guesswork out of the homebuying process for you. Here’s why.
New homes are built in desirable neighborhoods
With so many neighborhoods to choose from in Houston, homebuyers often find themselves confused by all the options. While you will find newly constructed homes and communities all over the Houston area, you can feel confident that they are only in desirable neighborhoods. Houston builders carefully select the neighborhoods where they build new homes and communities to ensure they will appeal to homebuyers and hold strong home value over time.
A new home provides a new community
Newly constructed homes are usually built within new communities and neighborhoods that are not open to investors. This means that all of your neighbors will be homeowners who have recently moved to the area and will be looking to make friends and build a community just like you are. You may even find that some of these communities have organized social events and activities for you to participate in. And with all the amenities that new home builders often include in their developments, such as swimming pools, clubhouses, and playgrounds, you’ll instantly have plenty of opportunities to gain a sense of belonging in your new community.
New homes are move-in ready and near flawless
When you choose a new construction home, you will get more peace of mind knowing that you are buying a home that’s move-in ready and free of defects and outdated systems. In your new home, you can feel confident that there are no foundation issues and all your plumbing and electrical systems, as well as appliances, are working and updated. Houston New Home Builders also provide a warranty that covers the cost of any issues that may arise in the home during the warranty period.
A new home provides more value for money
While the cost of new construction may or may not be less than the purchase price of a resale home of comparable size and location, you can feel confident that you are getting more value for your money when you choose to buy new. In addition to outdated systems and appliances, resale homes can have hidden defects that may not be uncovered in an inspection. It’s not uncommon for buyers of resale homes to find themselves facing large bills for repairing these types of problems just a year or two after they move in. Furthermore, new homes are more energy-efficient and are cheaper to insure. Last but not least, when you decide to sell your home, your house will be newer and will likely hold more value if you bought a newly constructed home over a resale.
Search For Your New Houston Home Today
With small-town charm and big-city benefits, there’s no doubt that Houston, TX is an ideal place to live. Start your search for a new construction home in Houston with NewHomesMate today!