Are you moving to Houston? If so, you’re in good company as thousands of people are moving to America’s fourth largest city every year. In fact, Houston’s job market, low cost of living, and thriving food scene are helping add nearly 250 people per day to the city. Houston is attracting new residents to its metro area from all over Texas, the United States, and even the world
Any move to a city brings with it new challenges and opportunities — and lots of questions. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ll walk you through some of the most common things that newcomers wonder about — including the state’s deregulated energy market and how to find the best electricity rates to save money and energy — so you can feel like a local Houstonian from day one.
Houston’s Job Market Is Booming
Like nearly every city in the United States, Houston struggled during the pandemic. But the city’s job market rebounded strongly, adding more than 136,400 new jobs in 2020.
People aren’t drawn just by the quantity of new jobs on offer, though — the quality of jobs is world class. Houston plays host to 24 Fortune 500 companies who have located their headquarters in this Texas city. A wide variety of industries are thriving in Houston, which help make it such a diverse city
How Big Is Houston’s Healthcare Industry?
Houston’s healthcare industry attracts doctors, nurses, and healthcare professionals from all over the world. More than 376,000 people work in healthcare in Houston, and the city is host to the world’s largest single medical complex, the Texas Medical Center
Why Is Houston Called the “Space City”?
Many professionals move to Houston to pursue careers in the aerospace industry. NASA’s history is deeply entwined with the city of Houston. Constructed in the 1960s, the Johnson Space Center is where NASA trains astronauts, performs advanced research. It’s also the home of Mission Control (does “Houston, we’ve had a problem” ring a bell?).
With such a rich history rooted in the space industry, it’s no wonder that one of Houston’s many nicknames is the “Space City.” (Houston is also called the “Bayou City” as it has many waterways flowing through the surrounding areas.)
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Is Houston Really the “Energy Capital of the World?”
But wait! There’s more! Houston has another industry that pays well and attracts highly skilled workers: energy. In fact, Houston and energy are so synonymous that it’s often called the “Energy Capital of the World.”
Virtually every oil and gas company worth its salt has an office in Houston — what New York City’s Wall Street is to finance, Houston is to energy and especially oil and gas. The city regularly hosts conferences that attract the biggest names in the energy industry, and the companies that call Houston home are a big reason why so many people continue moving to Houston.
Are There Any Major Colleges or Universities in Houston?
With a variety of high-skilled jobs available, Houston needs a steady stream of smart, skilled workers. Fortunately for Houston’s many businesses, the city is home to highly regarded schools.
Rice University ranks 17th on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the country’s top national universities, and 5th on the list of the country’s best value schools. The University of Houston is another great school that was recently ranked in the top 100 of U.S. News and World Report’s list of the best value schools.
Houston’s higher education also creates a large number of high-paying jobs for Houstonians, so whether you’re going to school to jump-start a career or to further pursue one, there are opportunities
What Is the Cost of Living in Houston?
Houston has a strong job market, but many Americans don’t know how low the cost of living is in this Texas city. For one, let’s look at real estate. The average Houston home is in the $235,000 range, far cheaper than comparable major cities like New York City’s average price of over $728,400, or Los Angeles’ eye-watering average of more than $913,700.
Pair those relatively affordable home prices (for a big city) with high-paying jobs, and it’s no surprise that Houston ranks as the fifth most affordable U.S. city for buying a house.
Furthermore, Texas is one of nine states in the United States that has no state income tax, and that’s one of the biggest reasons why so many people are looking to move to Texas — and specifically Houston
What Do I Need to Know to Feel Like a Local on Day One?
Houston has plenty of jobs and it’s an affordable place to live. But how long is it going to take before the city feels like home? Never fear, we’ve got a quick rundown of all that Houston has to offer so that you can feel like a local before you’re done unpacking. (Well, almost.)
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Does Houston Have Any Professional Sports Teams?
Houston has five major professional sports teams, enough to satisfy even the most die-hard sports fans out there.
The Houston Astros are the city’s Major League Baseball team, and they play their home games at Minute Maid Park — a fun venue for a night out. If football is more your style, catch an NFL game at NRG Stadium, where the Houston Texans play. Not to be outdone, the Houston Rockets have been entertaining Houstonians since 1971, and you can catch one of their NBA games at the Toyota Center in downtown Houston.
Let’s not forget Houston’s two professional soccer teams: the Houston Dynamo FC are the city’s men’s soccer team, and they play their MLS games at PNC Stadium. The Houston Dynamo share that stadium with the Houston Dash, the city’s women’s soccer team which plays in the NWSL.
Whatever your favorite sport is, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for some exciting live games (or matches) in Houston
Where Are Houston’s Best Green Spaces?
Houston boasts some amazing green spaces that are perfect for a picnic, a bike ride, or just a leisurely stroll. Found just south of Houston’s Museum District, Hermann Park is a 445-acre green space that contains the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo, the Miller Outdoor Theatre, and even a golf course.
If golf is your thing, you can head to another one of Houston’s marquee green spaces, Memorial Park. Memorial Park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and the Memorial Park Golf Course is consistently rated as one of the best municipal golf courses in the country.
You’ll also want to check out Buffalo Bayou Park, a greenway that accompanies a 2.3 mile stretch of the Buffalo Bayou, a slow-moving river that flows from the town of Katy (west of Houston) through the city, and into Galveston Bay. The Park is a perfect green space for a walk, a bike ride, or even a hike
What Are Some Can’t-Miss Things to Do in Houston?
In addition to the city’s green spaces, Houston has plenty of options for fun adventures. Here’s a quick rundown of some can’t-miss activities in the Houston area:
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: Like everything in Texas, this show and rodeo is big. In fact, it’s the biggest livestock and rodeo show in the world.
- Nightlife: Perfect for night owls, Houston has been ranked one of the top 10 party towns in the country.
- The Museum District: This beloved area is a great place to spend a culture-filled afternoon and you won’t be alone when you visit. More than 8.7 million people visit the 19 museums in the district annually, and the diversity of exhibits and activities will be enough to satisfy even the most ardent culture critic. Word to the wise: Don’t miss the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
- Theater District: This district plays host to traveling Broadway shows as well as the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet.
- Food Scene: Houston’s food scene has exploded in recent years. There are a diverse array of restaurants, food trucks, breweries, and cafes — from Tex-Mex to Cajun and beyond.
- The Galleria: As the largest shopping mall in Texas, the Galleria offers plenty of retail therapy. It even boasts an ice rink (year-round!), perfect to cool down on those hot Texas summer days.
What Houston Neighborhoods Should Be on My Radar?
One of the quickest shortcuts to knowing a city is knowing its neighborhoods. Here’s a quick look at some attractive areas in Houston.
River Oaks is an upscale neighborhood in Houston that has been ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. With its central location and high-profile restaurants, River Oaks is certainly a Houston neighborhood that should be on your radar.
Thirty miles north of Houston’s city center is The Woodlands, a massive luxury development that fosters its own local community, complete with hiking trails, restaurants, events, and even a resort.
Another great neighborhood to know about when moving to Houston is Montrose. This is Houston’s hippest ‘hood, and it’s chock-full of vintage shops, art galleries, tattoo parlors, and eateries. It’s also known for its diversity and eccentricity
What’s the Best Option for Drinking Water in Houston?
When moving to Houston, it’s a good idea to figure out your at-home water situation. While many people opt for bottled water, it can get quite expensive, not to mention it’s far from an eco-friendly solution. In fact, 80% of plastic water bottles end up in landfills. (Yikes!)
While water delivery is a less wasteful option, consider a water filtration system, which is both friendlier on your wallet and the planet. Look for a reputable company that’s flexible and works for your lifestyle. For instance, Home Water offers a whole-house water filter or under-sink water filter that can remove certain chemicals from water, particularly volatile organic compounds.
Everything You Need to Know About Electricity Rates in Houston
There’s one unique aspect of living in Houston that may catch some new Houstonites by surprise: Texas electricity plans are different from most other states. Let’s walk through those differences, and steer you towards some top-shelf solutions
Why Can I Choose My Electricity Provider in Houston?
Texas electricity plans are different from most other states as it has a deregulated energy market. While some Texas cities like Austin and San Antonio are not deregulated, Houston is a deregulated market.
Energy deregulation means that in Houston, electricity rates are governed by the free market, and retail electricity providers (REPs, for short) are left to compete for your business on price. As such, consumers have the power to choose the best Texas electricity rates and plans
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How Do I Get the Best Electricity Rates in Houston?
One of the benefits of energy companies competing for your business is the ability to choose the electricity plan that’s right for you. We all want lower electric rates, but it can be daunting to find the best energy plan out of the many options out there, especially if you’re new to Texas.
Fortunately, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC or PUCT) — the state’s regulatory body that oversees the various energy plans on offer from the retail electricity providers — has a website called Power to Choose that can help you narrow down all of those electricity plans.
Helpful tip: Use our guide on how to find the best option for your energy needs
