Why are People Moving to Houston? Houston is increasingly becoming a popular destination for families, young professionals and retirees alike. It’s the fourth largest city by population in the U.S. and the largest city in Texas. As one of the fastest growing cities in the US in recent years, there are plenty of reasons […]
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Why are People Moving to Houston?
Houston is increasingly becoming a popular destination for families, young professionals and retirees alike. It’s the fourth largest city by population in the U.S. and the largest city in Texas.
As one of the fastest growing cities in the US in recent years, there are plenty of reasons why moving to Houston is an attractive option. From its vibrant art and food scenes to its low cost of living, ample job opportunities and diverse community, there’s no shortage of economic, recreational and cultural benefits to moving to Houston.
Continue reading to explore more of what the booming city of Houston has to offer.
Strong Culture & Pride
Moving to Houston means moving to a city with strong culture and city/state pride, and it’s not hard to see why. Far from the stereotypical image of cowboys, rodeos, country music, football, and BBQ (though there is plenty of great BBQ), Houston is so much more.In fact, Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse metro areas in the United States. At least 145 languages are spoken by its residents of over 90 nationalities represented in the city. Houston also has one of the youngest populations of any major U.S. metro area thanks to the recent influx of young professionals into the city. This bodes particularly well for Houston’s future both in terms of infrastructure and workforce.
With such immense diversity as arguably its greatest selling point, it’s easy to find a wide range of incredible music, delicious food, unique events, and exciting activities that reflect some of the best aspects of this town. As you settle into this vibrant city full of southern hospitality, you’ll develop your own reasons for loving it like its residents do now – that’s the beauty of moving to Houston!
Career & Job Opportunities
With its booming market and ever-diversifying workforce, Houston is an ideal destination for many companies — and for job seekers looking to broaden their professional horizon. As the third-fastest growing tech ecosystem for early stage companies, Houston attracts large enterprises and new startups alike. Home to multiple Fortune 500 companies, including Phillips 66, Hewlett Packard, Sysco, Haliburton, and more. Houston is also the foundation for many popular and growing industries. These include information technology, business services, hospitality, financial services, and the energy sector (Houston is considered the Energy Capital of the World). The Port of Houston is also a major draw for businesses of all sizes.
With its diverse business community, skilled labor force, and vibrant culture, it’s no surprise that moving to Houston could lead to a successful career journey for individuals and long-term growth for businesses and start-ups.
In fact, did you know that Houston was first established by two entrepreneurs?
Food & Entertainment
Speaking of entrepreneurs, with so many businesses moving, expanding, or launching in Houston, one side effect is a thriving food, art, and entertainment scene available to Houston’s metropolitan residents.
Food
Houston is home to over 10,000 restaurants celebrating the flavors and cuisines of over 70 countries. Both GQ and Time have named Houston one of the best dining scenes in the country, and aspiring chefs are moving to the city in droves to take part in its exploding culinary culture.
Some of the most popular and highly-rated eateries include Hugo’s, an upscale Mexican restaurant with a mix of Mexican, Spanish, and South American flavors; Killen’s BBQ, a nationally renowned barbecue joint created by master pitmaster Ronnie Killen; and La Fisheria Seafood & Market Grill, which specializes in freshly sourced seafood dishes from the Gulf Coast. That’s just the tip of the iceberg though, Houston’s best restaurants are full of unique flavors and diversity.
Shopping
Whether you’re looking for big-name retailers like Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus at The Galleria, eclectic boutiques in Montrose or exclusive outlets like Memorial City Mall, Houston has something to offer every kind of shopper. For an outdoor shopping experience, shoppers can enjoy walking around CityCentre while perusing fashionable options from popular stores. Additionally, the historical downtown area of Houston offers quaint stores selling vintage home decor and unique gifts alongside modern designs and trendy clothing brands. No matter what kind of shopping experience you’re looking for, you’ll find it in Houston.
Art & Entertainment
Houston has a variety of entertainment venues to offer its residents and visitors that go beyond museums or galleries, making it an ideal city for entertainment where culture and beauty are found in the very architecture itself.
That said, you’ll find plenty of traditional entertainment options as well. From concert arenas such as the Toyota Center, Revention Music Center, and White Oak Music Hall, to comedy clubs like The Houston Improv and The Comedy Showcase, there’s something for every type of comedy or music lover. For those looking to enjoy a Broadway-style show, head to the esteemed Jones Hall or the Hobby Center for Performing Arts.
If you’re in search of outdoor venues with breathtaking views, the Miller Outdoor Theater, Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, and Discovery Green make excellent experiences. All of these popular venues host a myriad of performances throughout the year – whether you’re looking for live music or a dramatic show. No matter your choice of entertainment or taste in genre, Houston has plenty of options for a night on the town.
Cost of Living
With such an endless list of options for food and entertainment in Houston, it’s a good thing the cost of living is among the lowest in the country for major metro areas.
Houston’s living costs are 8.2 percent below the nationwide average, and a full 35.5 percent lower than the nation’s other most populous metropolitan areas such as New York, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Seattle. Savings come in the form of lower rent and home prices, inexpensive food and transportation, and high quality of life relative to cost.
To understand just how much more affordable Houston is than some other major cities, here’s how much you would need to earn in other cities to have the same quality of life you’d have in Houston on an $80,000/year salary. It’s not hard to see why people are choosing Houston over some of these comparable cities, especially when Houston has so much to offer.
Commercial Real Estate in Houston
With rising job growth, booming retail sales, and major corporate employers moving in, one effect is a large increase in demand for office, retail, and warehouse space. The city provides a great opportunity for business owners of all types to take advantage of enticing Houston commercial leases, new spaces, and easy access to many amenities throughout the city.
If you’re looking for an area with plenty of potential for future growth, look no further than the Houston commercial real estate market.
And did we mention Houston’s booming self-storage market? Businesses and consumers alike are expanding this profitable industry at levels rarely seen before, making it a perfect time to get involved in Houston self storage.
Top Tier Education System
From preschools to universities, the entire educational system in Houston is thriving and offers plenty of opportunities for students of all ages. The city has some of the best public and private schools in Texas, offering quality teaching and engaging curricula that prepare kids for success. Students with exceptional academic performance can also apply to numerous magnet and charter schools. All in all, moving to Houston opens up many educational windows of opportunity that can open doors towards higher levels of learning as well as future career paths.
Houston has a unique approach to independent school districts (ISDs) for K-12 students. Each school district has its own taxing authority outside the direct control of other governmental entities. These schools are majority locally taxfunded, whereas most other states in the U.S. are majority state tax funded. The advantage of this is that local taxpayers are directly contributing to their own school district, rather than their state taxes being spread to potentially distant districts and schools that are disconnected from their own children and communities.
Meanwhile, Houston is home to over 100 universities, community colleges, and technical trade schools, as well as 14 major institutions of higher education.
“Local taxpayers are directly contributing to their own school district, rather than their state taxes being spread to potentially distant districts and schools that are disconnected from their own children
and communities.”
Tax Benefits of Living in Houston
Many of Houston’s phenomenal tax benefits are the result of excellent benefits at the state level. Texas has one of the lowest tax burdens in the United States at 7.6%, and it’s one of the only states with no income tax at all. There’s also no state property tax on vehicles.
That’s all not to mention the nation-leading corporate tax benefits available to companies based in Texas. Texas’s combined corporate tax rate is 21%, among the lowest in the entire country. Lower tax rates in this range can lead to increased corporate profits of 5-7%.
Between these benefits and increased affordability, lower corporate rent, and convenient location near the middle of the U.S. for cheaper business travel and shipping, it’s no surprise that more and more businesses are moving to Houston.
Oh, and did we mention that Texas is one of the most tax-friendly states for retirees?
Healthcare
Speaking of retirees, another factor pushing many toward Texas is its nationally ranked hospitals and high-performing healthcare system.
Houston is known for its plethora of excellent and world-class medical centers and hospitals, such as the Texas Medical Center and Memorial Hermann Hospital. This means that Houstonians have plenty of options when it comes to seeking top-quality care and a wide range of services. Additionally, Houston is home to some outstanding research institutions like The University of Texas Health Science Center, inspiring advances in medical knowledge for future generations. With partnerships with local universities, jobs in the healthcare industry are plentiful here as well.
Houston’s Top Hospitals
HOUSTON METHODIST
Nationally Ranked in 10 Specialties
BAYLOR ST. LUKE’S
Nationally Ranked in 6 Specialties
MEMORIAL HERMANN HOSPITAL
Nationally Ranked in 4 Children’s Specialties
Weather
For anyone moving to Houston, the city’s temperate weather is sure to be a welcome surprise. With average yearly temperatures ranging around 60-80°F (15-27°C) and an average 35 days of rainfall each year, you can enjoy warm weather for almost all of the year. In fact, the peak late spring and summer months are typically very hot and humid, which also means more sunshine! However, even when temperatures drop during winter, it rarely gets too cold—temperatures almost never dip below 36°F (2.2°C). So moving to Houston not only lands you in an exciting metropolis, but you can also look forward to sunny weather all year round!
And with all that sunshine, it’s a good thing Houston is packed with outdoor activities to enjoy. From kayaking along the winding Buffalo Bayou to taking adventurous hikes in Memorial Park or strolling around Discovery Green, there are plenty of activities to while away those sunny days in Houston. The Houston Arboretum hosts weekly events that bring guests up close and personal with nature, and the city’s many wildlife sanctuaries offer visitors chances to observe rare birds, turtles and alligators.
Transportation & Infrastructure
If you’re moving to Houston, you’ll be happy to hear that the city boasts impressive transportation and infrastructure. Houston offers numerous forms of public transport, including buses, light rail, paratransit, bike sharing services and carpooling opportunities. The downtown underground tunnel system also helps make commuting downtown manageable.
On top of this, two major airports provide hundreds of daily flights within Texas and beyond. Roads are usually well maintained to ensure easy travel at any time of year. There is also a range of trails for pedestrians and cyclists alike to enjoy that stretch across the city. All in all, moving to Houston means having no shortage of options when it comes to getting around! Moving to Houston is more than a trend – it’s an investment in the future. Every year, more people are moving to this bustling city constructed against the backdrop of Texas sized opportunity. From thriving industries and world-class universities to a robust job market and growing economy, Houston has something for everyone.
With its accessibility from all areas of the country and its friendliness towards businesses of all sizes, it’s no surprise that such a wide range of people, established companies, and new startups are choosing to make their homes in this remarkable city.
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