Moving to Houston

Written By

Machaela Casey

Moving to Houston, Texas

If you’re thinking of relocating to Houston, Texas, you might be interested in learning about:

-The job market

-The best neighborhoods for singles

-The best neighborhoods for families

-The big city amenities and suburban attractions

-The commute

Trust Your Houston Moving Partner

At Nelson Westerberg, we’ve moved people in and out of Houston (and Texas) for years. In fact, we’ve been in the moving business for over 100 years. In that time, our Houston Movers helped move people, businesses, and organizations everywhere in the United States and even abroad.

In addition, we have the trucks, the equipment, and full-service moving options to make your move to Houston stress free. We offer packing services, expedited shipping, storage solutions, and more. Our moving services will make your move to Houston a breeze.

Is Houston a Good Place to Live?

Like any big city, Houston has its pros and its cons. To examine what life is like in the “Bayou City,” we’ll examine the job market, neighborhoods, and the quality of life in select areas of Houston.

Houston Fast Facts

Houston is currently the 4^th largest city in the U.S. And, its population is growing faster than any other major city. In some ways, Houston is just like any other American city. It boasts a diverse population, quality restaurants, and state-of-the art sports venues.

However, Houston is much more than just a large U.S. city. With two international airports, four major sea ports, major highways and rail service, Houston has become a major global city as well.

What is Houston Known For?

According to the City of Houston homepage, Houston is a multi-cultural, quickly growing city. The Houston metropolitan area is currently home to 7.1 million people. 2.3 million people live in the city itself, with the rest of the residents residing in the surrounding suburbs. Houston is also culturally diverse-at least 145 different languages are spoken by city residents.

In addition, Houston is a center for major U.S. industry. Several Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in Houston. For example, ConocoPhillips, Sysco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and Westlake Chemical all make their homes here.

Top Industries in Houston

Yes, Houston is a hub for energy and technology-related businesses. Other main industries include:

-Advanced manufacturing

-Aerospace and aviation

-Life sciences & biotechnology

-Transportation & logistics

-Health care

-Education

Job Outlook

The Houston area is predicted to add more than 75,000 jobs in 2022. This means that the region is projected to gain back most of the jobs lost by the pandemic by the end of the year.

Living in Houston: Know the Lay of the Land

The Houston metropolitan area spans 12 different counties. The city itself is 669 square miles. A 42-mile ringed freeway (Highway 610) encircles the center of the city.

Locals refer to the portion inside the circle as the ‘inner loop’ of the city and the everything outside that portion the as the ‘outer loop.’ Housing prices, commute times, and proximity to amenities all depend on where you live.

The Inner Loop

This part of Houston houses the downtown central business district. In addition, this area offers multiple commuting routes, like the MotoRail and select bike lanes. Popular neighborhoods here include: The Heights, River Oaks, Midtown, and West University, located near Rice University.

Downtown Houston also offers beautiful recreational areas. The largest remaining native Texas forest is found here, as part of Buffalo Bayou Park. Nearby, you can also visit Memorial Park, one of the largest public parks in the United States. This park includes an arboretum, a golf course, running trails, and more.

Culture in the Inner Loop

Downtown Houston includes the Museum District, the cultural heart of the city. This tree-lined neighborhood is home to 20 museums, including the Museum of Natural Science and the Museum of Fine Arts.

The Museum District is also home to Hermann Park. This urban playground features a splash pad, a golf course, and a jogging trail. In addition, the park houses the Houston Zoo, home to over 6,000 animals. Finally, the park is easy to access. The MetroRail has three stops located around the park.

Sports in the Inner Loop

The inner loop also contains NRG park, a 350-acre complex of stadiums that hosts over 750 events each year. From sporting events to conventions, you can always find something fun do here.

One of the biggest events of the year at NRG park is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The Rodeo is billed as “the best tradition in Texas.” This family friendly experience includes a carnival, a ranching and wildlife expo, and more, all designed to educate and entertain guests.

Pros and Cons to Inner Loop Life

One downside to living in the city center is the price. Homes are more expensive here, and you might not get as much square footage for your dollar. However, the commute to the city is much easier, with public transportation options available here there that aren’t available elsewhere.

The Outer Loop

This is the area outside Highway 610. The outer loop contains some Houston neighborhoods as well as surrounding suburbs. You might like to make a home in the outer loop if you’re looking to raise a family or if you’re looking for more affordable housing prices.

Here, you’ll also find increased access to green spaces as well as some of best school districts in the state of Texas. Highly ranked suburbs include: The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Katy, and Cypress. One additional plus to living in the outer loop is increased access to parks, hiking trails, and lakes.

Upscale Shopping in the Outer Loop

The biggest shopping mall in Texas, the Galleria, is located in Uptown, a city neighborhood just outside Highway 610. The Galleria is an exclusive shopping district, housing 50 restaurants, 300 stores, an ice skating rink, and a jogging track. Over 35 million people visit this premiere shopping venue each year.

Parks in the Outer Loop

The outer loop includes recreational activities for people of all ages and abilities. For example, Alief Park in suburban Alief is designed for all kids, especially with those with physical disabilities. The rubberized ground covering and braille panels help encourage safe play for all kids.

Next, try Clinton Skatepark, a skateboarding park with over 12,000 square feet of skating amenities located in Clinton Park. Finally, check out North Shore Park in The Woodlands, which features lake-based recreational activities and a playground.

Pros and Cons to Outer Loop Life

Overall, median home prices are cheaper in the outer loop and you’ll get more land with your purchase. Also, you’ll find some terrific school districts and typical suburban amenities. Perhaps the biggest downside to living in the outer loop is the traffic. Living in the outer loop means fewer public transportation options. As a result, road traffic is often heavily congested.

Moving to Houston Advice

When purchasing a home in Houston, it’s always important to consider two factors. One: how long is your commute? The main way people commute into downtown is by car. Traffic often becomes incredibly congested. Depending on where you live, a car commute might not make sense.

Next, it’s important to know that parts of Houston have suffered significant hurricane and flooding damage. If you’re buying a house in Houston, make sure that your home has not previously been damaged in a flood.

Should I Move to Houston?

A move to Houston is much like a move to any big city, like Dallas or Chicago. However, living in Houston, TX does offer some unique opportunities. The warm weather and the diverse, vibrant lifestyle attract many people. The variety of housing options and the access to big city amenities draw others. No matter what you may need, Houston seems to have it.

Houston TX Moving

At Nelson Westerberg, our Houston moving team has the trucks, equipment, and the trained staff you need to move in and out of the loop…and beyond. Plus, we have all of the tips you need to make your move a breeze.

Know that an urban move usually requires a Houston moving company with specialized knowledge. For example, you may need movers skilled in moving furniture and other bulky items up and down flights of stairs. Plus, if you’re moving from a multi-story building, you may need to reserve special parking or elevator use.

If you’re moving long distance to Houston, you may need vehicles certified to transport goods across state lines. We have the employees, the equipment, and the experience to arrange all of these details for you.

Finally, we offer a full range of moving services-from car transportation to expedited shipment to vehicle transportation and more. Moving with us is easy. Contact us today, and together, we’ll customize a plan to best meet your needs