The Ultimate Guide To Houston For Newbies
Houston is a bustling metropolis and one of the biggest cities in the country. Business is booming, the population is diverse, and there are neighborhoods to suit every personality. If you’re new to Houston, you’ll be able to find a ton of reasons to want to plant your roots here.
It’s important to know what to expect before moving to a new city, especially if you haven’t had the opportunity to visit first. If you’re considering a move to Houston, these are the 11 essential things you need to know about the city. Fit in like a local in no time.
11 Things You Should Know If You're New to Houston
1. Expect to sweat a lot.
In the summer, average temperatures range from 74-94 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter, those temperatures briefly dip to 41-65 degrees. This, on top of the high humidity, leaves you sweating as soon as you walk out the door.
2. Get comfortable with spending time in your car.
If you move to Houston, you’re going to need a car. The city is spread out, and it can take an hour or more just to drive across the city. Houstonians are used to commuting and spending a lot of time in their cars.
3. The food is amazing.
4. There are cool museums galore.
5. Art abounds.
You can find impressive art outside of the major museums, too. The eye-catching murals around town beg for Instagram photo shoots. Look for the Greetings from Houston mural at Gelazzi in the Heights or the Houston is Inspired wall at Market Square Downtown.
6. Houstonians love sports.
Houston is home to five professional sports teams: Houston Texans (NFL), Houston Rockets (NBA), Houston Astros (MLB), Houston Dynamo (MLS), and Houston Dash (NWSL). You can cheer on the home teams all year long.
7. The cost of living is affordable.
Houston Area Moving Services
Compared to other cities in the United States, living in Houston is impressively affordable. For example, the cost of housing in Houston is 78% less than the cost in New York City. The overall cost of living is 22% than the national average.
At Ameritex, we tailor your moving experience to your specific needs. Every move we do comes with our signature Stress-Free Guarantee, and we provide the following services:
- Residential moves for homes of all sizes, apartments, dorms, and more.
- Office moves for small companies, multi-level office buildings, home offices, and everything in between.
- Packing and unpacking with furniture setup.
- Simple loading and unloading for individuals with their own truck.
- Boxes and supplies of all shapes and sizes.
- Full-service moving packages
- Last-minute moves for those who need to move unexpectedly.
- Furniture assembly and setup — even the largest and bulkiest items.
- Home staging for when you need to sell your home.
- Senior moves for all stages of life.
8. There aren’t formal zoning laws.
Because there are no zoning laws, it’s not uncommon for residential homes to sit next to businesses. Interestingly enough, Houston is the biggest city in the country without these regulations. Who knows what might pop up next door?
9. The Rodeo and Livestock Show is a big deal.
Yes, cowboy boots and hats are a Texan stereotype that isn’t necessarily true. But when the rodeo rolls into town, all bets are off. The Houston Rodeo is one of the largest in the world!
10. Houston’s nickname is the Bayou City.
Okay, bayous probably aren’t the first things that come to mind when you picture Houston. However, 10 waterways flow through the city. Other Houston nicknames include: H-Town, Clutch City, Crush City, and Magnolia City.
11. There’s no income tax.
Hooray, no income tax! Boo, high property and sales tax! Taxes in Texas work a little bit differently than other parts of the country.
Ready to Pack Up and Move?
Ameritex Movers and Packers are here for you. We love the Houston area, and we know you will too. Give us a call today to book your move to H-Town, or fill out the form above for a free moving quote. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about moving or being new to Houston.
