As the nation's fourth-largest city and one of the most inexpensive metro areas in the country, Houston is a place of growth and opportunity. Living in Houston comes with unique character, southern hospitality, good food and a high quality of life.
With many amazing Houston neighborhoods to choose from, a “Space City" move is a smart one. Take a look at the top 10 things you need to know about living in Houston.
The city practically shut down to celebrate the Houston Astros' 2017 World Series win with a massive parade downtown that saw more than 1 million people calling off work and school to attend.
In addition to baseball, Houston is home to championship-winning basketball and soccer teams, as well as major league football and rugby teams.
As a sports-loving city, Houston has hosted the Super Bowl three times and hopes to host the Olympic Summer Games one day.
Between the many performance companies located in the Theatre District and the city's unique venues such as the Miller Outdoor Theatre, Houston hosts more than 21,000 concerts, plays and other arts and cultural programs a year.
Plus, Houston's Museum District has something for everyone. With more than a dozen cultural institutions conveniently located in one spot downtown, you can explore everything from the Children's Museum to the Contemporary Arts Museum.
Like most Gulf Coast cities, Houston sees its fair share of tropical storms, hurricanes and severe thunderstorms, which can lead to flash flooding.
But lest you think Houston's weather is all bad, there are some plus sides. Most rainfall is due to afternoon showers that clear up quickly, the area sees more than 200 days of sunshine per year. And while the humidity can be intense during the summer, it just makes the first cold front that much more exciting.
The city does see snow a few times a decade, and winter temperatures do drop below freezing, so you'll still have plenty of opportunities to wear your winter coat.
For being a major American city, the cost of living in Houston is much lower than you'd expect. Average rent prices in Houston for a one-bedroom apartment are just $1,233 per month — almost $400 lower than the national average.
The city's overall cost-of-living index is 4 percent lower than the national average. Housing, transportation, grocery and even healthcare costs all rank drastically lower than most other major metro areas.
To make matters even better, there's no state income tax in Texas. All of these factors mean that your paycheck will take you a long way here.
Speaking of Texas barbecue — the city's got plenty of it. With more restaurants per capita than any other metro area, Houston is a city that loves to eat. In fact, the average Houstonian dines out seven times per week, perhaps due to all their extra disposable income.
Culinary offerings extend far beyond just barbecue and TexMex, with many specialty and ethnic restaurants ranging from vegan and Kosher to Columbian and Pakistani.
The annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is such a big deal that it seems the whole city stops to put on their cowboy boots. Despite what you might have heard, Houstonians don't ride horses to school.
But in late February, when the Rodeo comes to town, the old stereotype comes to life. Covered wagons converge downtown, schools participate in “Go Texan" day and it seems every resident takes a trip to the carnival for some Texas barbecue and deep-fried Oreos.
Whether you're a student, empty-nester or have a family, Houston has the perfect neighborhood for you. From the hip “inside the loop" areas like Montrose to the master-planned suburbs of Cinco Ranch, you're sure to find a place that feels like home.
In addition, Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the entire nation, with minorities making up more than 75 percent of the city's population. Plus, almost 30 percent of residents are foreign-born. So, no matter who you are or where you're from, you'll fit right in.
As a city experiencing strong economic growth, many of Houston's top jobs are in the energy and health sectors. The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex globally and employs more than 366,000 health care workers.
Houston is also known as the "Energy Capital of the World," with more than 237,000 residents employed in energy jobs.
If you're moving from a large city in another part of the country, it might surprise you how many parks and outdoor spaces Houston has. In fact, Houston ranks in the top 10 cities with the most green space per capita.
Neighborhoods like River Oaks and Memorial Park offer easy access to city parks, such as Hermann Park, Discovery Green and Buffalo Bayou Park, where festivals, farmers' markets and outdoor concerts often occur on the weekends.
Outdoor activities, such as cycling, kayaking, paddleboarding, birding, jogging and hiking, are popular pastimes for many Houstonians. Additionally, there are dozens of Texas state parks within a day's drive for extra recreational opportunities.
Houstonians have a special love for one another, especially after 2017's Hurricane Harvey. As the floodwaters subsided, neighbors came together to muck out homes, offer a meal, donate necessities and help one another in any way they could.
Businesses vowed to reopen, and homeowners rebuilt as the community rallied around them to make it happen. The resiliency and strength of the city and its people are simply beyond comparison.
It's easy to see why nearly 7 million people call the Houston area home.
Are you ready to become a proud Houstonian? Find your perfect neighborhood and explore your options for living in Houston.
Brittany Sanchez is a Houston-based writer and editor who writes on various topics including lifestyle, health, parenting, travel and religion. She's a Houston native who recently returned to the city after spending a decade living in Los Angeles. Brittany also worked as a Digital Media Specialist at KSBJ Radio where she made lasting connections in the community. In her spare time, she enjoys planning trips, traveling, trying new restaurants, studying archeology and spending time with her daughter.