Reasons to Move to Houston Texas in 2023
January 9, 2023
Houston is a rapidly growing city with a diverse ethnic, cultural, and career population. Being the 4th most populous city in the country, its affordability and family-friendly nature are some of the reasons why people love it.
Before deciding to move to Houston, let’s find out what Space City has to offer. From job opportunities in the exploration of Mars to family-oriented suburbs and a vibrant art scene, consider these pros and cons of living in H-Town.
Professional Opportunities in Space City
Houston is an ideal city to live in, thanks to its job market. It is nicknamed the “Third Coast” and holds the most Fortune 500 companies outside of New York City. This abundance of career opportunities covers a range of sectors such as health, education, aviation, and energy, offering individuals high-paying positions with good skill sets.
Forbes predicts that Houston will be booming economically by 2023, reaching a GDP of around $1.2 trillion, which is about equal to the combined GDPs of both Venezuela and Argentina. Among the companies that moved to Texas are Chevron, Caterpillar, Hewlett Packard, Oracle, 8VC, and Firetrail.
Houston is often referred to as the “Silicon Bayou” due to its thriving green technology and information technology industries. As the state’s major energy hub, it comes as no surprise that many green tech businesses are choosing this city as their home.
Reasonable Cost of Living in the City
When taking into consideration large urban areas, Houston is very affordable. It is 13 percent more economical than Austin. And its cost of living corresponds to the national average and is much lower compared to many other major cities, like New York. Mix together an acceptable cost of living with a mean family income above the nationwide average and you have a city that can surely sustain families and single people seeking to enjoy a quality way of life.
Housing Cost
Rent growth in Houston has risen 3.9% since last year, making it lower than the national average of 4.6%, and even farther away from the state average of 5.5%. Renters in Houston pay a median of $1,069 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,282 average cost for a two-bedroom living space.
Home buyers in Houston should anticipate paying a median sales price of $314,000 for a single-family house, as the city’s real estate market is growing steadily.
Transportation Cost
In Houston, you can save money by using ride-shares, walking, or public transportation instead of relying on your car too much.
According to the MIT Living Wage Calculator, a single adult needs $5,509 annually for transportation. A family with two working adults and one child will need an estimated $12,709 average cost yearly for transport.
Food Cost
If you are an adult with a full-time job and prepare meals at home, you could expect to pay an average of $3,351 annually on groceries in Houston, the Space City famed for its vast culinary options.
At an affordable restaurant, dinner for two will cost no less than $16.50. However, if you have a luxurious evening in mind, the total at a mid-range restaurant should be no less than $75.
In addition, Numbeo states that a loaf of bread costs $2.74, a gallon of milk is $3.60, and a dozen eggs are $3.15 in the city.
Healthcare Cost
According to MIT’s Living Wage Calculator, the typical annual cost of health care for an adult working full-time in Harris County is $2,549, while a family of three can expect to pay $8,707 a year, compared to the national average. The estimates are based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Good Schools and School Systems
Families looking to move to Bayou City can enjoy school systems that have strong reputations for delivering a solid education. HISD, the public school system in Houston, is known for its strong AP program, and its wealth of resources for students. In addition, families can choose from more than 300 private schools and 14 institutions of higher learning, including the University of Houston. These institutions include the highly respected Rice University and Houston University. In Houston, quality education is available to many.
Vibrant Art Scene, Museum District, Music, and Events
If you are an enthusiast of any sort of art, you will certainly find numerous places to live in Houston. Admirers of present-day art will relish perusing works from Picasso, O’Keeffe, and Van Gogh at the Museum of Visual Arts. Artists who are serious about their craft will be impressed and driven by the Menil Inventory. Comedy and cinema fans alike will also locate loads of entertainment at the Improv Comedy Club and Alamo Drafthouse separately.
For music lovers, places like the House of Blues, McGonigel’s Mighty Duck, Fitzgerald’s, Walter’s Downtown, and The Continental Club will never disappoint. And of course, if it’s parks, outdoor tours, and recreational activities you like, Houston stands out because of Big Thicket Park, Galveston Island State Park, Buffalo Bayou Park, Natural Bridge Caverns, and Surfside Beach.
Great Climate in Bayou City
Houston’s temperate climate makes it possible for locals to enjoy all the city has to offer throughout the year.
The expansive area is commonly blessed with temperatures that range from 70 to 80 Fahrenheit. During the sweltering summer months, these readings can reach scorching levels of 90 to 100 degrees. Furthermore, winters in Houston and the rest of South Texas are extremely mild. It is typical for the winter season to only produce a meager amount of days where temperatures drop below 50 Fahrenheit.
Houston: Diversity and the Distinct Lone Star State Culture
When moving to Houston, aka Space City, you’ll join a community of people dedicated to their hometown. This may be intimidating for outsiders but residents have a strong sense of city pride.
With 257 new people moving to Houston each day, it’s not hard to see why. Food, fun, entertainment, culture, and the reasonable cost of living – these are all things you can look forward to in Houston, as well as great career opportunities.
