Houston is a vibrant city on the Texas Gulf Coast. People from all over the country, and the world, keep moving to the city, making it one of the largest and most diverse in the country.
Houston's thriving culture has created a unique atmosphere that blends the city's southern roots with a cosmopolitan flair. Also called the Bayou City, Houston has come a long way from it's early days as the capitol of the Republic of Texas. (There was some drama between Sam Houston and Mirabeau B. Lamar, it's complicated.)
Houstonians always have something exciting to do. Houston has more green space per capita than any other city, and the New York Times named it as the most exciting place to eat.
If that isn't enough for you, Houston's theatre district is second best only to New York's, so catch a play at the Houston Opera House, the Alley Theater, or Main Street Theater.
Houston Area Communities
One of the beautiful new home communities in Houston.
Spring
In North Houston, just off the Sam Houston Tollway and I-45, is Spring, a beautiful community that combines a neighborhood environment with easy access to Downtown.
The Woodlands/Conroe
Farther north than Spring sits Conroe, a micro city outside Houston, and The Woodlands, one of the best places to retire in Texas. Living here feels like you're in a magical forest that happens to have great shopping and amazing restaurants.
Downtown Houston
While Houston's inner loop technically gets broken down into Neartown, Midtown, and Uptown, all three locations offer up funky Downtown living. The Heights, River Oaks, Montrose, Rice Village, and the Museum Districts are iconic neighborhoods where you'll never get bored.
Katy
Katy is one of the fastest expanding neighborhoods in the Houston Area. This booming community in West Houston is great for growing families that want to enjoy a comfortable home while still having access to the city's booming economy and fantastic amenities.
Pasadena & Deer Park
Southeast Houston has a revitalized community around the Port of Houston. Pasadena and Deer Park have great communities and a thriving economy, perfect for anyone working in Houston's petrol/chemical industry.
Humble
If you like the idea of living in Houston, but don't actually want to deal with Houston, Humble is a great place to call home. Humble is closer to Downtown than Spring, but still gives you a peaceful place to live.
Clear Lake
The Clear Lake Area sits on Galveston Bay in Southeast Houston. If you work with NASA, or you want to stay close to the coast, you'll love life in Clear Lake.
League City
League City has something for everyone. This charming town puts you close to Galveston Beaches, gives you easy access to Downtown, and has a comfortable atmosphere that's great for families.
Sugar Land & Missouri City
Sugar Land and Missouri City sit just off the Sam Houston Tollway in Southwest Houston. These great cities have comfortable environments and a suburban feel to them, perfect for families that want to enjoy a laid back lifestyle.
Top Houston School Districts
Houston has great schools, where your children can thrive!
Finding the right school district for your children has a major impact on their quality of life and path to success. These are the top rated school districts in the Houston Area; if you want to delve deeper into school records and standards for the State of Texas, NewHomeSource has a guide to all the resources you need to find the right school for your child.
Houston ISD
Students Served: 215,627
School Breakdown: 181 elementary schools, 65 middle schools, and 54 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 18
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in all demographics
Communities Served: The majority of the City of Houston
Cypress-Fairbanks ISD
Students Served: 113,936
School Breakdown: 56 elementary schools, 20 middle schools, and 14 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 16.3
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in some demographics
Communities Served: Fairbanks, Jersey Village, Cypress
Fort Bend ISD
Students Served: 73,115
School Breakdown: 52 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, and 12 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 16.2
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in all demographics
Communities Served: Sugar Land, Meadows Place, Missouri City, Arcola, Shadow Creek Ranch, Clodine, Four Courners, Juliff, Fresno, parts of Mission Bend
Katy ISD
Students Served: 72,92
School Breakdown: 40 elementary schools, 16 middle schools, and 11 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 15
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in all demographics
Communities Served: Katy, parts of Fort Bend County, parts of Waller County, Barker, Cinco Ranch, Cimarron
Aldine ISD
Students Served: 70,417
School Breakdown: 36 elementary schools, 24 middle schools, and 16 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 15.4
Test Proficiency: Below state averages
Communities Served: Aldine, Greenspoint, East Aldine, Airline, Acres Homes, Kinwood, Bodersville, Inwood Forest
Pasadena ISD
Students Served: 56,019
School Breakdown: 36 elementary schools, 24 middle schools, and 10 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 14.1
Test Proficiency: Below state averages
Communities Served: Pasadena, Genoa, parts of Pearland
Klein ISD
Students Served: 50,594
School Breakdown: 33 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, and 8 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 15
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in most demographics
Communities Served: Klein, Kohrville, Louetta, North Houston
Alief ISD
Students Served: 47,265
School Breakdown: 26 elementary schools, 14 middle schools, and 8 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 14.1
Test Proficiency: Below state averages
Communities Served: Alief, Westchase, Keegan's Glen, Leawood, Ashford Park, Bellaire West
Clear Creek ISD
Students Served: 42,008
School Breakdown: 26 elementary schools, 12 middle schools, and 9 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 16.8
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in all demographics
Communities Served: League City, Clear Lake, El Lago, Kemah, Nassau Bay, Seabrook, Webster, Taylor Lake Village
Humble ISD
Students Served: 40,549
School Breakdown: 29 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and 8 high schools
Students Per Teacher: 15.6
Test Proficiency: Above state averages in all demographics
Communities Served: Humble, parts of Houston, Kingwood, Atascocita, Falls Creek
Top Employers in Houston
NASA is just one of the major employers in the Houston Area.The petroleum, healthcare, and aerospace industries represent some of the largest economic sectors at play in Houston.
Memorial Hermann Healthcare System
The Memorial Hermann Healthcare System is one of the largest employers in the Houston Area. With 13 hospitals, and more affiliated doctors included in their network, you can start your career in the healthcare sector in the right location for your lifestyle.
Continental Airlines, Inc.
NASA isn't the only major aerospace employer in the Houston Area. Continental Airlines might not launch people into space, but this major airline company continues eight decades of service after its merger with United Airlines.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center hopes to make cancer history. This world-renowned medical and research center employs over 20,000 people across the Houston Area in its fight against cancer.
ExxonMobil
The energy sector represents a large portion of Houston Area employers. ExxonMobile is one of the larger petrol-chemical companies, offering a wide range of employment options across the metro area.
Shell Oil Company
The Shell Oil Company is another major player in the Houston Area chemical industry. Shell's Houston headquarters continues to expand, with its Deer Park refinery alone employing over 2,500 people.
Houston Area Museums
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is just one of the awesome museums in the area.The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is one of the best art collections in the country. Pieces run the gamut from classical sculpture to global treasures, traditional portraits to modern show stoppers, and more. Art lovers on a budget can visit the main exhibit halls for free on Thursdays.
The Children's Museum of Houston
If you need to get your kids out of the house want to have a fun filled day with your little angels, The Children's Museum of Houston has a ton of hands-on experiences for your little ones to explore. It also has a massive lazy river for rubber ducks, and isn't in your living room, so it's basically perfect.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science has something cool for everyone. A world class dinosaur hall? Check. A sublime gemstone collection? Check. A butterfly garden that feels like a magical paradise? Check. Spend a day, or more, wandering through the specimens. Who knows, you might even learn something.
The Lone Star Flight Museum
If you find yourself in Galveston and you need to get out of the sun, head over to the Loan Star Flight Museum to see some really cool historic planes. You can also buy tickets to take one for a ride, if someone you know wants to combine a sense of whimsy with a love for amazing artifacts.
The Art Car Museum
Every year, Houstonians gather downtown to watch the Art Car Parade, an extravaganza of crazily and impractically decorated cars. If you don't feel like dealing with crowds can't make the parade, you can relive the tacky glory at the Art Car Museum.
The National Museum of Funeral History
The National Museum of Funeral History invites all manner of assorted weirdos to peruse the largest collection of items used in funeral services. You can see everything from caskets to coffins, hearses to celebrity death certificates.
The Menil Collection
The Menil Collection is a private, and always free, art collection in Neartown. Have a cocktail at the onsite bistro and explore an amazing grouping of surrealist and modern paintings, African art, and exciting rotating exhibits.
Great Parks in the Houston Area
Reconnect with nature Houston's fantastic parks.
Bay Area Park
Bay Area Park is in the Clear Lake Area, just outside of Armand Bayou Nature Center. This fun little park has baseball fields, fun boardwalks, and places to launch kayaks.
Memorial Herman Park
Memorial Herman Park is an iconic and massive park in Houston's Museum District. It's outdoor theatre hosts free events year round, so bring a blanket and a beverage for a nice night out.
Buffalo Bayou Park
Buffalo Bayou Park winds through the Heights, standing as a high water mark of urban revitalization done well. It's bike, dog, and kid friendly, so everyone in the family can be active and have fun.
Mason Park
Mason Park offers up sports and swimming next to Brays Bayou. If baseball, tennis, and swimming are too mainstream for you, check out the park's disc golf course.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park
Lake Houston Wilderness Park has over 20 miles of trails for anyone in your family who wants to go hiking or biking. (If you happen to have a horse, you can go for a horseback ride here too.) Lake Houston Wilderness park also offers overnight camping for those wanting to bust out a tent and sleep under the stars.
Discovery Green
If you're searching for some green space Downtown, head over to Discovery Green. This funky area has cool sculptures, a lot of free concerts, and an ice rink!
Houston Sports Teams
These Houston kids aren't playing for the Astros yet, but give them a few more years, and they'll play at Minute Maid Park.
Sports fans in Houston have a lot of official teams to root on, argue about, and try to get sports snobs to care about.
While Texan fans still have to cry into their beers on game day sometimes, Houstonians can celebrate some of their hometown heroes. The Astros actually won the 2017 World Series against the Dodgers, and the Rockets' prospects have started looking up. Although, that's what fans say every season, so take that with a grain of salt.
If football, baseball, and basketball aren't up your alley, Houston is also home to a thriving Roller Derby scene, if that's what you're into; we certainly won't judge.
Living in Houston
Live a life you love in Houston!Houston is an affordable city to call home. Groceries, utilities, healthcare, entertainment, and housing all have lower median costs than the national and state median costs. Hooray for Houstonians who want to save money (or spend it on fun stuff)!
On top of an affordable costs of living, Houston is known as a great location for prospective homeowners. Median home prices in Houston are almost $40,000 lower than the national median home price, so you can actually save up a reasonable down payment and stop paying rent.
Not everything about Houston is sunshine and low bills, however. Houstonians tend to spend more on transportation than the national median, but you can't have everything cheap.
Houston Housing Trends
Unsurprisingly, Houston is one of the fastest growing cities in the country. It's thriving job market and affordable housing make it a fantastic place for people at all stages of life to set down roots.
Median Home Price: $182,500
Even though Houston is a major metropolitan area, it has a real estate market full of affordable homes. If you're hoping to invest in home ownership, Houston housing is a buyer's market, with vibrant communities across the area.
Growing Communities in North Houston
Spring, TX is a thriving town in North Houston that has seen a lot of growth. As Houston's urban center spreads out from the main loop, Spring residents can enjoy a suburban living environment with easy Downtown access. Some of the largest Spring communities include Klein Lake and Harmony.
While The Woodlands is pretty far North, it consistently ranks as one of the best places to call home in Houston. This secondary hub has its own mini-downtown, beautiful wooded expanses, and luxurious living. Creekside and Liberty Branch are two of the largest communities in The Woodlands.
Growing Communities in Northwest Houston
Tomball and Cypress are two of the most popular Northwest towns in the Houston area for buying a house and settling down. Open residential spaces and well-performing school districts make Tomball and Cypress fantastic towns for growing families.
Large communities in Northwest Houston include Parkland Square and Rosehill Reserve.
Growing Communities in West Houston
Katy has practically become its own city. This booming West Houston suburb has something for everyone, and if you need more options, you can easily hop on I-10 and go Downtown. Cane Island and Cinco Ranch are two of the largest Katy neighborhoods.
Growing Communities in Southeast Houston
Southeast Houston, along the Gulf Coast, is a great place for just about anyone. League City and Friendswood are close to NASA and to Texas City chemical plants, so if you work in the aerospace or petrol/chemical industries, you won't have much of a commute. (Both these towns are a bit of a hike for people working Downtown, though.)
For growing families, Clearlake communities offer access to the well-rated Clear Creek and Pasadena School Districts. Sterling Lake and Mar Bella are two large communities in Clearlake.
Amazing Houston Restaurants
Houstonians eat out more frequently than people living in any other city, so expect good times and good food to be part of your daily routine.
Enjoy a Texas Trio: shrimp, lime, and a margarita in Houston!
Thai & Seafood
If you're in Webster and in the mood for amazing and authentic Thai food, head over to Thai & Seafood for an unbeatable lunch special or romantic dinner.
Coltivare Pizza & Garden
The Heights has amazing restaurants, including Coltivare Pizza & Garden. Enjoy wood fired pizza and take a stroll through their vegetable garden with a drink.
BB's Tex-Orleans
BB's Tex-Orleans is a local legend. Chowing down at any of their locations in The Heights, Cypress, or Katy is an extravaganza of Cajun spicy wonder.
The Black Labrador
The Black Labrador is an authentic British pub in the blurry area between The Heights and Montrose. We recommend Maggie Thatcher's Lemonade.
Bernie's Burger Bus
Warning! You are entering Burger Heaven. If you're in the mood for gourmet burgers and REALLY great fries, get thee to Bellair and eat the best burger in Houston.
Shiva's
Do you want super yummy Indian food? Of course you do. Shiva's has such amazing food that it's actually worth trying to find parking in Rice Village to eat here.
Las Brisas
You can't talk about restaurants in Houston without talking about Tex-Mex. Las Brisas is a Bacliff original that has great queso, margaritas, fajitas, and just about everything else.
House of Pies
You won't eat a balanced meal at House of Pies, but everything will be delicious. As you're having your diner-style lunch, be sure to save room for fabulous homemade pie!
Beno's
If you're in Galveston, you have to eat at Beno's ... unless beachfront Cajun doesn't appeal to you. If that's the case, we can't help.
Tookies
Tookies serves everything, and it's all amazing. This Seabrook institution had to split into two restaurants, Tookies Seafood, and Tookies Burgers, so be sure to visit both.
Tropicales
Tropicales serves up Latin inspired cuisine (and cocktails and coffee!) in in the Museum District. If you're looking for your new favorite funky cafe, Tropicales delivers!
Tris
Tris is a wonderful bistro in The Woodlands. Anyone in the mood for a mind-blowing culinary experience needs to look no further than this lunch and dinner eatery with a diverse menu.
Eunice
Eunice approaches Cajun cooking with an elevated mindset. Seasonally inspired Creole fare and cocktails are exactly what you need in your palate profile.
Nobu
Experience Japanese cuisine in a luxurious setting. Nobu Houston opened in 2018 in the Gallaria to elevate the Houston restaurant scene.
B&B Butchers
B&B Butchers has some of the best steak in Houston, and that's saying a lot. If you're in the mood for a great meal and a great time, B&B Butchers is where you need to be.
The Hubcap Decker
The Hubcap Decker serves up delicious pub food, amazing burgers, and great craft beer in fun patio setting. Their Seabrook location isn't the only one in Houston, but it's the most fun.
Squable
For a trendy brunch experience, a fun happy hour, or an amazing dinner, head over to Squable for American-influenced European fare.
Alegria Brazilian Grill
Katy is home to the best Brazilian restaurant in Texas: the Alegria Brazilian Grill. This casual eatery serves up Brazilian staples like coconut flan and picanha steaks.
Great Attractions for Houston Stay-cations
Explore Houston's exciting art scene!
The Kemah Boardwalk
The Kemah Boardwalk is a delightful amuzment park on the coast that has a roller coaster, fun rides, and restuaunts. Everyone in your family can have fun at the Kemah Boardwalk.
Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens' three pyramids are an iconic part of the Galveston skyline. Explore undersea life at the aquarium, rainforests from around the world, and a planetarium.
Buffalo Bayou Cistern
Buffalo Bayou Cistern is part of the larger Buffalo Bayou Park system. Tour this historic cistern and see exciting art exhibits hosted here.
Waugh Drive Bat Colony
Austin isn't the only Texas city with bats! Houston's bats live under a bridge too; experience bat watching, but without the crowds.
Palace of the Golden Orbs
The Palace of the Golden Orbs is an abandoned structure in West Houston. You can't go in the building, but if you're in the area, it's definitely worth checking out.
The Sealy Golden Chariot
Another fun roadside attraction is the Sealy Golden Chariot, a life-size bronze statue of an angel in a Greek chariot pulled by numerous rearing horses. It's for sale if you have a few hundred thousand dollars to spare.
Galveston Beaches
Living on the coast has it's advantages. Have a beachside stay-cation in Galveston and enjoy some surf, sand, and sunshine.
Saint Arnold's Brewery
Saint Arnold's Brewery is a fun place to visit, hang out, and drink beer. The brewery is also involved with a number of Houston charities, and has charity beers, so you're being a good Samaritan by patronizing them.
Space Center Houston
Learn about NASA and the Houston space program at Space Center Houston. You can take tours of Mission Control and explore Rocket Park!
Shopping
Have fun shopping in the historic Strand!
Houston has unique shopping destinations, where you can score awesome thrift store finds, your new favorite power outfit, and just about anything else you might want.
The Galleria
The Galleria is a ritzy shopping area, just outside the inner loop. If you want to engage in some serious, high-end retail therapy, spend your weekend at The Galleria.
And because this is Houston - the city that knows not the meaning of the word 'moderation' - The Galleria also has a massive indoor ice skating rink. Why beat Houston's heat at the pool when you could go ice skating in July?
Midtown
Midtown is Downtown Houston's funky district: Think, cool shops, yummy restaurants, and an overall friendly vibe. Midtown's numerous thrift stores are famous across Houston for their eclectic stock and high quality vintage items.
You don't have to humble brag about how inexpensive your new/old mid-century modern credenza cost, but nobody will blame you if you do.
The Strand
If you've gone down to Galveston for some beachy fun, you need to visit the historic Strand to bring the coast home. Expect beach themed everything as well as unique arts and crafts.
The Strand has a lot of fun bars and delicious restaurants, so you can grab a meal, or a piña colada, to tide you over as you shop.
Harwin
If you like eclectic decor, inspired by global design, you need to go shopping in Harwin. The area is also known as the best place in Houston for designer knock offs, if you, or someone you know, wants to look fancy and save money. A friend of a friend recommends avoiding the perfume and sticking with the handbags, though.
Places of Worship
Find the right place of worship for you and your family in Houston.
Houston is the most diverse city in the United States, and has numerous places of worship that represent a wide range of faiths and religions.
St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church
St. Basil's is one of the largest Greek Orthodox churches in the Houston Area. This beautifully decorated church has a stunning altar piece, and is a major hub for the Orthodox community in Houston.
The Islamic Society of Greater Houston at the River Oaks Islamic Center
The Islamic Society of Greater Houston is the largest Islamic society in North America. The River Oaks Islamic Center is a centrally located hub of the organization, where Muslims can enjoy special programs, educational talks, and community.
United Orthodox Synagogues of Houston
The United Orthodox Synagogues (UOS) of Houston is a community of three connected shuls that merged into one congregation. The UOS is a centrally located center of worship, learning, and community service.
The Houston Buddhist Vihara
The Houston Buddhist Vihara serves society by offering Buddhist education. Meditation classes are offered for Buddhist and non-Buddhist attendees alike.
Hindu Worship Society
The Hindu Worship Society is the oldest Hindu temple in Houston. Its rich history has fostered a thriving community, centered around creating and maintaining deep connections with the faith.
The Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism
The Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism has Shabbat services, community events, and a religious school. HCRJ also engages in community-wide social action projects.
The Houston Blue Mosque
The Houston Blue Mosque is part of the Islamic Institute, near Sugar Land. This welcoming mosque has a loving and peaceful environment, as well as beautiful architecture and gardens.
Sri Meenakshi Devasthanam
Sri Meeakshi Temple is a beautiful Hindu temple in Pearland that offers community events and worship. This lovely place of worship has convenient temple access.
Texas Buddhist Association
The Texas Buddhist Association (TBA) has beautiful gardens and halls perfect for meditation. The TBA seeks to spread the goals of the Buddha through education, philanthropy, and public service.
Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
The Antioch Missionary Baptist Church is a historical church in Downtown Houston, and the only original architectural holdover from the Fourth Ward.
Interested in other areas in Texas? Check out these other relocation guides if you are:
Other Houston Area Resources
After graduating in 2016 from The University of Texas with a degree in English, Sanda Brown became a content writer for the BDX with a focus on website copy and content marketing.
At the BDX, Sanda helps write and edit articles on NewHomeSource.com, writes website copy for builders, and manages a team of freelancers that work on additional content needs.
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