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More than 2.3 million people call Houston home, although the major metropolitan area is home to a population of over 6 million people. As the fourth-largest city in the U.S. with more than 140 great neighborhoods, relocating to the area comes with challenges, none of which are too great to overcome with proper planning. Ease your relocation worries with this moving guide. Read on to learn more about the city you’ll soon call home. We'll provide you with useful information concerning the city, cost of living, neighborhoods, and so much more. When you better acclimate yourself with the city, it’s easier to ‘fit-in’ which always is important.
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It is beneficial to hire a moving company when relocating to Houston. Movers can accommodate both short and long-distance moves, binging skills, manpower and the right tools and equipment to the job. Whether you are moving from Amarillo, Dallas, New York or elsewhere, moving companies ensure a simple and smooth relocation process. Movers also offer a variety of services including transportation, packing, and load/unload service. Research moving companies before choosing a provider. This ensures you find the best company and get the best price for your move.
In case, you are moving from another state to Houston, it is recommended to hire the services of one of the top 10 out of state moving companies. Here's the list of the same!
A few additional moving tips:
With a good moving company and the tips above in mind, relocating to Houston is easy and simple, just the way that it should be!
Houston offers an assortment of great homes for rent and for sale throughout the city. Both rental and purchase prices are well-below national average. Anyone who appreciates city life can certainly value the low prices in this city.
Housing in the city center is more expensive in Houston than in other areas of town. A one-bedroom in the city center averages a monthly rental rate of $1,000 while a one-bedroom in another neighborhood averages $700 monthly.
Home-buyers can score a two-bedroom house for an average cost of $290,000. Keep in mind homes priced both lower and higher than this amount can be found throughout the area. Look to the outskirts of town in areas such as Katy and The Woodlands for more affordable home prices.
River Oaks is a great neighborhood for wealthier residents while Montrose offers a Bohemian setting. The East End, once an industrial area, now offers affordable housing for families and others.
Roman Forest, downtown, River Oaks, Montrose, Midtown, and River Oaks are among the most desired, safest neighborhoods in Houston. Each area boasts immaculate scenery, low crime rates, and great amenities. Some of the neighborhoods are considerably more expensive than other areas of town, however. Of course, this list includes only some of the great neighborhoods scattered about this huge city.
Some Houston neighborhoods aren’t as safe as others. Some are crime-ridden and dangerous, in fact. It is important to arm yourself with the knowledge of neighborhoods best avoided before you arrive in town. Worst Houston neighborhoods include Northwest area, Southwest area, Sunnyside area, and Spring Branch.
Houston is the perfect place to live if you are a foodie. The city boasts more than 10,000 restaurants offering your choice of fast food, fine dining, casual dining and more. Mexican, American, French, and food trucks are popular in Houston.
BBQ is a popular meal option for residents throughout Houston. Nothing is quite as nice as a rack of BBQ ribs, although Mexican fare certainly holds its weight with Houstonians. With restaurants and food markets offering food choices from over 70 countries, everyone can find the food they love.
The ‘Galleria area’ will soon become a popular term in your vocabulary. It's the largest shopping mall in Texas with more than 400 stores and 60 restaurants, several of which are exclusive to the city. The Galleria also serves as a popular hanging spot, too. Stores at the Galleria include luxurious names such as 7 for all Mankind, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Jimmy Choo.
Houston offers a road and rail public transportation system that operates throughout the city via various routes. A single-fare ticket costs $1.25 and an all-day ticket for unlimited rides costs $3.00. Purchase a Metro Q card for discounts. Taxicab service is available in Houston. The city is served by the West Houston Airport, George W. Bush International Airport, and the William P. Hobby Airport.
Everyone who lives in Houston pays taxes. Sales tax is charged on all items purchased in Houston. The sales tax rate is currently set at 8.25%. This tax is charged to all goods, including food. Homeowners must pay an annual tax on their property as well.
Top-Rated Houston Colleges
Top-Rated Houston Schools
Moving is never easy, but added stressors exist if you move alone. Make sure you get to know the city and make new friends when you arrive by attending events in the community. Houston is home to a myriad of nightclubs and bars, museums, art galleries, social clubs, dating services, etc. that make meeting others simple. Online Houston-based meet-up sites also help find others in the area.
Briargrove is a popular Houston neighborhood for families. It is quiet and relaxed, has great parks and kid-friendly activities, and affordable rates along with great schools. It is one family-friendly neighborhood in this huge city, of course. Parents should research daycares in the neighborhood if their child(ren) requires this care. Thousands of daycares exist throughout Houston. The average cost for a center-based child care in Houston is $972 per month.
Houston is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies, including Kinder Morgan, Waste Management, Inc., and Phillips 66. Walmart is the largest employer in Houston, with just over 34,000 people on its payroll. Of course, many other large employers also offer skilled and unskilled positions to the people of Houston. The median household income in the city is $63,802.
Learning more about the city you'll call home is always fun. You're in luck when Houston is the city of choice because there is a myriad of fun facts that you can learn. A few fun facts about Houston.
Also See: Moving From Austin To Houston – Expert Tips & Advice | Moving From Dallas To Houston | Moving From California To Houston – Expert Tips & Advice
Yes, moving to Houston is a very good idea. People move to Houston because it is a rapidly-growing, fascinating and advantageous city to live in.
The cost of living in Houston for a four-member family is around $2,850 excluding rent. On the other hand, the average cost of living in Houston excluding rent for a single person is $800.
The most desired and safest neighborhoods in Houston are Roman Forest, Downtown, River Oaks, Montrose, Midtown, and River Oaks.
The amount you need to save when moving to Houston depends on whether you’re renting or buying. The median rent in Houston is at $1,041 and the average home value is at $171,800. As a renter, you should ideally save thrice the rent amount before moving. If you’re buying a house, we advise you to save enough money for the down payment and closing costs. If you have student debts to clear, there’s no doubt you should save more.
$55k to $65k is a good salary to earn for a single person living in Houston. The median household income in Houston is at $52,338 which implies that you could be bringing in approximately this much annually.
An annual income of $60k and upwards is a good salary to live comfortably in the city of Houston. Keep in mind that this applies for a single person. If you take home a $100k annual salary you can consider yourself to be living beyond the benchmark of comfort.
Homes in Houston are relatively affordable in comparison to other cities its size. To give you perspective, the median home value of homes is at $171,800. You can certainly find houses cheaper than this but it’s probably because there’s so much flat land for expansion. The geographical placement of Houston allows for more infrastructure, making housing relatively cheap.
A large portion of Southwest and Southeast Houston forms the ghetto neighborhood. Sunny Side, South Park, Fifth Ward and Acres Homes are some of the most ghetto areas of Houston.
The city of Houston is home to a large number of advanced manufacturing companies and energy-associated businesses. Jobs linked to these two industries are the highest paying jobs in the city of Houston.
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