does anyone here live in houston, texas?

Question

whats it like in texas? as i live in u.k and moving there next year for my gap year and i have never been to america before.

Answer 1

I have lived in Houston Texas for more than one year.

I moved from Green Bay Wisconsin last July.

A really big difference in climate from what I am used to.

Winters are awesome. From about the end of September through March, it is almost perfect weather. It was mostly sunny with blue skies and mid 70's weather. I drove to Galveston Beach on the Gulf of Mexico (about 42 miles from downtown Houston) and called my family back in Wisconsin from the beach on Christmas Day. I went in the water, but it was a little chilly with a cold wind on that day.

I have been told some winters do have a month or so of rainy and dreary weather, but not this last year.

Houston is a big city. The city has several big loops around them (you can see this if you look at a map). The first loop is Interstate 610; they call it the 610 loop. You also have a middle loop called Sam Houston Parkway and it is a toll highway, they call it Beltway 8. There is a third loop called different names, but it doesn't go all the way around yet. There are also plans for another one farther out, but they only have a few miles completed so far.

The biggest thing about living in Houston is the traffic. For instance, I live about 18 miles away from my work. On a Saturday, when I drive to work it takes about 20 minutes, mostly high speed highway all the way. But on a weekday, depending on what time I leave for work, the same 18 miles taking the same route takes up to one hour. And that is if there are no accidents.

They average about 15 accidents a day on the highways of Houston. All of the radio stations try to alert motorists to accidents as soon as possible so you can try to take another route (if there is one - which usually there isn't). They have helicopters flying above the highways. So the big difference between anywhere else and Houston is the traffic.

When you listen to the news on TV every night, there is a lot of senseless violent crime. Someone is always getting shot or carjacked or raped and mutilated. I don't personally live within the 610 loop, but there is some crime getting out into the suburbs. Did I say big city? It’s a Big City.

I live in the suburbs about 30 miles northwest of downtown Houston. The people in Houston are so friendly - despite some anger on the highways. Mostly people will be very neighborly. They have what are called subdivisions in the Houston area. I don't know if you have them in the UK, but I wasn't used to them in Wisconsin. So we bought a home in a subdivision. It has its own parks and a swimming pool. I love it. It's like paradise. The prices of houses are cheaper than most places in the United States and the wages are higher.

My wife and I increased our wages from $54,000 to about $80,000 just by changing locations, and doing the same jobs. Plus the house we bought would have been about $60,000 more back in Green Bay.

My kids don’t have to travel into the city everyday, they live their lives almost totally in the suburbs and they only see the big city if we take special trips. They do see the crime reported on TV, but for the most part it doesn't touch their lives. We have found a wonderful church here and we love the way people of all nationalities get together. I do realize there are some racial problems in the Houston area, but I don't experience them in my life personally.

I think you would like it here if you have a good car, some patience for traffic and if you pick a good area to live in.

You can email me if you want more info or need help with anything.

Answer 2

I've been here for 28 years. Houston is a GREAT city to live in and to raise a family. The summer weather does take some getting used to, but you'll love the other 8-9 months. Most everything is air conditioned though. Housing is fairly inexpensive when compared to other major cities in the US. Houston is the 4th largets city in America, so we do have our share of crime. Senseless violance does start each and every newscast, but the television stations only give what the people ask for. Not many people drive past an accident without looking! Speaking of driving, traffic is horrible. It's the #1 thing I hate about living in a major city. And if you live in the suburbs, chances are you'll still have to commute to work. I highly recommend the Clear Lake area, which is south of Houston proper. It is home to NASA Johnson Space Center, has great shopping and dining, is close to Galveston, and has more higher-educated inhabitants than most areas in the country. I moved closer to work a year ago and really miss Clear Lake, but have found just as nice a neighborhood. So, there are safe areas all around Houston. Bottom line, give the city a chance. In the end, you'll call it home. There's something infectious about the Texan spirit.

Answer 3

I've lived in Houston for 15 years now...and it's not so bad. The weather from April until late October really sucks (it's sooooo hot), and the traffic can be bad (like any other major city). But there is so much to do here, and the people are great. I don't know what that other user's problem is (he sounds like a racist to me), but the hispanic culture in Houston is great, and Houston has the BEST Mexican food in the nation. We also have great shopping, wonderful theatres and really fun festivals! The cost of living is also very low here. You can buy a really nice 4 bedroom house for about $150,000 in a very nice subdivision in safe areas of town. I don't know of too many other cities where you can get such a deal. If you can stand the heat, it's really not that bad of a place to live. Feel free to e-mail me if you'd like any specific information on the city, and good luck on your move!

Answer 4

Houston is a great city. The public transportation compared to where you are coming from is sub-standard though. It's a a very spread out area, nothing like the tube exists - yet- though we have a pretty good bus system.

You'll enjoy the food, good mix from around the world, particularly what is called "tex-mex" or Mexican food. The people can be friendly, though most of them can't drive worth a damn. Oh, and if you're into this kind of thing, has the prettiest women in the world. . .

Answer 5

I used to live in Houston. It's pretty good a big immelsion of different people though recently it's been mostly Hispanics (aka everyone down there calls them Mexicans) They are the worst problem in that area in my belief. That's probrably the only thing I hated over there, its pretty big and there are alot of stores and businesses available. It's not a crazy place like Ney York and people are nicer. It's also not dirty like New York. It's kinda segregated though. When I was there alot African Americans and Hispanics in the South with a significant portion of Caucasians, but most of the Caucasians where in the North and I have no idea where the Asians where, but they seemed everywhere.


Sidenote: I only hate Texan Mexicans okay guys. The others in different areas are cool.

Answer 6

If you are going to move to Texas.. I wouldn't recommend living in the city itself. The rent will be higher. The traffice is bad...

I love to visit Houston, but wouldn't want to live there.

You can live in the surrouding areas that are not only pretty but have all there is to offer, and if you want to go into Houston for theater, sports, or something that your town may not offer then you will be close enough.

Woodlands, Friendswood, Webster, Clearlake, Pearland, Katie, Alvin, Beaumont,,are all great locations to live.

Count on gaining weight when you come to Texas...the food is mouth watering and you can choose from any culture.

Answer 7

I live in Pearland (a suburb of Houston. about a 15 minute drive). It's hot here in summer and spring, but autumn and winter are fairly mild. It's a flat landscape (until you drive west toward Austin, and it get's hilly).

There's a fairly good nightlife in downtown, but you've got to have money to party hard in Houston.

Food here is excellent. It's not just BBQ (although the BBQ is delicious) we have all the cuisines of the world.

People here are friendly for the most part. I've come across some complete bastards and bitches, but that's to be expected anywhere.

Hope you have fun here!

Answer 8

Nobody lives in Houston anymore. They all moved elsewhere, I'm surprised you haven't heard, it was in all the papers and on the evening news.

Answer 9

Almost like the UK sometimes hot next time cold same mix nationality

Answer 10

Nope - I live in the u.k