Pros and cons for living in or near Houston, Texas.?

Question

Boyfriend is relocating to Houston, Texas. I agreed to move away from my beloved Georgia swampland with my mate. What can I expect? I've heard so many horror stories about Houston and my (grown) son fears for my safety. [Is it that bad].

I would really appreciate both sides and please be honest with me. I have family here and I am really nervous about leaving them.

I appreciate the input so far.
Humidity seems to be about the same as South East Georgia, if so I can handle that - maybe.
The community I was thinking of was West of Houston, Katy or Weimer seemed nice (as far as I can tell by the net).

Answer 1

Houston is a wonderful city, but like any other large city, you need to be educated on what areas to avoid. I would stay north and west, avoid the east side. I grew up in one of the southern small towns, and there are many good areas in which to live. If you want to have good access to what the city has to offer such as shopping, museums, restaurants, etc., living in the northwest to west sides of town would be the best. My family and I live in the northwest, FM1960/Copperfield area. This is a "master-planned" community, which is desirable due to Houston's lack of consistent zoning laws. (This means you cannot park a trailer next to a nice home, or leave a rusted car in your yard and get away with it!) In my area, people get out at night and walk their dogs, ride bikes, etc. We don't lock our door when leaving during the day, it's that safe!

Now, Houston is a prairie. It is very flat. If you want the tall-tree, forest-like areas, go north. If you live out west, you can expect prairie-like scenery with very few mature trees. South of Houston, you have the beginnings of marshland as you get closer to Galveston. You will have fun in Galveston, by the way! East, you have chemical plants.

I don't know where you have heard horror stories, and I am sorry about that, because Houston really is a comfortable, friendly city. We have had some increase in crime rate since the hurricane, but overall it is very safe. Don't walk through downtown at night by yourself (in other words, exercise your common sense).

Get a good realtor - this is important. Even if you are not going to buy yet, a good realtor can steer you to the right areas of town. The good news is that Houston's cost of living/housing is extremely low compared to other cities. You'll be surprised at how much house you can get for the money.

Interstate 10, which runs west, can be a nightmare traffic-wise. That's because everyone wants to live west. Highway 290 running to Austin is the same way (which runs northwest, to my area). You just have to learn the times to hit the freeway. Work locally in your neighborhood if you can; you will save yourself fatigue from driving. I'm a teacher, so this is easy for me; if you are unable to do so, you will learn to leave early to make traffic.

You know, when you move to a new city, it should be fun to share your experiences with your family in Georgia. Heck, they will probably want to come visit you. Do not worry about moving here; you will come to love it! Good luck!!!

Kris

Answer 2

I live in Houston, but go to school at UT in Austin. I moved from England, so I've got a pretty good perspective. Although Austin is a much nicer place to look at, Houston's huge size is a big advantage. There are tons of things to do. The job market is huge. It's easy to get to other great cities like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. Even New Orleans isn't that far.

It is humid like everyone says. I like the unpredictable weather though. It was 80 degrees the day before christmas, but on christmas it got down to freezing. It does have a decent crime rate, but so do all big cities. But dont' feel unsafe, unless you're planning on living downtown in 5th ward. All of the suburbs, Woodlands, Friendswood, Cypress, Clear Lake, too many to list, are perfectly safe.

Answer 3

I have lived in Houston most of my life. My husband has lived here with me and Georgia so I can compare the two with some knowledge... I say you should move somewhere like Katy. I lived out there and it is alot easier going than most other places, plus the homes are in all different price ranges. The crime is not as bad as in alot of other areas. You will like it here... every time we move away we realise we made a mistake and move back! I have never had anything stolen, been robbed or vandalized... you just have to be careful like anywhere else. Good luck!

Answer 4

Houston is fantastic!
I've lived here for more than 18 of the 19 years of my being.

Houston has horror stories just like every other city in the United States has horror stories. Don't worry.

You're going to need to get used to the humidity. Or at least learn to live with it. I've lived here forever and still the humidity disgusts me.

Houston is huge. You can be driving for 1.5 hours and STILL be in Houston. We have a lot of construction on the highways, but you get used to it.

What part of Houston are you looking to move to? Avoid the Eastside. Stay North, West, or South.

You don't need to fear for your safety. I mean, don't go walking around at night all by yourself with very little clothes on or anything, just use your brain. Keep your doors locked, watch out for yourself, etc.

You'll fall in love with Houston in no time.

Answer 5

you'll feel at home in terms of climate - hot, humid, bayou country. lots of southerners from all over live in houston. it's definitely a more southern city than dallas. houston is a world class city - if you like big city, swanky lifestyles, you've come to the right place. lots of industrial wealth here and it shows.

nasty freeway traffic though - the metro population is reported at 5 million but it seems bigger. try and live close to work. it's not really that dangerous a city - confined mainly to rough neighborhoods. so many people here have firearms and pistols in their cars that it actually helps keep random acts of crime way down. i feel safe here 99% of the time. i grew up in the northeast and lived for years in the mid-atlantic, but i like houston the best and i like being a texan most of all. it's a state of mind

Answer 6

True: horrible humidity, footbal team and people not all of them.

But for the most part it is a relatively safe city there is a LOT of urban development taking place it's bettet than 10 or even 5 years ago. The places that you might live in are very liveable and nonthreatening.

it's not like your going to LA

Answer 7

its a pretty great city to live. the only thing is that the weather is crazy, one day it can be hot as hell and the other it can be as cold as freezing temperatures. the humidity is not a real factor until the summer. and its a fairly mixed city as far as race goes, theres not really ONE dominant ethnicity.
Pros:
-good weather, beautiful city, places to see, many ongoing events, houston rockets, houston astros, houston dynamo.
Cons:
-unpredictable weather, houston texans.

personally, i think it would be a good idea to move. i believe you will enjoy it.

Answer 8

for your safety : i suggest staying out of southwest and the lower part of North side

the good thing is that Houston is extremely diverse and everybody can definately find a place that is perfect for them

and people here usually keep to themselves and dont start trouble unless you provoke somthing offensive

Answer 9

my husband is from Houston but reside in Arkansas but are currentally in Austin(for his job) and we are looking to get land in Katy that is where one of his friends lives and its pretty decent out there not like downtown Houston....its crazy there...too much traffic for me!

Answer 10

Con is it's a wannabe NYC/LA/Skid Row. People try to sound like something they're not.