Relocating to Houston Featured Articles

Active Adult Living

Living Well in the Houston Region
While Houston is a young region with a median age of 32.9, many also have parents who are retiring and moving close to their adult children. The region is home to state-of-art medical facilities, including the Texas Medical Center, as well as other agencies and advisors – learn more in the following article.... more »

Beyond Houston

More Than 5 Million People Call the Region Home
While Houston is the most populous city, the Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown Metropolitan Statistical Area (Houston MSA), consists of 10 counties: Austin, Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery, San Jacinto and Waller. The metro area’s mid-2007 population of 5,628,101 ranks sixth among U.S. metropolitan statistical areas. With steady job growth throughout... more »

Building Your Custom Home

Building Your Custom Dream Home
Now that you’re relocating to the Houston area, it might be time to consider building a custom home. One good reason is that you can build a larger house with many extras at an affordable cost, particularly compared to building costs on either coast. A regional advantage is that due to our temperate weather, building... more »

Dining

Hot Houston Restaurant Happenings
One of the most anticipated openings in Houston this year was Schiller Del Grande’s, The Grove. Located across the street from the convention center, this two-story, ultra-urban restaurant is one of two restaurants in downtown Houston's newest park, Discovery Green.

VOICE Restaurant and Lounge, inside the Hotel Icon, is making waves in the upscale dining... more »

Education

Learning from Kindergarten to College
One of the highest priorities for relocating families is locating a new school for their children and providing a smooth transition so that learning can continue and new friends can be formed. This chapter will provide a good overview to learn more about the many educational resources available in the Houston area. You’ll also find... more »

Essential Houston

Almanac of Information about Houston and the Region
The region’s wide open spaces provide ample room for growth and lots of choices in places to live, whether close to downtown or in a rural setting. While many rely on their cars to get around, mass transit options are increasingly popular. In this section, you’ll find out about all major roadways... more »

Financing and Mortgages

Your Guide to Financing a Home
As a newcomer to the Houston region, you may not be new to the home-buying process. Even so, it’s helpful to review all the steps involved as well as Houston-area resources and conditions that make home buying here a pretty rewarding experience. Why is that? Because this region is acknowledged nationally as the best... more »

Health and Wellness

Resources To Help Make Health Care Decisions Painless
The crown jewel of health care, education and research in Houston is the Texas Medical Center (TMC), considered the world’s largest medical center. It was first developed in 1945 with a dream to create a medical center where people from all walks of life could have access to the best health care... more »

Houston at a Glance

SOAKING UP THE SIGHTS AND HIGHLIGHTS
As the fourth largest city in the U.S., there’s a lot to know about Houston and the 10-county region, of which it’s a part. In this chapter, you’ll learn about the local geography, its strategic location and port, the city’s founding brothers and highlights covering recreation, family entertainment, dining and... more »

Houston Highlights

Playtime in the Bayou City
Many Houstonians relate to Continental Airlines’ slogan “work hard, play hard.” The New York Times said of the city, "Maybe that's what makes Houston such an unusual and wonderful place – there are so many different Houstons to see.” And as you explore and get to know your neighborhood and beyond, the variety and... more »

Insurance

Guide to Insurance for Autos, Home and Health
The following information will review highlights and requirements in Texas for auto, homeowners and health insurance. As you organize your relocation to the Houston area, it’s also a good idea to review your family’s insurance needs. For your home, you’re probably planning to purchase new home furnishings, appliances and other equipment that... more »

International Relocation

Houston and the Region Welcomes Cultures From Around the World
While preparing for your return stateside, you may have heard the expression, “everything is better in Texas.” You’ll be pleased to know that Houston takes that to another level. In a short time, you’ll discover that Houston welcomes newcomers from around the world with ease. It’s also a... more »

Moving To Houston

Moving, Packing and Utilities
While just the thought of relocating can be stressful, with planning and helpful resources, the process can be managed. In this section, you’ll learn about ways to pack, preparing for your move, utilities in the area, a timeline to help you plan for every part of the move as well as additional resources. Once you’re established... more »

Neighborhoods and Communities

Finding Your Home in the Houston Area
When Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine rated Houston earlier this year as the best city in which to live, work and play, a main criteria was reasonable living costs. Houston and the area don’t disappoint in this category, particularly regarding housing costs. According to the most recent ACCRA Cost-of-Living Index, the Houston area’s housing... more »

Practical Houston

Covering the Basics – Driver’s License, Car Registration and Voting
Once you’ve set up residency in the Houston area and have a local address, one of your first stops will be to the Texas Department of Public Safety to apply for a Texas Driver’s License and to register your vehicle. Both are required to be done... more »

Remodeling

Buying an Existing Home and Making It Yours
While house hunting in Houston, you and your spouse have found the pefect home – it’s well situated close to a high-rated school district, it’s within a decent commute to your work and a nice pool and landscaped backyard really made a lasting impression.... more »

Renting and Leasing

Alternatives to Buying a Home
If you’re relocating to the Houston area, you may not be ready to purchase another home. In that case, renting or leasing may be the perfect solution. Houston is the fourth-largest rental market in the nation, with more than 550,000 total apartment units. This provides you with plenty of choice in the market,... more »

Retail

For Houston natives and many visitors, shopping is a serious pastime. Depending on your neighborhood, you’re sure to find a good shopping experience nearby. Outlined below are a few neighborhoods and shopping areas you’ll want to know about.

Highland Village is located on Westheimer, only a few blocks south of the Galleria. The village has a great selection of home furnishing retailers, including Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, Pottery Barn... more »

Trailing Spouses

Plugging into the Houston Job Market
This chapter is designed to assist the trailing spouse who is relocating to Houston. While your spouse’s employer may provide relocation assistance that includes job search services for you, you’ll also want to do your own research and familiarize yourself with the Houston employment market. You’ll also want to develop new contacts and learn... more »

Vertical Living

High-Rises, Mid-Rise, Lofts and Townhomes Abound In Houston
If you ask urban professionals the difference between high-rise living in Houston and in other large U.S. cities, right away they mention the value – larger space and more amenities for the price. Similar to reasonable single-home prices in the region, high-rise properties come in many varieties – lofts, condos, high-rises –... more »