Relocating to Houston Featured Articles

Building Your Custom 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 takes place year around. Once you meet with a few builders and review ideas, plans... more »

Buying Your New Home

Thanks to a sound economy, Houston continues to welcome families relocating from the U.S. and around the world. As one of the healthiest real estate markets in the nation, Houston home prices remain affordable, especially for families moving from either coast. According to the National Association of Realtors, home buyers paid a median price of $151,900 for a house in the Houston metropolitan area in February... more »

Education

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 information about private schools, a list of recommended immunizations for children from 0... more »

Essential Houston

Once you’ve settled in to your new home, you’ll want to learn more about Houston and the region, including population and climate information, local government structure, a Houston historical timeline and essentials like police, fire and Houston Public Library information. You’ll also find information about obtaining a driver’s license, registering your vehicle and getting around in the region, whether it’s in your car, via mass transit or light... more »

Financing and Mortgages

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. Since Houston has a relatively healthy real estate market, finding the right type of mortgage for your home is made simple by the abudance of property choices. With the proper research and the... more »

Health and Wellness

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 anywhere, regardless of their race, age or financial position. Today that dream is fully realized and... more »

Houston and Beyond

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. Houston’s MSA is among the nation’s fastest-growing in the nation. The area grew 25.2 percent between the 1990 and 2000 census –... more »

Houston at a Glance

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 shopping. Find out all the reasons why Houston is the best city in which... more »

Houston Highlights

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 depth of activities will keep you and the family busy all year long.... more »

Insurance

In this chapter, you’ll find information on different types of insurance, including homeowners, auto and medical, as well as practical tips on reading policies and shopping for coverage. 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 should be noted in... more »

Moving To Houston

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 in the area, a real plus is discovering how genuinely friendly most... more »

Neighborhoods and Communities

When Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine rated Houston in 2008 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 costs are 23 percent below the nationwide average and 41 percent below the average for the... more »

Relocation Timeline

You’ve just received exciting news. Along with your new job, you’re being relocated to Houston! After the excitement subsides, your next step is to become proactive in the relocation process in order to plan for an orderly transition for you and your family. This doesn’t mean you have to do all the heavy lifting; on the contrary, it presents a great opportunity for you to involve... more »

Remodeling

Buying an Existing Home and Making It Yours

While house hunting in Houston, you and your spouse have found the perfect 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. The home will require some remodeling... more »

Renting and Leasing

If you are relocating to the Houston area you may not be ready to purchase another home. In that case there are alternatives to buying a home, 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, whether you’re looking for an apartment, a... more »

Trailing Spouses â��Â Job Hunting

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 about ways to use your expertise. This section will familiarize you with local job search ideas... more »

Vertical Living

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 – that are typically located close to employment centers, major freeways, shopping and cultural venues. With the... more »

Working with a Realtor

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