21 Pros And Cons Of Living In Houston (Expat Advice)

Houston is one of those budding cities in Texas that continues to be heralded as the next big thing in the state.

It’s a diverse, unique city in the heart of Texas that’s appreciated for its charming nature. It’s common to see people from all walks of life live in Houston and that’s what makes it one of the more appealing options for those who are moving in from another place.

Living in Houston is great for those who want affordable properties, no income tax, and warm weather throughout the year. While all of this is true, it also has a lot of insects, gets scorching hot in the summers, and can lead to a long commute.

It’s important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of living in Houston before completing the move.

This article is going to take a look at the pros and cons of moving to Houston while also shedding light on a few hidden elements you might not be aware of.

Pros Of Living In Houston

Spacious

This is one thing you are going to notice about Houston immediately.

This is a place that has ample space from one end to the other. This is why a lot of people state they can get a tremendous amount of land in Houston for a cheap price when it’s time to buy a house.

It’s due to the amount of land that still has to be developed in Houston.

Affordable Properties

You are going to enjoy the affordability of the properties in this city.

It’s a growing city, which means the communities are still being developed. We also find the communities to be well-designed and modern, which adds to their appeal over time.

You will get a great deal here compared to other cities in America.

Growing Market

Houston is a growing real estate market.

It’s a market that is only going to get stronger with time and that’s appealing to those who are thinking about the long-term.

Entering a growing market such as this leads to a well-timed decision on your part. It will appreciate the value of your asset.

Safe Communities

The safety aspect of any city is going to matter.

Houston is one of the safer modern cities in Texas and that’s key for those who want to move in with their family. If you have kids, you will care about safety more than anything else.

If that is the case, the safety of the community here is hard to beat.

Good Schools

The schools are world-class here and are new.

This is something the city has worked on but it is still a growing community. This means some schools do get overpopulated depending on where you are moving.

It’s being worked on with more and more new schools popping up in Houston.

Good Healthcare

The healthcare system is strong in Houston and offers a good amount of quality for those who want to stay healthy.

You can rely on the healthcare system knowing it is international quality.

This is key for seniors and/or those who have health issues.

Warm Weather

When it comes to the weather in Houston, you are going to enjoy this aspect of moving to the city.

The weather is good.

Yes, it does get hot in the summers but it is not going to be snowing anytime soon. It is rare for snow to pop up in Houston.

In general, it is warm throughout the year and you don’t have to think about the cold.

Diverse

Houston is one of the more diverse parts of Texas.

People from all over come to Houston.

This has to do with people working in the major companies around Houston and therefore it being a far more diverse community than other parts.

This is beneficial when it comes to immersing yourself in the city and its community.

World-Class Food

When you move to a diverse city like Houston, you are going to end up enjoying cuisine from all over the world.

This is what Houston is all about.

You will get to make the most of world-class food options that are going to taste great and will allow you to feast for a long time in Houston.

Strong Economy

When you move to Houston, you are going to enjoy the number of employment opportunities that are available for you to take advantage of.

The economy is strong and growing.

This is what makes it useful for those who want to ensure the city is going to be heading in the right direction.

Great Creative Community

Are you an art lover?

It’s common for people to want to integrate into a city by enjoying its arts scene. If that is something you are all about, Houston is the city for you.

There’s a lot to do in Texas and the creative community is growing in the city.

No Income Tax

Income tax is a major advantage when it comes to moving to Houston.

You will not be paying a cent in state income tax here.

This is a major saving for those who are used to paying a lot in income tax and don’t get to take home as much pay as they want to.

Cons Of Living In Houston

Lots Of Insects

This is the first thing you are going to notice around Houston.

Mosquitoes and/or other insects are too common in the city. It is normal to walk around and notice the insects in the air and it does get annoying after a while.

You are going to have to invest in mosquito repellent to make sure you are not getting bit all the time.

Summers Are Scorching Hot

It does get humid in the summer.

When it is humid, you are not going to want to be outside. It will get stuffy quickly and that is often the case due to the number of sunny days throughout the year.

The winter months are milder but the summer months do ramp up quickly.

No Zoning Laws

This is a unique negative about living in Houston.

Let’s assume you bought a house in Houston and are happy with it. This includes the surrounding properties around the house.

Well, a store might set up shop close to your house. Why does this happen? It’s due to the lack of zoning laws in the city.

This causes random things to happen.

The best way to avoid this is to live in a planned community where this is not going to be an issue at all.

Poor Driving

The driving around Houston is not as good as it should be.

This is due to the number of cars on the road.

There are too many cars in Houston as people need to get around and it takes a long time to do so. This leads to bad driving experiences from time to time.

Long Commutes

If you are going to be driving to the downtown core, it is going to take a long time.

This happens due to the distance between two places and how much traffic there is on the road. This can lead to a situation where long commutes are a real concern for you.

Car Is Required

You are going to need a car in Houston.

The transportation system is not as good as it needs to be and the distance between two places can be longer than in other cities.

This is why having a car to lean on is a must. It will save you a lot of time and stress.

Too Many Toll Roads

This is a unique negative because you are not going to realize it until you are living in Houston.

There are toll roads everywhere.

This means you are going to have to pay to use them and that is a bill you are not going to want depending on where you are going.

Hurricane Warnings

Yes, you can deal with hurricanes in Houston.

It’s rare but warnings can happen from time to time. This is due to where Houston is located and this is an environmental concern that is present in the city.

Known For Flooding

Flooding has become a concern over the years as the draining system is not as strong as it needs to be in Houston.

Planned communities do a better job of this but other elements of Houston are not as robust when it comes to dealing with flooding.

This leads to water settling onto the streets and possibly ruining properties too.

Final Thoughts

It’s best to go through these benefits and drawbacks of living in Houston before moving to Houston for good.

Living in Houston is a great idea for those who want affordable housing, no state income tax, and warm weather throughout the year. However, it is not as ideal for those who hate mosquitoes, don’t want to deal with humidity, or prefer areas with no hurricane or flooding warnings.

This is up to you.

We also recommend going through our articles on the pros and cons of living in Texas, the pros and cons of living in Georgia, and the pros and cons of living in Florida.