Life in Houston
Houston Myths
Myth: It's expensive to live in big cities.
Unlike most big cities, Houston offers a very affordable cost of living. The cost of living in Houston is 23 percent below the average for areas with more than 1.7 million people. Housing costs in Houston are 45 percent below the average of major metro areas.
Myth: Only cowboys live in Texas.
Recent census data show that the greater Houston area contains 4.5 million inhabitants, making Houston the 4th largest U.S. city. This population base includes a wide variety of racial and ethnic groups that give Houston a rich diversity and cosmopolitan feel.
Myth: It's unbearably hot year-round.
Yes, the summers are hot, but there's plenty of air conditioning and there are water activities to beat the heat. And the upside is that winters are mild and virtually carefree, since snowfall and ice are rare. Houston's climate by the numbers: temperatures range between a low of 32 degrees (20 days per year) and a high of 90 degrees (95 days per year).
Myth: There's nothing to do.
Houston offers a wide range of cultural and recreational activities to keep you entertained. Cultural attractions in the city include numerous museums and a thriving theater district. In fact, Houston is one of only a few U.S. cities with permanent ballet, opera, symphony, and theater companies performing year-round, and Houston is second only to New York's Broadway theater district for number of theater seats (nearly 10,000) in a concentrated downtown area. Nightlife is alive and well in downtown Houston and in many other areas of town. If you're into sports, Houston is home to numerous professional teams including the Texans, Astros, Rockets, Comets, Aeros, and the Dynamo soccer team. If you want to play, the greater Houston area offers almost all sporting and hobby interests, and the moderate climate is conducive to a variety of outdoor activities including tennis, golf, water sports, cycling, and running.
Myth: The restaurants only offer bar-b-que and Mexican food.
Few metropolitan areas can offer the quality and variety of restaurants available in the greater Houston area. More than 30 different national and regional categories are represented by nearly 11,000 food serving establishments in the city. In fact, a common lament of people moving away from the city is how much they miss the food of the region. Simply stated, Houston is a terrific town for dining!
Myth: People ride horses to get around.
Houston boasts one of the finest highway systems in North America today. Getting to and from the city is also a breeze. Houston is the air gateway to the Southwest, with international passenger service from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and domestic passenger service from Intercontinental and William P. Hobby Airport. As the home and hub airport for a major U.S. airline, nonstop flights are available to most U.S. cities.
Myth: The terrain supports nothing but tumbleweeds.
Sometimes referred to as the "urban forest," Houston is covered with lush vegetation. The city maintains more than 308 municipal parks and 200 open spaces. There are 53 parks and public spaces located in downtown alone! In addition, the city provides seven golf courses and operates a modern zoological garden for public use.
Myth: Oil and gas is the only major industry.
Since a 1982 recession due to depressed global oil prices, the city's economy has expanded to include major growth in high technology industries, medical research, health care, and professional services. Houston is home to many businesses, including corporate headquarters for 19 of the Fortune 500 companies. In addition, many foreign countries and corporations have established a presence in Houston to access North American markets via the city's excellent distribution facilities. Unbeknownst to many people, the Port of Houston ranks sixth in the world in terms of shipping tonnage and first in the United States in terms of foreign waterborne commerce.