Pros And Cons Of Living In Houston

It's a place where you can find anything that will make your life better: a job, an affordable cost of living, diverse culture, entertainment options, and more. But it has its disadvantages too. You have to deal with the weather in Houston (which is hot for most of the year), mosquitoes all around, and taxes- but hey, at least you're finally enjoying yourself!

So, let's see the Pros and Cons in details:

The Pros

1. Job Opportunity

Houston has a booming job market. Suppose you're looking for an opportunity to work and earn your living. In that case, Houston is the perfect place because there are lots of companies in this city that offer jobs from entry-level positions up to executive-level positions with competitive salaries.

With so many business opportunities in Houston, it can be hard deciding on which one will give you what you need but don't worry! The Greater Houston Partnership offers resources such as tools and information about finding employment, networking events that help connect employers with qualified candidates, and more.

The Los Angeles Times's article "15 Cities With Good Job Markets" ranked Houston at number 12th out of 25 cities as per the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau

2. Affordable Cost of Living

Houston cost of living is very affordable which is ideal for people with tight budgets. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median price for housing in Houston, TX as of August 2017 was $148,000, according to the National Association of Realtors, and that's about 36% lower than what you would expect to pay on average across America at $217,700. Alongside this, if we were to compare it against other major cities like Chicago ($245k), New York City($474k), or Boston($388K). It seems clear that Houston offers many more opportunities with its affordability.

3. Diverse Culture

Houston has a lot of different cultures, which makes it an exciting place to live. The diversity in Houston is reflected through the culture and food that can be found there and other events and festivals throughout the year, such as Juneteenth Festival or Arab American Day Parade & Bazaar.

4. Less chances of getting bored!

Houston has so many things to do. Houston is not just a city that you can go and work in; it's also a place where you can play! There are tons of fun festivals happening here. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a huge event that takes place every March. The show attracts more than one million people each year to see horses, cows, pigs, and sheep compete in several different events.

Houston has so many things to do, like Astros games or Dynamo matches. These are sports venues and entertainment spots, thanks to the various bars surrounding them, such as Saint Arnold Brewery (known for its craft beers).

5. Food

There are a lot of high-end restaurants in Houston. But you can still find some good inexpensive places to eat too, like buffets or smaller local family-owned restaurants. There's no shortage of food choices here!

Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in America, and that means lots of different types of cuisine from all over the world. It's not hard to find Chinese, Thai, Italian, Japanese, and even New Zealand style food available at an affordable price, either as takeout or delivery service, if you want to stay home with your kids on a Friday night rather than going out for dinner.

The Cons

1. Weather

Houston is a humid place. The average temperature in the summer months (June, July, and August) can be as high as 100 degrees, with humidity making it feel much hotter than that. Average winter temperatures are between 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit (~15 °C).

Summer brings many storms to Houston, too - hurricane season for Texas usually runs from June through November, so there's a chance of being caught up in some nasty weather if you're not careful. Please keep your eyes on local news outlets when hurricane warnings are issued because they will let you know what area might need evacuation to avoid danger!

Mosquitoes also love this climate year-round, so make sure to either spray yourself down before going outside or wear long pants. This Weather may not be liked by many.

2. Traffic in Houston

With too many people traveling by road, traffic can be a big issue. The Texas Department of Transportation says Houston has the third-worst traffic congestion in America. They have stated that it will take an extra hour to go five miles during rush hours. That means if you are commuting from one side of town to another, you could be looking at a two-and-a-half-hour drive!

When traveling by car around the city, make sure your radio is tuned into local stations for updates on construction or accidents that might cause delays along the way. If something is going on, prepare accordingly so as not to miss any important meetings or appointments while stuck in gridlock traffic - you'll only get angrier with every minute wasted sitting still instead of being productive elsewhere!

3. Taxes

Houston has a lot of significant aspects to it, but there are some downsides as well. One downside is that taxes in Houston can be high on your pay check. Tax rates for Texas were ranked the third-highest among all states and D.C. by WalletHub last year. The average person living in Harris County pays $800 per annum more than they would if they lived elsewhere because of these inflated tax rates, which is an astonishing sum!

Final Thoughts

Houston is a city with its pros and cons like any other. With that being said, we are still lucky to be living here because of the great opportunities it provides for us. There are plenty of cultures and entertainment in this diverse city, which can make your day more enjoyable! Living in Houston might not be as expensive either when compared to some cities out there, making it even more worthwhile! Of course, you have to consider all the negatives, so if you're considering moving here or back from somewhere else, know what's coming first before jumping in feet-first.