Home of NASA, Houston has become the place to live. Ranking fourth for most populous city in the country, Houston is home to a diverse food scene, a robust economy, and an overall involved community.

Whether you’re thinking of moving to Houston because of a job offer or just for a change of scenery, your friends at Bellhop want to help. Bellhop offers local and long-distance moving and hourly labor for all kinds of moves in Houston! Keep reading for a breakdown of what it’s like living in the city.

Eastwood: Affordable and Convenient

Eastwood is located about 3 miles east of the downtown Houston area, just north of Interstate 45 between Velasco and Hughes Streets. This neighborhood is known for its craftsman and mission style architecture and modest feel, and draws in the young professionals and families. With the convenience of downtown being minutes away, it  gives people the residential space they’re looking for, while still having the option of experiencing downtown. 

Houston Heights: The Historic District

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Located on the north side of the city, Houston Heights is one of the more popular neighborhoods in Houston. This area is part of the historic district that integrates modern art and the rich history of the area that dates back to the 1800s. 

With the addition of the art, the Heights have a variety of outdoor activities including hiking trails, parks, and bike/walking lanes that takes you through the neighborhood.

If you’re looking for the overall feel for the Heights, the “First Saturday” Arts Market is a great spot for local art, plants, and free live music.

West Houston: A Little Bit of Everything

Prominent neighborhoods in West Houston are Uptown and West University Place. 

Uptown is near the west side of Interstate 610 and is home to Texas’s largest shopping center, The Galleria. This retail-driven district has a pleasant mix of lofts, condos, and suburban-development-type housing. On the hunt for a place? Check out rent.com or apartmentguide.com.

West University Place is home to a mix of families, young professionals, and college students (Rice University). This residential and community-focused neighborhood is increasing in popularity with their convenient location and amenities offered. 

Storage Options: SpareFoot

After moving to Houston, you may come across the overflow of items you bring into your new place. If you find yourself in this situation, check out SpareFoot. SpareFoot is the world’s largest marketplace for storage, making it easy to store your belongings. Their website lets you compare the storage options nationwide and reserve the best solution for your needs. Whether it’s traditional self-storage or on-demand full-service, they have you covered.

Houston Fast Facts

A City of Many Cultures

With a large percentage of the population living in Houston of Hispanic, African American, or Asian origin, Houston is considered as the most ethnically diverse city in the nation. 

The Greenest City in the South

Houston provides over 50,000 acres of park space within its city limits. Houston is also home to the largest county park within a city—George Bush park at 8,043 acres.

Another park worth seeing is Memorial Park. You can find the Houston Arboretum within, a variety of hiking and running trails, and open fields that is free to the public.

Chowin’ Down in H-Town: The Houston Food Scene

Ninfa’s Original: Tex-Mex is King

Houstonians are proud of leading the way in delicious Tex-Mex cuisine. Look no further than Ninfa’s Original on Navigation Blvd. The restaurant was started in 1973 by Mama Ninfa herself, creator of the delectable Tacos El Carbon.

Killen’s BBQ: A Brisket Dynasty

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The bad news: at Killen’s, you’ll probably have to wait in line. Why? Well, that’s the good news. These are some of the best barbecues, not just in Texas, but in the country. But don’t take our word for it. Killen’s has been garnering national press attention almost since it opened.

If you’re moving to Houston, it’s a must-visit.

Montrose Neighborhood: A Can’t-Miss for Good Eats

One place you can’t miss is the neighborhood known as Montrose. Home to some of the best eateries in Houston, Westheimer Ave. and Montrose Blvd. is packed with unique, local restaurants.

While the neighborhood has classic favorites like taco and barbecue joints, you can find all types of cuisine here. Indika, for example, has become known city-wide for its delicious Indian food. If fine dining fits your budget, try Pass and Provisions for multiple-course meals featuring a little bit of everything.

Houston’s Nightlife

Happy Hour: Midtown

This area is one of the more popular happy hour destinations in Houston. The after-work crowd is fond of making the quick jaunt over to Midtown from Downtown for drinks and conversations.

Crowd favorites here include the House of Blues and Howl at the Moon.

Up and Coming: Washington Avenue

Restaurants and bars are booming right and left along Washington Avenue, making it a popular nightlife destination for young professionals.

The Porch Swing Pub is a popular spot for a variety of music and community. Another local favorite is Kung Fu Saloon, home to vintage arcade games, private karaoke rooms, and a vast beer selection.

Where to Spend a Saturday in Houston

NASA

Houston is home to NASA’s Johnson Space Center and NASA’s Christopher C. Kraft Jr. Mission Control Center. Head over to the Space Center visitor’s center. Here, visitors will find an interactive museum showcasing both historic space missions and exhibits about the world outside the earth’s atmosphere.

The Museum District

The museum district is filled with opportunities for education and fun. Here you can explore the Children’s Museum, Houston Science Museum, Holocaust Museum,  Museum of Fine Arts, and Houston Zoo.

Houston Necessities

Transportation

The city’s public transit system is growing, but it is still underdeveloped compared to other major cities. Due to the limited availability of bike lanes and the massive land area the city covers, a car is the most convenient method to get around H-town.

Is Houston right for you? Whether you’re thinking of moving to Houston because of a job offer or just for a change of scenery, your friends at Bellhop want to help. We offer local and long-distance moving and hourly labor for all kinds of moves in Houston! Book a move today!

We hope this was helpful, and if you decide to take the plunge, don’t hesitate to reach out to your friends here at Bellhop. As we said, we coordinate long-distance and local moving services in Houston, and we would love to help.

Lastly if you’re interested in any neighboring Texas cities, Austin and Dallas might be two worth looking into. If you decide that either of them are for you, we can assist here as well!

Harrison Stevens