Ever dreamed of living in a large metropolitan area that
was culturally diverse, enriched in the arts, and home to numerous Fortune 500
companies? Full of eclectic charm, beautiful weather, and beaches south of the
city, many would assume this place was a cosmopolitan European city, when in
fact all this exist state side in the city of Houston, Texas! Surprise!
People in the market for new homes in Houston, Texas, should shed any
preconceived notions they may have about Houston being a "typical"
Western city. It is not the "Western" part that we shy away from.
After all, Houston hosts the world's largest rodeo, and you are sure to find
the occasional cowboy museum. However, Houston is anything but typical.
With more than four million residents, Houston is the fourth largest, and
arguably the most diverse, city in the country. To comprehend the melting pot
of cultures and ethnicities inhabiting this region, you need only to hear the
90 languages (in addition to English) being spoken on any given time. Couple
this rich diversity with a smooth blend of urban living and friendly Southern
charm, and you are left with a visionary group of people who are casual and
energetic, eclectic and optimistic, eternally open to global thinking and
imagination. Not the typical Yosemite Sam cartoon character that often
stigmatizes Texas residents.
All that perennial sunshine and good weather might go to waste, that is, if it
weren't for the world-class golf, and the outdoor festivals, and the 650 city
and county parks with walking, hiking and biking trails; playgrounds, pools,
dog parks and community centers. Oh, and did we mention the beaches just south
of the city limits?
Looking for culture? Not to be outdone on any front, Houston is also one of the
few cities in the country with internationally acclaimed resident companies
representing all four of the major performing arts: ballet, drama, opera and
symphony -- all in addition to a bevy of art museums and theaters. In addition,
the area is overflowing with a smorgasbord of over 6,000 restaurants, offering
a wide range of international fare.
This diversity extends to the various neighborhoods
in and around the Houston-Sugar
Land, Baytown metropolitan area. Downtown is a thriving mix of cultural
events and work place hubs. A neighborhood like the Museum District offers an
array of museums, as the name might suggest, but also parks, golf courses, and
the Houston zoo. Montrose
and Midtown are also neighborhoods noted for being an artistic center
that has a decidely gay reputation, hosting the largest Gay Pride Parade in the
American southwest every June. More conservative neighborhoods like Kingwood
and Katy
are suburban inclusive with homes that range from 100,000 up to and beyond a
cool million. Rice
Village and Medical Center are popular neighborhoods for new professionals
and college students.
This diverse sense of vision is also apparent in the presence of NASA's Johnson
Space Center. Houston is also a Mecca for international business, as Lockheed
Martin and Boeing, who have presence in the area. The Bayou City's Astros,
Rockets, Comets, Texans and Aeros are a fixture on the sports scene, which is
fortunate for residents, as they are avid sports fans.
When you take all this into account, it is clear why Houston new homes are a
booming industry. Who wouldn't want to live in a place where a little bit of
everything -- and we mean everything -- is all within reach?