SPOTLIGHT ON HOUSTON
WELCOME TO HOUSTON, TEXAS
Houston is a major metropolis and is the most populous city in Texas. It is also the fourth-most populous city in the United States. Nicknamed “Space City” for its association with NASA, Houston is a center for business, entertainment, culture, media, technology, fashion, sports, education, medicine, and research. Situated near the Gulf of Mexico, Houston’s mild climate makes enjoying all the benefits of the city even easier.
Contents
Climate and Geography 02
Cost of Living and Transportation 03
Sports and Outdoor Activities 04
Shopping and Dining 05
Schools and Education 06
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Houston Climate Graph
CLIMATE
The climate for Houston is classified as humid subtropical, which is typical for the lower southeastern United States. Insulated by its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, Houston enjoys winters that are more mild than most of the country. The water also makes summer hot and humid, though made pleasant by sea breezes.
While Houston gets a lot of rain, a lot coming in the form of thunderstorms, there is generally no snow. The city did receive an inch of snow back in 2009. Average High/Low Temperatures Low / High The air pollution index for Houston is 43% January 44oF / 62oF better than the national average. August 74oF / 93oF
Average Precipitation Rain 45 in.
GEOGRAPHY
The city of Houston is located on the gulf coastal plain and was built on forests, marshes, swamps, and grasslands that are all typical with the Deep South. Many of the areas surrounding the city still have these natural characteristics. There are even four major bayous that pass right through Houston. Houston is roughly 40 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
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COST OF LIVING
Compared to the rest of the United States, Houston is an affordable place to live. The median home price is $125,400, which is 29% below the national average, and median monthly rent is $862, which is 6% less than the national average. Additionally, groceries, healthcare, transportation, and utilities are not only less expensive that the national averages, they are all below the averages for all of Texas.
Key Housing Figures*
Median Home Purchase Price Median Monthly Rent (1BDRM) $290,500 $1,353
*Sources: www.zillow.com - accessed 08/02/2017, www.numbeo.com - accessed 08/02/2017
TRANSPORTATION
Highways Interstates I-10, I-45, I-69, I-610 US Highways US-59, US-90, US-290 State Highways 3, 6, 8, 35, 225, 249, 261, 288
Airports Ellington Airport (EFD) George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) William P. Hobby International Airport (HOU)
Rail METRO light rail system
Department of Motor Vehicles 2110 E. Governors Circle Houston, TX 77092 http://www.txdmv.gov
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LIFESTYLE & ENTERTAINMENT
Residents of Houston love to be outside. Of the 10 most populous cities in the United States, Houston has the most total area of parks and green spaces. Combine that with the variety of lakes, rivers, bays, and beaches, and you have a recipe for recreation. The city is home to year-round festivals for all to enjoy. For those who would rather watch than play, Houston is home to four professional athletic teams, as well as annual sporting events.
SPORTS
Pro Teams MLB: Houston Astros MLS: Houston Dynamo NBA: Houston Rockets NFL: Houston Texans
Major Venues BBVA Compass Stadium Minute Maid Park NRG Stadium Toyota Center
OUTDOORS & ADVENTURE
Top-Rated Parks Fun on the Water Great Attractions Discover More
Discovery Green Clear Lake Bayou Bend Gardens houstonpress.com George Bush Park Buffalo Bayou Downtown Aquarium houstontx.gov Hermann Park Lake Houston Houston Zoo traveltexas.com Waterwall Park Mud Lake Johnson Space Center visithoustontexas.com
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SHOPPING & DINING
Houston Eats A Shopper’s Paradise
Only 360 miles from the border, Houston cuisine is Houston is full of large shopping options, from covered heavily influenced by Mexican flavors and traditions. malls with ice rinks and glass ceilings like the Galleria, The city also has a thriving Chinatown and Mahatma to outdoor centers with high-end retailers and dining Gandhi District, each with fantastic restaurants that like Rice Village. Houston is home to many farmers exemplify their cultures. However, good old southern markets and crafts fairs. Downtown Houston is home barbecue still reigns supreme in Houston. Some to many local boutique shops, as well as nationally- perennial favorites are Gatlin's BBQ in Garden Oaks and recognized chain stores. With so many resources, Jackson Street BBQ right outside Minute Maid Park. Houston shoppers can always find what they want.
ART & CULTURE
Houston has the second-largest concentration of theater seats in a downtown area in the United States and is one of the few American cities with permanent, professional resident companies in all major performing arts disciplines: opera, ballet, music, and theater. Below is just a small sample of theaters and museums.
Museums Theaters l 1940 Air Terminal Museum l Arena Theatre l Art Car Museum l Hobby Center for the Performing Arts l Asian Society Texas Center l Jones Hall for Performing Arts l Buffalo Soldiers Museum l Obsidian Theater l Children's Museum of Houston l Texas Repertory Theatre l Holocaust Museum of Houston l The Ensemble Theatre l Houston Museum of Natural History l The Music Box Theater l Museum of Fine Arts l UpStage Theatre l Museum of Funeral History l Verizon Wireless Theater l The Menil Collection l Zikha Hall
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EDUCATION IN HOUSTON, TX
Notable Colleges & Universities Elementary & High School
Baylor College School of Medicine Houston Independent School District Houston, TX There are 688 public schools in Houston. Students in Houston scored 26% higher on standardized Houston Baptist University tests than the national average. Houston, TX
Houston Educational Attainment Rice University High School Graduates or higher 73% Houston, TX Bachelor’s Degree or higher 30%
Contact Texas Southern University 4400 W. 18th Street Houston, TX Houston, TX 77092 (713) 556-6000 l www.houstonisd.org University of Houston Houston, TX
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