Central Houston Newcomer Guide - 2017 Vol. 2

CADOGAN PLACE Starting at $1.5 million

Inspired by The Belmond Cadogan Hotel in London, Cadogan Place features the classy, luxurious style of similar architecture so beautifully showcased by the famous hotel. A gated community in River Oaks with only 12 units, come home and enjoy this stylish and unique in-town development, Cadogan Place.

CRAIN SQUARE

BELL HEIGHTS

Starting at $1.2 million

Starting at the $700s

www.rohewright.com

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PA L M B E A C H R E L O C AT I O N G U I D E

– FA L L 2 0 1 6

|

WINTER 2017

HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL IS THE ONLY NATIONALLY RANKED HONOR ROLL HOSPITAL IN TEXAS. Houston Methodist, throughout its long history, has focused on innovation that directly benefits our patients. We are national leaders in the delivery of health care, and others agree.

Out of 4,667 hospitals, Houston Methodist Hospital ranks No. 19 in the nation and No. 1 in Texas. And for 10 years in a row, we’ve had more national rankings than any other hospital in Texas.

Like past generations of Houstonians, we know that today’s best will not be good enough for tomorrow. Houston Methodist directs millions of research dollars into patient care and offers the latest innovations in medical, surgical and diagnostic techniques. We are pressing ahead toward a greater and grander vision, one that positions us to help shape the future of medicine.

For a physician referral, visit houstonmethodist.org or call 713.790.3599.

HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

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contents | features 18 22 28 38

Houston’s Cost of Living High-rise & Mid-rise ON THE COVER Evening photo of Downtown Houston and its ever changing skyline.

Manageable.

Affordable. Lifestyle.

PHOTOGRAPHY We would like to thank the following for their contributions:

International Relocation

Greater Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau GHCVB - Hugh Hargrave Discovery Green-Katya Horner Photographer

22

Memorial Lutheran School George Ranch Historical Park Schlitterbahn Galveston Röhe and Wright The Uptown Houston Chamber of Commerce Memorial Hermann Hospital Houston Zoo Houston Astros Houston Rockets-Noah Graham NBAE/ Getty Images Houston Dynamo Jackson Myers The Art Car Museum EDITORIAL We would like to thank the following writers for their editorial contributions to the publication: Joy Oden Judy Van Cleve Cecile Ruffino

© WEB Media Group LLC 2017 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any

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contents | sections 8

WELCOME TO CENTRAL HOUSTON • 8

Houston Texas 77057 Phone: 713-952-1916

HOUSING & NEIGHBORHOODS• 14

info@HoustonNewcomerGuides.com

City

www.HoustonNewcomerGuides.com

Neighborhoods Harris County Map

14

675 Bering Drive Suite 120

Houston Cost of Living High-rise and Mid-rise Living

HOME FRONT • 24 Temporary Lodging Rent or Buy

Fax: 713-952-1956

CEO Derek Wright PRESIDENT Kevin Evans VICE PRESIDENT Michael P. Blalock

Choosing a Realtor Mortgage Options Houston by the Numbers

RELOCATION INFORMATION • 32

32

Moving Companies

VP OF SALES Robert Nusbaum

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jill Roe, Susan Syamken, Judy Van Cleve & Paul Yarbrough

Forwarding Mail Utilities Public Transportation

OPERATIONS MANAGER Cecile Ruffino

International Relocation

40

EDUCATION IN CENTRAL HOUSTON • 40 Public Schools Private Schools Higher Education

PLACES OF WORSHIP • 47 Contact Listings

58

Art DIRECTOR Rebecca Cammack

Central Houston Newcomer Guide is published and distributed bi-annually by WEB Media Group LLC For advertising information, please call 713-952-1916.

Although every attempt is made to be as comprehensive and accurate as possible, WEB Media Group LLC is

HEALTHCARE • 50

not responsible for any misprints, errors,

Major Medical Facilities

omissions, deletions, or the accuracy of

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY • 55

Media Group LLC does not accept re-

Area Economic Development Partnership

LEISURE & RECREATION • 58

the information in the publication. WEB sponsibility for any loss, injury, or inconvenience sustained by anyone using this public ation.

Arts and Culture Parks & Attractions Sports & Golf Calendar of Events Houston’s Diverse Dining Scene

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300 E. Highland Mall Blvd Suite 395 Austin Texas 78752 Phone: 512-266-2900 www.TexasRelocationGuides.com

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SYLVESTER TURNER City of Houston Mayor

Greetings!

Let me be the first to welcome you to Houston! You are going to love living here. We are the most diverse City in the nation – a City with an entrepreneurial spirit and a City where you can achieve your dreams.

Houston is still the Energy Capital of the World, but our economy has diversified over the years to include technology, medicine and manufacturing and shipping.

P.O. Box 1562 Houston, Texas 77251-1562 Telephone – Dial 311 www.houstontx.gov

I invite you to explore all that this great city has to offer. Whether it’s our world-class restaurants, theaters, museums, shopping, thrilling sports teams or the new Independence Plaza at the Johnson Space Center which houses the world’s first and only replica of the space shuttle/ carrier, Houston has it all. It all combines together to create the ideal city in which to live, work and play.

Houston Newcomer and Relocation Guides can be an invaluable source of information as you prepare for your relocation. It showcases every aspect of living and working in the city of Houston.

We look forward to having you as a Houstonian!

Sincerely,

Sylvester Turner Mayor

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

CINDY HAMANN 2017 Chairman Houston Association of REALTORS®

Welcome to Houston!

You’ve just landed in one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in America, with a low cost of living, world-renowned Texas Medical Center, incredible cuisine, and countless arts, entertainment, sports and recreation destinations, including Super Bowl LI. As you drive around and familiarize yourself with the Houston metropolitan area, you’re likely to notice license plates from many different states, as the addition of thousands of new jobs over the past few years has drawn people here from all across the U.S.

HAR CENTRAL 3693 Southwest Freeway Houston, TX 77027 713- 629-1900 Fax 713- 961-4869

BAY AREA 16903 Buccaneer Lane, Suite 110 Houston, TX 77058 713-629-1900 ext. 750 Fax 281-486-7530

MONTGOMERY COUNTY 19075 I-45 South, Suite 210 Conroe, TX 77385 713-629-1900 ext. 760 Fax 936-273-0344

FORT BEND

The Houston real estate market has been one of the healthiest in the country, offering a wide selection of communities and properties to suit every lifestyle, whether you plan to rent or buy. The 34,000 members of the Houston Association of REALTORS® (HAR) help make the American Dream come true for individuals and families every day. HAR is the nation’s second largest local REALTOR® organization and our members understand that a home is one of the greatest investments you will ever make.

Well over a million consumers begin searching for their dream home every month on HAR’s award-winning website, HAR.com, which extended its reach beyond Houston in 2014 to provide property listings for the entire state of Texas. The site offers dozens of userfriendly tools to explore specific properties and their amenities as well as to find detailed information about neighborhoods, schools, businesses and much more.

Those same features are available through the free HAR.com app, making your property search convenient while on the go. HAR and the City of Houston also developed the free Houston Living app, which provides instant access to information about Houston’s elected officials, city services and amenities, local events, neighborhood associations and much more.

On behalf of HAR, it’s my great pleasure to welcome you to Houston. We hope you’ll take advantage of everything our incredible community has to offer.

6680 Greatwood Pkwy.

Sugar Land, TX 77479 713-629-1900 ext. 700

Sincerely,

Fax 281-343-9557

Cindy Hamann

HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

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Photo courtesy of Discovery Greenn Katya Horner, Photographer

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

WELCOME TO

CENTRAL ouston H

With 92 consulates, a dynamic multi-lingual population, two international airports and a top ranked port, Houston attracts newcomers from around the globe who bring with them a world view of business, opportunity and life style.

“We Love Houston.” The 28-foot welcoming

downturn and that better times are just

Due to Houston’s sheer enormity – the

sign says it all. Open and friendly Housto-

ahead, according to the University of

8,929-square-mile metro area is larger than

nians embody a boisterous spirit of growth

Houston Bauer Institute for Regional Fore-

the state of New Jersey – most of its growth

and optimism – a can-do attitude – and cele-

casting. That’s largely because Houston has

takes place outside of the 610 Loop, the

brate individuality and quirky creativity.

worked hard to diversify its economic base

innermost of the three highway rings around

since the hard oil crash of the 1980s, with

Houston. But inside 610, the living is good

healthcare and other recession-resistant

and getting better.

Houston, the city with no limits, is America’s most diverse city. Whatever their backgrounds, newcomers from around the

industries now accounting for a larger share

nation and the world come to Houston in

of the regional economy. In fact, Houston

huge numbers.

has more Fortune 500 company headquarters than any U.S. city other than Chicago

Houston’s status as the Energy Capital of

and New York.

the World remains unrivaled. The city is home to more than 3,700 energy related

Houston’s Texas Medical Center is the

firms, including 40 of the nation’s 145

largest in the world, employing more

publicly traded oil and gas exploration and

than 106,000 people and welcoming 8

production companies.

Despite the slowdown in the energy industry

million patient visits each year. The Port of Houston is the nation’s top seaport by many

WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT LIVING IN CENTRAL HOUSTON? Today, Central Houston is experiencing a renaissance the likes of which it hasn’t seen since John and Augustus Allen founded the city at the confluence of Buffalo and White Oak Bayous in 1836. Known as Allen’s Landing, and sometimes called Houston’s Plymouth Rock, this spot provided a natural turning basin for the first Port of Houston.

over the past couple of years, optimism

measures, and ranks as one of the busiest

has crept back into the markets as the price

ports in the world by cargo tonnage. NASA’s

Like much of Central Houston, the area

of oil has slowly improved; consensus is

Johnson Space Center adds to Houston’s

surrounding

building that the Houston economy may

economic diversity, and the city has consular

dramatically throughout the second half

also have seen the worst of this drilling

offices from 92 countries.

of the 20th century, as Houston’s booming

Allen’s

Landing

declined

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9

WELCOME TO CENTRAL HOUSTON

postwar growth focused almost exclusively on the suburbs. Today, however, Allen’s Landing has made a rousing comeback, thanks to a $4.6 million revitalization that added a terraced lawn, a concert wharf and new public art. The historic Sunset Coffee Building at Allen’s Landing is being renovated and transformed into a recreational and cultural center.

The rebound of Allen’s Landing mirrors the revitalization that’s taking place in Photo courtesy of GHCVB

many other parts of Central Houston. As newcomers and longtime residents alike

HERE ARE SOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR ANYONE WHO IS NEW TO SEARCHING FOR A HOME IN CENTRAL HOUSTON: • While much of Houston is unzoned, check out potential restrictions such as deed restrictions and historic district status – the latter has been spreading through Central Houston. While restrictions can be very beneficial for neighborhood preservation, they might not be compatible with a buyer’s future vision for their new property.

• It’s relatively quick and easy to check the reputation of volume builders in large suburban communities, but inner city builders and renovators may be very small or even brand-new. Real estate agents and previous buyers can be good sources to check with.

• If schools are a consideration, keep in mind that the reputations of inner city schools can vary widely from campus to campus, even within a small geographic area. Urban districts such as HISD have many outstanding magnet and neighborhood schools, however, attendance boundaries are not often flexible.

• When moving into a transitional neighborhood, keep in mind that problems such as crime, litter and rundown or abandoned properties may still take several more years to turn around. Redevelopment, while sometimes fast, can also progress very slowly.

seek to experience the convenience and cultural richness of city living, long-forgotten or simply sleepy neighborhoods in all directions from Downtown are waking up and offering new living opportunities that are as diverse as Houston itself. These include urban lofts in converted warehouses, gleaming new mid-rise and high-rise buildings, renovated historic bungalows and cottages, and new townhomes and singlefamily residences.

Living in central Houston means easy access to Houston’s rich cultural scene. The Theatre District in Downtown Houston has the largest concentration of seats outside of New York. This 17-block district is home to nine performing arts organizations that wow audiences in venues including Jones Hall, the Hobby Center, the Wortham Theater Center and the Alley Theater. Overall, Houston has more than 500 arts organizations – most of them in Central Houston.

• If it’s important to you, consider that large tracts of open or industrial land, especially if they border a major street, can be redeveloped as multifamily residential, commercial or other.

Just southwest of downtown, in the pedes-

• If a home or neighborhood is located near a major freeway, keep in mind that urban freeways are always candidates for expansion. Do your research on projects that have been announced or talked about. The expansion of I-45 North and the proposed Houston-Dallas high-speed rail line may impact a number of Central Houston neighborhoods.

that make up the tree-lined, culture-filled

• As with high-rise and mid-rise living anywhere, keep in mind that a great view is never guaranteed to last forever, unless your building looks onto a park or other green space.

trian-friendly Museum District, more than 8.7 million visitors explore the 19 museums neighborhood each year. Within a 1.5-mile radius of the iconic Mecom Fountain, are such famous institutions as the Museum of Fine Arts-Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and more more specialized museums such as the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, the Holocaust Museum, and the Asia Society Texas Center.

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

For sports fans, all of Houston’s professional teams are rooted in the central city.

The Astros baseball team play downtown at Minute Maid Park, built around the historic

She’s arriving fall 2017

Union Station railroad depot. Also downtown, the Rockets play basketball at Toyota Center, next to the incredibly popular Discovery

Green,

which

has

quickly

become Houston’s own people-filled version of Central Park. On the exciting east side of Downtown, BBVA Compass Stadium is home to the Houston Dynamo soccer team.

Reliant Stadium, home to the Houston Texans football team, is just inside the 610 Loop.

After decades of mainly being a 9-to-5 destination for office workers, Downtown Houston is fast transforming itself into a 24/7 place where people live, work and play. More than a dozen new residential towers are sprouting up all over downtown, and a host of new hotels opened in time to welcome fans to Houston for Superbowl LI. The largest of these, the 1,000-room Marriott Marquis, is one of many new towers ringing Discovery Green and it features a Texas-shaped lazy river.

For Downtown entertainment, Green Street Houston is home to the House of Blues, the Lucky Strike bowling alley, a growing array of stores and restaurants, and a new luxury hotel (Hotel Alessandra) opening in Fall 2017. Bayou Place, Houston’s original downtown entertainment complex - offers movies at Sundance Cinemas, concerts

Inspired by Houston’s towering skyscrapers and GreenStreet’s modern themes, Hotel Alessandra’s elegantly appointed rooms and suites with oversized bathrooms, transplants old world sophistication to blend seamlessly with southern charm, refinement, and a business savvy mindset.

An appreciation of height, space and natural light is apparent throughout the hotel, from the soaring ceilings, second-floor lobby to the fifth-floor spa, fitness center, pool deck and bar.

• Over 5,000 square feet of meeting and event space located on the third floor • Complimentary wireless High-Speed Internet access in all guest rooms and public areas

at Bayou Music Center, and a variety of restaurants.

The 16-acre site of the Downtown Post Office was sold in 2015, and a top local developer is transforming it into a mixed-use complex called Post HTX with private event space and residential, office, retail and restaurant spaces.

Meanwhile, more options include movies and concerts at historic Market Square Park, and amusements at The Downtown Aquarium.

• Valencia VIP Program • Moments away from prominent downtown destinations such as the George R. Brown Convention Center, Toyota Center and Discovery Green 1070 Dallas Street | Houston, TX 77002

Reservations 1.844.204.5851 valenciagroup.com

HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

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WELCOME TO CENTRAL HOUSTON

Photo courtesy of GHCVB

It‘s well known that Houstonians eat out

At Westheimer and Kirby, West Ave is an

One of the most exciting announcements of

more than residents of any other city, and

example of several large mixed-use develop-

2015 was that the University of Texas had

with 11,000 eateries to choose from, who

ments coming onboard in Central Houston.

purchased a 332-acre site to create a major

could blame them? Central Houston is home

West Ave has shopping and dining on its

new campus about less than 4 miles from the

to many of the nation’s most acclaimed

lower floors, including big draws like Toot-

Texas Medical Center. UT officials describe

new restaurants, including Oxheart in the

sies for fashion, and restaurants including

the new campus as “a game changer” for

Warehouse District, Reef in Midtown, and

Pondicherry and Eddie V’s. On top of it all

Hugo’s, Uchi and Underbelly in Montrose.

In a city where more than 90 languages are

are 400 apartments.

spoken, great ethnic food is everywhere,

Another new mixed-use complex, the River

from the many Vietnamese restaurants

Oaks District, has opened on the site of a

along Milam Street in Midtown, to the

former car lot on Westheimer, between The

original Ninfa’s Mexican restaurant on the

Galleria and Highland Village. The vision is

recently-beautified Navigation Boulevard.

Central Houston is a shopper’s paradise

to offer an urban experience with high-end

Houston and UT, and “an intellectual hub for the entire UT system.”

Many Central Houston schools are worldclass, from HISD gems such as HSPVA, Carnegie Vanguard, and the High School for Health Professions, to sought-after neighborhood

elementary

schools

and

private schools.

retail, street-side cafes, office space, a cinema and 279 residential units. Just inside

While still not nearly as bad as in other

the Beltway at I-10 West, City Centre is

cities, traffic congestion in Central Houston

another growing concentration of retail,

and throughout the metro region has

decor stores along Kirby and Richmond.

office, residential and entertainment with a

increased as the population continues to

Westheimer is the undisputed champion of

walkable urban feel.

grow. However, local and state governments

that includes funky fashion boutiques in Montrose, antiques stores in the Heights, and a large cluster of art galleries and home

Houston’s shopping streets, crowned by The Galleria, Texas’ largest shopping center with 400 fine stores and restaurants, and over 30 million shoppers every year. Located right

are taking major steps to make sure that As Central Houston continues to improve, so does its offering of schools. Houston has more than 40 colleges, universities and

roadways keep pace with growth.

After its recent major expansion, which included the nation’s first managed toll lanes

outside the 610 Loop, The Galleria has

other institutions of higher learning. Rice

everything from Neiman-Marcus, Gucci

University is consistently hailed as one

and Saks Fifth Avenue for uber-luxury, to

of the nation’s finest, and the University

Macy’s for moderately priced fashion. Just

of Houston has earned Tier One status,

inside the Loop on Westheimer, Highland

placing it in the same league as the Univer-

That’s great news for the many Central

Village has everything from Pottery Barn to

sity of Texas and Texas A&M University for

Houston residents in The Heights, Spring

Williams-Sonoma.

advanced research.

Branch and other areas who work in the

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

for solo drivers, the Katy Freeway (I-10 West) continues to offer one of the area’s smoother commutes.

Energy Corridor along the Katy Freeway,

The original Red Line was extended north

Resoundingly supported by voters in a 2012

starting a few miles outside of the Sam

from Downtown to Northline Mall, passing

bond election, the Bayou Greenways 2020

Houston Tollway.

through

redeveloping

project provides $215 million for 150 miles

areas such as North Main Street, the Near A major widening of U.S. 290 North starting

of continuous parks and trails along Hous-

Northside and Lindale Park. The Red Line

at Loop 610 is on schedule for completion

ton’s bayous. The first results are visible

also extends south from Downtown, through

by the end of 2017, and a major rebuilding

in the beautifully landscaped and popular

the Museum District and Texas Medical

Buffalo Bayou Park, stretching along Allen

of I-45 is in the planning stages. The I-45

Center to reach its terminus at NRG Park.

Today, Metro Rail is a popular network

Parkway and Memorial Drive, from Down-

project will include a much-needed redesign of the congested portion that winds through

with the Green Line, which runs from the

Downtown Houston.

Theatre District, through Downtown and

Houston has plenty of parks off the bayous.

Houston’s redeveloping East End, stop-

Hermann Park, between Downtown and

Central Houston residents are enjoying

ping at the Magnolia Park Transit Center.

the Medical Center is home to the Houston

a growing number of options for getting

The Purple Line extends from Downtown through the rapidly gentrifying Third Ward,

Zoo, Miller Outdoor Theater and Japa-

around without cars. A decade ago, Houston’s first light rail line opened along

also connecting the University of Houston

Main Street, taking riders through Down-

and beautiful MacGregor Park.

town, Midtown, the Museum District, the Medical Center and to NRG Stadium.

Known as the Red Line, this popular rail line also created a catalyst for new development along the way, especially in Midtown, which has boomed with new midrise residential buildings, townhomes eateries and arts centers.

several

quickly

Bike trails are an increasingly popular way to get around in Houston. The frequently used Heights trail opened a few years ago, and a new Downtown connection links it to East End trails. The trail has also been expanded to the west, connecting it to Timbergrove and other hot neighborhoods along White Oak Bayou.

town to Shepherd Drive.

nese Gardens, which recently celebrated its 100th birthday with new public art and the McGovern Centennial Gardens. A new master plan is also underway to renovate and improve Memorial Park.

If Central Houston sounds like a great place to live, it is because it is – there have never been so many options in so many areas.

Our next chapter introduces you to many of them. 

LOOKING FOR HOMES JUST GOT EASIER…

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13

in this section cities neighborhoods master planned communities cost of living

Photo courtesy of Röhe and Wright

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CCEENNTTRRAALL HHO OUUSSTTO ONN NNEEW WCCO OM MEERR G GUUI IDDEE –– FFAALLLL 22001177 // W WI INNTTEERR 22001188

HOUSING &

NEIGHBORHOODS As the nation’s largest city without zoning laws, Houston sometimes presents challenges for those who like to live in a controlled and predictable environment.

Any hesitations, however, are usually far outweighed by the city’s relative affordability and cultural dynamism.

As the nation’s largest city without zoning

neighborhood that perfectly fits you, your

New Market Square Tower Apartments, a

laws, Houston sometimes presents chal-

personality and your lifestyle. A fringe

40-storey tower on historic Market Square,

lenges for those who like to live in a

benefit is stopping to eat and shop at some

is the tallest residential building in Down-

controlled and predictable environment.

fun and funky urban spots as your house

town and offers a new level of luxury. This

Any hesitations, however, are usually far

hunt unfolds.

building, like many new and existing residential buildings in Downtown, has units

outweighed by the city’s relative affordability and cultural dynamism.

With Central Houston offering so many opportunities to cover, the following neighborhood profiles are brief by necessity, and meant to offer ideas for deeper exploration.

DOWNTOWN HOUSTON

for lease rather than purchase, but a few new

While not the only neighborhood with

buildings are also testing the for-sale market.

high-rise living, Downtown Houston offers a living experience like nowhere else in the city, thanks to the growing number of restau-

A few smaller historic Downtown Houston buildings offer condos for sale, including Hermann Lofts and Bayou Lofts.

rants, bars, parks, sports venues and cultural

East Downtown, sometimes called EaDo, is

In contrast to suburban master-planned

attractions in the center of the city. Down-

located across U.S. 59 North, right behind

communities, most of which have robust

town even has its own grocery store, the

the big George R. Brown Convention Center.

websites, information centers, and builders

Phoenicia Market, located on the ground

The site of Houston’s original Chinatown,

with hundreds of plans and lots to choose

floor of the Park Place apartment high-rise.

this area declined as Chinatown moved to

from, much of Central Houston’s new devel-

Bellaire Boulevard and the freeway created a

opment takes place one or two houses at a

Views are also a huge consideration, since

time. However, a growing number of larger

Houston’s skyline is regarded as one of the

alive with renovated warehouse lofts, town-

communities with up to 100 new homes are

nation’s most beautiful, and even views

homes and mid-rises, and residents can walk

being developed on former commercial sites

looking away from Downtown can take in

to an increasing number of local restaurants,

as demand for Central Houston living ramps

verdant parks and historic neighborhoods.

bars, live music venues, as well as Dynamo

into high gear.

Downtown has 25 mid- and high-rise resi-

daunting barrier. Today, this area is coming

stadium and Minute Maid Park.

The reward for your search can be discov-

dential buildings, each with its own distinct

Whether they live on Market Square or in

ering

character, style, and charm.

EaDo, Downtown residents have increasing

a

Central

Houston

home

and

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15

WO H E LUC S IONM GE &T O N EPI A GLHMB OB R EH AO CO H DS

Photo courtesy of GHCVB

Photo courtesy of Houston Dynamo

options for getting around, with two new

own. From Victorian mansions to modest

Woodland Heights, have been declared

rail lines and new connections for Houston’s

cottages, many original homes were demol-

as protected historic districts, curtailing

expanding trail system. One lane of Lamar

ished in the 1950s and 1960s as commercial

demolition and restricting renovations of

Street is a dedicated bike lane, connecting

interests invaded the area. Many other

historic homes. Builders remain very active

trails along Buffalo Bayou to trails in EaDo

once-glorious homes were subdivided into

in these neighborhoods, where single-family

and the East End.

apartments.

detached homes are the predominant style.

HOUSTON HEIGHTS & GREATER HEIGHTS

But as early as the late 1970s, Housto-

Construction activity in the Greater Heights

nians began to rediscover The Heights

area has spread all the way west to Ella

One of the hottest areas in Central Houston

and a nascent renovation trend got a foot-

Boulevard, encompassing N. Shepherd Dr.

for new construction and renovation, the

hold. As early as the 1990s, some builders

and Durham (Shepherd’s southbound coun-

Houston Heights is a fairly compact area,

began creating new homes that were hard

terpart), and neighborhoods such as Shady

at least by its legal definition. Founded in

to distinguish from the old Victorians. The

1891 as a separate city connected to Down-

renovation pioneers battled crime and a

Acres, Sunset Heights and Independence

town Houston by streetcar, the Houston

severe lack of restaurants and retail, but they

Heights proper stretches just a few blocks

were rewarded with affordable prices and

east and west of Heights Boulevard, with

seemingly unlimited opportunity.

townhomes and row houses offer a much more affordable entry price than in the historic districts.

I-10 West and 20th Street as its southern and northern boundaries.

Heights. In these areas, newly constructed

Today, the pace of new construction and redevelopment all over The Heights is

As newcomers continue to flood into the

fast and furious, and property values have

area, and as builders work feverishly to

soared. It is not uncommon to find homes

find houses and lots to accommodate them,

over the $1 million mark, and modest bunga-

“The Heights” has come to refer to an

lows can fetch more than half a million.

ever-expanding envelope of neighborhoods

A number of vintage 1950, ‘60s and ‘70s neighborhoods located just north of the 610 Loop are increasingly being transformed with new construction, including Oak Forest, Shepherd Forest and Candlelight Forest. Neighborhoods such as Timbergrove

located north and west of Downtown, and

As affluent residents have poured in, grocery

and Garden Oaks that have long been tight

the redevelopment fervor is also spreading

stores,

and well-preserved pockets in the area are

outside the 610 Loop.

followed. Today, the Heights is home to some

retailers

and

restaurateurs

have

of the hottest restaurants in Houston, and the

also seeing new construction.

Though still in its earliest stages at this

Following its glory days in the late Victorian

cultural scene is also thriving with many art

era and the first half of the 20th century,

galleries and artist studios in the area.

point, construction and renovation activity

highways made it popular to escape to new

Parts of the Heights area, including much

I-45 North, which have traditionally formed

suburbs like Spring Branch, now going

of the Houston Heights and surrounding

the northern and eastern boundaries of the

through a decay-and-rebirth cycle of its

neighborhoods including Norhill and the

“Greater Heights.”

The Heights declined as automobiles and

16

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

has also spread out to hug the 610 Loop and

North Main Street is a main artery in

boundary, is rapidly filling with townhomes

Northside Village, where turn-of-the-cen-

and, in a few cases, historic warehouse loft

tury homes in working-class neighborhoods

conversions. One of the area’s largest new

are being renovated or replaced with new

projects, will have about 40 townhomes

construction.

on the site of a former bakery at Polk and Cullen.

An increasing number of newcomers are rediscovering Lindale Park, located just

The East End revitalization has mostly

inside the 610 Loop.

stayed inside the 610 Loop, although Glenbrook Valley, located just outside the Loop

EAST END

near Hobby Airport, is drawing hipsters and

Bracketed by Downtown and I-45 South,

other newcomers who love its large stock of

with the University of Houston campus

intact Mid-Century Modern homes.

right across the freeway, the East End was

filled with Victorian era cottages and a limited amount of new construction. The larger First Ward area, recently dubbed the First Ward Arts District for its heavy concentration of warehouses converted into artists’ studios, is very active with new construction and a limited amount of preservation.

Rice Military and the entire West End area began transforming with townhomes and other new construction in the 1990s and that continues today. The name belies its proximity to Memorial Park, which was originally Camp Logan, a World War I training camp for the U.S. Army. Proximity to the Galleria and I-10 have added to the area’s popularity.

places to live. Eastwood, filled with quaint

WASHINGTON CORRIDOR & RICE MILITARY

brick cottages and foursquares, was started

Houston’s

in 1911 by William A. Wilson, who also

corridor has seen many changes over

MIDTOWN / MUSEUM AREA

developed the much pricier Woodland

the past 100 years or so. Though signs

Sandwiched between two of Houston’s

Heights. The East End was also home to the

depicting the nation’s first president would

largest employment centers – Downtown

original Houston Country Club, opened in

have us think otherwise, the street is actu-

and the Texas Medical Center – Midtown is

1908 on the site of what is today the city’s

ally named after Washington County, as it

booming with new residential development.

public Gus Wortham Golf Course.

was originally part of the highway route to

once one of Houston’s most fashionable

historic

Washington Avenue

Brenham.

The East End has had a large Hispanic popu-

Over 100 years ago, Midtown was home to many of Houston’s poshest neighborhoods,

lation since the early 20th century, when

The streetcar from Downtown to the

many Mexicans began to settle there after

Heights also ran down Washington, and

fleeing the upheaval of the Mexican Revo-

in the 1960s the street became lined with

lution. Also home to the Port of Houston at

used-car lots. Things began to change in

its eastern boundary, the East End has long

the 2000s, when Washington emerged as

been a diverse working-class melting pot of

Houston’s hottest new nightclub scene.

Hispanics, Germans and Italians.

Townhomes also began to sprout up and down Washington, with the parallel corri-

Like many inner-city neighborhoods, the

dors of I-10 and Buffalo Bayou forming the

East End began a slow decline after World

boundaries.

War II, but many began rediscovering its treasure trove of historic homes as early as

Residences and rip-roaring nightclubs are

the late 1970s, and a strong gentrification

not always an ideal combination, and fortu-

movement has taken hold.

nately for residents, the party crowd has moved elsewhere, and Washington is devel-

Today, East End neighborhoods like East-

oping a more mature and sedate restaurant

wood and Broadmoor are starting to offer

following.

new construction, with new homes built

by Craftsman and other compatible styles.

Washington is bookended by the Sixth Ward

Idylwood and Country Club Place are two

and First Ward neighborhoods as it meets

well-preserved gems next to the Wortham

Downtown to the east. To the west, it leads

Golf Course and the verdant Villa de Matel

to the conglomeration of neighborhoods

convent. University Oaks is a tidy enclave

commonly referred to as the West End and

next to the University of Houston.

Rice Military, which hug Memorial Park.

The industrial area between Downtown

Arguably Houston’s oldest existing neighborhood, the Sixth Ward is a compact area

and Cullen Street, Eastwood’s northern

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HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

17

WO H E LUC S IONM GE &T O N EPI A GLHMB OB R EH AO CO H DS

Photo courtesy of GHCVB

COST OF LIVING

When it comes to overall cost of living, Houston is still an affordable place to live and work.

Here’s how the Houston area ranked in a comparison to other major U.S. cities (based on the QTR 1 2017 annual average) City

Composite 100%

Grocery 13.61%

Atlanta

97.7

Austin

97.7

Boston

104.7

Utilities 1 0.03%

Transportation 9.59%

Healthcare Misc.

4.00% 35.15%

91.1

89.2

99.8

99.9 96.6

100.4

99.2 99.8

123

109.3

152.5

89.1 129.3

102.6 115.5

Cleveland

101.4

110.8

89.7

98.7 103.3

102 107.1

Dallas / Fort Worth

101.2

90.6

Denver

111.8

99.7

Houston

133

102.3

111.5

107.8

204.4

102.4

146.6

101.4

107.1

Chicago

148.6

86.8

Housing 27.59%

101.2

95.1 108.4

134.1

103.4

133.1

103.7

104.7 106.3

97

84.8

104.8

99.3

92.9

90.6

96.7

New York City (Manhattan)

230.8

129

479.9

119.2

130.6

114.6

147.1

Philadelphia

116.2

115.3

129

121.9 112.2

Phoenix

94.7

97.5

97.8

98.1 90.7

Charlotte

94.8

94.2

86.5

90.7

97

San Francisco

188.5

121.9

351.8

114.4

Seattle

145.1

128.5

181.7

120.7 128.4

Tucson

94.5

102.4

83.3

18

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

88.5

130.3

96.8

105.4 107.3 98.9 90.9 102.9 101.1 123.7

130.7

125.7 136.5 101.7 100.5

but these gave way to decline and commer-

South of the U.S. Highway 59 bridges,

cial encroachment after World War II.

Midtown gives way to the Museum District,

For a peek at the past glory of Midtown,

which has flourished both east and west of

HERMANN PARK / TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER / RIVERSIDE

visit Adkins Architectural Antiques on

Highway 288 with historical renovations

With over 106,000 employees, the vast Texas

Fannin, or stop at one of the many restau-

and new condos, townhomes and mid-rises.

Medical Center – the largest medical center

rants along Milam to taste its recent history

Proximity to museums, Hermann Park, Rice

in the world, with 54 institutions covering

as an enclave for Houston’s Vietnamese

University and the Medical Center, plus

more than one thousand acres – has long

community.

easy access to highways, all add to the area’s

been a catalyst for residential development.

appeal.

The Medical Center has played a major

About 20 years ago, Midtown began its rebound with townhomes flourishing south of the Pierce Elevated, which is considered the boundary between Downtown and Midtown.

The transformation of Baldwin Park tells the rebirth of Midtown in one glance.

Located

near

Elgin

(which

becomes

Westheimer a few blocks west) and Highway 288, Baldwin Park was founded in 1910 and is home to stately Live Oak trees. For many decades, the park was mainly a hangout for vagrants. After a recent renovation that added a jogging track and brightly colored playground equipment, the park is filled with people of all ages who live in block after block of newly built townhomes in all directions. Mid-rise and high-rise development has also taken root in Midtown, both for-sale and rental.

As the gateway to the Museum District, Midtown is developing a cultural vibe of its own. It’s long been home to the Ensemble Theater, Houston’s resident African-American theater company, and new additions include

the

Buffalo

Soldiers

National

Museum in the stunning 1925 Houston Light Guard Armory building.

The area’s cultural bona fides got even more legit with the opening of the Midtown Arts and Theatre Center in late 2015. On the Main Street rail line, the center includes six theaters and performance spaces, a gallery, coffee shop and wine bar. Nearby, the long-awaited transformation of Midtown’s 6-acre “super block” into a residential, retail and restaurant playground over top of an underground parking facility for 360 cars is complete.

HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

19

WO H E LUC S IONM GE &T O N EPI A GLHMB OB R EH AO CO H DS

MONTROSE Houston’s original hip urban neighborhood, Montrose has added to its persona as home to many of the city’s GLBT residents and businesses, and now increasingly includes residents of all ages and identities. While many of the grand old homes in Montrose are being lovingly preserved, the area is increasingly seeing denser development including townhomes and mid-rises. Much of the new development is rental, such as the 30-story tower rising at 3400 Montrose, Photo courtesy of GHCVB

and the 390-unit, 7-story Susanne apartments across from the acclaimed H-E-B grocery store at Alabama and Dunlavy.

Highway 288 Corridor, which includes

RICE VILLAGE / WEST UNIVERSITY / BELLAIRE

Pearland, and in recent years it has spurred

The different colored street signs – red in

and Allen Parkway, the 24-acre Regent

Bellaire, blue in West University Place – are

Square promises to be a transformative

sure giveaways that these popular residential

project for the Montrose area. The plan

enclaves hugging the 610 Loop are separate

calls for 550 condominiums and 550 apart-

cities. Long valued as safe and stable urban

ments, plus 400,000 square feet of retail,

enclaves at a time when surrounding Central

office and restaurant space. It’s envisioned

Houston neighborhoods were perceived

as a walkable, pedestrian-friendly neighbor-

Most recently, the 29-story twin towers

otherwise, Bellaire, West U and the adjacent

hood with parks, plazas and a 24/7 urban

of Mosaic on Hermann Park added to the

city of Southside Place never experienced

vibe. Some of the first buildings, including

area’s options. With sweeping views of

the boom-and-decline cycles common to

the 21-story Sovereign apartment tower,

the park and Downtown Houston, Mosaic

other parts of the Houston area. None-

have just been completed.

offers luxury urban living with 24/7 valet

theless, these cities have been remarkably

and concierge services and the largest private

transformed in past decades, with modest

role in the booming growth of the suburban

a residential resurgence in its own backyard.

Hermann Park was one of the first areas in Houston to offer high-rise living, with buildings including the Spires, Parklane, Warwick Towers and the nearby 5000 Montrose.

wellness center in Houston. It is near the Texas Medical Center and Rice University, with many of Houston’s hottest restaurants, shopping and entertainment venues also close to home for Mosaic residents.

Across Highway 288, the Riverside neighborhood along North and South MacGregor has a fascinating history. Developed in the

frame and brick homes giving way to large newly constructed homes. This rebuilding trend continues today.

Functioning as bedroom communities for Houston, these small cities are home to treefilled parks and esplanades, well-regarded schools, and independent police depart-

1930s as an alternative to River Oaks, which

ments. Bellaire gained a significant green

at the time did not allow Jewish residents,

space about a decade ago when the city

the neighborhood became home to many of

acquired the landmark Teas Nursery for a

Houston’s wealthiest families, with imposing

new park.

homes in the style of French chateaux,

Now under development near Waugh Dr.

Home to St. Thomas University and the Menil Collection museum, Montrose has also gained new grocery stores, including H-E-B and Whole Foods. The neighborhood is in no danger of losing its funky vibe though, as nationally acclaimed new restaurants such as Underbelly and Uchi thrive alongside hipster boutiques, gay bars, coffee shops and vintage clothing stores.

The Fourth Ward area, also known as Freedman’s Town, has benefitted from the appeal of its location between Montrose and Downtown. It sports new restaurants and newly constructed townhomes, condos and

English castles and Southern mansions. In

These neighborhoods are also sought-after

the 1950s, Riverside became home to many

because of their proximity to the Texas

of Houston’s elite African-American resi-

Medical Center, Rice University and the

dents; after falling into disrepair decades

popular Rice Village shopping district. As

RIVER OAKS AND UPPER KIRBY

later, Riverside is now enjoying a resurgence

it passes through the area, Kirby Drive is

Still Houston’s ultimate address after nearly

of newcomers who are restoring its stately

also lined with many upscale stores and

a century, River Oaks spans 1,100 beauti-

mansions and more modest homes alike.

restaurants.

fully wooded acres along Buffalo Bayou,

20

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

apartments.

Photo courtesy of George Hosek

just a few minutes’ drive from downtown

plazas and tall trees. Starting in the 1970s,

29-story Art Deco style building will surely

along scenic Allen Parkway. Ranked as

apartment complexes began rising in the

inspire more new high-rise development in

Houston’s most expensive neighborhood,

area, leading to its eventual decline.

the area.

communities, it’s home to the exclusive

Spring Branch is coming back, however,

Just up San Felipe, the dense urban vibe of

River Oaks Country Club. Property values

with young homeowners moving in to

the Galleria gives way to the sedate, well-

are estimated to range from $1 million to

restore and expand existing homes, and

planned neighborhood of

over $20 million – a far cry from the $2,200

homebuilders redeveloping large tracts

where development started in the 1930s.

price for lots when River Oaks opened in

formerly occupied by apartments and shop-

Perhaps best known as the current neigh-

the late 1920s.

ping centers.

borhood of former President George H.W.

River Oaks opens its doors – or at least its

With names such as Bunker Hill Village

garden gates – to the rest of the city for the

and Hedwig Village, the Memorial Villages

annual Azalea Trail tour, and it is home

are nestled in a woody area along Memorial

to the Museum of Fine Arts Rienzi and

Drive, mostly south of I-10. Home to some

Bayou Bend House museums. The neigh-

of the wealthiest ZIP codes in Houston

borhood also lends its name to the popular

and the nation, these villages maintain a

A few years ago, including Sharpstown on

upscale River Oaks Shopping Center along

rural character with winding tree-filled

a list of revitalizing Central Houston neigh-

West Gray.

lanes, huge lots and gated enclaves. Styles

borhoods would have been questionable,

range from rambling brick ranch houses to One of the ways River Oaks resembles the

but today this former suburb inside Beltway

Georgian-style mansions. Many well-kept

rest of Houston is that, despite the stately

8 is outgrowing its label as one of Hous-

townhome and condo complexes are also

architecture of its grand old homes, it has

ton’s “best hidden neighborhoods” and is

in the area.

attracting newcomers who appreciate its

and among the nation’s top 10 wealthiest

not escaped the teardown-and-rebuild movement that is widespread across the city.

Stretching to the Beltway and beyond, the greater Memorial area is also heavily

River Oaks is surrounded by several shady,

wooded and highly desired, with mature

stately neighborhoods such as Avalon Place

trees, well-preserved original homes and

and Royden Oaks, stretching to Upper Kirby

new construction.

Tanglewood,

Bush, Tanglewood has parks, leafy esplanades and large lots filled with oak trees.

Original rambling ranch houses exist alongside newer Mediterranean and English style homes.

mid-century homes, its relative value and convenient location. 

and the Highland Village shopping area on Westheimer.

The entire area is well-served by Memorial City Mall and the CityCentre urban-style

The Upper Kirby area is also experiencing

mixed-use center. Brand new is Republic

a surge in residential development. Much

Square, 35 acres of lush grounds, an 11-

of it, like apartments in the West Ave

acre lake, a field ripe for festivals, and a

mixed-use project, is rental. Mirroring a

stunning meeting and events center.

trend that’s spread throughout Houston, demolished for mid-rise and high-rise apart-

UPTOWN / TANGLEWOOD / SHARPSTOWN

ments in Upper Kirby.

Uptown is the term that Galleria area

older low-rise garden apartments are being

“We will provide timely, knowledgeable and dedicated service to locate and secure the property that best meets your needs and requirements.

Whether you choose to lease, buy or sell, we will skillfully guide you every step of the way.”

boosters have worked to establish for the

SPRING BRANCH / MEMORIAL

entire neighborhood surrounding Hous-

Paralleling the westward spine of the Katy

ton’s most iconic shopping mall. Whether

Freeway (I-10) are two very different areas –

you call it Uptown or simply the Galleria

modest mid-century Spring Branch and the

area, it’s arguably the city’s most prolific

upscale Memorial area.

spot for high-rise and mid-rise condominiums that are for sale rather than for

Spring Branch, which spreads along the

lease.

north side of I-10 from about the 610 Loop to Beltway 8 (Sam Houston Tollway),

A good example is the Astoria, a 75-unit

maintains a suburban character with post-

high-rise on Post Oak Boulevard. Nearly

World War II homes, 1950s era shopping

sold out before it was completed, this

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Your Houston Real Estate & Apartment Locating Specialists

281.326.HOME

www.DavidTheLocator.com HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

21

Photo courtesy of Röhe and Wright

22

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

HIGH-RISE & MID-RISE LIVING High-rise buildings generally have a richer blend of amenities, because they contain more residences and are typically marketed as the ultimate in luxury living.

Since a mini-boom of high-rise buildings

It’s also happening because the huge Baby

typically marketed as the ultimate in luxury

was built in Central Houston in the early

Boomer demographic has reached the stage

living. These amenities include concierge

1980s, the area hadn’t seen many new resi-

of life where many would like to trade main-

services, reserved garage parking, expan-

dential towers, with the exception of a few

taining a house and yard in the ‘burbs for an

sive fitness centers, common areas including

in the Galleria and River Oaks areas. Today,

urban lifestyle. At the other end of the spec-

rooftop decks with swimming pools, and

the local landscape for high-rise and mid-rise

trum, many young professionals are also

perhaps retail and cafes on the lower level.

living is changing fast, with a growing

keen on high-rise living, especially if they’ve

A mid-rise may well offer some of these

population and rising land values again

enjoyed it in other cities.

amenities, especially a fitness center and

making Central Houston a hotspot for new construction. It’s not just the Galleria and River Oaks: Today, Downtown, Montrose, Midtown,

the

Hermann

Park/Medical

Center area and other neighborhoods offer many new options for living “above it all.”

Throughout Central Houston, many older “garden style” apartment complexes – those with two- and three-story buildings grouped around courtyards – are being demolished to make way for mid-rise and high-rise buildings. This is a result of the growing interest

pool.

This chapter explores the exciting appeal of high-rise and mid-rise living – both as an

As far as renting vs. owning, the same

owner or renter – and offers some consider-

pros and cons apply to mid-rise and high-

ations to help you decide if this is the best

rise living as to traditional single-family

lifestyle for you right now.

homes and townhomes. One big difference is that high-rise and mid-rise buildings also

But what’s the difference between a high-

include maintenance fees that vary, but can

rise and mid-rise? A mid-rise is defined as a

approach $1 per square foot per month in

building with a moderately large number of

many high-rises. Such fees typically include

stories, usually 5 to 10, and equipped with

salaries for building staff, landscaping, insur-

elevators. A high-rise is generally above 10

ance and building maintenance. Beyond

stories and is also equipped with elevators.

monthly fees, unit owners can be charged special assessments – sometimes totaling

in Central Houston living, along with

Beyond height, high-rise buildings generally

tens of thousands of dollars – for major

rapidly rising land prices that make it more

have a richer blend of amenities, because

maintenance items such as elevator repair

feasible for developers to “go vertical.”

they contain more residences and are

and exterior renovation. 

HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

23

in this section temporary lodging rent or buy choosing a realtor mortgage options

Photo courtesy of Röhe and Wright

24

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

HOME FRONT Buying or selling a home is one of the most important transactions most people make in their lifetime.

TEMPORARY LODGING

Good

temporary

It may also be better to buy if you want to

Sometimes, newcomers need temporary

housing include your company’s human

build equity and qualify for homeowner tax

housing while they continue their home

resources department, your Realtor and/or

breaks and credits; if you have an adequate

search, or while they wait for their new

builder, and the Internet.

cash reserve to withstand loss of employ-

home to be built or renovated.

sources

for

locating

ment or another financial setback; and if

Houston

you plan on staying in your home at least

has many options for temporary housing,

RENT OR BUY?

because the city has been welcoming people

There can be advantages to both renting

since its founding, especially those coming

and buying a new home, depending on

to work in the energy, medical and aero-

one’s immediate priorities and long-term

space sectors.

goals.

Many multifamily complexes have corpo-

According to Freddie Mac, renting can

rate programs with fully furnished units

make more sense if you have a career or life-

and short-term leases available. Hotels

style that requires you to move frequently;

Advantages of buying a new home include

are another option, including the growing

if you prefer a set monthly budget and

“new” everything – from carpets to appli-

number of extended-stay hotels in the area.

cannot afford unforeseen home-mainte-

ances. Energy efficiency is another big

When staying in a hotel for 30 days or

nance expenses and if you don’t have the

consideration. New homes can include the

longer, Texas law allows for an exemption of

time or desire for home maintenance.

latest high-efficiency heating and cooling

the 6% state hotel tax; see the hotel management for information on how to apply for

More reasons to rent: if you enjoy having

four years.

NEW HOME VS. EXISTING HOME In Central Houston, the pros and cons of buying an existing home vs. a new home are much the same as in the suburbs.

systems, along with advanced insulation and window products that weren’t available 10

this exemption.

amenities such as a pool, gym, concierge

Consider the location and style of housing

sizing your living space or retiring soon;

A new home will require less maintenance

that would best suit you during your tempo-

and if you are experiencing a financial

in the short term, and new homes are wired

rary stay. Is proximity to work the top

setback and/or rebuilding your credit.

and capable of accommodating the latest

and tennis courts; if you plan on down-

consideration during this hectic period? Or

or 20 years ago.

technologies.

it might be most important to stay near an

Freddie Mac says buying may be best if you

airport if you’ll be doing a lot of traveling

have reliable income, good credit and docu-

There are just as many advantages for

during the transition. Would you be most

mentation for your assets; if you can afford

buying an existing home, especially in

comfortable in a hotel or apartment, or

at least a 5% down payment and closing

Central Houston where historic homes

would you prefer a single-family home or

costs; and if you are financially able to take

offer charm that a newer home can’t match.

townhome?

on home maintenance and improvements.

According to Realtor.com, other advantages

HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

25

HOME FRONT

Harris County

1876

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and soils; many bayous, canals Harris County © Texas Almanac

521

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0

Population 4,538,028 Change fm 2010 10.9 Area (sq.mi.)

1,777.5 Land area(sq.mi.)

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Photo courtesy of Katy Mills Mall

865

610

Deer Park

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William P. Hobby Airport

134

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Rainfall (in.)

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Wages $37,346,009,148 Per Capita Inc. $55,088 Prop. Value $472,155,923,085 Retail Sales $88,892,139,887

Photo courtesy of Topgolf

Photo courtesy of GHCVB

ALIEF Millie Bush Dog Park, Alief Amity Park, Hong Kong Market, Vietnamese Culture & Science Association KATY Katy Mills Mall, KCAM Contemporary Art Museum, LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, Typhoon Texas MEMORIAL WEST Terry Hershey Park, Citycentre, Memorial City Mall, Town and Country Village MEMORIAL AREA IKEA, iFly Indoor Skydiving, Texas Rock Gym, Sky High Sports, Topgolf UPTOWN Galleria Houston & ICE at the Galleria, Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, iPic Theaters

26

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

Courtesy of the Texas Almanac, published by the Texas State Historical Association, Austin, Texas.

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may include price, established landscaping, “extra” features such as window coverings that may not be included in new homes, and traditional floor plans.

Used homes may also have a track record of appreciation over the years, although Realtor.com cautions that past performance does not guarantee future market appeal.

With home availability more limited and scattered in Central Houston than in the suburbs, the choice might come down to

The benefits of building a custom home are getting exactly what you want – from the location of the lot, to the design of the exterior style and interior floor plan. Many Central Houston buyers have extended multigenerational families or adult children living at home, and garage apartments and ground floor “casitas” (small houses) are popular options for accommodating these family members. If circumstances change, they can be easily turned into high-demand rental units which is permitted in most Central Houston neighborhoods.

basics like location and price. Due to buyer demand, builders are increasingly offering new homes with historically styled interiors and exteriors, combining the best of old and new. Conversely, builders and DIYers are updating historic homes to include modern conveniences while preserving their quaintness.

CUSTOM HOME BUILDING Building a custom home in Central Houston can be more challenging than in the suburbs, but the payoff can be getting

In addition, a custom home allows you to customize every aspect of every room – from countertops and flooring, to paint colors and lighting and plumbing fixtures.

And if you want to create a special place to incorporate an architectural element that’s a family treasure or recent discovery, that’s very easy to do when custom building.

a good Realtor can help you navigate inner city markets that are competitive and scattered, and where old homes and huge variances in property values can make the financing process much more complex than in the suburbs. A knowledgeable Realtor can also help find properties that are just coming onto the market, and can be familiar with newly emerging opportunities in a fastchanging urban landscape.

To find the right Realtor, Bankrate.com recommends talking with recent clients; checking with the state real estate board to confirm the Realtor’s licensing and note any disciplinary action and complaints; and researching how long the Realtor has been in business. Look at their current listings to see if they have enough to indicate a healthy business, but not so many that you’d just be a number. Bankrate.com also recommends looking at a Realtor’s credentials – those

CHOOSING A REALTOR

initials after their name that indicate addi-

Choosing the right Realtor in Central

tional training. ABR, for example, stands for

Houston can make a big difference, because

Accredited Buyer’s Representative. 

the perfect new home in the location you want. Whereas most suburban communities offer custom home enclaves with preferred builders and upscale amenities such as gated

BUYING OR SELLING We will get you where you want to be,

HOME.

entrances, lakes and golf course views, building a custom home in Central Houston will most likely be very different.

In neighborhoods where inventory is tight and demand is frenzied, finding a vacant lot or teardown opportunity can be a time-consuming process, and you’ll likely be competing with builders and others who want the same lots. It can take the expert help of a Realtor or builder to reach your goals in a hotly competitive market, and to ensure building codes and any applicable restrictions will permit you to build the new home you envision.

Also keep in mind that unlike suburban custom home enclaves that are very uniform,

neighborhoods

in

Central

Houston may include a varied mix of home styles and sizes, especially if the neighborhood is transitioning.

With two local offices to serve you, we will put our expertise and market knowledge to work on your next real estate transaction.

713.961.1722

InnerLoop.GaryGreene.com 1705 West Gray Houston - 77019

713.667.1000

Bellaire.GaryGreene.com 5909 West Loop South, #630 Bellaire - 77401

©2017 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. A Realogy Company. All Rights Reserved. Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each Office is Independently Owned and Operated. Better Homes and Gardens, the Better Homes and Garden Real Estate logo are registered service marks owned by Meredith Corporation and licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC.

HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

27

28

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

MANAGEABLE.

AFFORDABLE. LIFESTYLE. Although home prices have risen in Houston, it still ranks as one of the most affordable big cities in the U.S. for homeownership. Despite a flattening economy, Houston home sales stayed stable in 2016 and even gained momentum toward the end of the year, ultimately setting a record of 91,520 sales closed over the year, according to the Greater Houston Association Partnership.

More good news comes in the form of relaxed lending standards that could benefit first-time buyers. In late 2014, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the two federally chartered mortgage corporations, relaxed lending guidelines that were tightened after the national housing crisis that began in 2008. Now, some buyers can get a mortgage with only 3 percent down payment and a minimum FICO credit score of 620. Homebuyer assistance programs are also offered by various government agencies. Some groups, including teachers, police officers and firefighters, may also qualify for special assistance programs.

The following pages cover the basics of financing a home, along with some special considerations for unique circumstances in the Central Houston market.

housing, so the city overall is right in line with that advice, albeit slightly on the high side.

payment for much more interest paid over the life of the loan does not make economic sense.

Experts also suggest that household expenses not exceed 43 percent of personal income before taxes. The mortgage payment, insurance, credit card balances, utilities, food and health care as well as any payments on outstanding loans and leases are expenses, while household income includes salary and other declared revenue such as dividends and royalties. In the case of high-rises, mid-rises and other types of housing where a monthly maintenance fee is charged, that too must be considered in the overall expenses.

For all fixed-rate loans, the amount of the mortgage payment, the interest rate and the term of the loan are fixed and fully self-amortizing, which means at the end of the term, the principal has been repaid.

Developed by the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, the Texas Housing Affordability Index (THAI) measures the ratio of median household income required to buy a median-priced home, using a 30-year mortgage with a 20 percent down payment as its model. A THAI of 1.00 indicates that the median household income is just enough to qualify for a loan to purchase the median-priced home. Houston’s most recent THAI was an impressive 1.79, higher than state and national THAI averages.

MORTGAGE OPTIONS HOW MUCH CAN YOU AFFORD? Determining an affordable purchase price for a home is the essential first step to home ownership. Experts recommend spending about 28 percent of the household budget on housing, and a recent Rice University study found that Houstonians typically spend about 30 percent of their incomes on

Several different types of mortgages are common today. A standard 30-year fixed rate mortgage is the most common way to finance a home; 15-year fixed rate mortgages are another option. The 40-year mortgage has become more popular in some parts of the country where home prices are rising fast, but many experts agree that the tradeoff of a slightly lower monthly

The purchase price less the down payment is the principal of the mortgage. Dividing the principal by the number of payments in a 30- year or 15- year mortgage and adding the interest determines the monthly house payment. Escrow money for taxes and insurance is added to the payments according to the terms of the lender, and the amounts are recalculated annually.

The Alternative Mortgage Instrument (AMI) is a loan in which at least one of the four components vary. The most common AMI is the Adjustable Rate Mortgage with a variable interest rate. Customarily, the ARM interest rate begins low and periodically adjusts either up or down within limits based on a pre-specified index. The initial low rate, and therefore, the lower monthly payment, enables the buyer to meet the income and debt-ratio requirement.

DOWN PAYMENT The down payment is the cash committed toward the purchase of a home. For most loans, a down payment of 20 percent of the purchase price is required to avoid paying Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), although it is possible to take out a secondary loan to avoid PMI.

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29

HOME FRONT

INTEREST RATES Interest rates fluctuate frequently and vary from lender to lender. Interest on a 30-year fixed rate mortgage is likely to be different from that of a 15-year, and adjustable rate mortgages reset according to the terms of the lender.

CLOSING COSTS Typically between 2 to 5 percent of the purchase price of a home, closing costs include related fees such as costs for running credit reports, loan origination, appraisal, survey, title insurance, and discount points paid to lower the interest rate. Closing costs are typically paid by the buyer at the time of closing.

CREDIT REPORT Lenders will require a credit report from the credit bureau that has collected your credit history for the past seven to 10 years. Credit reports document your financial history and reflect the amount of credit you have, the timeliness with which you pay your bills, if you have declared bankruptcy and other factors that give the lender a financial snapshot.

Traditional mortgage lenders require an established credit history, but some lenders may offer more flexible mortgage programs for people with limited or no established credit record.

Credit reports also carry your credit score, a numeric ranking between 300 and 850 that

30

many lenders use. It is calculated using five factors: payment history, amount of outstanding debt, length of credit history, new credit and the sources of credit in use.

In addition to informing lenders of credit-worthiness, your credit score can also determine the interest rate you pay. The better the credit score, the lower the interest rate. More information on credit scoring is at www.myfico.com.

PRE-APPROVAL VS. PRE-QUALIFICATION Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is beneficial because it gives sellers a level of assurance that the prospective buyer can obtain a mortgage – a big plus in a competitive market. Pre-approval requires the completion of a loan application and sometimes a fee. Pre-qualification, on the other hand, is just an estimate of a mortgage that a prospective buyer might qualify for.

savings accounts, their mortgage lending is another option for homebuyers. Be sure to ask about fees associated with the bank’s services,

different

accounts,

minimum

balance requirements, ATM charges, availability of funds policy, direct deposit and other options. Contact the Texas Department of Banking toll free 877-276-5554 or visit www.dob.texas.gov.

CREDIT UNIONS Credit unions are a good source to check for mortgage loans because they may offer lower or competitive rates. Historically, credit unions have been employer-based financial institutions but today it is common for credit unions to be community-based, meaning that anyone can use a credit union as their primary financial institution.

Members are insured for up to $250,000 per account by the National Credit Union Administration.

TAX DEDUCTIONS Some home purchase costs are deductible if you itemize deductions. These costs may include mortgage interest, real estate taxes and PMI payments. For more information, visit irs.gov or ask your tax preparer or attorney.

More information about credit unions is available from the Cornerstone Credit Union

League

(www.cornerstoneleague.

coop) and the Credit Union National Association (www.cuna.org).

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE BANKS

Homeowner insurance is required by mort-

Banks offer a full range of services that

gage lenders, and is essential even if a home

usually include mortgages at competi-

is paid for. Buyers are typically asked to

tive rates.

pay one year of insurance at closing, with

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

In addition to checking and

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

premiums included in monthly mortgage payments.

Selecting an insurance company and determining coverage is the responsibility of the buyer, and should begin as soon as the contract to purchase a house is accepted by the seller. The Texas Board of Insurance (www.tdi.texas.gov) is a valuable source of information.

In some fast-transitioning Central Houston neighborhoods, the value of the lot may represent a much larger-than-average share of overall property value, and it may be a good idea to talk with several insurance companies – especially those who specialize

HOUSTON by the NUMBERS Want to know how living in the Houston area compares to other cities? Assuming a $60,000 salary in the city you’re moving from and that you’d own a house here, we used a salary/cost of living calculator to help figure out the rest. If you made $60,000 in Seattle, for example, your salary could decrease to $41,995 in Houston - and you’d still maintain the same standard of living. See the table below for the results from a sampling of other cities.

MOVING FROM HERE

YOU’D NEED TO MAKE

MOVING FROM HERE

YOU’D NEED TO MAKE

in the area – to make sure you are getting ample coverage and the best rate.

Atlanta 58,978

Nashville 61,890

Many companies offer discounts when

Boston 40,831

New York City

Chicago 50,705

Philadelphia 49,305

Cleveland 58,221

Phoenix 61,439

Dallas 61,311

Pittsburgh 59,756

Denver 53,759

Raleigh 65,104

Detroit 63,462

Salt Lake City

61,120

Los Angeles

San Diego

40,690

San Francisco

33,401

25,910

home insurance is combined with auto coverage, life insurance, health insurance and other types of insurance that they may need. In Houston, flood insurance is required or recommended by mortgage companies in some neighborhoods. Floodplain maps are determined by the Harris County Flood Control District, which has a mapping tool at harriscountyfemt.org.

FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS A variety of programs are designed to help first-time buyers, including FHA loans with

41,995

a 3 percent down payment discussed at the beginning of this article.

Seattle 41,995

The City of Houston and Harris County

St. Louis

63,697

also offer homebuyer assistance programs that can provide down payment assistance and special financing for buyers who meet certain household income and purchase price criteria. The Houston Homebuyer Assistance program website has details at houstontx.gov/housing.

Other programs

include Southeast Texas Housing Finance (sethfc.com) and the Harris County Down Payment Assistance Program (harriscountytx.gov/csd).

Realtors, mortgage lenders and builders are also good sources of information about available homebuyer assistance programs. 

HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

31

in this section moving companies forwarding mail utilities public transportation international relocation

32

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

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RELOCATION INFORMATION

Obtaining as much information as possible in advance about Houston and Harris County will make your move much smoother, especially if you are relocating from out of state. To help get you started, the following pages offer some general tips on Houston’s basic services. More helpful information on moving is at www.HoustonNewcomerGuides.com

MOVING COMPANIES

so you’ll also need to plan the logistics of

If you are moving from out of state, it may be necessary to hire a moving company. The best time to move is the middle of the month rather than the end or during summer vacation, when moving companies are usually busiest.

getting these to your new home.

At the other extreme, Houston’s global economy draws newcomers from around the world, and there are a few important considerations to keep in mind when moving from overseas. If your overseas move is work-related, find out how much of the expense will be covered. As a general rule, many experts recommend scaling your belongings down to essential items and those with emotional value. Find out about import fees and duty costs, especially for items you may have purchased overseas.

Also consider the size of your new space: will it be larger or smaller than the home you’re leaving? If you’re a U.S. citizen who is moving back from overseas, then you might have many items in U.S. storage,

TYPES OF MOVING ESTIMATES Most companies give free estimates based on distance and the weight of household contents. Some moving companies include the costs of packing materials in their bid while others break out supplies separately.

Packing services, fuel charges, wait time and temporary storage costs may vary considerably so be sure to ask about all charges.

Moving companies offer three types of estimates: the binding estimate, non-binding estimate and not-to-exceed binding estimate.

The binding estimate lists all items to be shipped and the required services on the

time the price quote is in effect, which is usually 60 days. This type of estimate does not require additional payment over the amount of the estimate.

The non-binding estimate, which is the only type of estimate offered in some intrastate situations, is not guaranteed. The real cost of services is determined after the truck is loaded and weighed, and charges above the estimate can run more than 20 percent.

Be sure to attend the truck weigh-ins both before and after furniture and household items are loaded to accurately calculate the total weight. The estimated amount of your move should be entered on each form that is prepared by the mover, including orders for special services and bills of lading. If the amounts are not included, do not sign or accept the document.

estimate form, and the price quoted is the binding price. Every charge is itemized, so that if an item is added or deleted, it is easy to re-calculate the cost. The moving company must also specify the length of

The third type of estimate, called the not-to-exceed estimate, is usually the best.

The mover gives a binding estimate, then weighs the vehicle and reduces the price if

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R E L O C AT I O N I N F O R M AT I O N

private security firms and governmental entities, such as the Constable’s Office, to provide additional patrols. Some separate cities, such as Bellaire and West University Place, have their own police departments.

• For emergencies only, call 911 •F or Houston Non-Emergency Response, call 713-884-3131 Crime Watch programs operate in numerous neighborhoods across Central Houston.

Contact your homeowners association or civic club for more information.

the weight is less than anticipated. Ask all movers if they offer this type of service.

MORE CONSIDERATIONS Be aware that many moving companies fall behind schedule, so consider hiring a moving company that will guarantee a pickup and delivery date. Make sure those dates are in the contract. Pick-up and delivery dates should not be open-ended.

Although moving companies provide liability insurance on household belongings by the pound, it is wise to purchase extra insurance that provides additional coverage, especially for those items that are more valuable.

Before the movers arrive, begin making preparations. Take an inventory of your belongings and note their condition. If the moving company performs their own inventory, check it carefully against your own before signing anything. Should any of your belongings arrive with scratches, dents or other damages, photographs will help verify a claim so consider taking pictures of valuable items or making a video inventory before the movers arrive.

It is important to be sure you will be at your new home on the date the moving company is scheduled to deliver. If no one is home to receive the delivery, your belongings will go into storage, and the moving company may require payment in cash before unloading.

34

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

Tax deductions may apply to your move so keep appropriate records. Contact the I.R.S. at 800-829-1040 or www.irs.gov, or ask your tax preparer or attorney.

TIPS FOR HIRING A MOVING COMPANY • Select a moving company carefully by confirming their license at www.protectyourmove.gov or www.dmv.state.tx.us.

• The Southwest Association is another resource for information about moving companies and they can be reached at www.mytexasmover.com or 512-476-0107, Toll Free: 800-759-2305 • Contact the Better Business Bureau for any complaints that might be on file at www.houston.bbb.org or 713-868-9500.

• The Interstate Commerce Commission offers a free brochure, “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move.” ICC Office of Compliance and Consumer Assistance, Washington, D.C., 20423.

You can also find the brochure on many websites by searching for its title.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION POLICE DEPARTMENTS The Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff ’s Department and the Harris County Constable’s Office serve the Central Houston region. Many neighborhoods and multi-family communities contract with

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Crime Stoppers is an effective program that accepts anonymous tips and offers rewards for information leading to an arrest in the case of a crime. They can be reached at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

FIRE DEPARTMENTS • For Emergencies only, call 911 • Houston Non-Emergency call 311 The Houston Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services for the city of Houston. It operates many stations throughout Houston and also has specialty teams, including a hazardous materials team, a high-rise rescue team and a team trained to assist at airports. They are all on call 24/7.

The fire departments are involved in community fire prevention and educational programs. Free home fire inspections are available on request. Established in 1838, HFD has a proud history that is showcased in the Houston Fire Museum just south of Downtown.

TEXAS GOVERNMENT VOTER REGISTRATION You must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the county, and a U.S. citizen to vote. A Voter Registration Application can be obtained at www.votetexas.gov or by calling 1- 800-252-VOTE.

VOTING Texas voters must be 18 years old and register at least 30 days prior to an election.

Those already registered to vote but who change precincts must file a change of address. Call Harris County Clerk 713-7556965 or visit www.harrisvotes.org.

known as DUI (Driving Under the Influence) laws are strictly enforced and carry a mandatory sentence of jail time and a fine, even for first offenders.

LEGAL RECORDS

In Texas, the legal limit for intoxication is .08 Blood Alcohol Content (BAC). If an officer thinks your driving is impaired, you can still be stopped and arrested for DWI regardless of your BAC.

Legal records maintained by Harris County include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, automobile licenses, fees and inspections, divorce proceedings, DBAs, taxes and more.

Harris County Court House - 20l Caroline, Houston, TX 77002 For more information call 713-755-6411 or visit www.harriscountytx.gov.

LIQUOR LAWS The minimum age to buy or order liquor is 21 years of age. Liquor store hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Saturday, with no sales on Christmas, New Year’s Day or Thanksgiving.

Drivers are prohibited from consuming alcoholic beverages while operating a vehicle.

DWI (Driving While Intoxicated) and also

low fixed rates, plus be sure to ask about the special movers sign-up bonus. Just mention the promo code “Movers” when you call.

Don’t forget to take advantage of average monthly billing where you’ll pay about the same every month even during those hot Texas summer months. For more information call 1-877-TXU-MOVE or visit txu. com/movers.

PET LICENSING/LEASH LAWS

ELECTRICITY

Dogs and cats in Texas must be vaccinated against rabies by four months of age. Boosters are given one year after the initial vaccination, and pets will need to be vaccinated at one to three-year intervals depending on local requirements. Any vet can administer vaccinations and provide license tags. In most jurisdictions, pets not wearing licenses and/or on a leash can be impounded.

Houstonians have the “power to choose” an electric provider. Retail Electric Providers (REPs) compete to sell electricity to homes and

businesses,

and

competing

REPs

may offer lower prices, options for renewable energy, added customer services, and incentives or promotions. Visit www.powertochoose.org to compare pricing.

The Public Utility Commission recommends the three “C’s” before selecting a

UTILITIES

provider: contact, compare and choose. The

TXU ENERGY

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)

Choose TXU Energy as you make your next move. They offer straightforward plans with

certifies all REPs. To learn more, visit www. puc.texas.gov.

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HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

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R E L O C AT I O N I N F O R M AT I O N

located around the city, including a center for “environmental waste” such as paint and batteries. Most multifamily communities – such as high-rise, mid-rise, townhome and apartment developments – have private trash services.

The City of Houston also provides water service for all residents. The monthly bill for water service also includes a fee for solid waste services and a drainage fee based on the size of your property.

TRANSPORTATION Funded by a 1-cent sales tax, Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) is much more than just buses. The agency is operating a growing number of light rail lines throughout Houston.

METRO also operates a number of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes on Houston freeways, including the Gulf Freeway (I45), Northwest Freeway (290) and Katy Freeway (I10). The Katy Freeway lanes are the nation’s first “congestion pricing” lanes that allow solo drivers to use the HOV lanes for a toll fee.

Be sure to allow several days for the order processing so electricity can be turned on before the move-in date. If establishing service for a new home or building, a permit or inspection may be required.

TELEPHONE, CABLE, AND INTERNET SERVICE Greater Houston has four area codes - 713, 281, 832 and 346.

When placing calls,

10-digit dialing is required.

Several providers offer satellite and cable television services. Ask about bundled services, special promotional rates and discounts for newcomers.

COMCAST / XFINITY Get connected to XFINITY – TV, Internet, and

Voice

service

made

possible

by

Comcast’s network upgrade to an all-digital platform. They will set up your new home in no time. You can even choose your own

36

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

convenient two-hour appointment window.

Also ask about Xfinity Home – Security – Control –Energy – Peace of Mind At Your Fingertips. For more information visit www.comcast.com/moversedge or call 1-877-500-6828.

WATER, SEWER, RECYCLING AND SOLID WASTE The City of Houston provides water, sewer and solid waste services. In most areas of Central Houston, trash is picked up weekly in 96-gallon rollout trash cans provided by the City. The City also provides 96-gallon green recycling cans that are emptied every two weeks. Yard trimmings such as leaves and small branches must be placed in city-approved compostable bags. Heavy trash is picked up once a month.

For all waste related questions, visit the city’s website at www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste. This website also has information on a number of recycling drop-off centers

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METRO also has traditional bus services throughout Houston, plus a number of Park & Ride lots and Transit Facilities, although these are geared mainly for suburb-to-downtown commuting during work hours. For an overview of METRO services, please visit www.ridemetro.org.

The Harris County Motorist Assistance Program (MAP), sponsored in part by METRO, helps motorists stranded on Houston-area freeways. The specially marked MAP vehicles are equipped to handle minor automotive emergencies and regularly patrol Houston roadways.

HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY (HCTRA) HCTRA operates approximately 120 miles of toll roads in the greater Houston area, including the Hardy Toll Road from Downtown to Bush Intercontinental Airport and The Woodlands. The Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8) is the second loop surrounding Houston, and connects many of the area’s

arterial freeways. The Westpark Tollway is an east-west toll road that runs from the 610 Loop to the Grand Parkway. Some portions of the Grand Parkway, such as the segment between the Katy Freeway and Northwest Freeway, are also toll roads.

An increasing number of toll segments in the greater Houston area can be used only by drivers who purchase an EZ Tag from HCTRA. This convenient tag can also be used on the growing number of toll roads throughout Texas. For information, visit www.hctra.org.

AUTOMOBILES DRIVER LICENSE New residents must obtain a Texas driver license within 90 days of establishing residency. Texas residents moving to a new address within the state must update their license as well. To obtain a Texas driver license, take proof of registration, proof of insurance, a Social Security card or a current W-2 form, and a valid out-of-state license to the nearest Department of Public Safety office.

For license requirements including fees and additional information, please visit www.txdps.state.tx.us.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION License plates for vehicles can be purchased at district field offices in the county of residence. The cost is based on the model and year for cars and gross weight for trucks.

Motor vehicle registration renewals may be purchased at various locations.

Harris County Tax Assessor 1001 Preston, Houston, TX 77002 713-224-1919 or www.tax.co.harris.tx.us Personalized and specialty license plates are available from TxDOT (Texas Department of Transportation) at 888-368-4689. The fee for specialty plates is in addition to the cost of regular registration. Applications are available at tax offices or at www.txdot.gov.

TEXAS MOTOR VEHICLE LAWS Texas law requires that the driver and frontseat passenger wear seat belts. Children

eight years of age or younger or less than 4 feet nine inches tall must be secured in an approved car seat.

Texas enforces a mandatory automobile liability insurance law, and if a driver is stopped for any reason, proof of liability insurance coverage will be necessary. The required insurance must provide $30,000 bodily injury, $60,000 per person per accident coverage, and $25,000 of property damage insurance.

A copy of the Texas Motor Vehicle Laws is available from the Texas Department of Public Safety General Services Department, P.O. Box 15999, Austin, Texas, 78761-5999, 512-424-2000, and requests for information must be submitted in writing.

AIRPORTS For complete information on airports go to www.fly2houston.com.

Overall, Houston’s three airports serve more than 55 million passengers a year, including almost 9 million international passengers.

Houston’s “close-in” original airport, Hobby Airport is located off the Gulf Freeway, just outside the 610 Loop.

Recently improved with extensive renovations, Hobby now offers international flights to Latin America and the Caribbean, along with extensive domestic U.S. service. Hobby’s original Art Deco building has been transformed into the 1940 Air Terminal Museum. For more information visit www.1940airterminal.org.

Houston’s “big” airport, George Bush Intercontinental, is located 23 miles north of Downtown. With five terminals and 20 scheduled passenger airlines to hundreds of destinations worldwide, IAH is the second busiest airport in Texas, and the 12th busiest in North America. In May 2016, IAH achieved a quality 4-star rating from Skytrax (one of only 3 U.S. airports).

Ellington Airport, a former military airport located 15 miles southeast of Downtown, is geared toward commercial aviation. 

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION METRO - buses/rail ridemetro.org The Fannin South Park & Ride at 1604 West Bellfort is the home station for METRORail.

Route information (buses & rail) 713-635-4000 Curb-to-curb service Mobility impaired/disabled 713-225-0119 Carpool matching 713-224-7433 Vanpools or carpools 1-888-606-7433

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I N T E R N AT I O N A L R E L O C AT I O N

TRANSPORTATION

Credit Card

Texas Drivers License Application &

www.creditcards.com • Request a credit card & debit card (ATM) when opening a bank account.

• You will need a residential address, phone & place of employment, credit history.

Locations: www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/movingtotexas.htm • Texas has a 90-day grace period.

• A written & driving skills test required.

MOVING TIPS

• Credit cards, cash, checks, and money orders.

What to do

• Take your passport, social security

Social Security Number

number, proof of residency, lawful

1-800-772-1213

Information/ Application www.ssa.gov/forms

Physical locations: 8989 Lakes at 610 Drive, 77054 16200 Dillard Drive, 77040 5414 Aldine Mail Road, 77039

presence, status.

• Proof of vehicle registry.

• Completed application.

BANKING Credit Unions www.findabetterbank.com • Credit unions are owned by members. If your company has a credit union, you can easily set up an account and get a credit card.

• Social Security number, a photo ID

THINGS TO KNOW Wait 10 days after your arrival to apply for a social security number.

Takes approximately 2 weeks for the card to arrive.

(passport), minimum deposit required.

Banks www.findabetterbank.com • A checking account can be opened individually or jointly.

• A debit card will give you immediate access online and at ATMs. • Social Security number, driver’s license, proof of residence, photo ID (passport),

No fee for the application.

pay stub or utility bill and a minimum opening deposit.

Take original or certified copies of immigration documents, passport & biographical information & photo.

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

• International banks in the USA include HSBC, Citigroup, Barclays, Deustche Bank and Credit Suisse. An account at one of these banks can usually be opened in the US.

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

HOUSING Apartment

Houston Apartment Association Q&A: www.haaonline.org • Prices for apartments are based on apartment size and number of bedrooms Rates typically include basic utilities (ask for details).

• Rental requirements include: a credit & security check. Texas Drivers license, passport, bank statement, proof of employment, and a deposit.

• Rental applications may require your credit history, employment history, rental history and criminal history, and disclosure of legal status or proof of legal residency.

• You are responsible for your lease for the entire term of your contract.

• If you terminate your lease contract early, rent may be accelerated and additional charges can be levied against you.

• Get any changes to your lease contract or term in writing.

• Be sure to ask about pet deposits.

• Apartment locators will help you find an apartment and their services are free.

Leasing a Home • Leasing a home is much like renting an apartment.

• You might be expected to take care of the yard on a weekly basis, maintain the property and abide by homeowner regulations.

• You will pay all the utility bills (water, power, trash pickup & cable).

• You will need a TX driver’s license, proof of employment, credit & personal references & a deposit consisting of the first & last month’s rent.

Buying a home • You can view homes for sale and find a Realtor who speaks your language on www.HAR.com.

Realtor/Homes for Sale & Lease www.HAR.com • You can check your credit score through your bank.

• To purchase a home you will need a good credit score based on your credit history.

• Report all of your income on your tax return as mortgage loans require proof of income - typically your IRS return.

• You do not need a Realtor to purchase a home, but Realtors are trained to help you with pricing and other legal responsibilities.

• Realtors use various sources including Multiple Listing Service (MLS) to find homes.

• Realtors are usually paid by the seller, their services are free to buyers.

New Homes/Builders/ Communities www.HoustonNewcomerGuides.com Realtors are independent and can help you locate a newly constructed home available from a variety of builders. Builder sales reps. work for the builder. If you are working with a Realtor, you should register your Realtor with the homebuilder when you arrive.

HEALTHCARE

Affordable Care Act www.healthcare.gov • If you are relocating to the U.S. for a job, the HR department will assist you with health insurance for your family.

• To shop and compare health insurance visit the Affordable Care Act web page.

• You will need your social security number, passport, health history, employer information, and a credit card.

TAXES

State of Texas Texas does not have state taxes. Texas collects 8.25% sales tax & property tax only.

Internal Revenue Service Federal income tax for most workers is filed on April 15 of each year.

There are numerous rules and regulations for expatriates, the following are resources to get you started. Your employer can also assist you.

Internal Revenue Service: www.irs.gov/

EDUCATION Day Care:

childcarecenter.us • Some centers only care for children until they are ready for Kindergarten at age 5.

Other schools offer Kindergarten.

• Will need your child’s birth certificate, social security number, passport, application.

• Schools vary widely, make several trips with and without your child at different times of the day. Ask for referrals.

Public Schools PK-12 Texas Education Association: tea.texas.gov • Required for children 6-18 years of age in USA. • Child’s birth certificate, passport, social security number, transcript, doctor’s statement.

• The Houston area has excellent public schools which serve students from Pre-K through 12th grade.

• You can research individual school districts, schools, ratings and test scores at the Texas Education Association web site.

Elementary school (grade 1 through 5 or 6), Middle school or junior high (up to grade 8 or 9), High school or senior high (up to grade 12).

College Search www.petersons.com Community colleges are located in all parts of Houston. Houston has numerous 4-year colleges and technical schools

Private Schools • HoustonNewcomerGuides.com • Houstonprivateschools.com • Privateschoolreview.com There are a variety of independent and faithbased private schools in the Houston area.

• Enrollment is most cases is based on openings in certain grades.

• Check with each school for enrollment requirements as they vary from school to school.

• International schools offer the International Baccalaureate program and might be better suited for children planning to later attend university outside the US.

IMMIGRATION VISA Most questions are answered on the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration web sites below.

Contact your Consulate about your country’s requirements.

General How Do I Guides: • www.uscis.gov • www.uscitizenship.info

Employment Visa: • www.travel.state.gov • www.uscis.gov

Green Card: www.uscis.gov/greencard

Permanent Resident: www.uscis.gov Schedule appointment with USCIS officer: infopass.uscis.gov

PETS Entry Requirements: www.dshs.state.tx.uss • Dogs & cats must be vaccinated by 4 months of age followed by booster shots every couple of years.

• Pets not wearing license tags and/or leashed can be impounded.

• Recommended that you microchip your pet • Must be inspected for certain screwworms between one and five days prior to entering the United State • A licensed veterinarian must complete and sign a veterinary certificate. This certificate should be in English or be accompanied by a version translated in English.

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in this section

Photo courtesy of Memorial Lutheran School

public schools private schools higher education

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

EDUCATION The only thing more expensive than investing in education is not investing in education. School districts in the Houston area offer students an impressive array of high quality educational opportunities through STEM programs and other studies.

Ask anyone why they love living in Central

the Montrose/River Oaks area, have well-re-

Central Houston also has many private and

Houston, and most mention the arts, restau-

garded academics and special programs,

parochial schools that are as diverse as the

rants, culture, convenience and other perks

such as International Baccalaureate.

city itself. These include the Awty Interna-

of urban life. Public education would prob-

tional School in Spring Branch, popular with

ably not rank high on the list, but that is

Many

elementary

Houston’s thriving international community,

changing as the fast-growing population of

schools are also excellent and much sought-

and schools affiliated with virtually every

Central Houston increasingly includes fami-

after, the result of hard work by dedicated

religious tradition.

lies with school-age children.

staff and parents. Some of the most notable

It might take more research to find a great school in Central Houston than in the suburbs, but a little extra effort can reward you with many exciting options for public schools as well as private and parochial schools with strong traditions of academic excellence.

With a few exceptions, such as the Spring Branch area, the Houston Independent School District covers most of Central Houston. While it never ranks as high as top suburban districts on district-wide test scores and other metrics, HISD has many academic jewels that are among the best in the nation.

HISD

neighborhood

HISD primary campuses include River Oaks

Great sources for researching local schools

Elementary and Harvard Elementary in the

include Children at Risk, (childrenatrisk.

Heights. Poe Elementary near the Museum

org), which publishes annual rankings

District is an arts magnet school, one of

of area schools, with campus-by-campus

many HISD magnet programs covering

data. The Texas Education Agency evalu-

diverse interests. Wilson Montessori in

ates public schools and districts under state

Montrose is HISD’s first all-Montessori

and federal accountability requirements.

school, serving grades K-8.

Its latest reports are at www.tea.texas.gov.

HISD also has more than 20 charter schools

schools.org and www.houstonisd.org.

including the Energized for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Academy and the Young Scholars Academy for Excellence.

Most students living within HISD boundaries may apply to attend a magnet or

More helpful websites include www.great-

HOUSTON SCHOOL DISTRICTS Houston Independent School District www.houstonisd.org • 713-556-6000 The Houston Independent School District is the largest public school system in Texas and the seventh largest in the United States.

These include HISD’s well-known specialty

charter school, although competition can

high schools, such as the High School for

be stiff for some campuses. Many other

the Performing & Visual Arts, Carnegie

HISD schools have open enrollment bound-

Vanguard, and the DeBakey High School

aries, although preference is typically given

for Health Professions. Many neighborhood

to students living within the neighborhood

The district operates with an annual budget

high schools, such as Lamar High School in

attendance zones.

of $1.8 billion and has more than 29,000

HISD is focused on providing safe, secure schools where students can excel and prepare for college and careers.

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E D U C AT I O N

full and part-time employees, educating more than 215,000 students in 283 schools

be successful in a global society upon graduation.

spread out over 334 square miles. The HISD Construction and Facility Services is responsible for the construction, renovations, and maintenance of more than 320 schools and administrative facilities — the equivalent of 29.3 million square feet of building space spread throughout the greater Houston area.

HISD’s property tax rate is the lowest in Harris County and one of the lowest of the 13 largest districts in the state. Within Harris County, the district also has the highest underlying bond rating given by Moody’s.

HISD stands out as a district of choice with a robust portfolio of schools, including strong neighborhood campuses, magnet and vanguard schools, charter schools, fine arts and language programs, early college high schools and career academies, and

Spring Branch Independent School District www.springbranchisd.com • 713-464-1511 The Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) encompasses about 44 square miles of wooded suburbs and vibrant business and retail districts located west of downtown Houston along Interstate 10, also known as the Katy Freeway.

About 188,000 district residents live in this region of west Houston and in the incorporated villages of Bunker Hill, Hedwig, Hilshire, Hunters Creek, Piney Point and Spring Valley.

all students have access to a global education and are prepared to complete and

In addition, the district offers an expanding variety of

campus-based programs of

choice. These include a K-5th grade School for Highly Gifted Students; two public charter middle school programs (KIPP Courage College Prep at Landrum Middle School and YES Prep Northbrook at Northbrook Middle School); three middle school dual language programs: and three PreK-5th grade elementary dual language programs.

The district’s dedication to the small neighborhood school concept has contributed to the success and resilience of SBISD’s schools and neighborhoods.

other specialized programs. The district also has placed an emphasis on ensuring

schools and four regular high schools.

SBISD provides full-day kindergarten for all in-district students. In addition, the district operates an exemplary rated charter middle school, a highly regarded charter middle and high school campus, as well as an alternative/virtual middle and high school facility.

Today, SBISD is comprised of five Schools for Early Learning (pre-K), 26 traditional elementary schools, seven regular middle

SBISD remains recognized as one of the top public school districts in the nation with consistent college-readiness indicators exceeding regional, state and national averages. More than 80 percent of SBISD students take the SAT or ACT, exceeding both state and national averages. The

HOUSTON CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL Limitless Potential. Unlimited Possibilities.

Houston Christian is an exemplary college preparatory high school providing outstanding academic and leadership programs aimed at preparing each student for collegiate study and beyond.

Houston Christian offers a distinctive curriculum and a spiritual focus, all while giving students the opportunity to compete and perform in award-winning sports and fine arts programs.

Houston Christian is your place to shine. To learn more, join us on campus at 7 PM on Nov. 2 for an Open House. Or, to schedule a private tour, call 713-580-6020.

A highly accredited, private, nondenominational college preparatory school, Houston Christian is located at the intersection of I-10 and Beltway 8.

2700 W Sam Houston Parkway N Houston, TX 77043 HoustonChristian.org 713.580.6020

Exceptional faculty • Vibrant campus culture • Merit scholarships • Transportation programs Exciting travel programs • Beautiful 45-acre campus • Low student-to-faculty ratio • State-of-the-art dance facility Distinctive leadership and scholars program • Dynamic college counseling program

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

district has one of the higher student participation rates regionally on these important assessments.

Houston Christian challenges our students to

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Memorial Lutheran School www.memoriallutheranschool.org 713-782-4022

Houston Christian High School www.houstonchristian.org • 713-580-6020 Houston Christian High School is committed to seeing its students become the leaders of the next generation by providing empowering, dynamic education that aligns academics, arts, athletics, and spiritual formation. Home of the prestigious George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders, Houston Christian is an independent, nonprofit day school serving coed students in ninth through twelfth grades from 72 zip codes throughout Houston. Founded in 1996 and accredited by The Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), its alumni rank among some of the most successful in the nation, including West Point officers, business entrepreneurs, and even a Broadway actress.

With nearly 70 percent of its faculty awarded advanced degrees, Houston Christian students are taught and mentored by brilliant, passionate professionals who challenge them with engaging curriculum and a broad array of extracurricular activities. The small student-to-teacher ratio of 10 to 1 gives students immediate access to the high-qualified faculty at Houston Christian, including an international Inkling Scholar and former NFL football coach.

exceed even their own expectations. Houston Christian, where learning becomes leading.

Memorial Lutheran School is a Classical Lutheran School offering small classes and programs for infants through the 8th grade.

basketball, cheerleading, track, softball and baseball. Extracurricular programs include academic competitions, National Junior Honor Society, outdoor education, debate, and Bible Bowl. A before and after school extended program and summer camp are also offered. Early Childhood: Infants, Toddlers, Twos, Threes, Pre-K 4; Elementary Level: Grades K to 4; Middle School: Grades 5 to 8.

Pre-School through 8th grade students

Tours of the school can be scheduled by

attend daily chapel, and their Early Start

calling the admissions office at 713-782-

children attend Chapel twice a week. MLS offers a strong music program that includes General music class, orchestra, band, choir and chimes. Core subjects include Phonics, History, Math, Science, and a comprehensive Language Arts program (Writing, Reading, Grammar, Spelling and Vocabulary) and Latin (1st - 8th grade).

Memorial Lutheran provides technology by way of one-to-one Chromebooks in middle school, iPads, a computer lab, and interactive white boards in each classroom.

Athletic offerings include soccer, volleyball,

4022. Conveniently located in the Galleria area. Application or inquiry can be made on the school’s website – www.memoriallutheranschool.org.

Primrose School of Upper Kirby www.primroseschools.com/schools/upperkirby • 713-522-6700 The Primrose Experience: Building the Right Foundation for Future Learning and Life. Choosing the right care for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make as a parent. At the end of the day,

Memorial Lutheran School A Classical Lutheran School Building a Strong Foundation

Call to Schedule a Tour - 713-782-4022 Educating Children for 36 years Infants through 8th grade

Houston Christian students graduate with the skills needed for collegiate study and beyond due to its rigorous curriculum integrated with leadership training that includes cultural immersion and service leadership programs, along with international travel.

Tours of Houston Christian’s lovely, collegiate-style campus are available by contacting us at 713-580-6000 or www.houstonchristian. org. The school is located on 45 acres off of W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N and Kempwood Drive. Whether it be in our state-of-the-art Brown Family Dance Center or in the Harrell Family Strength & Conditioning Center,

Successful learners – Effective leaders

Latin, Logic, Debate Orchestra and Band After School Enrichment Athletics, Academic Competition, Top High School acceptances Conveniently located in the Galleria Area

5800 Westheimer Road | Houston, TX 77057 | www.memoriallutheranschool.org

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E D U C AT I O N

it comes down to entrusting the care of your child to a provider that will give you peace of mind and give your child the best possible experience.

Primrose Schools is an accredited early childhood education preschool that offers a premier educational child care experience for families across the country. The Primrose Experience starts with fostering a strong connection and partnership with parents to help build the right foundation for future learning and success in school and in life.

For the last fifteen years Mr. & Mrs. Papadopulos have been the franchise owners for Primrose Schools of Pearland and Primrose School of First Colony. They have provided for the Pearland and Sugarland families a nurturing environment where children are happy, safe and having fun while learning.

The Papadopulos’ are looking to bring that same Primrose School experience to the Upper Kirby community.

What makes the Primrose Experience unique? The People and Culture. One

Photo courtesy of Memorial Lutheran School

reason parents choose Primrose is because they know they are leaving their children with qualified, caring people. The management team members and teachers exceed expectations by creating and maintaining

trusted relationships with every family they serve, and share their vision: To deliver the best and most trusted early childhood education and child care services for families across America.

FACT:

85% of core brain structure is developed by age four.

PRIMROSE WAY:

Recommending the right activity at the right time is child’s play.

NOW ENROLLING! Primrose School of Upper Kirby 3001 Richmond Ave. | Houston, TX 77098 713.522.6700 | PrimroseUpperKirby.com

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

Each Primrose school is a privately owned and operated franchise. Primrose Schools® and The Leader in Early Education and CareSM are registered trademarks and service marks of Primrose School Franchising Company. ©2016 Primrose School Franchising Company. All rights reserved. See primroseschools.com for ‘fact’ source and curriculum detail.

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

The Balanced Learning System. The Primrose Balanced Learning System provides high-quality educational experiences that support children’s development as well-rounded individuals. The Balanced Learning curriculum addresses children’s social-emotional, cognitive, creative and physical development as they determine what experiences children need at different age levels. The curriculum is reviewed and updated annually to ensure continued alignment with early learning standards.

The Standards of Excellence. Primrose Schools holds schools to high standards of excellence with the implementation of quality assurance and continuous improvement through an internal Service Excellence Assurance program and an external AdvancED Corporation Systems Accreditation which ensures each school’s adherence to AdvancED Standards for Quality Early Learning Schools.

St. Francis Episcopal School www.StFrancisHouston.org • 713.458.6117

third grader’s grin as her design takes shape on the popular 3-D printer; or the compassion of eighth graders who donate $45,000 in national Lead2Feed Challenge winnings to local nonprofits.

At St. Francis, success equals so much more than a grade on paper. On their two campuses, more than 900 students live, grow, and give together through beloved annual service projects; 40-plus teams in 13 sports; rousing theatre and choir productions; three orchestras;

unforgettable

living-history

events; and a dizzying array of school-day and after-school enrichment programs— all while worshipping side by side during regular chapel and Eucharist services.

Now, the community is set to turn another page as they realize the long-held dream of a St. Francis high school. Slated to open to its founding freshman class in the 2018–19 school year, the St. Francis Upper School will reimagine the traditional high school experience, emphasizing thematic learning over staid survey courses and 21st

century skills over the rote memorization of decades past.

St. Michael Catholic School www.stmichaelcs.org • 713-621-6847 Established in 1954, St. Michael Catholic School (SMCS), conveniently located near the Galleria, is one of Houston’s leading schools for children three years of age through eighth grade. Its mission is to form disciples of Christ through an education focused on faith, conscience, scholarship, and service.

To ensure classroom success and prepare students for challenges beyond campus life, St. Michael Catholic School integrates faith and knowledge to educate the whole person, offering religious education and sacramental training; enhanced creative writing programs; Spanish courses; interactive science curriculum enhanced by hands-on learning, competitive and award winning athletics; service and leadership opportunities; fine arts, music, and performing arts instruction; academic rallies such as

Imaginative, critical thinkers and people for others. At St. Francis, they believe their mission matters. So from the Reggio-inspired approach in Primary School to the inquiry-based environment of Lower School to the hotbed of 21st century learning that is the St. Francis Middle School, they engage and inspire students to think critically, explore deeply, and take the academic and artistic leaps that allow them to mature in independence and innovation.

At the core of it all is a student-centric, research-based curriculum; passionate, award-winning educators; and leading-edge technology at every turn. Because when it comes to helping the Wolves advance from their earliest academic ventures through the exponential growth in literacy, quantitative reasoning, creative thinking, and social/ emotional development of their elementary and secondary years, they not only focus on the whole child—but also the whole environment. This might mean a field trip to one of the tallest buildings in town for the Primary II class fascinated by skyscrapers; a

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E D U C AT I O N

Word Academy, St. Pius X High School,

“

Episcopal High School, The Kinkaid School,

Higher education is a strength for Central Houston, with choices that are many and diverse.

Prep Bowl, National Junior Honor Society, honors math and science courses; and a Sacred Art History program that is unique to SMCS.

”

The campus occupies more than ten acres of land and serves approximately 500 co-ed students in a state-of-the-art 70,000 squarefoot LEED-certified building with two computer labs; laptop and tablet mobile labs; SMART Board in each classroom; one-to-one device program using Chrome books for middle school students; science labs capable of plant and animal studies and in-depth lab experiments; two fullyequipped art rooms and a kiln room; library,

and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

HIGHER EDUCATION Higher education is a strength for Central Houston, with choices that are many and diverse. With more than 40,000 students,

including media center and resource room;

the University of Houston is the third-largest

regulation athletic field for football, soccer,

university in Texas and has made great

practice track and gymnasium with boys’ and girls’ locker rooms and two concession stands; a school chapel that offers an area for reflection and spiritual development; and dedicated performing arts classrooms. These facilities provide students with the most current educational tools and resources.

St. Michael Catholic School graduates are accepted to Houston’s most premier private and public high schools that include: St. Agnes Academy, St. Thomas High School, Strake Jesuit College Preparatory, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, Incarnate

academic strides in recent decades. UH has achieved Tier One research university status from the Carnegie Foundation, putting it in the same league as the University of Photo courtesy of Memorial Lutheran School

Texas and Texas A&M University. UH has more than 300 degree programs and many, including creative writing, architecture and law, are considered among the nation’s best.

Rice University, situated on a beautiful oak-lined campus near the Texas Medical Center and Hermann Park, is consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the U.S. and among the top 100 in the world.

St. Michael Catholic School Prekindergarten 3 – 8th Grade Enriching Minds and Inspiring Hearts

Known for its small student-to-faculty ratio and its high level of research, Rice also offers excellent public arts and continuing education programs.

The Texas Medical Center is home to a number of colleges and universities,

The mission of St. Michael Catholic School is to form disciples of Christ through an education focused on faith, conscience, scholarship, and service.

including Baylor College of

Established in 1954, we educate the whole person by promoting growth and development of the body, mind, and spirit.

Texas Woman’s University. Other Houston

To ensure that our students have the best resources, we offer: 70,000 sq. ft. LEED - certified building | Multiple computer, laptop, and mobile labs | SMART Boards in each classroom Science labs to support classroom curriculum | Thriving Fine Arts program | Expansive library with a media center and resource room | Regulation athletic field and gymnasium | Peaceful chapel for reflection For more information regarding the admission process and our Open House, please visit our website:

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Medicine,

Texas A&M Health Science Center and institutions of

higher learning include

Texas Southern University, Houston Baptist University and Houston Community College System.

In 2015, the University of Texas announced that it had purchased more than 300 acres for a new Houston campus located 3.5 miles from the Texas Medical Center. In a statement, the UT System Board of Regents said, “We will broaden our footprint in the

stmichaelcs.org

city of Houston to take advantage of its size,

1833 Sage Rd. | Houston, Texas 77056 713.621.6847

professionals in science, business, healthcare

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

strength of institutions, and talent of the and the arts.” 

Places of

WORSHIP Houston is home to diverse religious traditions – a reflection of the international cultural mosaic that makes up the city. The following pages list some of the houses of worship located in Central Houston.

Houston’s First Baptist Church 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston TX 77024 www.HoustonsFirst.org • 713-681-8000 More than a Home - Relocating is on the list of life’s most stressful events. Ever considered including God in your move?

One Houston area family did, and without missing a beat, they found friends, “family,” and a place of purpose where their lives could make a difference.

Russ and Deborah Whaley were about to make their seventh move for Russ’ job, this time from Atlanta to the Houston area.

Providentially, Claudia, the buyer of their Atlanta home, was relocating from Bellaire, Texas, a city inside the Houston metro area.

The Whaleys’ trip to Texas before making the final five-state trek with their three children included a personal visit from Claudia.

“We spent two hours with Claudia that day, and I asked if she knew of a good church in our area,” said Deborah. “Her church, Houston’s First Baptist Church, was opening a campus near our home and she said she had a friend she could call on our behalf.”

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PLACES OF WORSHIP

The Whaley family was rolling through Louisiana toward their new home in Texas when Deborah received a call. “Claudia’s friend, Paige Swiggart, was on the phone.

Paige is also the pastor’s wife of the Cypress Campus of Houston’s First. She invited us to the very first meeting of their church. We went — and we’ve been there since.”

The Whaleys teach Sunday school for fourth and fifth graders. Russ and their three children, spanning in age from upper elementary to high school, formed a band to play during Kids’ Worship. The Whaley children are also involved in the church youth band and other activities. Since the family lives close to the church, Deborah opens their home for Bible study and other gatherings.

“God knows my heart for hospitality,” she said. “He had every detail planned for our move. We paid attention to the ways God was moving, trusted Him and followed His lead. We know He chose our church for us and we couldn’t be more content.”

I FOUND PURPOSE HERE.

You are invited to any of the five campuses of Houston’s First: The Loop Campus at 7401 Katy Freeway at the 610 Loop; the Cypress Campus, currently meeting at Smith Middle School and slated for a June move into its permanent home in Bridgeland near Highway 99; the Downtown Campus at 1730 Jefferson; the Español Campus, also at 7401 Katy Freeway; and the Sienna Campus at 4309 Sienna Parkway.

The Church of St. John the Divine 2450 River Oaks Boulevard @ Westheimer, Houston TX 77019 www.sjd.org • 713-622-3600 Whoever you are, whatever your life story, wherever you are in your spiritual journey, St. John the Divine warmly invites you to come and see how lives are being changed for God in Christ.

St. John the Divine is constantly engaged: • in worship, prayer, and study • in equipping and mobilizing people to serve in the community and beyond.

WE FOUND A WAY TO SERVE HERE.

• in serving the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of families • in raising up servant leaders to impact the world and • i n creating vibrant, diverse communities of all ages and stages of life Nestled inside Houston’s inner loop community, St. John the Divine is easy to get to from all over the city. Each Sunday they offer traditional services with organ and choir, contemporary services with band, and Awesome Worship, a service created for young children and their families. Regardless of which service you choose, you will experience authentic worship and learn how God can change your life today.

If you’re new to town, St. John the Divine offers many ways to connect to a caring community. They are a multi-generational congregation with offerings designed for babies, kids, students, adults, singles, and seniors. You are sure to find a spiritual home there. Learn more and take your next step by visiting www.sjd.org today. 

I FOUND ACCEPTANCE HERE.

“I’M LOOKING FOR

.”

Whatever it is, many in our city have found it in a relationship with Jesus. He’s a friend of ours—let us introduce you.

WE FOUND COMMUNITY HERE.

WE FOUND FREEDOM FROM WORRY HERE.

I FOUND BROTHERHOOD HERE.

The Loop • Downtown • Cypress • Español • Sienna HoustonsFirst

PA S T O R

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M AT T E

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

@HoustonsFirst

@HoustonsFirst HoustonsFirst.org

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD

INTERDENOMINATIONAL

Braeswood Assembly of God................. 713-777-1651

Church in the Center ............................. 281-213-0110

Heights Assembly of God...................... 713-864-8231

ISLAM

METHODIST Bellaire United Methodist Church.......... 713-666-2167 First Methodist Houston........................ 832-668-1800

Islamic Da`wah Center.......................... 713-223-3311

Grace United Methodist Church............ 713-862-8883

Antioch Missionary Baptist Church....... 713- 652-0738

Al-Noor Mosque.................................... 713-779-1304

Bellaire Central Baptist Church.............. 713-668-2389

Madrasah Islamiah................................ 713-772-7000

Memorial Drive United Methodist Church..................................713-468-8356

Houston’s First Baptist Church ......... 713-681-8000 7401 Katy Freeway, Houston TX 77024 www.houstonsfirst.org

Masjid ElFarouq....................................713-465-2020

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church....... 713-622-5710

JEWISH

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church........ 713-528-0527

BAPTIST

First Baptist Church Heights.................. 713-861-3102 Memorial Drive Baptist Church.............. 713-781-3553 River Oaks Baptist Church..................... 713-622-0570 Second Baptist ......................................713-465-3408 South Main Baptist Church.................... 713-529-4167 Tallowood Baptist.................................. 713-468-8241 West U Baptist.......................................713-668-2319

BUDDHIST Dawn Mountain.................................... 713-630-0354 Texas Buddhist Association.................... 281-498-1616

CATHOLIC All Saints Catholic Church..................... 713-864-2653 Annunciation Catholic Church............... 713-222-2289 Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart........... 713-659-1561 Holy Rosary Church.............................. 713-529-4854 Our Lady of Guadalupe ........................ 713-222-0203 St. Anne Catholic Church...................... 713-526-3276 St. Cecilia Catholic Church.................... 713-465-3414

Chabad of Uptown................................ 713-419-3960 Congregation Beth Israel........................ 713-771-6221

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church...... 713-861-3104

NON DENOMINATIONAL

Congregation Brith Shalom.................... 713-667-9201

Bridge Point Bible Church...................... 832-448-1330

Congregation Emanu El......................... 713-529-5771

Lakewood Church ................................ 713-635-4154

Congregation for Reform Judaism.......... 713-782-4162

Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church............................... 713-861-9149

Temple Sinai..........................................281-496-5950 The Shul of Bellaire............................... 713-839-8887

LUTHERAN First Evangelical Lutheran Church......... 713-529-3589 Grace Lutheran Church......................... 713-528-3269 Holy Cross Lutheran Church.................. 713-686-8253

ORTHODOX Annunciation Greek Orthodox .............. 713-526-5377 St. George Orthodox Church.................. 713-665-5252 St. Mark Coptic Orthodox ..................... 713-669-0311 St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox................ 281-556-5366

Memorial Drive Lutheran...................... 713-468-9443

PRESBYTERIAN

Memorial Lutheran Church.............. 713-782-6079 5800 Westheimer Road Houston, TX 77057

Christ Church Presbyterian.................... 713-667-6574

St. Andrew Lutheran Church................. 713-468-9565

Grace Presbyterian Church.................... 713-781-7615

St. Mark Lutheran Church..................... 713-468-2623

Heights Presbyterian Church.................. 713-861-1907

St. Matthew Lutheran Church................ 713-526-5731

Southwest Presbyterian Church ............. 713-432-0040

First Presbyterian Houston..................... 713-620-6500

St. Michael Catholic Church............. 713-621-4370 1833 Sage Road, Houston TX 77056

CHRISTIAN (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) First Christian Church........................... 713-526-2561 Heights Christian Church....................... 713-861-0016 University Christian Church................... 713-522-7625

CHURCH OF CHRIST Heights Church of Christ....................... 713-861-0922 Memorial Church of Christ.................... 713-464-0271 South Union Church of Christ............... 713-747-5440 Westbury Church of Christ.................... 713-729-7880

EPISCOPAL Ascension Episcopal Church.................. 713-781-1330 Christ Church Cathedral........................ 713-222-2593 Holy Spirit Episcopal Church................. 713-468-7796 St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.............. 713-861-5596 The Church of St. John The Divine.... 713-622-3600 2450 River Oaks Blvd. Houston TX 77019 www.sjd.org St. Francis Episcopal Church.................. 713-782-1270 St. Martin’s Episcopal Church................ 713-621-3040

HINDU Hindu Worship Society.......................... 713-957-4608 Sri Meenakshi Temple............................ 281-489-0358

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HEALTHCARE

In the heart of central Houston, the vast Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world and is at the forefront of advancing life sciences. TMC is a global powerhouse of leading-edge patient care, biomedical research and employment for the Houston area. But it is only a part of the excellent health care that is available in the city; central Houston offers many general and specialty hospitals, clinics and acute care centers.

50

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

Our Primary & Specialty Care Clinics Bayshore 11452 Space Center Blvd Houston, TX 77059

Dashwood 5420 Dashwood St Houston, TX 77081

Cinco Ranch 23923 Cinco Ranch Blvd Katy, TX 77494

Texas Medical Center 6410 Fannin St Houston, TX 77030

Sienna Village 8810 Highway 6, #100 Missouri City, TX 77459

Bellaire 6700 West Loop South Bellaire, TX 77401

Cinco Pediatrics 10450 Spring Green Blvd., Suite B Katy, TX 77494

Heights 925 N Shepherd Dr Houston, TX 77008

Greens 245 West Greens Rd Houston, TX 77067

Southwest 10623 Bellaire Blvd, #280 Houston, TX 77072

Victory 7364 Antoine Dr Houston, TX 77088

Rosenberg 5115 Avenue H, #701 Rosenberg, TX 77471

Beaumont 3610 Stagg Drive Beaumont, TX 77701

Jensen 2620 E. Crosstimbers Street, #100 Houston, TX 77093

UTPhysicians.com 888-4UT-DOCS

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51

HEALTHCARE

Photo courtesy of Memorial Hermann

AREA HOSPITALS

serves Southeast Texas and the Greater

community, contributing in excess of $451

Memorial Hermann www.memorialhermann.org 713-222-CARE (2273)

Houston community with 16 hospitals,

million annually in uncompensated care

including four in the Texas Medical Center,

and community benefit programs.

a level I trauma center, a hospital for chil-

Advancing Health in Houston - Memorial Hermann has created Houston’s largest, full-service,

integrated

health

system

focused on advancing the health of the community.

For

Memorial

Hermann’s

5,500 affiliated physicians and 25,000 employees, it means exercising uncompromising commitment to deliver the best health care possible by harnessing leading-edge technology and using the safest methods. For their patients, it means having the best tools to prevent health problems as well as the best chance to regain

dren, an orthopedic and spine hospital, and

THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER

one of the top two rehabilitation hospitals in

Over 70 years have passed since the ground

the United States, along with nine suburban

breaking in 1945 for Baylor College of

hospitals and two surgery centers. Building

Medicine on a site southeast of Memorial

on a strong relationship with McGovern

Hermann Hospital–established in 1925

Medical School at UTHealth, the system

and the first hospital in the Texas Medical

also operates three Heart & Vascular Insti-

Center. Today, the Texas Medical Center is

tute locations; the Mischer Neuroscience

a major business district where planning,

Institute

at

Memorial

Hermann-Texas

Medical Center; the IRONMAN Sports Medicine

Institute

at

four

locations;

Women’s Memorial Hermann; Memorial Hermann Life Flight® – the largest and

infrastructure, transportation and other issues are growing in importance. Today, the Texas Medical Center has 54 not for profit institutions.

busiest air ambulance service in the United

The Texas Medical Center is a 1,300-acre

States; the Prevention and Recovery Center

“city of medicine” with 290 buildings,

for chemical dependency treatment; and

50 million gross square feet of space,

a comprehensive array of home health

28,000 parking spaces and some 106,000

Quality Healthcare Award in 2009 and

services,

outpa-

employees. Expenditures by member insti-

the 2012 John M. Eisenberg Award for

tient imaging and laboratory services

tutions exceed $5.7 billion, and second

Patient Safety and Quality from The Joint

including MD Anderson Breast Care

expenditures are more than $8.1 billion. Its

Commission and the National Quality

with Memorial Hermann. The system’s

economic impact is huge throughout the

Forum, the nation’s guardians of health

comprehensive ambulatory care network

region and beyond Texas.

and safety.

also includes Memorial Hermann Urgent

their health following an illness or injury.

It’s no wonder Memorial Hermann is the only Houston health system to receive both the National Quality Forum’s National

rehabilitation

centers,

Care and Memorial Hermann Convenient

The Texas Medical Center holds a promi-

One of the largest not-for-profit health

Care Centers. They use their resources to

nent position in medical information—a

systems in the nation, Memorial Hermann

make a real difference in the health of the

critical edge that attracts top researchers,

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

Comprehensive orthopedic care is within reach.

At Memorial Hermann, we are leading the way in orthopedics. From evaluation to orthopedic surgery to post-injury rehab, our comprehensive treatment approach puts patients first. The fact is, if you want expertise in orthopedics – you want the experts at Memorial Hermann Hospital.

Learn more at memorialhermann.org

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53

HEALTHCARE

The Texas Medical Center - Credit: Jackson Myers

than

The idea of community-based UT Physi-

majority of her patients do – its patient

20,000 MDs, PhDs and researchers work

cians clinics is one that started with the goal

centered medical care model.

at member institutions. In 2010, National

of bringing UT Physicians doctors to the

philosophy of patient care is “It takes a

Institutes of Health (NIH) awarded insti-

patients. “Back in 2007, 2008, we created a

village to raise a child. I am deeply honored

strategic plan for UT Physicians to follow

to be part of the village.”

academics

and

physicians--more

tutions in the Texas Medical Center a total of $477.3 million for existing projects and to launch new ones. Collaborative projects extend locally to Rice University.

Sources: Texas Medical Center, www.mdanderson. org, Houston Report at www.dallasfed. com.

UT Physicians 1-888-4UT-DOCS • UTPhysicians.com The right place, the right time. - As the medical group practice of The John P. and Katherine G. McGovern School (a part of UTHealth), UT Physicians has experienced unparalleled growth over the last

Dr. Park’s

the growth and population changes in Houston. We knew that if we didn’t grow

Dr. Parks enjoys all aspects of pediatric

outside of the Texas Medical Center, we

medicine, but has an interest in and passion

would not survive as a group practice,” says

for pediatric and women’s health advocacy.

Andrew Casas, Chief Operating Officer of

Dr. Parks was educated and trained in New

UT Physicians.

UT Physicians is a national leader in the delivery of integrated, personalized care, with many of our doctors listed among the “Best Doctors in America.” Through UT Physicians Heights Clinic and Dashwood Clinic, you will have access to our full practice of more than 1,000 physicians certified in 80 medical specialties and subspecialties.

York and New Jersey. She was born in Costa Rica and is a native Spanish speaker.

Thomas Murphy, MD, Assistant Dean for Community Affairs and Health Policy, says that doctors outside of the Texas Medical Center provide stability and long-term patient relationships. “Right care, right place, right cost – it’s a simple concept,” he says.

five years. With offices generally located

Kenya Maria Parks, MD, MS, FAAP,

solely across the street from McGovern

Medical Director at UT Physicians Heights

For more information on any UT Physi-

Medical School, UT Physicians now

Clinic, UT Community and General Pedi-

cians clinic, please visit the website at

boasts more than 200 clinical sites in and

atrics, McGovern Medical School, chose

UTPhysicians.com or contact them at 1-888-

around the Greater Houston Area.

UT Physicians for the same reason as the

4UT-DOCS 

54

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

BUSINESS and Community

The Greater Houston Partnership forecasts that metro Houston will create 29,700 jobs in 2017. That’s a 1.0 percent annual growth rate.

Over the past 25 years, Houston’s growth has averaged 2.1 percent per year, and as the economy continues to improve, so too will job opportunities.

HO O UU SS TT O ON NN N EE W WC CO OM M EE RR G G UU II D D EE SS .. C CO OM M H

55 55

BUSINESS & COMMUNITY

of more than 150,000, Downtown claims 10 of Houston’s 26 Fortune 500 companies and boasts a gleaming skyline, which is an international symbol of the city’s ‘can-do’ entrepreneurial spirit.

Discovery Green and Market Square Park are two of Houston’s most beloved urban parks and both have been heavily credited for being the economic catalyst for growth in the eastern and northern end of Downtown. With all this robust activity, combined with its strong economy, a growing urban population, and solidified status as one of the nation’s top culinary and entertainment destinations, it’s easy to see how Houston has transformed itself into the global city that it is today.

The Texas Medical Center, another linchpin of Houston’s economy, continues to grow and thrive. As the world’s largest life sciences destination, the TMC has over 106,000 employees, 50,000 students, and over 160,000 daily visitors. Institutions in the TMC begin 1 surgery every 3 minutes, and the TMC performs more heart surgeries than anywhere else in the world. Looking for smart healthy neighbors? It’s estimated that 1 in 5 people living in the 77030 ZIP code works in the health science field, making it one of the highest concentrations of life science professionals in the country.

Galleria Houston - Photo courtesy of GHCVB

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re

$6.1 billion has been spent on buildings,

a newcomer relocating to Houston for the

parks and infrastructure. Today, construc-

city’s tremendous employment opportuni-

tion worth more than $1 billion has been

ties – still some of the best in the nation. Or,

completed in the last two years, with proj-

you might be a long-time or even native-born

ects worth $1.7 billion underway. Nine

Houstonian (yes, a few actually exist!) who

residential properties are under construction

has long benefitted from the city’s thriving

and another fie are planned; once complete,

economy and relentless growth.

these will almost double the number of

The Greater Houston area covers almost 600 square miles, but the 96 square miles inside the 610 Loop contain many of the headquarters, institutions and landmarks that define Houston’s proud economic history.

downtown residences. Additionally, Houston’s central business district continues to welcome waves of new relocating businesses, as well as urban professionals who will see an additional 1.5 million square feet of office space and seven modern and

the

luxurious hotel high-rises under construc-

mid-1990s, and since then, more than

tion or newly completed. With a workforce

Downtown

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began

its

renewal

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

With 28 million square feet of commercial office space, Uptown Houston is one of the nation’s largest business districts.

Its silhouette bears the stamp of some the world’s leading architects, and the postmodern triumph of the 64-storey Williams Tower is among the city’s famous architectural landmarks. A vibrant mixed-use urban environment, Uptown offers top-of-the line business addresses with the support services essential to business life. Full-service institutions, world-class hotels, fine retail establishments and excellent dining are all close at hand.

Between Downtown and Uptown sits Greenway Plaza, Houston’s first totally planned business-commercial-residential complex. It has 10 commercial buildings and more than 4.2 million square feet, and

most buildings are connected by environmentally controlled bridges, tunnels or covered walkways.

Central Houston is also home to the Port of Houston, the international port of Texas.

More hard-working than glamorous, the Port of Houston is a 25-mile-long complex of public and private facilities. Currently undergoing a $1.4 billion modernization project, new super post-Panamax ship-to-shore cranes have just been added to accommodate the next generation of container vessels. The Port of Houston is the busiest in the U.S. for foreign tonnage, and ranks No. 2 for overall tonnage; 30.5 million tons of cargo are handled each year.

The Port of Houston is out of sight for most Houstonians, but a free and fascinating boat tour can be arranged by contacting the Port of Houston Authority at www.portofhouston.com.

The Greater Houston Partnership forecasts that metro Houston will create 29,700 jobs in 2017. That’s a 1.0 percent annual growth rate. Over the past 25 years, Houston’s growth has averaged 2.1 percent per year, and as the economy continues to improve, so too will job opportunities. Specifically, the forecast calls for job losses to continue in energy exploration and production, oil field services, construction and information, but jobs will grow in manufacturing, wholesale trade, retail trade, finance and insurance, real estate, business, professional and technical services, educational services, health care, administrative services, arts and entertainment, hotels and food services, other services and government.

Following is information on some of the major economic development organizations serving Central Houston. Their websites are a wealth of information about the areas they represent.

Houston First/Visit Houston www.VisitHouston.com

city’s finest convention, arts and entertainment venues. Go to HoustonFirst.com. For information on what to do around town, where to stay, events and much more, log on to VisitHouston.com.

Uptown Houston www.uptown-houston.com Anchored by Post Oak Boulevard, Uptown Houston is an urban community of exceptional beauty, sophistication, style and

Central Houston www.centralhouston.org

international prominence in the heart of

Since 1983, the city’s most passionate

Defined by its unique blend of prestigious

leaders have gathered at Central Houston

business and residential addresses, with the

to plan cultural and economic growth. They

best in shopping, hotels, dining and enter-

ensure that pivotal projects are launched and

tainment, Uptown Houston is the one place

completed. Central Houston has worked

where you can have it all.

to achieve a high-quality and sustainable revitalization of Downtown Houston and the center of the city. Its accomplishments include reintroducing professional sports into Downtown and spearheading redevelopment of Buffalo Bayou.

Midtown Houston www.houstonmidtown.com

Houston.

Greater East End Management District www.greatereastend.com The Greater East End Management District provides services and conducts capital improvements throughout the 16 square miles of the District. Its many successes include beautification, public art and the Livable

Centers

Initiative.

Connecting

Midtown Houston is a model of urban

neighborhoods and business to transit, the

living in the center of Houston. Residents,

District’s grant-funded capital program will

businesses, and visitors enjoy a sustainable,

see $29 million in improvements through

walkable community with a thriving arts

2017.

and entertainment scene and green oases.

Since 2012, the area has experienced a 50% growth in population. Helping to make it all happen are the Midtown Redevelopment Authority and the Midtown Management District.

Texas Medical Center www.texasmedicalcenter.org Surrounded by Hermann Park, Rice University and the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center covers 1,345 acres, making

Houston Museum District Association www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org

it the 8th largest business district in the

With 19 museums, 4 walkable zones, and

tions work together to promote the highest

numerous amenities, visitors to the Museum

standards of patient care, research and

District can get inspiration every day.

education.

Upper Kirby District www.upperkirbydistrict.org

Rice Village District www.ricevilliagedistrict.com

Named for Kirby Drive, the Upper Kirby

Rice Village, a historic destination, is a

District is recognizable for its distinct red

highly productive shopping district that

street signs and iconic antique British phone

offers an eclectic mix of retailers, restaurants

booths. Located to the east of Greenway

and nightlife. It is the only authentic urban

country, right after Philadelphia and Seattle.

The Texas Medical Center member institu-

Plaza, north of West University and south

district in Houston and the District’s goal is

Houston First Corporation is leading the

of River Oaks, the district is home to many

to offer visitors and the local community a

effort to promote Houston as one of the

of Houston’s trendiest restaurants and most

unique, best-in-class and shopping, dining

great cities of the world. They operate the

fashionable shops.

experience. 

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57

in this section arts and culture parks & attractions calendar of events dining scene

Photo courtesy of GHCVB

58

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

– FA L L 2 0 1 7 / W I N T E R 2 0 1 8

LEISURE &

RECREATION When it comes to fun, Central Houston never rests.

There’s always something fun to do here – from enjoying festivals rooted in decades of tradition, to simply savoring a picnic in some of the largest city parks in the nation. And all the cultural riches are just minutes away.

Life is too short to just work; you gotta play

Greater Houston Convention and Visitors

(after Los Angeles) and in Houston, it’s very

too. And in vibrant Houston, fun activities

Bureau.

easy to enjoy a traditional Thai or Chinese

abound, with annual events such as the

meal, or treat yourself to a foot massage.

world’s largest rodeo, the nation’s largest

The website includes a visitor’s guide, inter-

renaissance festival and the country’s quirk-

active maps, coupons and discounts, and

Take the stage and hone your acting skills

iest event, the art car parade.

itinerary ideas. One of its most popular

or watch others command the stage at a

features is the Houston CityPass, which

dramatic production at the Queensbury

The city’s diverse personality shines through

provides admission to 5 of Houston’s top

Theatre. Laugh until you cry and be part

with buoyant events like the Chinese New

attractions at a substantial discount!

of the fun at Houston Improv, the city’s

Year, Cinco de Mayo, Juneteenth and

premier comedy club. Or take in one of the many galleries or show spaces.

that Houston doesn’t cherish its history,

AND IN HOUSTON, THE FUN CONTINUES.

but that’s not the case with traditions like

Part of the rich demographic diversity that is

Enjoying such a rich tapestry of activi-

the 80-year-old Azalea Trail and numerous

Houston, cultural centers and festivals cele-

ties and presentations takes fuel to keep

historic home tours. Plus, Houston’s rich

brating societies from around the world are

your energy up, and in Houston, you’re in

arts, theatre and restaurant scenes offer

everywhere. In Houston, you can take a hula

luck. Hundreds of restaurants, from small

exciting experiences every day.

class at Houston’s Hula Halou & Polynesian

mom-and-pop cafes to successful national

LGBT Pride Celebration. It’s often said

Dance studio or enjoy a performance of

franchises to one-of-a-kind culinary desti-

One of the best websites for finding out

traditional Indian dance at the Anjali Center

nations mean the dining scene is varied and

about special events in Houston is www.

for Performing Arts. Houston is home to the

wonderful. You’ll be sure to find something

visithouston.com, the official site of the

second largest Asian population in America

to eat that hits the spot. 

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59

ARTS &e

The theater district is an impressive cultural and entertainment center; features nine world renowned performing arts organizations, and many smaller ones, in four venues – Jones Hall, Wortham Theater Center, Alley Theatre and Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

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Photo courtesy of GHCVB

r u t l cu

THEATER Alley Theatre 615 Texas Ave., Houston, 77002 www.alleytheatre.org

Houston Grand Opera 510 Preston St., Houston, 77002 www.houstongrandopera.org

One of America’s leading not-for-profit theatres calls the Houston Theater District Home – The Alley Theatre. The Alley Theatre is nationally recognized for their performing arts company lead by Artistic Director Gregory Boyd and Managing Director Dean R. Gladden. Specializing in productions of the classics, modern plays and premieres, The Alley Theatre produces more performances than all other performing arts organizations in the Houston Theater District.

Adding to Houston’s rich cultural environ-

Bayou Place 500 Texas Ave., Houston, 77002 www.bayouplace.com Bayou Place is Houston’s premier destination for great food and good times. Popular venues such as the Revention Music Center and Sundance Cinemas are located here as well as many dining options – most popular is Houston’s own Hard Rock Café. This mosaic of entertainment options makes Bayou Place a prime spot for the Houston Theater District.

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts 800 Bagby St., Ste. 300 Houston, 77002 www.thehobbycenter.org The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts brings first-class entertainment and cultural enjoyment to Houstonians by way of the generosity of their donors. This arts complex is home to the Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS), and the Houston Broadway Series.

Houston Ballet 501 Texas Ave., Houston, 77002 www.houstonballet.org The Houston Ballet is a classically trained company with diverse repertory whose range includes the classics are well as contemporary works. This company attracts the world’s best dancers and choreographers.

The Houston Ballet also has a world class Academy where instruction levels vary from professional dancer to non-professional dancers.

ment, the Houston Grand Opera entertains with their innovative programs, community events and educational projects. Houston Grand Opera has a solid reputation for commissioning and producing new works, including 56 world premieres and seven American premieres since 1973. Stop in and visit and see why Houston Grand Opera has toured extensively, including trips to Europe and Asia, and is the only opera company to have won a Tony, two Grammy awards, and

Stages Repertory Theatre 3021 Allen Pkwy. Ste. 101, Houston, 77019 www.stagestheatre.com Stages Theatre is one of only two theatres in the region that offers year-round employment for actors, directors and additional staff.

Stages contributes much to the Houston community, including the availability of thrilling live performances. The Theatre produces daring and innovative plays focusing on new off-Broadway hits and world premieres.

Society for the Performing Arts 615 Louisiana St. Ste. 100, Houston, 77002 www.spahouston.org

two Emmy awards.

The Society for the Performing Arts is the Houston Symphony 615 Louisiana St. Ste. 102, Houston, 77002 www.houstonsymphony.org

largest nonprofit presenting organization of

The Houston Symphony’s mission is to

nationally acclaimed artists from the entire

“inspire and engage a large diverse audience

performing arts spectrum, and has been

in Greater Houston and beyond through

doing so for over 50 years.

exceptional

orchestral

and

non-orches-

tral performances, educational programs and community activities.”

By 2025, the

Houston Symphony aims to be one of

its kind in the entire Southwest region. SPA is renowned for delivering to Houston inter-

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) 800 Bagby, Ste. 200, Houston, TX 77002 www.tuts.com

America’s most relevant and accessible

A non-profit based in Houston, Texas,

top-ten orchestras.

Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS) offers a

Jones Hall 615 Louisiana St., Houston, 77002 www.houstonfirsttheaters.com

world –class musical theatre experience that ranges from full-scale Broadway productions to educational initiatives that extend beyond the stage and into the community. TUTS is

Jones Hall is a monument to the memory

equipped for actors and aficionados of all

of Jesse Holman Jones, an eminent figure

ages and abilities.

in Houston during the first half of the 20th Century. Today, Jones Hall is home to the Houston Symphony and the Society for the Performing Arts. More than 400,000 visitors attend some 250 events annually.

Main Street Theater 2450 Times Square Blvd., Houston 77005 333 S. Jensen, Houston, 77003 www.mainstreettheater.com Main Street Theater was founded in 1975 and has been opening doors for locals of all ages to engage in the performing arts. They offer classes for children and adults and hold performances by both local authors and established writers.

Wortham Theater Center 501 Texas Ave., Houston, 77002 www.houstonfirsttheaters.com Houston’s largest performing arts complex, is home to the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera and is partnered with Da Camera of Houston and Mercury the Orchestra Redefined. The Wortham Center features two theaters, the Alice and George Brown Theater at 2,405 seats used primarily for major performances and the Lillie and Roy Cullen Theater at 1,100 seat hosts smaller opera and ballet. Since its opening in 1987, Wortham has entertained more than 8 million people.

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L E I S U R E & R E C R E AT I O N

MUSEUMS Contemporary Arts Museum Houston 5216 Montrose Blvd., Houston, 77006 www.camh.org

Photo courtesy of The Art Car Museum

The Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston is an institution dedicated to presenting the best and most exciting international, national and regional art. Patrons of every age will appreciate the collections of work and dynamic exhibitions on display. CAMH is a nonprofit organization that relies on a variety of funding sources, including individual, government, and corporate, for its activities.

The Art Car Museum 140 Heights Blvd., Houston, 77007 www.artcarmuseum.com

The Health Museum 1515 Hermann Dr., Houston, 77004 www.thehealthmuseum.org

Otherwise known as the “Garage Mahal”,

The Health Museum is Houston’s most interactive science learning center and a member institution of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center. The Health Museum is the most visited health museum of its kind in the country. Popular exhibits include: DeBakey Cell Lab, Amazing Body Pavilion and the McGovern 4D Theater.

The Art Car Museum is dedicated to contemporary art. It is an exhibition forum for local, national and international arts with an emphasis on art cars, other fine arts and artists that rarely, if ever, are acknowledged by other cultural institutions. Most popular to Houstonians is the annual Art Car Parade.

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum 3816 Caroline St., Houston, TX 77004 www.buffalosoldiermuseum.com The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM) is proud to educate the public and preserve and promote the history, tradition and outstanding contributions of America’s Buffalo Soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the present. Here, you can find workshops, youth outreach programs and exhibits about the history of the Buffalo Soldiers and their service.

Children’s Museum of Houston 1500 Binz St., Houston, TX 77004 www.cmhouston.org A duck pond, playhouse, grocery store, Mexican village, puppet show and an infant play area are all under one roof. The fun-filled hands on experience at the Children’s Museum of Houston will not leave anyone bored. For nearly 30 years, the place for families to play, laugh, learn and grow.

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

The Houston Museum of Natural Science 5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, 77030 www.hmns.org As one of the most heavily attended museums in the United States, the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) seeks to enhance knowledge and delight in natural science and related subjects. It houses the Burke Baker Planetarium, Wortham GIANT Screen Theatre, Cockrell Butterfly Center and a fascinating variety of permanent exhibit areas that examine astronomy, space science, Native American culture, paleontology, energy, chemistry, gems and minerals, Texas wildlife and more. www. hmns.org Holocaust Museum Houston 5401 Caroline St., Houston, 77004 www.hmh.org The Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to educating people about the Holocaust, remembering the 6 million Jews and other innocent victims and honoring the survivors’ legacy. The Holocaust Museum

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Houston has a permanent exhibition called “Bearing Witness: A Community Remembers,” as well as other pieces of history.

The Menil Collection 1533 Sul Ross St., Houston, TX 77006 www.menil.org The Menil Collection is an art museum that houses both permanent collection and welcomes special exhibitions. Making art accessible to all is vital to their mission, so no admission fee is charged and all public programs are free. They hope to educate and inspire by being readily accessible to future generations. Menil philosophy is to foster each individual’s direct, personal encounter with works of art.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) 1001 Bissonnet, Houston, 77005 www.mfah.org The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents its exceptional exhibitions and installations to Houston residents and visitors alike. The Museum has numerous collections that fill the galleries year-round embracing every era of history from across the globe. Make time to visit the Bayou Bend Collection not too far away. From 2015 to 2019 the campus of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston will transform into a magnificent two new buildings. Children 12 and younger are always admitted free.

Blaffer Art Museum University of Houston 120 Fine Arts Bldg. Houston, 77204 www.blafferartmuseum.org Blaffer Art Museum helps the community to engage in contemporary art through exhibitions, publications and public programs.

This art museum is free, and open to the public in an effort to promote participation in the arts. Blaffer Art Museum is also the gateway between the University of Houston and the City of Houston.

PARKS &

ATTRACTIONS

Photo courtesy of Discovery Green Katya Horner, Photographer

CENTRAL HOUSTON PARKS Hermann Park - Right in the city’s center and tucked between the Texas Medical Center and the Museum District, 445-acre Hermann Park is one of Houston’s most visited public parks. And why not? There’s plenty to do. Take a ride on the railroad, play golf, stroll through the Japanese Gardens, go to the Houston Zoo, pedal-boat among the ducks, take in a free performance at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, visit the brand-new McGovern Centennial Gardens, or just relax in one of the prettiest parks in Houston. www.hermannpark.org Discovery Green - Discovery Green is a 12-acre park located in the heart of downtown Houston and is an engaging and active place with programming to serve all ages and backgrounds. Tree-shaded walks lead to a tranquil pond while grassy slopes offer postcard views of downtown. There’s a Model Boat Pond, a towering mist tree, the Gateway Fountain, an interactive waterscape and special dog fountains. Visitors relax amid innovative art installations and enjoy touring musicians and performing arts groups at noon and on weekends.

Memorial Park - Memorial Park is a magical combination of amenities and nature, recreation and respite. Centrally located, the park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. Enthusiasts can play golf, tennis or croquet; hike, bike or skate, swim, run or walk; or simply enjoy a picnic or a playground. Watch for exciting expansions and upgrades. www.memorialparkconservancy.org Buffalo Bayou Park - You can get the best of both worlds at Buffalo Bayou Park—a sensational city skyline and fresh outdoor scenery. Green trees and a killer skate park, a hilly biking and jogging trail, and the fountain that looks like a misty dandelion make Buffalo Bayou Park a great destination. www.buffalobayoupark.org HOUSTONNEWCOMERGUIDES.COM

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HOUSTON & SURROUNDING AREA ATTRACTIONS Asia Society www.asiasociety.org Asia Society is the leading educational organization dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and strengthening partnerships among people, leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context. Across the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, the Society provides

insight,

generates

ideas,

and

promotes collaboration to address present challenges and create a shared future.

Battleship Texas and San Jacinto Monument Museum 281-479-2431 Battleship Texas is anchored at the 1,200acre San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site where visitors can experience history first-hand. The only surviving combat ship to have served in both World Wars, the Battleship Texas became the first memorial museum of its kind in the United States and is permanently anchored on the Houston Ship Channel. The Battleship Texas program provides many recreational and educational experiences for visitors as well as numerous programs and self-guided tours. Site of the battle that won Texas independence from Mexico - The San Jacinto Monument, the world’s largest masonry structure, invites visitors to learn about events that shaped Texas history.

Central Green www.willowforkdrainagedistrict.com/ central-green Free outdoor movies, concerts and special events such as an annual children’s festival are offered year-round at this half-acre multipurpose park, surrounded by lakes and restaurants in LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch.

Developed by the Willow Fork Drainage District, Central Green has an outdoor stage, large shady oaks, and outdoor seating around a grassy lawn.

Downtown Aquarium www. aquariumrestaurants.com The aquarium also has plenty of land-side attractions, including Ferris wheel rides and a rain forest with colorful birds. Take a walk through the Sunken Temple and come face-to-face with lionfish, tarantulas, and pufferfish. You can even see a Tiger Reticulated Python that is over 20 feet long! Don’t miss the Louisiana Swamp, with gators, alligator snapping turtles and spotted gar!

Downtown Aquarium is also home to white tigers that live in their Maharaja’s Temple exhibit. Not only can you see the tigers up close, you can also learn about the Aquarium’s conservation efforts to help other tigers in the wild.

The Galleria Houston www.simon.com/mall/the-galleria More than 30 million visitors each year seek the dynamic and fine shopping environment uniquely offered by The Galleria, Texas’ largest shopping center. Housing 400 fine stores and restaurants, two high-rise hotels and three office towers, The Galleria is Houston’s most popular retail and tourist destination, meeting every style and taste. It includes a full-size ice rink for recreational and figure skating, a state of the art children’s play area, two swimming pools, and many eateries and dining options. For a list of stores, map and more.

George Ranch Historical Park www.georgeranch.org Located on a 20,000-acre working ranch, this 460-acre living history park includes

historic homes, costumed interpreters and livestock. Tracing history that began in 1824, it is open daily. Special events such as the Texian Market Days Festival and Spring Break activities are offered year round.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center www.houstonarboretum.org Nestled along the western edge of Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and the opportunity to experience the natural world – all in the center of town. Visitors can explore nature by walking on five miles of trails, take classes and visit the Discovery Room and the Nature Shop at the Nature Shop.

Houston Center for Photography www.hcponline.org The Houston Center for Photography is an organization dedicated to the art of photography. Their exhibition gallery is free to the public, and features some of the finest works of contemporary photography. HCP also offers over 300 photography classes and workshops year-round.

Houston Zoo 713-533-6500 • www.houstonzoo.org.

Aiming to be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife, The Houston Zoo cares for over 6,000 animals, even educating some. Each year, over 2 million guests are enchanted, educated, and inspired as they experience the incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment.

With exemplary animal care in mind, the Zoo provides engaging animal experiences for visitors in multiple seasonal and permanent attractions, like holiday Zoo Lights

SCHLITTERBAHN GALVESTON ISLAND WATERPARK www.schlitterbahn.com

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

The nation’s most popular summertime waterpark, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island has grown to become a beloved family tradition. Guests can pack a picnic and enjoy exciting aquatic adventures. During the summer season, the park offers over 35 amazing rides and attractions.

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and the new Gorillas of the African Forest exhibit. The Houston Zoo is open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 6200 Hermann Park Drive.

Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark www. houstonparksboard.org The Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark is the creme de la creme of the grinding and boarding world. The $2.2 million, stateof-the-art facility - thought to contain the largest cradle in the world - is located close to downtown, near Eleanor Tinsley Park off the Sabine Street Bridge. Parking available at Fonde Recreation Center.

McGovern Centennial Gardens www.hermannpark.org The McGovern Centennial Gardens is home to a diverse collection of gardens including an arid garden, a rose garden, a woodland garden, an interactive family garden and more. Guest can get a bird’s-eye view of it all by waking the spiral path to the top of a 30-foot mount.

Moody Gardens www.moodygardens.org • 800-582-4673.

Sam Houston Race Park www.shrp.com

Tour Katy’s own craft brewery, No Label Brewing Co., located in a repurposed rice silo in Old Town Katy. Tours and tastings are offered every Saturday, and special events take place throughout the year.

Sam Houston Race Park is one of Houston’s

Port of Houston Boat Tour 713-670-2416

premier racing, dining and entertainment destinations, located just 15 minutes from Downtown. Sam Houston Race Park has a variety of exciting sports and entertainment in addition to live horse racing. The Park features two major racing seasons – Thoroughbred Season (January through March)

The Port of Houston offers free a 90-minute round-trip, educational cruise along the Houston Ship Channel. Embarking from the port’s Sam Houston Landing, visiting sightseers can enjoy passing views of international cargo vessels, and operations at the port’s Turning Basin Terminal. Measuring 95 feet in length and 24 feet in width, the boat carries a maximum capacity of 100 passengers, with air-conditioned lounge seating and additional standing room on the boat’s rear deck.

and Quarter Horse Season (March through

Space Center Houston www.spacecenter.org

a “horseshoe of running water” - sits among

May).

The water Wall Galleria www.uptown-houston.com/news/page/ water-wall-park Designed by architect Philip Johnson more than 20 years ago, the Galleria-area Water Wall offers a refreshing respite for visitors seeking a mid-afternoon break.

The 64-foot-tall fountain - built to look like 186 oak trees at the base of the 64-story Williams Tower.

Space Center Houston is the visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is Houston’s No. 1 attraction for international visitors. The center features more than 400 space artifacts, permanent and traveling exhibits, attractions and theaters related to the exciting future and remarkable past of America’s space-flight program. Space Center Houston’s newest feature Independence Plaza is open to the public, where guests can enter a shuttle replica mounted on top the NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft and explore the giant plane.

Urban Harvest Farmers Market www.urbanharvest.org • 713-880-5540 Urban Harvest Farmers Market, the largest of Houston’s weekly markets at 3000 Richmond Texas, takes place every Saturday on Eastside Drive and offers a variety of local products--fruits, vegetables, coffee, meats, honey, eggs and more. There are weekly events ranging from live music and culinary demonstrations in which local products at the market are used.

Photos courtesy of GHCVB

A tropical destination for families and groups. Explore the all new Rainforests of the World along within the Aquarium Pyramid®, the Discovery Museum & the action of the IMAX® 3D, 4D or Ridefilm theaters. Cruise aboard the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat, tee off at the new Moody Gardens Golf Course and relax at the Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center for an ideal getaway.

No Label Brewery www.nolabelbrew.com

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SPORTS & GOLF

Photos courtesy of GHCVB

Houston offers a wide variety of sports and recreational activities to please everyone: couch potatoes, weekend warriors, full-on athletes and die-hard fans love the Houston sports scenes. With year-round mild temperatures, getting up and getting out has become a way of life.

Photo courtesy of Houston Rockets - Noah Graham NBAE/Getty Images 66

CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

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HOUSTON PROUD Major events in Houston require tens of thousands of volunteers who take on a variety of jobs and responsibilities to make the event Houston Proud. More than 33,000 individuals serving on over 100 committees form the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo volunteer corps, giving more than 2.1 million total hours. The biggest volunteer program in Super Bowl history took place in Houston in 2017, where 10,000 volunteers assisted over a million visitors to the city for Super Bowl LI.

PROFESSIONAL SPORT TEAMS The Houston Texans www.houstontexans.com Football is huge in Texas and the Texans are huge in Houston. In their 16th season, this NFL professional team are the 2011, 2012 and 2015 AFC South Division Champions.

Head coach Bill O’Brien and owner Bob McNair have put together an exciting roster that includes fan favorites, like J.J. Watt, and new up-and-comers, like Deshaun Watson.

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Sunday football is celebrated in NRG stadium cheering on the team, tailgating with friends in the parking lot before and after the game and at many sports bars around town.

The Houston Astros www.houston.astros.mlb.com Part of the West Division of Major League Baseball’s American League, the Houston Astros are on a roll. Currently the winningest team in baseball, the team and its fans are having a lot of fun. Playing in Minute Maid Park, one of the country’s few stadiums with a retractable roof, the team serves up entertaining baseball action at home about 80 times over the course of the season. Fans enjoy gourmet hot dogs, pork sliders, tex-mex fare and many other delectable choices while enjoying the game.

The Houston Rockets www.houstonrockets.com The Houston Rockets are the city’s professional National Basketball Association

team playing in the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. Two-time world basketball champions, the Rockets are regular challengers in playoff action and always provide exciting end-to-end action in the Toyota Center. Many star players have passed through the team’s roster over its almost-fifty-year history and now James Hardin, Chris Paul and the rest have launched the Rockets back into competitive contention.

The Houston Dynamo www.houstondynamo.com Founded in 2005, the Dynamo is Houston’s Major League Soccer Team. The team name is reflective, in part, of Houston: an

energetic,

hard-working,

risk-taking

kind of town. 2006 and 2007 MLS Champions, fans have lots to cheer about as this team continues to rank well both at home and internationally. The Dynamo play in BBVA Compass Stadium, an architecturally acclaimed venue, located east of downtown.

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CALENDAR of EVENTS

Photo courtesy of GHCVB

HOUSTON EVENTS YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS

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OC T OBE R The Original Greek Festival Greekfestival.org Visit the Annual Houston Greek Festival on the grounds of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral. Enjoy Greek food, wine, dancing and culture – this is fun for the entire family.

Bayou City Art Festival Downtown Artcolonyassociation.org The Bayou City Art Festival Downtown welcomes more than 400 artists to one of the nation’s top ten annual outdoor fine art events. Find online searching #HouArtFest.

Energy Day Festival Energydayfestival.org An official City of Houston event, Energy Day is a FREE, family-friendly festival that celebrates the importance of energy and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in our daily lives.

NO VE M BE R 21st Annual Children’s Festival Woodlandscenter.org Taking place at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, the 21st Annual Children’s Festival is fun and enjoyment for all. Entertainment spans from local community performances to awarding-winning children’s performers.

HGMS Gem, Jewelry, Mineral & Fossil Show www.hgms.org The Houston Gem and Mineral Society will hold its annual celebration of rocks, showcasing unique jewelry and other earthly

delights. See demonstrations, educational exhibits and one-of-a-kind treasures.

board of directors, eleven staff members and approximately 7,500 race day volunteers.

Nutcracker Market Houstonballet.org

24rd Annual MLK Grande Parade Mlkgrandeparade.org

Be a part of Houston Ballet’s largest fundraiser and holiday extravaganza. Over 300 national and international merchants, offering unique items for the entire family, including home décor, gourmet food, apparel, accessories, toys, garden items, and much more, just in time for holiday shopping!

D E CEMB ER 98th Annual Mayor’s Holiday Celebration houstontx.gov Celebrate the holiday season with the 98th Annual Mayor’s Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting Presented by Reliant, an NRG Company. This event is free and open to the public.

The Heritage Society’s Annual Candlelight Tour December 10-11, 2016 heritagesociety.org Join the Heritage Society’s annual holiday tradition, the Candlelight Tour. This will include historic characters, Santa Claus and much more holiday entertainment.

J ANUA RY Chevron Houston Marathon Chevronhoustonmarathon.com Formed in 1972, the Houston Marathon Committee, Inc. (HMC) is a 501(c) (4) nonprofit organization that plans a multi-race running event (marathon, half marathon and 5K). A Running USA founding member the HMC is overseen by a

The 23rd Annual MLK Grande Parade is the third largest Parade in the U.S. with over 300,000 spectators expected to attend. The Parade consist of 15 floats and 30 marching bands.

FRB RUA RY NAPE Summit Napeexpo.com Held every February in Houston, the annual NAPE Summit is a networking event that brings together all the players necessary to forge, facilitate and close deals. In the upstream oil and gas business, it is the largest and most successful event of its kind in the world.

Mardi Gras Galveston Island www.mardigrasgalveston.com More than 3 million beads will be thrown at Mardi Gras Galveston and that’s just the beginning of the elaborate parades, headliner performances, family events, feasting and other festivities that come with hosting Mardi Gras island style!

MA RCH World Champion Bar-B-Que Cook Off rodeohouston.com You won’t want to miss the biggest pre-party to the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo. More than 250 teams led by barbecue aficionados will compete in a traditional Texas cook-off. Come enjoy three days of cooking, competition, eating and dancing! www.rodeohouston.com

MARCH: Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo www.rodeohouston.com The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a Section 501(c)(3) charity that benefits youth, supports education, and facilitates better agricultural practices through exhibitions and presentation. Since its beginning in 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has committed nearly $375 million to scholarships, research, endowments, calf scramble participants, junior show exhibitors, School Art participants, and other educational youth programs.

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e s r e v i D DINING SCENE HOUSTON’S

Houston is “America’s Best Food City,” taking the No. 1 spot on a list published by Travel and Leisure magazine in 2016. While there are some notable exceptions, the vast majority of H-Town’s acclaimed eateries are located in Central Houston, including Travel & Leisure standouts Revival Market, Dak and Bop, Lankford Grocery and Little Bigs.

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DI NI NG G U I D E Americas River Oaks 2040 West Gray Street • 832-200-1492 Cuisine: South American Americas River Oaks presents exuberant dishes from multiple countries of Latin America in their own unique way. Instead of preparing the exact dish, they instead pay tribute to the ingredients by preparing them in both classic and modern ways.

Brasserie 19 1962 West Gray Street • 713-524-1919 Cuisine: French / New American Brasserie 19 has a claim to fame, touting one of the Houston area’s best wine lists available. With a beautiful crisp white interior and fresh patio scene, many patrons in the River Oaks area can be found at Brasserie 19 partaking in fresh French foods.

Brenner’s on the Bayou 1 Birdsall Street • 713-868-4444 Cuisine: American / Steak House A dining experience at Brenner’s on the Bayou will truly be a memorable one.

Brenner’s on the Bayou is a wooded retreat located on Houston’s Buffalo Bayou near Memorial Park. Enjoy steak or seafood and dabble through their extensive wine or cocktail menu.

Da Marco 1520 Westheimer Road • 713-807-8857 Cuisine: Italian Da Marco Cucina E Vino is a fine Italian restaurant located on the skirts of the downtown area, nestled close by the Montrose district. Be sure to go enjoy their fine dining and superb wine list while noshing on some

Hugo’s 1602 Westheimer • 713-524-7744 Cuisine: Mexican

Oxheart 1302 Nance St • 832-830-8592 Cuisine: New American

Located in the heart of Houston’s Montrose area, Hugo’s brings the exciting earthy flavors of Mexico across the boarder. Executive Chef Hugo Ortega created a restaurant using his namesake to share traditional Mexican dishes and foods of his homeland with all his guests.

Owned by native Houstonians, the Oxheart celebrates Texas by serving foods with the best ingredients prepared in the most creative ways. Oxheart is a restaurant with a homey atmosphere where guests can just come eat, drink and relax.

Indika 516 Westheimer Road • 713-524-2170 Cuisine: Indian Indika has been serving Houstonians for 15 years with India inspired foods using local ingredients. Also, honored by Travel + Leisure as one of the “Best Indian Restaurants in the U.S.” Indika is definitely a must-try restaurant for those new to the area.

The Reef is a place to dine where you can enjoy some of the best in seafood that Houston has to offer. Their outstanding array of seafood will please all along with their wine list that was honors by Wine Enthusiast as one of the “Top 100 Wine Lists Not to be Missed for 2016”.

Ibiza 2450 Louisiana St • 713-524-0004 Cuisine: Wine Bars, American

Uchi 904 Westheimer • 713-522-4808 Cuisine: Japanese

Chef Charles Clark and his team serve up some of the best culinary delights to crowds that visit the bustling restaurant with an open kitchen and party-like atmosphere.

With many accolades from Zagat, be sure to stop in and taste the fresh and unique dishes.

Uchi serves contemporary Japanese dishes and sushi to diners from a signature menu that offers both hot and cool tastings, yakimono, tempura and sushi. Come and enjoy Japanese dishes that all guests will enjoy as well as the experience at Uchi restaurant.

KIM SON Restaurant 2001 Jefferson St • 713-222-2461 Cuisine: Vietnamese & Chinese

Underbelly 1100 Westheimer • 713-528-9800 Cuisine: American

KIM SON has been honored repetitively for their fine dishes prepared in both Vietnamese and Chinese fashion. Using the freshet of ingredients, KIM SON restaurants is proud to serve dishes that are distinctive to their homeland. The restaurant group has banquet and wedding facilities as well as catering options available.

Underbelly has taken traditional creole flavors and merged them with the diverse cultures of local ingredients, celebrating the fact that Houston is considered a port city.

Stop in and experience some of the most acclaimed food Houston has been talking about and see what all the buzz is.

of Italy’s best dishes.

El Tiempo Cantina 5602 Washington Avenue • 713-681-3645 Cuisine: Mexican For the past 55 years, El Tiempo Cantina has been serving up some the best authentic Tex Mex cooking to local Houstonians. All the food is made from scratch using recipes that go back generations in their family.

Reef 2600 Travis • 713-526-8282 Cuisine: Seafood

Le Colonial 4444 Westheimer Rd • 713-629-4444 Cuisine: Vietnamese, French, Contemporary Asian Le Colonial is a celebration of the seductive spirit and vivid flavors of 1920’s French Colonial Southeast Asia, located in the heart of one of America’s largest and most diverse cities.

Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse 1510 Texas Avenue • 713-228-1111 Cuisine: American Located in the heart of downtown Houston, Vic & Anthony’s award-winning menu prepares impeccable cuisine and has the best of service for fine steakhouse dining. Their menu features USDA Prime Midwest grain fed beef, fresh seafood and fine desserts, not to mention their extensive wine collection.

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ad index APARTMENT LOCATORS

HOTELS

Apartment Living Locators................................................ 21 CHURCHES

Houston’s First Baptist Church........................................... 48 The Church of St. John the Divine.................................... 49 EDUCATION - PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Houston Christian High School......................................... 42 Memorial Lutheran School................................................ 43 Primrose School of Upper Kirby........................................ 44

Hotel Alessandra............................................................... 11 REAL ESTATE & RELOCATION SERVICES

Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Gary Greene ..................................................................... 27 Busy Bee Realty – Melissa Seureau.................................. 17 HAR .................................................................................... 13 Innovative Realty Group.................................................. 21

St. Francis Episcopal School............................................. 45

RECREATION

St. Michael Catholic School............................................. 46

Houston Rockets................................................................ 67

HEALTHCARE

Schlitterbahn ....................................................................... 5

Houston Methodist Hospital System................................... 1

Texas Renaissance Festival...................Inside Back Cover

Memorial Hermann........................................................... 53 UT Physicians...................................................................... 51

TRANSPORTATION

My Plates............................................................................ 19

HOME BUILDERS

Kingston Homes................................................................... 3 Röhe and Wright Builders....................... Inside Front Cover

UTILITIES

Comcast / XFINITY.........................35/Outside Back Cover

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CENTRAL HOUSTON NEWCOMER GUIDE

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