What are some of the disadvantages of living in Houston?
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Even those who have lived in Texas their entire lives can admit that the great state of Texas has some flaws. The food is so delicious that being overweight is practically unavoidable, the sheer number of breathtaking natural wonders is overwhelming, and we’re all stuck here because every other state stinks.
Any location has drawbacks, and how you weigh them is entirely personal. Overall, Houston is large enough to have a diverse population and economy, and few directions have significant impediments to growth, such as mountain ranges or challenging river crossings, so it remains more affordable than most cities of its size and diversity.
The city is fantastic, with a diverse population and friendly people. The weather is a disadvantage of living here. Summers can be sweltering (around 110F), and we get a lot of rain in some seasons. We also get a lot of flooding, which can be devastating. Winters can be cold, but most of the time, the weather is pleasant. So, if you want to relocate here, ensure adequate insurance in case of flooding, tornadoes, or hurricanes.
If you want to relocate to Houston, you will likely be pitched Friendswood, The Woodlands, Katy, Clear Lake, and other nearby communities. These are beautiful places to raise a family, but you can easily spend two hours one way during peak commute times. Unlike New York or Chicago, Houston does not have a mass transit system that goes to where most of the population lives. You must carefully consider where you want to live and where you will work. This is true everywhere, particularly in Houston.
Traffic
Houston is a fantastic city. The two most significant disadvantages are most likely traffic and climate. The city’s traffic has worsened in recent years as it has risen to become the fastest-growing city in the United States (Forbes 2015). The infrastructure is still catching up and will be for many years. Most major freeways are undergoing construction, so construction delays compound traffic congestion. It’s not so bad if you live inside the loop.
The Climate
Climate is another consideration. Summers can be sweltering, with a high humidity level, making a 20-minute jog almost unbearable. Smog (Houston is ranked #6 in the US) and the land here being very flat are two minor drawbacks. Houston is probably not for you if you enjoy mountains and hills.
For five months of the year, it is hotter than hell and humid. You can get used to it. And you should if you plan to spend a lot of time outside. Remember that Houston has six months out of the year. It also has about a month of what-the-hell weather, including hurricanes, snowstorms, ice storms, and floods. I’ve never seen thundersnow in Houston.
It’s hot and muggy for what feels like an entire year at times, “Briggs adds. “Air conditioning is not only a convenience but also a lifesaving device. Hurricanes and tornadoes are two reasons why you should not relocate to Houston.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes and tropical storms hit Houston regularly. Low-storm flood damage can sometimes be worse than hurricane damage. Parts of Houston flood every few years due to these storms, up to several feet into homes. Wind damage can include shingles and roofs being ripped off, trees falling and cutting through houses, and power outages lasting more than a week. (After Hurricane Ike, I had a nine-day power outage.) People who have lived in the south their entire lives know how to survive hurricanes, and the most astute will buy a home in the city’s higher areas (basically to the northwest) so they don’t get flooded as frequently. The hurricane winds are less than that of places closer to the coast.
Meat Smell
Also, if you’re a vegetarian or vegan, DO NOT MOVE TO HOUSTON.
If you’re a vegan, Bayou City might not be your place. While there are plenty of steakhouses and barbecue joints, vegan restaurants are hard to come by. This city is crazy about meat, and if you stay there long enough, you’ll develop meat sweats.
Comcast
Comcast, according to WATB, is an expensive global telecommunications conglomerate that is terrible to their customers and employees and charges customers double for a deposit. It’s one of your only internet options and arguably one of the worst corporations ever.
Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are so bad in Houston that the city sends bug spray trucks around to keep them at bay. Because of Houston’s climate, the city is home to a variety of creatures that some people may find repulsive, including spiders, fire ants, wasps, mosquitoes, gnats, and roaches. Houston is home to all four venomous snake species in the United States, including the coral, water moccasin, copperhead, and rattlesnake. However, I have only seen the coral snake. The most common snakes encountered are the comparatively harmless Texas rat snake and the diminutive earth snake (of which you probably have half a dozen or more on your property unknowingly). Cougar sightings have been reported in the Addicks Reservoir, a 25-square-mile area in far west Houston.
Taxes
Houston’s sales and property taxes are excessive. The good news is that Texas does not have a state income tax.
The expansion of the city
Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States and is so large that getting around can be difficult.” Houstonians look for work close to home because no one wants to commute to and from work two hours per day.
The rush hour lasts two hours. During lunchtime, some areas of town experience a rush hour. The city is so spread out and dispersed in population that public transportation is insufficient, as there is no bus service on the fringes, and cross-town routes are non-existent. Traveling a considerable distance across Houston can often take up to 2 hours one way. I used to have a 30-minute one-way commute. When my vehicle was in the shop, the bus commute (which required two route changes) took two hours. The once-a-year rodeo trail rides can cause significant traffic congestion on the days they enter the city for the rodeo. Flooded streets are the result of numerous cloudbursts.
There is no zoning.
Houston has its agenda when it comes to zoning. You can buy your dream home, and two years later, a 14-story office building will be built behind you.
Public transportation
Houston’s public transportation system requires improvement. The only way to survive in Houston if you don’t have a car is to work from home and have an Amazon Prime account.
Houston has terrible bus service, and our light rail mostly runs on the street, where it is limited in speed. You must have a car if you live in the suburbs. There are few cross-town bus routes, and buses on the outer roads may only run once or twice an hour. Getting to work when you have to change buses twice or more can take up to two hours. If I trespass on railroad right-of-way, the nearest bus route to my house is at least a 30-minute walk away. Getting there legally, which I would do, adds 30 minutes.
Dating experience
In Houston, dating is skewed in favor of men. “The gender ratio is three women for every one man. Because there aren’t enough options, men appear more attractive than they are.
You’ll need a car.
Get a car you enjoy because you’ll spend a lot of time in it. Briggs deducts points not only for Houston’s lack of walkability but also for its traffic congestion. You can get anywhere in 30 minutes, an hour and a half away from traffic. There will always be traffic unless you travel between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m.
The Houston metropolitan area spans approximately 70 miles. It can be time-consuming to get around and allow about 50% more time than Google Maps Directions suggests, just in case of a traffic accident or construction. If you run more than one errand after lunch, you might as well call it an afternoon because you will almost certainly get caught up in the rush hour that begins around 4:00 p.m. “Just around the corner” denotes a minimum of a 15-minute drive.
Video
15 Reasons NOT to Relocate to Houston, Texas – Are you relocating or moving to Houston, Texas? So, these 15 reasons may make your decision a little more complicated, or will they?
In this video, I discuss my move to Houston, Texas, and what it’s like to live here, as well as some of the things I wish I had known before moving here.
After all, I’d like to state unequivocally that I enjoy living in Houston. You can get almost anything you need here, whereas if you lived in a smaller city, you’d have to frequently travel to cities the size of Houston. We have fine arts, quality museums, an aquarium, NASA, most major sports, a great rodeo, great shopping, and a thriving restaurant and club scene. If you can get over your dislikes, you might like it here.
