Houston remains America’s Space City

Houston has had many nicknames through the years. It’s been "Bayou City," "Magnolia City," "Ozone City," "H-Town," and "Hustle Town," among others.

Houston was nicknamed "Space City" in 1967 when it became the home of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This is the nickname most people are familiar with. In fact, "Houston" was the code name astronauts used when communicating with NASA from space.

NASA and space exploration became what Houston is known for. In 1961, the space agency established its base in the Houston suburb of Clear Lake. At that time there were just over 6,500 people living in the community. People moving to Houston set their sights on Clear Lake, which led the population to skyrocket (pun intended) to 45,000 in the late 1960s. Aside from NASA, 125 other major companies are located in the surrounding area. Today, Clear Lake has around 141,000 permanent residents.

The Apollo II moon landing

Marking the 50th anniversary of the Apollo II moon landing on July 20, 2019, Houston celebrated with tons of activities, many space-themed, in music, film, art, and virtual reality.

• At the Space Center Houston, the Apollo Mission Control Center was recreated to the way it was in the 1960s, right down to the illuminated consoles. Experts shared their memories and experiences during the Apollo era during lunch with guests.
• The Houston Museum of Natural Science showcased Moon Mission Tours in the Expedition Center. It featured a spacecraft simulator that allowed people to experience the feeling of being up in space.
• During the entire month of July, the George Observatory telescopes pointed to the moon every evening, from 7:30 to10:00. The Moon-Gazing Special Event offered guests a view of the Apollo landing site, lunar plains, craters, mountain ranges, cliffs, and other features of the lunar surface.

There’s more to living in Houston

While NASA is important to the city, it’s not the only reason people enjoy living in Houston.

• There are acres and acres of parks and outdoor space, where one can hike, bike, jog, listen to music, catch a movie, and so much more.
• Houston is the home of the Astros (Major League Baseball), Rockets (National Basketball Association), Texans (National Football League), and Dynamo (Major League Soccer).
• Don’t forget the famous Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, the Houston Zoo, Kemah Boardwalk, and the Downtown Aquarium.

There is no reason for people living in Houston to be bored.

Moving to Houston

The cost of living in Houston, TX, is reasonable compared to other areas of the country. Interestingly, there are almost as many renters as there are homeowners in Houston, which is higher than most areas.

Elsewhere, the cost of living is slightly lower than in other areas of the US. The only area where Houston is slightly higher than the national average is transportation.

As to where to settle down, there is no shortage of ideal neighborhoods you can happily call home. Some of Houston’s best suburbs are listed below.

• The Woodlands is a 27,000-acre master-planned community known for its diversity, affordability, great schools, growing number of local job opportunities, and the value it puts on green space and the environment.
• Spring is one of the most diverse suburbs in Texas. Located in Montgomery County, it is favored by families and young professionals, most of whom own their own homes. Parks and tourist magnets like the charming Old Town Spring shopping area make the town a good place to call home
• Cypress has some of the best master-planned communities in Houston, with major companies providing employment opportunities. It has been cited for being a great place to start a new career and ideal for recent college grads.
• Tomball functions as a commercial center for a large portion of Houston’s expanding northwest quarter. It has a strong economy, top-rated schools, and extensive real estate options, from new construction homes to properties in horse subdivisions.
• Magnolia in southwest Montgomery County is one of the fastest growing communities in the US. A new tollway and the arrival of major corporations promise to make it even more desirable than it already it is. Magnolia also earned the title, “Community of Unity,” because residents came together to support neighbors and firefighters during the 2011 Tri-County wildfires.

When all is said and done, however, one of the absolute best things about living in Houston are the Houstonians themselves.

They stick together when times get tough. They’re friendly, kind, and welcoming. And it doesn’t get better than that.

If you’re thinking of moving to Houston and experiencing one of America’s best large cities when it comes to restaurants, attractions, and cultural hot spots, get in touch with Jenna D’Amico. She’ll help you identify the best real estate options in the city. Call 832.381.4121 or send an email to jenna(at)jennadamico(dotted)com today!