Houston is known around the world as the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center and, of course, Mission Control. But there’s much more to Houston, and this global city is known to be one of the cultural and economic centers of Texas. With a diverse population, superb entertainment and job opportunities across a spectrum of sectors, there’s plenty to love about H-Town.
Here are nine things to know about Houston before moving here:
1. How big is Houston?
Houston is the eighth-largest city in the US and the largest in Texas by land area, with a surface spanning over 600 square miles. Houston is twice as large by land area as Austin or Dallas, and it’s also one of the most populous cities in the country. The wider metropolitan area, Houston–The Woodlands–Sugar Land, covers just over 10,000 square miles and also includes the city of Katy — pleasant suburbs can be found in many locations here.
2. What’s the weather like in Houston?
Located near the Gulf Coast, Houston has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, wet summers and mild, dry winters. August is usually the warmest month, while January is the coldest. The city averages only 18 days per year with temperatures of 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less and 100 days with temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. So, the weather allows for outdoor activities throughout the entire year – and self storage can help by providing extra space for the city’s residents to store their sports and camping equipment.
When it comes to storing other, more fragile belongings, such as antiques, artworks, expensive furniture and so on, residents should consider renting climate-controlled self storage units in Houston, which will protect their belongings from summertime heat and humidity.
3. What’s the job market like in Houston?
Houston is an economic powerhouse known for its oil and natural gas industries. However, a remarkably diverse array of sectors thrive in the city, including aeronautics, biomedical research, technology and transportation. Houston is home to more than 40 companies from the Fortune 1000 ranking, second only to NYC. Its Texas Medical Center is the largest medical complex in the world, and Houston Port’s busy shipping channels provide access to markets across the globe.
This bustling economic environment creates the need for storage space for companies big and small, both short- and long-term. Medical companies use climate-controlled self storage in Houston to keep their records in a secure environment, and construction firms can keep tools and equipment in units near construction sites, reducing the need for costly transportation. With a strong art scene in the city, local artists can also benefit from renting a storage unit — ideal for supplies and works in progress.
4. Universities and college life in Houston
There are over 30 higher education institutions in Houston, including the University of Texas, Rice University, Texas Southern University, University of St. Thomas and The Art Institute of Houston. The tens of thousands of students living in the city can make great use of self storage. Not only can storage units in Houston help them keep small apartments and dorms clutter-free, but they’re also an ideal place to store belongings over the summer break.
5. Outdoor recreation in Houston, including RV-ing
From biking to surfing at Surfside Beach or golfing on one of the city’s many courses, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor entertainment in Houston. However, all these activities – particularly the water sports prevalent in the area – require gear and equipment. Instead of cluttering your home or your garage, you could simply store your outdoor sports gear in a self storage unit in Houston. If you’re an avid RVer, as many Texans are, you can park your vehicle at a local facility that provides such storage.
6. How self storage helps you move to Houston
More people relocate to Texas from California than from any other US state. On average, it’ll cost around $3,700-$4,100 to move with a professional moving company. To keep costs down, you can take care of the moving process yourself, perhaps enlisting family or friends. However, this can be stressful, and valuable items may be safer in the hands of professionals.
Whether hiring pros or doing it yourself, renting a storage unit in Houston can make the entire moving process smoother. As well as offering flexibility, self storage allows you to move into your new home at your own pace. You can send your belongings ahead of your arrival in Houston to be placed in a storage unit so that you can concentrate on moving alone. Then you can gradually retrieve them from your storage unit at your own pace after you’re moved into your new home. Additionally, it’s worth considering renting your unit long-term as it can help keep your home clutter-free.
7. Housing in Houston
The local housing market is composed of multifamily and single family units in almost equal proportions. Houston is a renter-friendly city, with almost 60% of the housing units being renter occupied.
If you’re a renter and you choose to live in the Houston Loop, Montrose, East Downtown, The Heights or Eastwood to enjoy proximity to work and other city amenities, you could also use self storage to make the most of your living experience. Especially with apartments offering less storage space than single family homes, accessing additional storage outside of the home is vital. Fortunately, the numerous storage units in Houston provide a place to store belongings that could otherwise clutter up your apartment.
Neighborhoods such as Kingwood, Clear Lake and Meyerland offer plenty of options for people looking to live in a single-family home. Even though there is definitely more living and storage space in a house, belongings tend to still take hold of your home. To get it under control, you can turn to self storage. Keep seasonal and bulky items in a storage unit, retrieving them when you’re ready to use them again.
Moreover, should you consider home remodeling, you can also consider renting a self storage unit. This will ease the flow of the project, as belongings pertaining to the room(s) you’re working on can stay in a storage unit until the renovation is complete. Additionally, whether you’re downsizing or forming a multi-generational household – with your extended family sharing the same roof – self storage can come to the rescue. Additional appliances, furniture and family heirlooms can stay in storage until you can use them again.
8. Is Houston a good place to live?
As the most populated city in Texas, Houston boasts a great quality of life and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s not surprising that people from other cities are flocking to Space City. Here are some of the most common moving routes to Houston:
Moving to Houston from Dallas
Dallas has a lot going on for it, but Houston is a much bigger city. When you make the swap, you still get to enjoy living in Texas, but with more perks. The city’s booming job market offers plenty of career opportunities, and entertainment venues make Houston an attractive city.
Moving to Houston from NYC
When you leave NYC behind for Houston, there’s so much to gain: While you still get to enjoy big-city amenities, living in Space City is a lot easier on your wallet than doing so in the Big Apple. Additionally, the city is family-friendly. There are plenty of neighborhoods that are great for raising children that also have good schools.
9. What are the self storage options in Houston, Texas?
The self storage market in Houston is one of the most prominent ones in the country, thanks to the increased activity it records. Houston boasts an inventory of 26M sq. ft., spread out among facilities, based on data from Yardi Matrix
Moreover, you can choose from various self storage unit sizes. If you’re looking for small units, a 5’x5’ or a 5’x10’ unit would probably do. While most people rent a 10’x10’ unit, larger units can also be helpful. You can rent a 10’x20’ unit or a 10’x30’ unit if you need to store the contents of a home, for instance. If you’re unsure which unit size you need, this storage unit size guide can help you find the right one for your needs.
Once you know what unit size you need, your next step is to learn more about self storage prices locally. Renting a self storage unit in Houston costs $99/month, for a non-climate-controlled standard unit (10’x10’). As climate control is preferable here, the same size unit goes for $126/month if you need this amenity.
Check out StorageCafe’s search portal to find more self storage listings in Houston.
