Life in Houston
Six Reasons to Call Houston Home
Houston — the nation’s fourth-largest city — is bustling with culture and class. Its innovative energy has made it one of the fastest-growing cities and a haven for medical students.
Here are six reasons to call Houston home.
- World-class medical care and innovations. Houston, home to the world’s largest medical center, is a global leader in medical care, research and innovation. We can claim ground-breaking medical advances in cardiology, primary care and cancer care. You will thrive in a dynamic environment built on medicine.
- Houston means business. Known as the energy capital of the world, Houston is home to more than 20 Fortune 500 companies, the fourth highest in the nation. It was named the third best city for young professionals by Forbes Magazine and is a top hub for minority entrepeneurs. Opportunities abound for your spouse or partner.
- It’s affordable. Houston’s cost of living is 26% below the top 20 cities in the U.S. With affordable housing and no city or state income tax, Houston won’t break your budget.
- Culture and class. Houston is the most diverse city in the nation, with more than 145 different languages spoken and one-in-four residents born abroad. Its diversity enriches the city’s cultural entertainment and dining scenes. The Museum District, alone, is home to almost 20 different arts and cultural institutions and its Theater Districts hosts seven different performing arts groups.
- Good eats. With 10,000 restaurants in the city, Houston has something to suit every palate. From award-winning barbecue to innovative fusion cuisine. We offer world-class top chefs and authentic flavors from around the globe. Not surprisingly, Houston was named the "newest capital of great food" by Food & Wine.
- Entertainment – it’s happening here. From professional sports to cultural festivals, concerts to theatrical performances, there is always something happening in the city GQ Magazine called the new capital of Southern cool.
Downtown Houston
At the center of the fourth-largest city in the country, downtown Houston is a dynamic business center with a workforce of approximately 157,000 employees.
Energy Corridor
Home to some of the world’s largest energy companies, like BP America, ConocoPhillips and Shell Oil Company, the Energy Corridor employs over 91,000 people.
Theatre District
Home to seven world-class performing arts organizations, the Theater District is second only to New York in the number of theater seats in a concentrated area. Houston is one of only five cities with permanent professional resident companies in all of the major performing arts disciplines – opera, ballet, music and theater.
Intercontinental Airport
Houston’s largest airport and the 8th busiest airport in the U.S. in passenger numbers. The airport has 5 terminals with 27 passenger airlines.
Minute Maid Park
Home to the 2022 World Series Champions Houston Astros, Minute Maid Park has over 41,000 seats. The park features a retractable roof and a working train that moves along an 800-foot track.
Toyota Center
The Toyota Center is home to the Houston Rockets and can hold up to 19,300 seats. The arena was the first professional sports facility in Texas to earn the Silver Certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
Hobby Airport
William P. Hobby Airport provides domestic and international air service with nonstop or direct flights to nearly 60 destinations through the U.S., Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a hub for Southwest Airlines.
Galveston
Galveston is an hour drive from the University of Houston. It’s a barrier reef that averages two miles in width, offering 32 miles of Gulf Coast beaches. It was second only to Ellis Island as an immigrant station.
NRG Stadium
Home to the Houston Texans, NRG Stadium seats almost 72,000 and was the first NFL facility to have a retractable roof. Performers from Beyonce to Guns and Roses have held shows here. This is also the site for the world’s largest livestock exhibition and rodeo, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which happens annually in the Spring.
Texas Medical Center
Home of the first coronary artery bypass, one of the first heart transplants in the U.S. and the first private hospital air ambulance, the Texas Medical Center spans more than 1,300 acres with 50 million developed square feet making it the world’s largest medical complex, including the world’s largest children’s hospital and cancer hospital. Over 10 million patient visits happen each year and a surgery is started every 3 minutes.
Galleria
Spanning 2.4 million square feet of space, housing 400 fine stores and restaurants, two high-rise Westin hotels, and three office towers, The Galleria is Houston’s most popular retail and tourist destination, meeting every style and taste.
Museum District
Houston Museum District is comprised of 19 museums and is the largest concentration of cultural institutions in the nation. Each museum has a distinct focus from photography to modern art to sculptures, it’s a place to find culture 365 days a year.
University of Houston
Established in 1927, the University of Houston empowers students in their pursuit of learning, discovery, leadership and engagement. Located in a sprawling metropolis, our premier Tier One campus provides students with cutting edge programs including undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, distance and continuing education. Ranked among the best colleges in America, UH is home to award-winning faculty, innovative research centers, has one of the most diverse student populations in the nation, and alumni who have become international leaders.