Moving to Houston: My Chaotic Checklist (And What No One Tells You)
so you think about moving to houston and youre scrolling through endless lists and youre like what the heck do i actually need i am a digital nomad i have been juggling a laptop a cheap coworking space and a love for greasy tacos at 2 am here is the messy real talk checklist i compiled after a few months of stumbling around the sprawl gear and grind - i packed my laptop a portable monitor a decent pair of noise canceling headphones and a coffee maker that can survive a power outage oh and a good pair of sandals because the humidity will eat your socks “the traffic on i‑45 is a beast but the food trucks are worth it” - overheard at a bar on the east side i have broken down the cost of living in a quick table feel free to stare at it while you sip your cheap lager item monthly avg 1‑bedroom rent (midtown) 1400 utilities (electric water internet) 150 groceries (no frills) 300 transport (gas + rideshare) 120 coworking space (hot‑desk) 180 real talk rent is cheaper than new york but higher than a lot of mid size cities the heat in july feels like a sauna you didnt sign up for but you can drive 30 minutes to galveston for a beach break in under an hour also the nearest major airport is just a short flight away if you need to hop out for a weekend i have heard rumors that the east end is becoming a hotspot for artists but also that the crime rate spikes after midnight on weekends always lock your bike even if you think you are in a safe neighborhood you will find that people here are surprisingly friendly but they will also give you the side eye if you wear socks with sandals (yes that is a thing) if you are looking for cheap eats hit up the houston food hall on navigation the tacos are 2.50 each and the vibe is more street market than upscale lounge for a night out check out the rodeo district you will find live music cheap beer and a crowd that actually knows how to dance here are some handy links that saved my sanity houston subreddit https://www.reddit.com/r/houston/ endless threads about neighborhoods roommate hunts and who has the best bbq tripadvisor houston guide https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g60763-Activities-Houston_Texas.html for tourist traps that are actually worth it yelp best coffee shops https://www.yelp.com/biz/coffee-shops-houston because you need caffeine to survive the humidity houston chronicle real estate section https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/housing to keep an eye on rent trends and if you are curious about the weather it is currently sweat inducing with a chance of thunderstorms every afternoon you can fly out to austin in under an hour if you need a change of scenery oh and one last tip get a good water bottle the tap water is fine but you will want to stay hydrated when you are sweating through meetings
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