Houston: One of the Most Diverse & Affordable Cities in the Nation

Houston is known for being one of the country’s largest multicultural cities. According to Greater Houston Partnership Research, Houston is more racially and ethnically diverse than the nation and over 145 different languages are spoken here! All of that diversity fills the city with a fantastic variety of arts, business, sports, world-class cuisine, and entertainment. That being said, it’s no surprise that its home to several James Beard Award winning chefs, professional resident ballet, opera, symphony and theater companies, 19 museums and over 20 companies on the Fortune 500 list.

Within its bustling economy, residents of Houston are relieved of corporate and personal income tax at the state level. Out of the nation’s 20 most populous metro areas, Houston has the second lowest cost of living and housing costs are 51.2% below average. You can find several available new construction homes in Houston in a variety of top-rated master-planned communities.

When it comes to dining in Houston, the possibilities are endless. Did you know that Houston has over 10,000 restaurants and counting and its dishes cover over 70 countries? That means you could spend nearly 30 years trying a new restaurant every day! Though Tex-Mex and barbecue are the city’s bread and butter, the culturally diverse population has indulged the city with other staples such as Mediterranean, South African, Vietnamese, and French cuisines to name a few. This unique mix of exceptional dishes awarded Houston the #10 spot in the U.S. News ranking for Best Foodie Cities in the U.S.

Discover more about Houston and what makes this expansive city one of the greatest places to live!

Living and Playing in the Houston Area

Houston Entertainment & Things to Do

In Houston, there is no shortage of entertainment. Whether you are a shopaholic, a sports fanatic, a history buff, enjoy thespian pursuits, or prefer relaxing with a cold brew in hand, there’s an activity for everyone here.

It’s no secret that Houston is a popular destination for some of the best shopping in the country. There are several malls and boutiques around the city, but its most famous spot to shop is the The Galleria. It holds no less than 400 stores with everything from top high-end brands like Gucci to specialty boutiques to affordable department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom. Tired of shopping? The shopping center includes a full-size skating rink and over 60 eateries!

With so many sports leagues, it is almost a guarantee that you will be able to catch a game year-round. The city is home to the Houston Astros (MLB), the Houston Texans (NFL), the Houston Rockets (NBA), the Houston Dynamo (MLS), the Houston Dash (NWSL) and the Houston SaberCats (MLR).

Into the arts? Catch a live performance at one of the several professional resident theaters in the Houston Theater District. You can also venture out to the Museum District and explore any and all of the 19 museums in the area. Here, you can make a week or a weekend out of discovering exhibits of Natural Science, viewing magnificent works of art, learning the history of African American culture, and remembering and learning events of our nation’s past. Visit Space Center Houston, the official visitor center for NASA! This fun and educational destination for you and your family offers tours, exhibits, galleries and films that will keep everyone entertained.

Outdoor Adventure in Houston

Don’t let the stunning downtown skyline fool you, Houston also has plenty of outdoor activities for the whole family. According to VisitHoustonTexas.com, Houston is ranked no. 1 in total park acreage among U.S. cities with more than one million residents. That’s 52,912 acres of total park space! This space also extends to available lots for building luxury custom homes in master planned communities. These communities offer a wide variety of floor plans, from the 45' portrait series to large 80' lots and incredible outdoor amenities. In addition to park space and ample opportunities for home building, the city has 198 golf courses, a 300-mile interconnected bikeway network and a 52-mile slow-moving waterway that runs through the city called Buffalo Bayou.

Buffalo Bayou alone gives Houston residents a variety of activities you can spend an entire weekend discovering. From strolling through beautiful gardens, to hike and bike trails, to paddle craft and bike rentals, to simply relaxing outdoors, there is something for everyone to enjoy!

If you’re looking even more active opportunities, check out some of Houston’s top rated golf courses: Memorial Park Golf Course, Hermann Park Golf Course, BlackHorse Golf Course and Cypresswood Golf Course to name a few.

Ready to kick back with friends? There are currently around 65 active breweries in the Greater Houston Area. Spend the day sipping craft beers and tasting foods from local breweries around the city.

Houston Restaurants, Specialty Groceries, and Foodie Scene

Houston, TX is a foodie paradise, offering everything from authentic international cuisine to Michelin-Starred restaurants. The city is filled with hotspots for authentic Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese food, as well as a thriving hub for Texas barbeque. There are also several acclaimed Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurants. No matter where you build your home in Houston, resources like Houston Eater makes it easy to find standout restaurants or a new family favorite.

Houston loves food and the restaurant so much that it devotes an entire month to helping patrons explore new restaurants for a good cause. The long-standing tradition of Houston Restaurant Weeks partners with local fine-dining restaurants to offer curated menus at a fixed price, with proceeds benefitting the Houston Food Bank. Participating restaurants can be found throughout the Houston metro, making it easy to have the perfect night out no matter where you live.

Looking to make world-class cuisine in the comfort of your own kitchen? Houston is home to many Asian, Mediterranean, Indian, Middle Eastern, and African grocery stores. You’ll also find all of your favorite natural and local groceries, including Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Sprouts Farmers Market. The city is also home to local specialty groceries for meats, wine & spirits, and other gourmet offerings.

Working and Thriving in Houston

Industries

According to the Greater Houston Partnership, key industries in the Houston region include:

• Aerospace & Aviation
• Advances Manufacturing
• Energy
• Life Sciences & Biotechnology
• Digital Technology
• Transportation & Logistics

The Houston region is also ranked 4^th in the country for Fortune 500 company HQ’s and regional offices. Phillips 66, Sysco, ConocoPhillips, Baker Hughes, Waste Management and CenterPoint Energy all have major offices in the region, bringing thousands of high-paying jobs to this sector.

The unique economic climate in Houston is a major attraction for highly skilled individuals from around the world and is also why the city is ranked in the top 10 for attracting millennials and ranked no. 1 in retaining college graduates.

Vast opportunities for employment, no income taxes and low cost of living? Time to pack up, head to Houston and move into your dream home!

Find Your Perfect Community

Newmark Homes takes pride in building new homes in Houston in some of the area’s most desirable communities, filled with amenities that make your new home experience even richer. Choosing a master planned community in Houston has never been easier.

Whether you’ve found a community to build in or looking to build your new home on your lot, you can work with our dedicated and friendly Newmark team members to find a floor plan that fits your house hold’s lifestyle. Throughout these communities, you can experience resort-style amenities like waterparks and pools, state-of-the-art fitness centers, acres of lakes and green space, hiking and biking trails, activity centers and much more.

Not only can we help you find a community to fit your unique lifestyle, but we are also a home builder that is committed to providing you excellent service throughout the entire buying and building process. From financing to designing your vision with our award-winning design studio to closing we are there for you every step of the way.

Have a look through all of our available homes and floor plans in our Houston communities and experience this thriving international city!