Houston Starter Pack

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), north of the city, is the main international hub.

William P. Hobby Airport (HOU), closer to downtown, handles more domestic and budget carriers.

Uber, Lyft and taxis operate from both airports; a rental car is worth considering given how spread out the city is.

METRO bus service connects both airports to downtown, though it's slower than driving.

Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) covers short tourist/business visits up to 90 days for eligible nationalities.

Everyone else needs a B-1/B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate before traveling.

Houston's energy sector sponsors a large number of H-1B and L-1 work visas — a common path for skilled professionals here.

The US has no digital nomad visa — working remotely for a foreign employer on a tourist visa is legally unsettled, so check with an immigration attorney.

A Social Security Number requires work authorization; it is not issued just for living here.

Check current rules at cbp.gov and uscis.gov before you travel.

Humid subtropical climate — hot, very humid summers and mild, short winters.

Summer (Jun-Sep): routinely 32-37°C (90-98°F) with high humidity — the heat is the main adjustment for newcomers.

Hurricane season runs June through November, and Houston is also prone to heavy rain and flash flooding.

Winter (Dec-Feb) is mild, rarely freezing for long, though occasional cold snaps do happen.

Research a property's flood history before renting or buying — flooding is a real local consideration.

Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance)

211 — free, confidential community and health services referral line, available across the US

Houston also runs a 311 non-emergency city services line — check houstontx.gov for the current number.

Save 911 to your phone and know your flood zone before hurricane season.

Houston is one of the most car-dependent major US cities — plan on driving or budgeting for rideshare.

METRORail light rail covers three limited lines through downtown, midtown and the Medical Center.

METRO bus network fills in more of the city but coverage and frequency vary a lot by area.

Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout the metro.

Montrose, Midtown and Rice Village are among the few genuinely walkable pockets.

Major carriers: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, plus prepaid options like Mint Mobile and Visible.

Prepaid SIMs are sold at carrier stores, Walmart, Target and most pharmacies.

Home internet: Comcast Xfinity and AT&T Fiber cover most of the metro.

Houston has a growing coworking and startup scene, particularly around the Ion district near downtown.

Currency: US Dollar (USD).

Major national banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) and regional ones (Frost Bank) both have a strong presence.

A Social Security Number is usually needed to open an account; some banks accept an ITIN for non-residents.

Cards and contactless payment are accepted almost everywhere.

Wise is a popular option for moving money internationally.

Montrose: walkable, arts and LGBTQ+ scene, one of the most pedestrian-friendly parts of the city.

The Heights: historic bungalows, popular with young professionals and families.

Midtown: dense, close to downtown, lots of new apartments.

Rice Village: near Rice University, walkable shopping and dining.

Texas has no state income tax, which helps offset a genuinely diverse range of housing costs across neighborhoods.

Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the US, and the food scene shows it directly.

Tex-Mex is everywhere, but so is a serious Vietnamese food scene thanks to a large local community.

Texas-style BBQ (brisket especially) is worth seeking out — Houston has excellent options.

The Museum District and Rice Village both have strong, walkable dining clusters.

Buffalo Bayou Park runs through downtown with trails, kayaking and green space.

Hermann Park, next to the Museum District and zoo, is a major green space near the center.

Galveston, on the Gulf Coast, is about an hour away for a beach day.

Heat is intense in summer — plan outdoor activity for early morning or evening.

The Museum District has 19 museums within walking distance of each other, including the Museum of Fine Arts.

NASA Johnson Space Center is a genuinely worthwhile day out, not just a tourist stop.

Houston has a strong theater and performing arts scene, second only to New York by some counts.

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo each spring is a major citywide event.

Houston Astros (MLB), Houston Rockets (NBA) and Houston Texans (NFL) all play downtown.

Running and cycling along Buffalo Bayou are popular, especially outside the summer heat.

Gyms are plentiful and many run extended hours to work around the heat.

A car is close to essential — budget for one or for regular rideshare use.

Check flood risk before committing to a home — some neighborhoods flood far more than others.

Summer humidity is intense; air conditioning is not optional here.

No state income tax is a real financial upside compared to many other US metros.

Tipping norms follow the rest of the US: 18-20% at restaurants is standard.