Is it cheap to live in Houston?

Question

I hear it is very cheap. I also hear its kinda expensive. So how much would rent within 5 miles of downtown ( City Area) be for a one-bedroom apartment. Range like from cheap and crappy to nice.

Also to own a house or condo one bedroom in the city. Range from ghetto to nice.

I have looked all over the web and can't find any ideas. Like what would the cost per square foot be in downtown or close to downtown Houston?

Answer 1

It is not cheap in Houston if you want to live where it is safe.  Some people mentioned the medical center, but from what I hear that is pretty dangerous and the apartments that are good are expensive.  I lived in River Oaks right outside of Downtown and Montrose.  I paid 838.00 for a one bedroom that was nasty and rundown, now I pay 820.00 for a small one bedroom sort of southwest of downtown.  It is a lot nicer, but inconvenient.  I just had to get out of that craphole.  Get a police report on the area you plan to move to in whatever city you pick and make your decision based on that.  If you want to live in Texas, San Antonio is really cheap and there are lots of nice places.  

Answer 2

It is cheaper than Madrid, London or NYC

Answer 3

Cheaper than places like Miami, FL and New York City, NY but more expensive that places like Omaha Nebraska and Fargo North Dakota.

I have not rented in Houston in 10 years so I don't know what rents are like now.  We had an 1100 square foot, two bedroom, one bath condo within 5 miles of downtown that we sold in 2006 for $130,000.

Check out this website from the Houston Realtors Association.  They list all the homes/condos/townhouses for sale in Houston by area.

http://www.har.com/

Answer 4

The Med Center area in downtown is qute affordable and nice.  I'd suggest you get together with a couple more people and share the rent.  Compared to other big cities like LA and New York, living in Houston is affordable.

Are you moving to Houston?  A car will be necessary to get around as Houston is huge city and the rail/bus system is good, but not something you want to rely on all the time.

Answer 5

Cheaper than everywhere else, because it's not in demand like places like NYC.

Answer 6

just depends on where u reside

Answer 7

The link Texicano gave you provides rentals as well. It's the best site to look for housing.

You could find a one bedroom in the ghetto for $300 per month & nice (not ultra exclusive) for $1200.

Cost per square foot averages around $1.50.

There are not a lot of single family homes Downtown. The houses right behind Downtown around Navigation are cheap but I'm not sure you would want to live there.  I found a shotgun shack on Bering for $55,000 but for a decent place, expect to pay at least $150,000.

You might be best looking for a condo in MidTown.

Answer 8

Houston is not as cheap as u think.

But the requisites that you have provided, good news, it will be cheap