Graduate Schools in Houston, TX

Is Houston, TX a City?

Houston is the fourth most populous city in the nation, and the largest in the southern U.S. and Texas.ⁱ It was founded in 1836 by brothers Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen on land near the banks of Buffalo Bayou.

Much of the city was built on marshes, forested land, swamp or prairie, and, as the largest city in the United States without zoning laws, has grown up with multiple business districts rather than a single downtown.ⁱⁱ

Greater Houston consists of Houston, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Baytown, Conroe and various county regions. As the main metropolis of the Greater Houston Metro Area, Houston boasts an estimated 2016 population of over 2.3 million.ⁱⁱⁱ

DID YOU KNOW?

More than 90 languages are spoken throughout the Houston area. ⁱ

Add to that, Conroe City was the fastest-growing large city (population of 50,000 or more) between 2015 and 2016 at 7.8 percent.^iv Its off-the-charts growth rate is more than 11 times the nation’s growth rate of 0.7 percent.^iv

What Is it Like to Live and Study in Houston, TX?

Graduate students who choose one of Houston universities may find it rather affordable. Cost of living is definitely lower than New York, to the tune of 29.48 percent.^v Potentially great news if you want to enjoy all that the hot summers and mild winters Houston has to offer.

In terms of neighborhoods, the Houston Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area covers 8,778 square miles. Locations in Houston are generally classified as either being inside or outside the Interstate 610 Loop. Houstonians report an average 26.8-minute commute time.ⁱⁱⁱ

The central business district and some pre-World War II residential areas are ‘inside’ along with some newer and high-density residential pockets. Outside the loop are suburbs and enclaves.

Explore some of Houston’s different areas below. Houston is big with both urban and family-friendly areas.

The Woodlands – About a 30-minute trek to Houston it is now a self-sufficient community of sprawling neighborhoods with a dense urban core. The Town Center is a bustle of boutiques, sidewalk cafes, open plazas and pedestrian-friendly areas, though residents may still be car-dependent.

West University Place – To West U residents, this area in the Loop is a small town within a big city. It is Close to Rice University, Hermann Park, and Houston’s Museum District.

Eastwood – Eastwood dates to the early 20th century and is on Houston’s more industrial East End. Here you could find various bungalow, Craftsman, Arts & Crafts, Foursquare, and Mission architectural styles. Also, your neighbors might be other young urban professionals. It’s just three miles from downtown’s skyscrapers and Theater District, plus just a 15-minute drive from a more urban energy.

Linkwood – On the southwest side, this area has a neighborhood feel and is 10 non-freeway minutes from the TMC and 30 minutes from downtown.

Hunters Creek Village – This is one of six townships west of Houston known collectively as Memorial Villages. Think lakes, big houses, and country clubs.

The Big Flavors of Houston

Per the government of Houston, Houstonians eat out more than residents of any other city. And there are reputedly more than 11,000 restaurants with a range of award-winning and upscale to local and memorable deli shops. ⁱ

What food is H-Town known for? As a port city, and close to Louisiana and Latin America, Houston cuisine is ethnically diverse. You could find iconic Tex-Mex, Louisiana Creole, Vietnamese and of course, BBQ. Dishes that make the ‘to-eat list’ include Viet-Cajun crawfish, chicken-fried steak, chile con queso, BBQ brisket, and Tex-Cajun fries.

What Is There To Do in Houston?

Houston is a city that loves sports and has plenty of recreation.

• Take in a Game. Sports fans could take in football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and AHL hockey games.
• Parks and Recreation. For those who like to stay active, there are two main parks. Hermann Park, located minutes from downtown has a golf course, IMAX, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Planetarium, Zoo and more. Memorial Park is a favorite for joggers. It also features tennis courts, playing fields, a fitness center, swimming pool and six miles of mountain and recreational bike trails along the bayous.
• Go for a Ride. Houston has BCycle a ride share program. Or bring your own to one of the many biking trails. Try Jack Brooks Park, Terry Hershey Park and others.
• Catch a Performance. A 17-block Theatre District gives Broadway a run for its money. It is home to about eight performing arts organizations and more than 12,000 seats. There’s also Miller Outdoor Theatre where you could catch music, dance, film, Shakespeare and more.
• The Water Wall. Something to take a selfie at. It is a dramatic, 64 foot U-shaped fountain with water that rushes down both inside and outside walls.
• A Day at the Museum. Take in the art at Houston’s wide variety of museums, galleries, art and cultural institutions.
• On the Boardwalk. Just 20 miles from downtown Houston is Kemah Boardwalk, which overlooks Galveston Bay and is known for its restaurants (particularly seafood).
• Annual Events. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Pride Parade, Bayou City Art Festival, the Art Car Parade and others.
• Stay in Style. Houston is home to more than a dozen distinct shopping areas whether your style is chic, funky, vintage, thrift or something else.

Houston Nightlife

Houston’s nightlife scene is eclectic and never dull. There are places to go for every taste – high energy dance clubs, action-packed sports pubs, low-key wine bars, Texas honky tonks, and more. In fact, there is so much to do, there is an APP called ‘ShoutOutMyCity’ which is basically a mobile bar and nightclub directory.

Plus, you could explore without the danger of driving tipsy by taking the Wave. The Wave is a jitney service that runs through Houston’s primary nightlife areas such as Midtown, Montrose, Downtown, Uptown, Rice Village and the Washington Avenue corridor.

• Downtown: Home to pro sports teams (Astros, and Rockets), the Theatre District, classic bars, and GreenStreet, an open-air retail entertainment center where you find restaurants, live music venues, a hip bowling lounge, flagship stores, and so much more.
• Midtown: Like a social oasis, with an array or restaurants, hot spots and more. What’s more is you could avoid the parking frenzy and head out by Uber or METRORail.
• Montrose: Think art galleries, thrift shops and local cafes. Hipster lounges, pinball machines and drag queens add spice to this edgy area.
• Washington Avenue: Here you could find luxurious lounges, honky tonks, wine bars, and well-loved restaurants. Head out for a pre-game cocktail or be seen at one of the dance-driven nightclubs.
• West University/Rice Village: Fashion-forward boutiques, bites, happy hour sips and lots of night life hot spots, pubs, and laid-back quaint hideaways.

Apply to a Graduate School in Houston

Set your filters to find and easily apply to Graduate Schools in Houston, Texas. Refine your preferences by school, program level (masters, doctorate, certificate) and/or program format (online, on campus). Contact schools directly!

[i] houstontx.gov/abouthouston/houstonfacts.html | [ii] wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Houston | [iii] census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/houstoncitytexas/PST045216 | [iv] census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2017/cb17-81-population-estimates-subcounty.html | [v] numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Houston | [vi] bls.gov/regions/southwest/news-release/areaemployment_houston.htm | [vii] bls.gov/oes/current/oes291071.htm#st | [viii] usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-health-schools/physician-assistant-rankings