If you’re in Houston Nov. 14–16 for NAR NXT: The REALTOR® Experience (and we hope you are!), don’t be surprised when Houstonians greet you with a warm smile and waiters welcome your party with a friendly “Hey, y’all!”
“We’re a big, small town,” says Rhonda Gilbo, ABR, GRI, broker-owner of Prosperity Realty Group, based in Missouri City, Texas. Her fast-growing city of 75,000 is located less than 30 minutes from the downtown area and the George R. Brown Convention Center, site of the NAR NXT.
Houston’s Explosive Growth
The Houston metropolitan area covers 9,444 square miles—nearly as much area as the state of Maryland—and more than 7.5 million people call greater Houston their home. The last time the NAR conference was in Houston was 1976, when the population was around 2.1 million.
Houston has sprawled without zoning restrictions, and its suburbs continue to expand as homeowners seek land and affordability. “If the land is dry, someone will build on it,” says Christopher Hurley, a Houston-based relocation specialist with Premier Agent Network.
Several factors account for inbound migration:
- Living costs are relatively low—7.4% below the urban average, according to Greater Houston Partnership.
- The city is a melting pot of cultures, says Cathy Treviño, ABR, CIPS, broker-associate with LPT Realty in Houston. Indeed, Census data shows that, as of 2020, nearly 29% of the population was born outside the United States.
- There’s a strong job market with a business-friendly climate. Oil and energy remain bread-and-butter industries, but there are other Fortune 500 companies, businesses connected with the city’s Gulf of Mexico port, universities and world-renowned healthcare providers like MD Anderson Cancer Center, part of Texas Medical Center, says Courtney Johnson Rose, CCIM, GRI, managing broker of GEJ Properties in Missouri City.
- It’s relatively affordable. Although affordability has declined compared with a few years ago, the city still ranks among the country’s affordable large metros, says John Macke, research manager with John Burns Research & Consulting, which focuses on the housing industry. The median price of $349,400 is well below the national median ($429,400). One challenge for many is paying higher insurance rates due to prior hurricanes, Treviño says. Locations range from downtown and East of Houston (EaDo) to older areas in midtown Heights, affluent Memorial and River Oaks neighborhoods and suburbs within 20 miles reached via multilane freeways with one busy intersection known as “spaghetti bowl,” says Gilbo.
Plan Your NAR NXT Schedule With Time to Take in the Town
Before you leave for NAR NXT, block out at least 30 minutes at home to scan the program schedule and decide which education, networking sessions and other NAR NXT activities you don’t want to miss. Use the conference planner or your own calendar to map out your schedule. Then, think about tacking on a day to explore Houston—because there are some great sights to see. Hurley, who moved to Houston more than 25 years ago, considers it a hidden gem of diversity.
Cultural destinations. The Houston Museum District includes an unbelievable array of choices, including museums dedicated to fine arts, contemporary arts, and a commemoration of the Buffalo Soldiers. There are also the 55-acre Houston Zoo and the famed Rothko Chapel, 14 Rothko paintings within an octagon. Most of these attractions are a short 10- to 15-minute drive from the convention center.
In nearby River Oaks, Bayou Bend Collection and Garden contains the late Ima Hogg’s American antiques and decorative arts, among the country’s finest. For architectural fans, Philip Johnson designed more than 10 Houston buildings, including the Pennzoil Place skyscraper and the 64-foot U-shaped Hines Waterwall Park, a collaboration with architect John Burgee. It’s close to The Galleria mall with an indoor ice rink.
Restaurants. The diversity of Houston’s population has led to its reputation as a foodie town with a melting pot of cuisines, says Johnson Rose.
Try both Tex Mex and authentic Mexican, as well as Asian foods in both a Chinatown and Little Saigon. After Hurricane Katrina, some New Orleans residents moved to Houston bringing their Cajun recipes with them, says Gilbo. A large Greek population led to the Pappas chain, which serves up everything from barbecue to Cajun, Mexican, steak and seafood, says Hurley.
Hurley’s wife, Bernadette Hurley, a REALTOR® Magazine “30 Under 30” honoree in 2002 and now a business coach with Evolve Virtually, touts the city’s roasted or smoked brisket. For a West African modern twist, Gilbo likes ChòpnBlok, cited by The New York Times as one of the country’s 50 best restaurants. If you prefer some of this or that, Johnson Rose recommends checking out the food trucks parked by Discovery Green, or go into Post Houston’s food hall, a former post office on the National Register of Historic Places. For a special meal, the Hurleys recommend Le Jardinier, Brasserie du Park, Brennans and Potente.
Action. Antsy after attending meetings? Catch a Houston Rockets basketball game—they’re in town Nov. 12, 14 and 16—or a performance at House of Blues; kayak or canoe along Buffalo Bayou; walk trails at Hermann Park; or kick up your heels and line dance at Stampede Houston or Neon Boots Dancehall and Saloon.
Spurs Strictly Optional
Houston is a cosmopolitan city. Don’t expect to see everyone wearing cowboy boots and hats around the convention center, says Treviño. But that doesn’t mean you can’t unleash your inner cowboy. The city offers many options for purchasing western attire. Head to Cavender’s multiple locations, Western Wear, Republic Boot Company, Pinto Ranch or Maida’s, where bespoke boots come in your choice of skins.
In your new boots—or better yet, in comfortable walking shoes you’ve packed—you can easily stroll through downtown Houston. The city also has METRORail and Uber and Lyft car sharing. If you have a car and a sense of adventure, check out:
- NASA Johnson Space Center about 25 miles from downtown Houston with 400 space artifacts and a shuttle replica mounted on a shuttle carrier aircraft
- Kemah Boardwalk, 30 miles south of Houston with waterfront activities
- Galveston, 55 miles away on the Gulf with turn-of-the century houses and Moody Gardens’ Aquarium and Rainforest pyramids
What to Pack: In addition to comfortable shoes, pack for temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees in November. Bring layers for the evening and a chilly meeting room and an umbrella for a possible shower.
Y’all come back now. You hear? Don your western wear and return next March to The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Park, Treviño says. It’s the largest such show in the world!
