Investor · Windham, ME · Member since 2016 · 180 posts · 37 votes
This is a broad question, I know. I'm looking for comparisons between Dallas and Houston. I'm moving from New England to TX and its down to these two cities and their suburbs. Which is better for RE opportunity, cost of living and quality of life?
Real Estate Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2015 · 12 posts · 8 votes
9y
So I moved from San Antonio TX to Houston with my family (wife and two little boys) we love it, there are many opportunities in and around the Houston area, many family friendly places and awesome food scene. Houston is also very diverse, I've met great individuals from all over the globe. I'm a Realtor with Remax Signature and can say that the market is great! Properties are moving quickly and the price point over 250 is picking up, investors are doing great as well. The best strategy I think in Houston and what I've seen are rentals because flips are a little tight right now but not impossible there still out there, you just have to work a little harder to get them. Best thing about Houston is it keeps growing and values keep going up and rental rates are great. Despite the oil and gas industry slowing down the population keeps growing and many jobs are coming to the city. By 2020 Im sure Houston will be in the top metro areas. I don't have much experience with Dallas although I hear alot of great things but I have also met a good amount of Dallas investors starting to buy in the Houston market now. But it's safe to say Texas is a great market all around.
This is a broad question, I know. I'm looking for comparisons between Dallas and Houston. I'm moving from New England to TX and its down to these two cities and their suburbs. Which is better for RE opportunity, cost of living and quality of life?
The two cities are rivals. Dallas is a little less oriented to oil I think it is a lot less cyclical than Houston. Both metro areas are growing significantly, and I think long term will grow. The weather is a little more temperate. Houston is flat out humid, throw in 100+ degree days, and it is bad.
Dallas is about 10 degrees give or take colder. And a lot drier in the summer and fall.
Personally I think suburbs throughout the country are more or less the same. They all have a Home Depot, they all have a TFI Fridays etc.
I think the city of Houston itself is a lot better run than the City of Dallas. But there are some very thriving cities in the DFW area that are doing really well.
I think Houston is closer to the stereotype that Northerners have for Texans. Dallas is more a city of transplants from the Midwest. Lot of technology, banking telecom etc.
Real Estate Agent · Houston, TX · Member since 2015 · 12 posts · 8 votes
9y
So I moved from San Antonio TX to Houston with my family (wife and two little boys) we love it, there are many opportunities in and around the Houston area, many family friendly places and awesome food scene. Houston is also very diverse, I've met great individuals from all over the globe. I'm a Realtor with Remax Signature and can say that the market is great! Properties are moving quickly and the price point over 250 is picking up, investors are doing great as well. The best strategy I think in Houston and what I've seen are rentals because flips are a little tight right now but not impossible there still out there, you just have to work a little harder to get them. Best thing about Houston is it keeps growing and values keep going up and rental rates are great. Despite the oil and gas industry slowing down the population keeps growing and many jobs are coming to the city. By 2020 Im sure Houston will be in the top metro areas. I don't have much experience with Dallas although I hear alot of great things but I have also met a good amount of Dallas investors starting to buy in the Houston market now. But it's safe to say Texas is a great market all around.
Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2016 · 1 post · 1 vote
9y
Stay in New England, the inn is full here in Houston....no seriously...
If you want an big international city with diverse people, good food, music and lots to do...move to Houston. If you want to move to a one-dimensional, tornado haven and icy winters, move to Dallas.
Real Estate Investor · Houston, TX · Member since 2014 · 173 posts · 128 votes
9y
@Matthew Wright, It really depends on what you are looking for. Both cities are huge, geographically spread out, and you can find wonderful quality of life (schools, amenities, recreation, low crime) areas as well as the opposite. The rivalry is mostly on the Dallas side - the little brother always trying to knock down the bigger brother - LOL. As others have noted, Dallas is more diverse economically, but Houston is much more diverse economically than it was 10 years ago. You can find good real estate investments in both, and, as those markets is cyclical, what is hot now, likely won't be 5 years from now and vice-versa. Right now, office market is overbuilt for the So if you are planning to be here long term, come check out both cities and see which suits you and your family more, move there and settle in. As to climate, Dallas is actually hotter in the summer but a bit less humid. Houston counters that with proximity to the Coast and additional recreation. Good luck on your decision, and welcome to Texas, wherever you land! Oh and learn the proper use of the word "Y'all!!!"
Investor · Windham, ME · Member since 2016 · 180 posts · 37 votes
9y
The cost of living anywhere in Texas is impressive when compared to southern ME. Where I live in you would pay 200k for a 1000 sq ft 2 bedroom ranch. In the suburbs of Houston or Dallas you can get 4 bedroom 2500 sq ft home for nearly that. Best of all, the expense of heating and snow removal will be no longer!
My money can clearly go a lot further down south. I understand the market may be saturated with investors already and opportunity ratio (for me) may be the same in TX as northeast. If just for warm climate living and nothing else, I'm sure it will be worth the move.
construction · Nacogdoches, TX · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
9y
I live between both cities. It depends on what you define as quality of life. If you like the beach scene then Houston. If lakes are your thing then Dallas may be best. Yes there are lakes near Houston but imo Dallas area has clearer ones. i don't think you could wrong investment wise with either city. Pick what makes you happy when you are off the clock and you will never regret it. Best of luck.
Hands Down - Houston would be my preference - And specifically I would recommend checking out The Woodlands - it is an amazing place to live -
I have spent time in both cities (and actually quite a few summers in Maine) - Dallas is the southern extension of the Great Plains and nothing more than a slightly warmer version of Nebraska, Kansas or Oklahoma - about halfway between Dallas and Houston you pass through an obvious change - more green in the winter, pine forests, etc - as others have said, Dallas is actually hotter in the summer than Houston, though less humid... As for investment opportunity, don't feel like you have missed the boat - I am finding more property than I have money to buy - property that can be purchased, rehabbed and refinanced at 80% LTV to get all your purchase/rehab money back for the next one -
Richardson, TX · Member since 2016 · 14 posts · 2 votes
9y
I lived in both, but currently live in Dallas. Both cities have been good to me and my family. Like several folks on here have said, it really depends on what you are looking for and what type of RE strategy you want to deploy. Best of luck with the move and let me know if you have any questions.