Overview of the Houston Area
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9/9/2006
Houston is the epitomy of urban/suburban spawl with no zoning only deed restictions from neighborhood and master planned communities.
Besides Houston proper, the area is comprised of the Woodlands along I-45 north (35 mins from downtown along North Frwy); Kingwood and Atascocita in the north east along US 59 north (35 mins up East Tex Frwy); Channelview, Pasadena, and Deer Park in the east along I-10 (10 mins, Beaumont East Frwy) and 225; Clear Lake (20 mins), City of South Houston,Pearland, Alvin (60 mins), Hitchcock, Friendswood and Galveston (60-90 mins) in the south along I-45 south (Gulf Frwy) and 288; Stafford, Sugarland, and Rosenberg in the south west along US 59 (SW Frwy), Katy via I-10 west (30-40 mins, Katy Frwy). Also, greater Houston encompasses and surrounds the cities of Bellaire, West Univ. Place, and the Memorial villages.
Generally speaking, plants and industrial complexes lie east of I-45 and close to the Houston Ship channel (i.e. around Deer Park and Pasadena). Bellaire, West Univ., Memorial Villages, and River Oaks provide high end housing. Gentrification has taken over the previously artsy/funky areas of Montrose (around Museums)and the Heights (north of I-10 between Shepherd and I-45) Shopping centers are dispersed through out the city (strip centers and air conditioned malls). Housing costs tend to lower as you move out from the 610 loop.
Cultural: Museum of Fine Arts, Contemp. Art museum, sculpture garden, Forbidden Gardens in KAty, Menil complex of museums, Children's, Art Car musuem and parade, Health Sciences, Natural Science, etc. museums, Miller Outdoor theatre, Woodlands Pavillion, Jones Hall (symph), Wortham (opera, Ballet, dance), Hobby center for the performing arts, various theatres (Alley, TUTS, etc.). There are quite a few parks around the city: Bear Creek in the far west north of I-10, Hermann just north of the Med Center, Memoral in the west around I-10 and 610, Allen Parkway from downtown to Memorial Park, the Woodlands has some park areas, Armand Bayou, etc. Convention Centers are located downtown and around Reliant Stadium (football) at south main and 610. Large sports venues include Reliant Center for football, Toyota Center (DTown) for hockey and basketball, Enron Field..er..the downtown baseball park (new name has something to do with Orange Juice). All the facilities are really nice and when the tops are closed, they are air conditioned. Finally, let's not forget the Houston Livestock a
Abhd | Houston, TX