Moving to Houston: a renter's quick start
Pick a part of town by commute, time your tours and apply before you leave town.
3 min read
Start with your commute
Houston is big and mostly car-centric, so the drive to work shapes daily life more than almost anything else. Start your search around where you'll spend your weekdays.
Browse neighborhood guidesKnow the main roads and rail
I-10, I-45, I-69/US-59, the I-610 Loop and Beltway 8 connect most of the city. METRORail's Red, Green and Purple lines serve Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District and the Texas Medical Center.
Time your search
Start touring about 45 to 60 days before your move-in date. That's when communities can usually confirm pricing and availability for your date.
Only in town for a weekend? Plan to apply during the trip. Your locator can line up tours back to back, and many communities offer virtual tours.
Pack this for your tour trip
- Government-issued photo ID
- Proof of income or an offer letter
- A way to pay application fees
- Your must-haves and deal-breakers, ranked
Keep reading
3 min read
Apartment leasing terms, decoded
Concessions, admin fees, proration and more: plain-English definitions for the words on your lease.
Read the guide4 min read
How to qualify for an apartment in Houston
Income, credit and rental history: what most Houston communities check, and what to do if you're close.
Read the guide
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