Helpful Relocation Resources for Houston, TX Newcomers

Vehicle Registration

Vehicles must be registered within 30 days of establishing Texas residency. Register through the Harris County Tax Office or online at txdmv.gov.

Voter Registration

Register online at VoteTexas.gov. The deadline is 30 days before any election. Updating your Texas driver's license address may automatically update your voter registration through the Texas DPS.

Utilities Setup

Electricity: Texas has a deregulated market—new residents choose their own provider at powertochoose.org*.

Natural gas: CenterPoint Energy.

Water & sewer: Houston Public Works.

*Residents in some suburban areas may be served by a Municipal Utility District (MUD)—verify by address.

Pet Registration

City of Houston residents should register pets through the City of Houston Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC). Residents outside city limits will go through Harris County Animal Control. All dogs and cats over three months of age must be licensed and vaccinated.

School Enrollment

Required documents include proof of Houston-area address, your child's birth certificate, current immunization records, prior school records or transcripts, parent photo ID.

Charter & Private

Find charter school admission applications through the Texas Education Agency. The Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA) program—launched for the 2026-27 school year—provides eligible families approximately $10,000-$30,000 per student toward private school tuition and approved educational expenses.

Higher Education

University of Houston, Rice University, Texas Southern University, and Houston Christian University are popular four-year universities in Houston. San Jacinto College is the primary community college option. Establishing Texas residency for in-state tuition requires at least 12 consecutive months of living in the state.

Child Care

Child care in Texas is regulated by Texas HHS Child Care Regulation. You can look for providers through their child care search tool.

Finding a PCP

Use your insurance company's provider directory to find in-network primary care physicians in Houston. Most major health systems also offer provider search tools on their websites.

Urgent Care

NextCare, CareNow (HCA-affiliated), and Memorial Hermann GoHealth Urgent Care all have multiple locations across the Houston metro. Most offer online check-in or hold-my-place scheduling.

Mental Health

The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD is the primary public behavioral health authority for Harris County. Mental Health America of Greater Houston also provides a number of mental health resources. For immediate crisis support, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline).

Pharmacy

CVS, Walgreens, Kroger Pharmacy, and H-E-B Pharmacy all have locations throughout the metro.

Key Toll Roads

Beltway 8 / Sam Houston Tollway, Hardy Toll Road, Westpark Tollway, Fort Bend Parkway, SH 99 / Grand Parkway

Public Transit

Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) operates three light rail lines and an extensive bus network. You can purchase individual passes or pre-load a physical or virtual RideMETRO Fare Card. METROLift paratransit services are also available for eligible riders.

Airport Access

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is approximately 18 miles north of downtown and is the primary airport for domestic and international travel. Rideshare pickup is available via designated zones at each terminal. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is a smaller airport approximately ten miles south of downtown.

Major Roadways

Houston's major roadways include I-10 (running east-west), I-45 (running north-south), I-69/US-59 (running southwest-northeast through downtown), I-610 (the inner loop), Beltway 8 / Sam Houston Tollway (the middle loop—formerly known as the outer loop), SH 288 (running south toward Pearland), and SH 99/ the Grand Parkway (the outermost loop circling the city).

Homestead Exemption

Houston homeowners can reduce the taxable value of their primary residence by applying for the Homestead Exemption through the Harris Central Appraisal District. The filing window is January 1 through April 30 of the tax year.

Homeowners Insurance

Standard homeowners policies typically do not cover flood damage. Houston's flat terrain, clay-heavy soil, and extensive bayou system create meaningful flood risk across much of the metro. Flood insurance is available separately through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private carriers. Review the FEMA flood map before purchasing a home.

Vehicle Insurance

Texas requires minimum liability coverage of 30/60/25: $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 per accident, and $25,000 for property damage. While Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is automatically included in all Texas auto policies, drivers are allowed to opt out by signing a waiver.

Address Updates

Key parties to notify: USPS, IRS, Social Security Administration, financial institutions, health insurance provider, and employer HR. Updating your address with the Texas DPS when obtaining a new driver's license may automatically update your voter registration.

City/County Non-Emergency

Houston Police Department: (713) 884-3131 (within Houston city limits). Harris County Sheriff: (713) 221-6000 (outside Houston city limits). City services: 311.

Poison Control

1-800-222-1222

State Crisis Line

988 (nationwide Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)

Emergency Alerts

Sign up to AlertHouston for general local alerts and the State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry (STEAR) if you or a loved one will require assistance during an emergency event due to disability, limited mobility, or other qualifying needs.

Natural Disaster Info

Flooding is the primary risk for Houston-area residents. Hurricane season runs June through November, with tropical systems regularly affecting the area. Tornado risk is moderate, particularly in spring months. New residents should check the FEMA flood map and consider flood insurance regardless of their designated flood zone.

Top Employers

ExxonMobil, Shell USA, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Memorial Hermann Health System, Houston Methodist, NASA's Johnson Space Center, Port Houston, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, JPMorgan Chase

Job Search Tools

Filter by Houston, TX on LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor for the widest reach. WorkInTexas.com is the Texas Workforce Commission's official job board and may show positions not listed on national platforms.

State Job Portal

The Texas Workforce Commission manages state job listings, workforce training programs, and unemployment benefits.

Unemployment Benefits

File online within three weeks of becoming unemployed. Eligibility requires prior Texas earnings or multi-state consideration—those who relocated before securing work should review eligibility requirements carefully.

Professional Networking

Greater Houston Partnership is the primary regional chamber, offering broad cross-industry programming. Houston Technology Center is focused on the tech and innovation sector.

Staffing & Temp Agencies

Robert Half, Randstad, and Express Employment Professionals all have a strong presence in Houston for contract and temp-to-hire roles. Specialized energy staffing firms—including Spencer Ogden and NES Fircroft—are also active in the market.