3. Places Change Quickly Here
One thing that's constantly surprising and that can be hard for some people to adjust to is just how rapidly areas of town can change. Sometimes those changes are jarring or unpleasant for some people to accept, with lots of grousing over how a certain neighborhood used to be "better" in some way, or has lost its character in recent years. Whether or not that kind of redevelopment is a blessing or a curse is a subjective call, but it's clear that the trend is just part of life here, and not likely to change anytime soon. It can be shocking to drive a familiar route and notice just how quickly certain places have been redeveloped or repurposed, but it definitely makes living here interesting and unlike many other places.
2. Driving Anywhere
Any article about how living in Houston will keep you on your toes would be remiss if it omitted mentioning the "excitement" generated by driving here. I'm not exactly sure what forces are at work that make driving in Houston, and particularly on its freeways, such a crazy endeavor, but taking to area roads is not for the faint of heart. At any given time during the day or night, it's common to see some creep moving at Nascar speeds, weaving through traffic, and barely avoiding (usually) clipping another car. It's enough to make a person want to approach the cops working the various speed traps sprinkled throughout town, and ask why they aren't patrolling the freeways instead. And it's not just Houstonians who are noticing, as several recent studies have confirmed our driving to be some of the most dangerous in the country. Whatever the causes, driving in this city will keep a person on their toes.
1. The Insane Weather It's true enough to be a cliche. This part of the state has weather which can turn on a dime. A beautiful day with moderate temperatures and clear skies can turn into a deluge of rain lasting a few minutes or hours, before the hail comes down, followed by heat which would make a sauna blush. That tendency for weather to rapidly change can make it feel like weather forecasts are absolutely useless, and that local weathermen who get accurate results must secretly be wizards. Along with the two inch flying tree roaches, Houston weather is just something most of us eventually accept, while nervously eyeing how high the water in the bayous has gotten, and tracking hurricanes which might barrel inland making for an unfun staycation around a house with no electrical service. The weather here can feel like the meteorological equivalent of living with a psychopath who might abruptly change moods and decide to blow over your garden shed. It does keep things in Houston interesting though, and seems to be another aspect of this city which can often startle residents here.