Is Spring, TX A Good Place To Live?
You may have heard the saying, “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” and there’s some truth to that! Texas is the second-biggest U.S. state by area (behind Alaska) and the second-biggest U.S. state by population (behind California). Texas is so big that it was once its own country! Because of its large landmass, it should be no surprise that Texas contains several of the nation’s fastest-growing cities like Fort Worth and Austin.
Considering that the Lone Star state is so expansive, you may find it hard to believe that you can find sprawling suburbs so close to the bustling city life. Houston is the most populated city in the state of Texas with over two million people, but a mere half-hour drive north would land you in the green and rapidly growing suburb of Spring, Texas. And although the city’s proximity to the largest metropolitan area is a great reason to move to Spring, it’s not the only incentive.
Not only does Spring, TX offer the perfect mixture of urban opportunities and rural relaxation, but the city also has an award-winning, quality school system. The high education standards paired with a large concentration of city parks make Spring, Texas, an excellent choice for families.
The hot and humid summers may deter some people, but the tropical climate encourages many to take advantage of Spring’s natural beauty on display at one of the city’s several attractions.
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Why is Spring, Texas a Good Place to Live?
Spring is one of the fastest-growing Houston suburbs with a current population of 60,967 residents. The city is part of the larger metropolitan area and offers small-town living with big-city perks. And although Spring is thriving as a family-friendly destination, the recent growth has put a strain on the city’s infrastructure, evidenced by regular traffic congestion. But everything considered Spring is a good place to live.
Proximity to Houston
One of the best things about Spring is how close it is to Houston. Houston is the biggest city in Texas and the 4th largest city in the United States, and it’s bursting with history and culture. Houston is known for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Texas Medical Center (the largest medical complex in the world), a renowned Theater and Museum District, and an exploding foodie scene.
What’s more, Houston arguably boasts the most diverse metropolis in the country, with over 145 languages spoken. Since Houston is less than an hour’s drive, living in Spring provides the endless opportunities of the big city and the safety assurances of a small town.
Proximity to Nature
Not only is Spring comfortably close to the big city, but Spring is also perfectly situated to enjoy all that nature has to offer. Because Spring Creek borders much of Spring, the city land is incredibly lush. Legend says that Spring got its name simply because, well– the season was too beautiful!
The Mercer Botanic Gardens in nearby Humble boasts over 400 acres of trails, themed gardens, and native trees. The Spring Creek Greenway is a 12,000-acre park that runs along Spring Creek. The Greenway encompasses 40 miles of green space ideal for hiking and biking, in addition to the area’s popular water activities like fishing and canoeing. Hart Pundt Lake is a popular choice for fishing, swimming, and sunbathing.
Quality School System
There are five major public school districts in Spring. Klein ISD, Spring ISD, and Conroe ISD are all independent school districts with a physical address in Spring, Texas. Klein ISD is one of the top-rated school districts in the state! Since the inception of National Blue Ribbon Schools in 1982, the city of Spring has been recognized several times for its commitment to quality education.
Family-Friendly Attractions
If nature’s not your thing, you can still find plenty of family-friendly entertainment in Spring. Learn about Spring’s history as a trading post and railroad town at the historic Old Town Spring. Old Town Spring is fully equipped with Victorian houses, picturesque ice cream parlors, and quaint shops. Float the lazy river at the Houston area’s largest waterpark, Six Flags at Hurricane Harbor Splashtown.
You can pay your respects at the National Museum of Funeral History, featuring the largest collection of funeral service artifacts in the nation. Even if you’re not particularly fond of death, the museum points out that funerals are one of man’s oldest customs. The nearby Woodland Waterway offers stunning riverfront dining and shopping, so don’t be afraid to meander along with the boutiques and eateries.
No Income Tax
Texas is one of the nine U.S. states that don’t currently have an income tax. As a result, living in Spring means that you can keep more of your paycheck each period and don’t have to file income taxes each year.
But keep in mind that states with no income tax usually have to implement higher property and sales taxes, causing goods to be pricier. But if you’re really making bank, living in Spring can definitely pay off.
Cheaper Energy Bills
Texas is known for its coal and oil industries, but the Lone Star state is becoming a green energy leader. While most U.S. states have regulated energy markets in which the utility company has a monopoly over the market, Texas is one of 16 deregulated energy states. Since deregulated energy states allow consumers to choose their provider, this process keeps service competitive and prices low.
Low Housing Costs
Low housing costs make Spring an affordable alternative to nearby Houston. That could explain why almost 70% of Spring residents own their homes! While the national average cost for a house hovers around $250K, the average price for a home in Spring is $155K.
Good Ol’ Southern Charm
One of the most winsome traits about Spring is its natural southern charm. Texans are as proud of their good manners as their storied history. Even a cowboy knows how to tip his hat!
And while you may think that the Lone Star state motto is “Don’t mess with Texas,” the state motto is actually “Friendship.” The state name was reportedly taken from the Caddo Indian word for friend, “Tejas.” Texans are among the most friendly and genuine people, but these small Texas towns are not without their share of racist incidents.
What Are the Pitfalls of Living in Spring?
Even though Spring, Texas, is a good place to live because of its balmy weather and beautiful bluebonnets, it’s not all sunshine and wildflowers. The city’s position on the Gulf of Mexico makes it highly susceptible to severe weather, including hurricanes and flooding. Expect property taxes to be higher than the national average, but remember that you could be saving on income taxes!
Unpredictable Weather
Spring’s tropical climate and its closeness to the Gulf of Mexico is a sure forecast for unpredictable weather. The city has sweltering hot summers, and thanks to the surrounding water, there’s no shortage of bugs and insects. Additionally, allergies are infamously bad in Texas as a whole, and it’s no better for the small city of Spring. If you are sensitive to pollen, Spring may not be the idyllic escape that you’re looking for.
Spring’s location on the Gulf of Mexico makes the Houston suburb especially vulnerable to hurricanes. There have been 51 hurricanes in Spring in less than 100 years, with the largest being Ike in 2008. And the severe weather doesn’t stop there! The risk of tornado damage in Spring is much higher than the national average and even the Texas state average.
Higher Property Taxes
Since Texas does not impose an income tax, the state’s property taxes are often much higher to make up the difference. Schools and social services are supported instead by the county tax, school district tax, and municipal utility district (MUD) tax. MUDs provide community services such as drainage or water, but MUDs can also cause property taxes to skyrocket in newer developments. MUDs, along with school and property taxes, make up the property tax structure in Spring.
Long Commute
Although Spring is only 24 miles away from Texas’s largest city, local transportation relies on personal automobiles. This results in heavy traffic and a long commute. The typical commute in the U.S. gets longer every year, and Spring is no exception.
The city’s public transportation infrastructure is nearly non-existent. An overwhelming 81% of residents drive their car to work for an average commute time of 32.5 minutes per day. That’s six minutes longer than the national average!
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Related Questions
What are the safest cities in Texas?
When determining the safest cities in Texas, you have to consider both public safety and financial security. Public safety takes violent crime, property crime, and officer-related incidents into account. Financial safety depends on unemployment rates, cost of living, and average income.Based on these factors, the safest cities in Texas are Keller, Highland, Frisco, Pearland, and Allen. Conversely, the most dangerous cities in Texas are Bellmead, Humble, Lubbock, Bastrop, and Palmview. Houston makes the list as the 7th most dangerous city in Texas.
What is the crime rate in Spring?
While the crime rate in nearby Houston is 117% higher than the U.S. average, nearby Spring offers a natural respite from the big city’s inherent dangers. Spring has a large medical community and an excellent school system, contributing to residents’ general feeling of safety.Spring has an average crime rate when compared to other U.S. cities. According to NeighborhoodScout, 1 in 66 Spring residents is a victim of a violent crime. That number may sound high, but Spring is safer than 40% of American cities. Overall, most would agree that Spring is a good place to live.
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HK Sloan is a freelance writer currently covering DIY Home Improvement, Health, and Lifestyle. Sloan is passionate about improving situations for less, whether it be working on mind, body, or home.
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