9 Signs You’re a Houstonian

How do you become a Houstonian?

If you could pick the best thing about Houston – what would it be?

• Our pride #HoustonStrong
• Our food
• Sports teams
• Being the most diverse city
• Our Arts

And now that you’ve picked the best thing about Houston – does that mean you’re officially a Houstonian?

I’m not a native Houstonian. I was born and raised in the Midwest and came to this city via New York. My family and I spent seven months traveling back and forth, staying in different parts of this sprawling metropolis prior to committing to another move across the country.

But we did it – we moved to Houston in July of 2018, and like a newly adopted pup, I proudly call Houston “my forever home”.

I’m a serial mover. I have moved over 40 times, living in six states from the Midwest to the West Coast to the East Coast and finally landing on what I have nick-named the best coast. And in my six and half years in Houston, I’ve observed and learned a lot about the city and its people.

For starters, native Houstonians are rare birds. You rarely to meet one out in the wild. Everyone else – transplants. The transplants came to Houston for one of two reasons – work or family. Another interesting observation I’ve noticed, is that while some Houstonians may move away at some point the city usually calls them back and for the same reasons as the transplants – work or family.

Secondly, Houstonians, compared to the New Yorkers where I last lived, prioritize family over work. And I love it. People in Houston don’t tend to work on holidays or after 5pm. Their work and/or personal emails are not another version of a group chat or text thread. Houstonians take days to reply to emails.

Now, I understand that these perspectives are through the lense of being a parent and business owner or corporate crusader and that these self-identified hallmarks of Houstonians may not resonate with everyone. So, in true entrepreneurial spirit I have tested and curated the following 9 Houston experiences that I believe could qualify someone to call themselves a Houstonian.

1. I-10-henge – In Manhattan there’s a certain time of year when all the East/West streets align perfectly with the sunrise and sunset, while beautiful when this same phenomenon occurs on I-10 it is blinding. The white stripes delineating lanes vanish and you drive praying that the other drivers around you don’t suddenly sneeze veering from safety, to collision. If you have driven East into Downtown or West to Austin during sunrise or sunset, you are not only risking your life, but are now one step closer to becoming a true Houstonian.
2. Flock of Parakeets – YES. Houston has a wild flock of parakeets that roam our streets. Having been spotted from the Heights to Pearland, their aqua blue is a quick flash of color in any median and a reminder to all of the persistent problem of people dumping pets on the streets. If you have a pet you need to re-home, there are tons of pet rescue orgs and people that are willing to help versus just leaving the poor creatures on the streets. Keep your eyes peeled for that flash of aqua blue!
3. 5 Day Power Outage – Hurricane, deep freeze, derecho be damned. The grid in Texas is clearly not a priority to those in power, so we lose power. Once you’ve experienced a 5 day power outage, you learn quick and prepare with the next incoming storm via batteries, solar charged lights, crank radios, and large water vessels just in case the water goes too. Sorry not sorry to admit that this is probably the physically toughest badge to earn to becoming a true Houstonian.
4. Two-Faced Weather – We all know that we need rain clouds to get rainbows, literally and metaphorically. However, a unique phenomenon I’ve discovered in Houston’s vastness comes with the multi-directional weather currents. You can be driving on one side of the highway in pouring rain, while just across the divide the traffic traveling in the opposite direction is driving care-free in sunshine and rainbows. Another example of this could be one side of town being deeply impacted by a storm, while the rest of the city remains untouched (2024 derecho I’m side-eyeing you).
5. Viet-Canjun – For exactly what it is, and for everything it represents. You are not a true Houstonian until you’ve face planted in the amazing fusion food scene that blossoms from the beautiful diversity that is our city.
6. 100 Degree Sweater Weather – I was so confused when I first got here in July of 2018 and spied people were wearing jeans and a sweater in death defying 100+ degree weather. Then I learned the hard way one afternoon, I nearly froze to death while trying to enjoy lunch inside a lovely, popular River Oaks restaurant. Until you understand the seriousness with which Houstonians take their air conditioning, you shall never be a Houstonian.
7. Turn Around, Don’t Drown – Bless our hearts, with a nickname like the Bayou City, why have we paved over every porous surface with concrete? The origins of this phrase is likely due to the fact that our vast city of mostly transplants are unaware and this lyrical phrase is meant as a warning to remember. When you’ve seen the fury of storms combined with the poor drainage systems our city is built upon, you understand that our below sea-level exits and underpasses welcome water and endanger clueless drivers. Once you’ve learned this Houston phrase, you’ll start spotting the poor souls adrift in murky waters. Stay safe out on the streets y’all!
8. B-Double-E-R-U-N – With a strong population of Czech and Germans settling in the region, Houston might need another nickname, Beer City. There’s beer at 9am while you wait in line at Tejas Chocolate + Barbecue. There’s a beer for Pride, Lavender Bunny Cream Ale. A beer named after women who chase Rodeo winners, Buckle Bunny. THC infused beer, Wonder Beer. A female-owned brewery, Southern Yankee. A beer named after a parade, Art Car IPA. There’s literally a beer for everyone in Houston – this means you are not a Houstonian until you’ve amassed a collection of about 25 koozies. One in your glove box, one for seltzers, one from a wedding, your local coworking space, maybe a baby shower and the rest from local breweries.
9. Houstonian Sub-Category. – There’s the folks inside the loop and the folks outside the loop. What do they have in common? They rarely journey far from their chosen region. Outer loopers, live outside the 610 loop and hate going anywhere near downtown, complain loudly about parking and rave about whatever suburb they live in. Inner loopers, who live inside the 610 loop, are easily frustrated when it takes more than 30 minutes to get anywhere, likely take side roads during rush hour, and have every parking app on their phone. So, once you decide if you an inner looper or an outer looper you’re a real Houstonian.

What else have you noticed that makes Houston, Houston? Whether its our lack of yellow taxis, limited outdoor advertising or immense love of ice houses – Houston’s got a vibe, and we’re all pretty lucky to share it.