Story and photos by Teresa Otto (unless otherwise indicated)
Living in Billings, Montana
I grew up in Montana, lived in a few other parts of the country and overseas (compliments of the U.S. Army), and found my way home 20 years ago to be there for my aging parents. I settled in Billings and worked as an anesthesiologist with a terrific group in a top-notch hospital.
I retired a couple of years ago and my family responsibilities ended when my mom passed away. My dad died 10 years before.
Time to Move
The 20 years I’d lived in Billings, was the longest time I’d lived anywhere my whole life. I was eager for a change. An influx of people moving to Montana from metropolitan areas around the country meant real estate prices were skyrocketing. People looking to relocate were buying homes sight unseen for top dollar. It was a great time to make the move. But where to go?
I had some insider knowledge on Texas, with my best friend being from the state. But how to narrow down the choices? Montana is a big state; Texas is enormous!
My Relocation Wish List
Here are some things I wanted in my new town:
To live in a house with a backyard in a pet-friendly neighborhood. I was moving with three rescued pets – a dog and two cats.
To enjoy the great outdoors. This included walking my dog and riding my bike safely without dodging traffic. I wanted access to recreational opportunities without driving to get to them.
To easily access museums and entertainment venues. The venues didn’t have to be right in town, but within an hour’s drive.
To dine in good restaurants. Billings is home to The Burger Dive – that serves national award-winning burgers. A great steak is easy to find. I was looking for a place with Indian and Egyptian food, Middle Eastern and Mexican food.
To leave behind the snow and hail while avoiding tornados, floods, and earthquakes. Since the weather service warns of approaching hurricanes, I felt I could deal with that natural disaster provided I lived in area that wasn’t prone to flooding.
To live near an international airport, preferably one with a hub for a major airline carrier.
And the Winner Was …
The Woodlands, Texas
… a planned community in Southeast Texas 30 miles north of Houston.
Pet-Friendly Living
Real estate in The Woodlands runs the gamut from very affordable 3-bedroom, 2-bath houses to mansions on Lake Woodlands’ waterfront.
In comparing comparable properties in Billings and The Woodlands, the homes in Texas were more reasonable to buy – averaging about 25% less for a similar house.
With each neighborhood having wooded, paved trails, there isn’t a pet-unfriendly area.
For us humans, living among trees must be good for our health, which leads me to the next thing on the checklist.
Abundant Outdoor Activities
The Woodlands was designed with nature in mind. Founder George Mitchell wanted people living among and enjoying nature. The community’s 160 miles of paved trails link residential areas to shopping areas, parks to more parks. A wilderness area named for George Mitchell, running through The Woodlands, provides ample opportunities to get up close and personal with the forest and its residents.
Cultural Activities and Entertainment
The Woodlands provides easy access to entertainment, with the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, named for George Mitchell’s wife. This venue hosts well-known musicians.
And in less than an hour, you can be in Houston’s museum district and deciding between the Museum of Fine Arts or Contemporary Arts Museum, the Holocaust Museum or the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. The NASA Museum, with lectures by astronauts, is just an hour away.
Restaurants in The Woodlands to Rave About
Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find – Indian, Japanese, Brazilian, Thai, Greek. A drive into Houston multiplies the offerings and adds Persian, Ethiopian, Moroccan, Polish, Turkish, and Malaysian food to name a few. And then there’s barbeque and Tex-Mex.
A simple meal of brisket, potato salad, and coleslaw, with peach cobbler for dessert at Rudy’s is hard to beat. And be sure to try the fajitas at El Palenque, too.
Climate in The Woodlands
Contrary to what you might expect, Montana gets hot, easily to the high 90s and low 100s in the eastern part of the state away from the Rocky Mountains. It also can dip well below zero degrees in the winter. Weather is extreme and becoming more so each year with golf ball-sized hail and even tornados.
I moved to The Woodlands in June. It is hot and more humid than I am accustomed to. But I have the luxury of living in an air-conditioned home, probably as nearly every resident does. When fall and winter arrive, I’m looking forward to moderate temperatures.
Hurricane season is upon us and the weather service was quick to warn residents of Hurricane Laura’s approach. She missed The Woodlands entirely, though. Should a hurricane make landfall near Houston, The Woodlands seems to be prepared for the onslaught of rain with moats surrounding each block, allowing for quick drainage of the buckets of water that may fall.
Airport Access
George Bush Intercontinental Airport is 25 miles away. Multiple carriers fly in and out to just about any national or international destination on your list. Off-site parking is as low as $4 per day.
Once I’m free to travel, you can be sure I’ll be taking advantage of this easy access to the airport.
The Unexpected Bonus
Living here is a nature photographer’s dream. Imagine seeing a Great Blue Heron wading in a small creek in the George Mitchell Preserve, a Cattle Egret perched along The Waterway, a developed area for walking, biking, and kayaking, and turtles vying for attention as they basked in the sun – and all an easy bike ride from my front door.
