Texas Trotter

  The holidays may be ending but that doesn’t mean the fun has to!  This season, running to this Sunday, enjoy the last bits of winter with The Light Park drive-thru spectacular at Hurricane Harbor! This week-long event features a special holiday light show with millions of holiday lights flashing on display in the Hurricane Harbor parking lot. It’s a great way to spend time with your families from the warmth of your car, taking in the last traces of that warm winter holiday spirit before you celebrate the new year. Hurricane Harbor is a great place to be during the summer when things get hot. From rides to games to a LOT of splashes, it’s the perfect place to cool off on a hot day! While the park is not open right now due to Covid and the season, things are expected to pick back up again in the summer so make sure you’re setting aside time to beat the crowds!  In terms of residential living with close convenience to Hurricane Harbor, there are many options to pick from. Buena Vista Ap

With the pandemic still not completely over, it might feel a bit daunting to start thinking about moving into a new place, especially with all the economic uncertainty going on right now. The good news is that you can look no further--Austin, Texas, is the perfect place for you to call home!  Austin is going through a massive real estate boom right now and that’s not including the really affordable apartment deals taking place all throughout the city. The recent boom likely stems from the overall affordability in the area coupled with the new emergence of Austin’s Silicon Valley industry with more and more jobs in the technology sector becoming all the rage for tech-minded workers. Couple that with Austin’s hip, modernly-artistic community and you have a recipe for residential success, whether you’re a student, prospective employee, adventurous single person, or looking to raise a family. Austin has everything you need to grow and seize your future for many years to come! In terms of t

  Some really exciting news for all you sci-fi enthusiasts!  A brand new museum with a specific focus on aliens, UFOs, and space exploration has opened up! The new museum, entitled Seismique, will feature 40 rooms full of exhibits themed to extraterrestrials, artificial intelligence, immersive art, and glowing light displays designed to pique your full curiosity of the unknown. The museum’s location in the Village at West Oaks is a wealthy part of town located near Westheimer Parkway. For those with an investment in science and technology, as well as the concept of space travel, this is an excellent opportunity to explore the great beyond with artistic exhibits and out of this world entertainment! For Houstonians looking for adventure in the final frontier, there’s plenty of excellent residential options to choose from. Residents living near the Mason Park area, Stonecreek Apartments, for example, might find a simple fifteen-minute drive over with ease. The same can be said if you’re l

  I’ve discussed the emergence of Silicon Valley within Texas in the past. But there’s even BIGGER news! Many are saying that, as a tech hub, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has now significantly outshined the San Francisco Bay Area this year with both Silicon Valley and San Francisco slipping in their overall rankings. Companies near the DFW area are taking an especially aggressive turn in hiring out IT professionals. Major companies include: Lockheed Martin JPMorgan Chase USAA Citi Deloitte Verizon Wells Fargo IBM NTT Data InfoVision And more! Things are really picking up now, making Dallas a great place to live and work if you have technology on the brain! There’s no telling just how big this thing could possibly get and I can’t wait to see where it all goes!  I’ve made several blogs in the past discussing how great living in Dallas is. My favorite picks for residential living are the Lure, the newly-renovated Muse, Residence at Midtown, and Sierra Park. These spots have everything you n

  With Covid-19 far from over, I can’t stress enough how important it is for all Houstonians and apartment residents to keep proper track of their health. For Houstonians that are looking to move to a new place during this awful pandemic, it can feel a bit stressful and tricky. The great news is that some residential locations are actually paying attention to the high demand for medical attention during this Covid season and are planning accordingly. Bella Vista Apartments and Townhomes, located near South Dairy Ashford Road, is opening up a new free medical clinic for both tenants and the general public. The Karya Kares Clinic is designed to help residents with all their personal health queries, along with aiding them during the pandemic. All doctors at the clinic are prime specialists in their field and will be volunteering their time for this ambitious project. While full details about the clinic itself are still murky at the moment, everything I’ve heard so far suggests that they t

Some great news for Houston residents living near the Vintage Park area!  Hewlett Packard, an esteemed hardware company, has recently announced that it plans to move its global headquarters to the Houston area from California, along with expanding its locations in Austin and Plano. Set for completion in the spring of 2022, HPE will be constructing a gigantic 440,000 square-foot campus for its workers, expanding its reach in the quiet suburban area. For Houston residents with a focus on technology and engineering, this will be a huge opportunity for excellent employment advancement.  The current HPE headquarters, stationed near the Vintage Park region, is already a testament to the company’s strong influence in the area. For Houstonians carefully watching this new development, it would be incredibly wise to start making plans to grow more accustomed to learning about the company once job opportunities begin to explode following the end of the pandemic. There are plenty of excellent apar

  The time has finally arrived for Houstonians. Slowly, but surely, we’re moving closer and closer towards the end of Covid-19. Naturally, things will take a long time to set themselves back in order. But the good news is that we’re almost out of the woods. With the Covid vaccine now available for early circulation, at least to a certain degree, residents living near top Houston medical districts can rest easy knowing that hope is brimming steadily on the horizon. It hasn’t been an easy year for Houstonians, especially with all the craziness that’s been going on thanks to the pandemic. The brand new Pfizer vaccine hopes to curtail any further pandemic-anxieties by helping people build immunity to the virus without getting sick. Word is, based on some research I’ve done, that nearly 95,000 doses of the vaccine are headed to the hospitals across the state, with the vaccine headed to the remaining 86 medical sites to begin shipping later in the week. Among the state hospitals in Houston t

  It’s time to embrace the winds of change. Texas has become a shining beacon of diversity, development, and new ideas. And the gradual, but ever-present prominence of major companies has become a key signifier of this. The emergence of big companies like Tesla, Amazon, HP, and Oracle, among others, has shown that Texas is cementing itself as a major player in the world of big corporations, especially within the city of Austin. Yes, it’s true. Austin itself has, in many ways, become the new Silicon Valley. Austin’s young and modern climate has made it a highly attractive spot for companies to scout out ready and eager talent, especially when it comes to technology. And with Texas having major tax advantages, it’s in companies’ best interests to seize the opportunity to save money while having a strong, energetic new workforce.  That’s really what’s so great about Austin--it really has the sense of spirit to take on new challenges and technological goals. I have visited Austin a number

Dallas really never stops surprising me when it comes to its attractions and architecture. Just the other day, they announced the construction of a huge brand-new interactive fountain. The fountain will be situated at Klyde Warren Park and will be designed to serve as an ideal place for all Dallas residents to gather and admire the city’s artistic atmosphere. But that’s not the major drawing point of this magnificent new development. Once completed, the fountain stands to be the largest and tallest water fountain in the world . You heard me--the proud Lonestar State will be home to a record-breaking attraction that no one has ever seen. It’s quite an impressive feat if you ask me.  The area near Klyde Warren Park is a true marvel; a green spot in the heart of the cityscape. For residents living near the region, the park provides a space for all Dallas residents to congregate and take in the true breadth of the city surrounding them. Once the fountain is in place, the area will be an ex

When I was a kid, the biggest thing that fascinated me was dinosaurs, from their history to their biology--everything about them was amazing. And I couldn't imagine a bigger revelation than getting to go to the Houston Museum of Natural Science for the first time to see and learn about them in person. The Houston Museum District is the best place for Houstonians to flex their book-smarts and really get a sense of fine taste and culture through its various museum locations. Apartment residents in Bayou Park, the Heights, and Northside, are highly privileged in that they are super close in proximity to this fascinating region of town.  Having lived near the Bayou Park area for a brief period of my life as an apartment resident, I can say that the quality of life here is very near and dear to my heart with the amount of culture and creativity I was subjected to in being so close to the various Houston museums. I was able to commute to them with ease and I found the experiences I had t

There simply is nothing quite like a trip to Clear Lake! From its stunning Bay Area shopping district to the Armand Bayou Nature Center, this area of town is simply breathtaking when it comes to things to see and do. And the crowning glory of this region, indisputably, is the world-famous Space Center Houston, an exciting and informative visit for anyone with a love for NASA and the thrills of being an astronaut. Clear Lake is no stranger to fine residential living, especially in such a lively and thriving part of town with an upscale atmosphere. Nearby apartment residents will find that living here has some major perks, from exquisite dining venues to ideal nightlife hotspots. For those of you who are excited about the prospect of living near Space Center Houston, you’ll find that The Riviera at Clear Lake is probably your best bet for having quick access to the center without having to deal with heavy traffic.  Starting from November 14th to January 3rd from 6pm to 10pm, Space Center

I really can't say enough about just how fun and engaging it is to explore new areas of the Dallas district. From the thriving cityscape of Downtown to the bustling landscape of the various university communities, Dallas offers every resident a plethora of fun things to see and do. But easily, by far, one of my very favorite places is the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. This gorgeous 66-acre botanical garden is the perfect place for those of you who love fresh air and fine gardening. On a sunny day, the area is simply gorgeous with fresh flowers and exotic scenic locations. They additionally feature holiday-themed events and visitors can sometimes find the Dallas Ballet performing under gazebos over the course of the day. With the approach of the Christmas season soon upon us, the Arboretum is the ideal place to visit as the place is simply aglow with festive lights and holiday-themed attractions. There’s no doubt about it, the Dallas Arboretum is simply one of the best plac

Let the good times roll! For anyone who loves the sights and sounds of the casino and the bright neon lights of a nightlife party, the Las Vegas Strip is the ideal place for residents who crave adventure. Around every corner, you'll find the very best selection of entertainment, delicious dining, and bustling casino hotspots. Las Vegas is one of the greatest living and travel destinations in the country, abundant with excellent food and Lady Luck lurking around every corner! There’s no scarcity of iconic landmarks, from the famous fountains at the Bellagio to the enormous Colosseum Theatre at Caesar’s Palace. Though the weather is almost always hot, you’ll find that it’s no hassle keeping cool here with the Las Vegas Strip’s endless supply of alcohol venues within its air-conditioned high-class casinos.  There’s really a little bit of something for everyone here, even if you’re not here for travel! For residents who love the Las Vegas Strip as much as I do, there’s plenty of living

Winter in Austin, Texas, has never looked prettier. With 2020 being such a gloomy year for everyone, it's time to celebrate the holiday and illuminate some much-needed hope on the horizon. That's why the 56th Annual Austin Trail of Lights is a wonderful opportunity to unwind and enjoy some holiday cheer with loved ones. The city of Austin is a highly unique, diverse, and engaging city with an endless array of fun things to see and do. I personally really enjoy the modern atmosphere and millennial flavor to its businesses and architecture. You can find many different opportunities here for excellent residential living and convenient commutes, on top of all the entertaining events you’ll be attending across the city! The Trail of Lights is an excellent opportunity for friends and family to enjoy a socially-distanced celebration of the season from their vehicle with visitors getting to take in the sights of a beautiful display of lights and color. Located in Zilker Park, the Trail

Out of all the cities in Texas, even my beloved Houston home, San Antonio is one of those places that is very near and dear to my heart. From the food to the culture to the funky college-esque atmosphere, San Antonio is jam-packed with endless things to see and do. All across the city, you'll find an endless maze of new attractions and cultural landmarks. And everything begins and ends with the Alamo, the crowning jewel of the freedom that earned Texas its place in the United States. The Riverwalk, especially during the holidays, is a great place to unwind with food and shopping. Given its close proximity to the Alamo along with the hottest clubs and eateries, it’s the best place to enjoy that wonderful San Antonio lifestyle with a scenic view of the river. Equally wonderful is the Quarry Market, noted for its close proximity to Trinity University and the University of the Incarnate Word. This area serves as local shopping and dining hangout for the local college students, as well

  YE S , Toto. We’re in Kansas. The Kansas City area is bustling with old-fashioned charm and entertainment. Here in the Wheat State, residents can enjoy all the exciting perks from excellent schools to intriguing museums to delicious Kansas City BBQ.  And it doesn’t stop there--residents can also enjoy the lively local nightlife, including Chicken N Pickle, Westport, Missie B’s, and more! And don’t forget the theme parks! Kansas City is home to Worlds of Fun, the 235-acre amusement park with enough coasters and rides to leave your head spinning! During the summer when it’s warmer, you can also check out the Oceans of Fun water park, complete with a wave pool, lazy river, splash pads, and more! Just outside of Kansas City, residents can unwind in the Overland Park area, strolling through the Overland Park Mall or trekking through one of the many serene parks in the area. In terms of apartment living here, I definitely recommend Clear Creek Apartments as it’s situated in a more quiet a

Yes, I know I'm the TEXAS Trotter, but I like to shake things up every now and then. Salt Lake City is one of the most unique places to live, especially in the state of Utah. Known as the City of Saints and the Crossroads of the West, Salt Lake City is a true beacon of culture, diversity, and goodwill across the board! In Salt Lake City, there are endless different sights and attractions to look forward to for residents and visitors. You’ll find an endless array of historical attractions, from the Great Salt Lake to Liberty Park to Big Cottonwood Canyon and more! There’s also the Hogle Zoo, Clark Planetarium, the Natural History Museum of Utah, and Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort! But that just barely scratches the surface. You’ll find that there’s never really a boring moment in this tastefully cultured city. In terms of ideal apartment living, I’d say that Downtown 360 Apartments is probably your best bet for convenience as it is situated directly in the heart of the Salt Lake Cit