"I'm a face without a name / Just walking in the rain / Goin' back to Houston, Houston, Houston" -Dean Martin, singing about Mission Bend's neighboring city, Houston
Mission Bend, Texas is a little town just outside of Houston. The city is about 20 miles from downtown, so it draws in a lot of folks who work in Houston but don't want the big-city pace of life. The population is around 36,501 according to the 2010 U.S. census. You can hop in and out of Houston on the METRO buses or cruise downtown in your Cadillac - or pickup if you're a real Texan. It's a pretty tiny place but most people head into Houston for shopping, dining and entertainment and use Mission Bend as a place to relax and soak up some of that good ol' Texan sunshine!
Moving here is just like moving anywhere
"I'm a face without a name / Just walking in the rain / Goin' back to Houston, Houston, Houston" -Dean Martin, singing about Mission Bend's neighboring city, Houston
Mission Bend, Texas is a little town just outside of Houston. The city is about 20 miles from downtown, so it draws in a lot of folks who work in Houston but don't want the big-city pace of life. The population is around 36,501 according to the 2010 U.S. census. You can hop in and out of Houston on the METRO buses or cruise downtown in your Cadillac - or pickup if you're a real Texan. It's a pretty tiny place but most people head into Houston for shopping, dining and entertainment and use Mission Bend as a place to relax and soak up some of that good ol' Texan sunshine!
Moving here is just like moving anywhere. It's a fairly easy place to find apartments, no matter what time of year you're looking. There is more housing for sale than rental housing, but you should still be able to find either with a little diligence and patience. Finding an apartment complex outside of Houston means that you'll have access to all the great things the big city has to offer, as well as the pleasure of living in a quieter area. There won't be much difference in your apartment hunt throughout the year, although some people might prefer not to do heavy moving in the summertime when the heat can jump up into the 100's! Try to see a number of different places when you're looking, whether you're trying to find studios or two-bedroom apartments for rent. It's good to get a feel for what life would be like in a high-rise apartment vs. townhouses, for example.
What You'll Need
When you're moving to Mission Bend, remember to gather all the right paperwork in advance. You're going to need all the basics such as your credit report, a copy of your ID, references, letter of employment, pay stubs and bank statements. Having all of this material ready to go will save you time scrambling around after you find a place you love! Plus, you'll impress your landlord with how organized you are, which could score you that apartment if competition is fierce.
Mission Bend has a pretty cohesive feel, as it is really all one outer neighborhood of greater Houston. 30,000 residents pack into a pretty small area, but it doesn't feel crowded. Most of the houses here have lots of trees and shrubs, giving the whole town the feeling of an open park. Still, there are a few distinctive areas.
North: Mission Bend North has many recreational activities. You'll love the relaxing green space of Mission West Park. This park features a walking trail, a baseball field, volleyball court, playground and picnic tables. There are also quite a few trees and grassy areas that are pleasant to enjoy during summer.
George Bush Park: This park is an enormous one - and it is also a wildlife refuge. Bird watchers delight in this space. It has a long history and also provides the neighborhood with soccer fields, baseball diamonds and a shooting range. There are also numerous walking, biking and jogging trails. You'll find mostly single-family homes that are medium in size, or large apartment complexes.
Life in Mission Bend is pleasant and quiet. It's close to Interstate 10, which means excellent transportation access all around the Houston area. There are also plenty of independent and chain restaurants where you can get a bite to eat without having to head into downtown Houston. You'll find plenty of shopping options here, too, from boutiques to grocery stores. Of course, it's impossible to talk about life in Mission Bend without mentioning Houston itself. It's the largest city in Texas with over 2 million people and is the true hub of business and nightlife for the surrounding area.
