Why we didn’t go big in Texas

Moving to Texas often means big houses but we chose apartment living. Here’s why our expat family prioritizes location, simplicity, and lifestyle over space.

“Everything Is Bigger in Texas”… Right?

When we told people we were moving to Texas, the reactions were almost always the same:

“Oh wow, you’re going to have so much space!”
“Finally a big house!”
“Texas = go big or go home.”

And honestly… I believed that too. I pictured a big house. A large kitchen, playroom and a pool.

Starting with “Temporary” Plans

When we first arrived, we actually didn’t make a definitive choice. We decided to start in an apartment for the first year and figure things out from there.

We had friends living in beautiful houses. Big spaces, gardens, pools… and yes, it looked amazing. The kind of lifestyle that feels very “Texas.” And for a moment, I thought: maybe that’s what we should do too.

But Then Reality Kicked In

The more we thought about it, the more we realized that a big house also comes with things we weren’t necessarily looking for. More space often means:

More stuff filling it
More cleaning
More organizing
More “things” you slowly collect that you also can’t easily take with you when you move again

And that last one really stayed with me. As expats, we’re not building a forever home here. Everything we bring into our lives now is something we might have to leave behind later. That changes how you look at space.

What We Actually Wanted

Instead of going bigger, we started asking a different question: What kind of life do we want here?

Not just what looks good but what actually works in our daily reality. And the answer wasn’t more space. It was:

Less hassle
Less maintenance
More ease
More connection to our surroundings

The Kind of Convenience You Don’t Think About

Apartment living here makes daily life… lighter.

There’s a gym downstairs.
A pool we actually use.
A package room that removes so much delivery stress.
And if something breaks, it gets fixed quickly.

It’s not something you notice immediately but over time, it makes a big difference. Especially when life is already full with work and kids.

Location Over Everything

What mattered most to us was where we live not how big. We chose a place where we can:

Walk to restaurants
Grab coffee nearby
Step outside and actually be part of something

And if you know Houston, you know how rare that is. Because the alternative is usually:

More space… but everything requires a car
Or less space… but life happening around you

Feeling Safe Without Thinking About It

Another factor we didn’t fully realize upfront: how much we value feeling safe.

With a reception downstairs, controlled access, and being higher up in the building, there’s a sense of security that feels very natural.

Especially with young kids, that matters more than I expected.

Life Feels More Manageable This Way

With two kids and full-time jobs, life doesn’t need to be bigger it needs to be manageable. Less space means:

Less cleaning
Less clutter
Less chaos

Everything feels a bit more contained. A bit calmer. And honestly, that’s exactly what we need right now.

The Unexpected Part: Connection

What surprised me most is how social apartment living can be.

You run into people.
You have small conversations.
You recognize familiar faces.

And sometimes, those moments turn into real friendships. One of our closest friends here?
We met them at the pool and our kids clicked instantly. That wouldn’t have happened as easily in a more spread-out neighborhood.

So… Did We Go Big or Go Home?

We started small giving us time to learn the city and experience our life here. Decide on how we want our life to look like home away from home. But it turned out to fit our life better than expected.

Because yes, Texas is big. But that doesn’t mean your life has to be.