Never thought the day would come, but I may be looking at an opportunity that’s located downtown. I’ve always worked in field offices and casual office settings, so this would be 100% foreign to me. The commute won’t be a huge issue, but other than that I’m just looking for input from people who’ve worked there. Pros/cons, the good bad ugly, etc. My experience downtown begins and ends with sporting events, concerts and nightlife. I do know that the building does have direct access to the tunnels and relatively convenient parking.
I never had an issue with working downtown. I think the traffic is a bit overrated, depending on where you are coming from. Especially if they provide you with parking. But its just like getting anywhere else, in my opinion. Except easy access to food.
I worked downtown before. Really good food options. I took the METRO in terms of commuting and it wasn't bad.
I loved working in downtown, I do miss it. Good food options, it's really not that much heavy traffic and better options for public transit if you are commuting from the burbs or somewhere in town. Tunnels are great to avoid the heat.
I work downtown now, in Houston Center. I love working down here. Every single food option you could want is a short walk away. I've worked all over the city, and downtown is by far my favorite area of town to work in.
I work in Houston Center too, but I don't know about most of these awesome food options Dozoo Dumplings in Park Shops Hubcap Grill but thats all I can think of...
Downtown Houston has chewed up and spat out far greater men than yourself. Stick to your paper route, kid.
Used to work in downtown and food choices galore especially in the underground tunnels. Traffic is expected but if you just go with the mindset that there's nothing you can do about it then you're golden. Hopefully your new job provides parking and/or gives you a discount on parking. That expense racks up quickly.
I work in 2 Allen Center and as others have said traffic is just something you deal with on a daily basis. I live in Pearland so if I'm not on the freeway before 4pm then I'll be stuck in traffic. I try to take alternate routes (i.e., Scott, Cullen, Almeda, etc.) but with the rodeo about to start those options get slimmer. Food variety is good and most is in walking distance. My biggest complaint, as Marky points out in his response, is the cost of parking. My company doesn't offer subsidized parking but we do get a little discount. Good luck with your new job!
Bros what I’ve been doing for parking lately is parking on the street literally right outside the front door of my building. It’s $7 for the downtown hopper. You’re supposed to only stay in a spot 3 hours at a time, but I’ve stayed all day on a few occasions and never had an issue. It’s also nice because you can come and go as you please through the day. It’s a good option if you have plenty of street parking near your building.
Mango Tree is solid if you haven’t tried it. It’s on street level. Doozo is one of my favorites. Leaf and Grain is really good if you want a salad.
I'll add as well, if your company doesn't pay for parking, it may be worth it to take the bus. I had a stop close to my house I could walk to, so it wasn't a park and ride bus (I live in spring branch). The cheapest parking near my building at the time was $7 per day. $4 if you got there before 8 (I hardly ever did that). The bus was $2.50 round trip. It actually took a little longer, but I took the time to catch up on reading and such. Limits leaving during the day, but I didn't do that very often any way.
I used to want to work downtown after I moved back from Chicago. I mostly just wanted the tall buildings. But it never happened, and now I'm over it and would probably more dread the hassle than enjoy the tall buildings.
