those pictures in above you posted look like old house: no 'high ceiling', old style kitchen, simple decoration of the materials used,eg: pave stone, old painting, no luxury....
Many water front, lake front house in Hosuton, with Palm tree in backyard, spring foundain in middle of lakes...., you never saw them and sounds like you don't even know.
Yes Houston is a city with affordable house for a good life-style, one can find 2 story house with swimming pool, even at water front or lake access, at price from even $250K - 1 - 1.5 million, sure..., higher price, more tax.