Eh, doesn't matter. I can see for the visitor arriving at Intercontinental and then driving down 45 or 59 to downtown, they won't get a good impression. Plenty of other places don't look so hot either. But, as a resident, I know where the pretty places are. San Fran is pretty. Downtown Chicago, parts of New York. You don't want to live in ugliness all the time -- which we don't in Houston -- but all the pretty vistas get boring too. Even Lago Atitlan's picturesque scenery and beautiful weather got boring. I looked it up. There are a number of larger-by-area cities (mainly in Alaska) that are only larger because they consolidated the county or borough and the city. Jacksonville did that too. OKC didn't, but it's urbanized area is only 244 square miles. The other 377 square miles is incorporated rural watershed. Houston incorporates some watershed areas too, but not like OKC.
The picturesque part of Chicago really is amazing. If you go to the Mag Mile and, Lake Shore Drive, with Navy Pier... the Gold Coast. That area is exceedingly old, and exceedingly rich... very very well taken care of. However, it is a VERY small area, and only a 10 minutes away is an area so far worse than the worst part of any major city in America. Also, most of Chicago is dirty, littered with railroad tracks, narrow roads, lots of congestion and not at all attractive. Imagine taking the bad areas of Houston, and shoving everything closer together but the buildings are 50-60 years older and not well kept.
Which rock are you living under? I spent a summer in upstate NY, mainly working in the Catskills. Highs in the low-80's with low's in the low-60's. You will never know what a great summer is in Houston, ever - period. To be honest, I can't understand why Houston has a school system which punishes students with an extended break through 95°+ temperatures.
Yeah........ how long is the Summer? Try spending November through the middle of May under snow like is often the case in Chicago. Try slipping on frozen ice, having salt destroy your car, having to shovel every morning, having to scrape off frozen ice every morning and evening off your car and being able to literally do nothing outside. The humidity in Houston is bad, the heat is higher than what most people want. However, the grass isn't always greener on the other side.
When I was living in Pittsburgh, it got so cold outside that the key lock to my truck froze. I didn't even know that was possible.. I was locked out of my car because the lock was frozen! That should give you an idea of how miserable the winter is up north.. give me Houston weather all day. Miami is one of the hottest/most humid cities I've been to, but you never hear people complain about the weather. I guess if you have a beach, people overlook that. I agree it's just the classic "grass is greener on the other side" thinking. Houston is the 4th largest city in the country -- of course there will be traffic. But it's nothing like the traffic in LA, Chicago, NY, etc.
The simple answer, no urban planning + no zoning = ugly city. But the other formula is no urban planning + no zoning = great cost of living + great economy. I guess the secret is find a planned city with strict zoning, great cost of living, and a good economy and you find the most beautiful city in the country.
Don't get this. One, we do have urban planning. But, I also don't really see how zoning contributes to city beautification. It may be my ignorance here, but what would zoning do to, say, that strip of 45-North? And why is it that I-94 in southside Chicago is just as ugly when they do have zoning?
Why would I need to move in with my parents. I have total control over my life. Do you? Kids, I tell ya!
True the grass is usually not greener on the other side, especially when weather is involved. Seems like most cities have several month of unpleasant weather (hot & humid or cold & snowy) but rest of the year the weather is mostly pleasant (just happens at different times of the year). I also have a place in Chicago but seems like I don't share most of your winter problems (a high rise in the gold coast). Personally I don't mind the winter cold that much, with proper clothing you can be comfortable walking outside during winter ( I rarely drive. I usually walk or take the subway).
Clear Lake, Kingwood, and Sugarland were all master-planned communities. I think there are always gonna be those who have the "immigrant mentality" - willing to accept absolute **** because they feel they have no voice, no other option, and will be punished for having reservations against such blight.
Wrong. Completely, and utterly, wrong. A city is a reflection of it's inhabitants, and what this citizens are passionate about. Houston men, in particular, are some of the ugliest specimens known to man. Wide bodied and lacking in handsome qualities, they stumble around with a thirsty look that sends resentment and fear down the spines of sophisticated women. Therefore an emphasis has never been made on the aesthetics of spacing of the city as the insecurities of unattractive people prevent them from accepting beauty. As a result, the landscape has been created for purely economic reasons and has attracted like minded people as a result. Less hot asians , those born to be corporate drones, rednecks looking for strippers, fatties etc. Even inside the loop, the so called thriving cultural center of houston, the lifestyle is one of eating, drinking, farting and gay indoor activities under the facade of southern hospitality. A few good looking women remain, but mainly to serve as trophy wives who can be relied upon to do domestic duties and raise kids with no real soulful existence. The ones with a little life or sophistication .. run to coastal cities as soon as they can. Desperately desiring to be a part of something bigger than themselves .. and procreation. Even Chicago is considered an upgrade by those seeking some savvy, some sophistication , or a few handsome men here and there. Here's to you, Houstonians. Looking in the mirror, not liking what you see, and finally having the courage to make a change.
Zillow did a best-weather analysis in which Houston ranks #8. They count the number of 'pleasant days' defined as days between 55 and 75 degrees with no rain. http://www.zillow.com/research/pleasant-days-methodology-8513/ Top 12: San Diego Los Angeles San Jose San Francisco Jacksonville New York Seattle Houston Chicago Baltimore Dallas Austin
