Houston literally has something for everyone. Sounds like an overused cliche, but it really is true. "A friend once asked me, 'what can you do in Houston?' and I said to him 'anything you waaaaaant." - Billy F Gibbons
I haven't lived in Houston in over a decade, so I feel like my bias has diminished and I can definitively say there is absolutely nothing cool about Dallas, its honestly one of the lamest cities in the country. Nothing I associate with "cool" is anywhere near Dallas
I'll just say, most people I've met who aren't from Dallas or Houston think Dallas is cooler --that removes all bias. But again, I think Houston is better overall.
It's why people overlook the city. Moving from Houston to Boston, and an avid Houstonian who will rep Houston for the rest of his life, cities like Boston easily trounce Houston in the asthetics department.
I think it has nothing to do with the cities but rather Dallas being more renown in the national culture war with major TV series named after it and the Cowboys. There is more to do in Houston and a more diverse crowd.
Yeah. The Cowboys and the show Dallas is partly reason I think Dallas is cooler. Throw-in the Housewives show too. I don't watch any reality TV, but can recognize the coolness in having it. Curious... what can you do in Houston that Dallas doesn't offer ?
More regional but the beach, watching a World Series level baseball team, more diverse cusine off the top of my head.
Those qualify as recognizable, not "cool." Not just way more diverse cuisine, but truly world class cuisine. And not just food diversity but overall diversity, ethnic enclaves, etc. I much prefer the bar scene in Houston. Arts are culture are substantially better in Houston, ranging from highly reputably museums to extremely quirky art installations. And yeah, way closer to the water. Houston's shortcomings (big picture) are that its ugly and there is a lack of respect older/historic buildings (way too much new construction imo).
Being recognizable is usually a cool thing. It's called being popular, the cool kids. It's entertainment. Dallas does have some nice lakes for water enjoyment, too. Having that enormous Football Stadium is great because it attracts so much more entertainment besides the Cowboys. Dallas also seems to have more women - although Houston is pretty damn good. Houston gets the overall advantage IMO because it has more important things - Med Center, Port, etc. Having the Cowboys and Reality TV is cool, but it's just entertainment. Great to hear all of Houston's advantages that have been mentioned. Nice
Houston is definitely changing. I used to work in one of the most dangerous area in Houston according to statistics, I was always guarded and luckily nothing happened driving to work at 5am for 10 years. 3 years ago, I went back work at the same area and the whole area is beginning to revitalize with new multi-level houses. Property tax shot way up and it will keep going up with new housings, new roads and improvements around the area. And the people there used to be a one race majority, now I see all kinds.
Awesome that we're getting props. Not awesome that this will have an impact on real estate prices/taxes.
Native Houstonian (still live here)...lived in Dallas from 2005-2007 in Uptown Dallas. Dallas is much more aesthetically pleasing...it is a prettier city, a lot of which is due to the zoning they have in place and not nearly as many ugly strip centers all over the place. The traffic isn't as bad and at the time they had a better bar scene for people in their 20's. It was just a bit "nicer". That said, the people were ****ing terrible and the town was full of $30k millionaires, stuck up women (I say this as someone who grew up in upper class Houston) and materialism was rampant. It was also not diverse at all and while they had great BBQ and Tex-Mex and Steakhouses, there was absolutely no comparison to Houston's ethnic cuisines. The best Chinese was PF Changs! Forget about good Vietnamese food... Houston people were much more chill, relaxed and friendly. It doesn't feel like a mini-SMU like Dallas does. Houston has made HUGE strides in the last 10 years but the sprawl, traffic, weather and overall ugliness due to the lack of zoning will always be strikes against us when people visit. I can see how outsiders would think Dallas was nicer but Houston is a better place to live IMO by a long shot
