Seconded. It's become big time since that Into the Abyss documentary came out, but the city hasn't sold out. *cough*Austin*cough*
As a native Houstonian who moved north of Austin for work 3 years ago, and goes out on lake Travis weekly... I agree with all this.
Texas really needs a new, 1960s-70s, version of Austin to spring up somewhere. Seems that other states don't have this stagnation problem. Midsize cities with appeal pop up all the time. Not so much in Texas.
We need to grab a beer one time I'm out at my parents' place in Sun City. My sister is actually out there right now helping out with my Dad after his back surgery. I'd pick Austin as well. I'd love to be able to move back to the area, maybe not Austin itself. I can telecommute so if my wife succeeds in her goal of finding one where she can, I'm going to go north and west of Austin, maybe close to Lake LBJ or something. Honestly, I wish I could move to Sun City. I love it up there. Even some GILFs if you have a keen eye. Waco! LOL.
I want to say Beaumont, but I don't want to lose any credibility here. They have the second largest fire hydrant in the USA.
Actually, Ft.Worth is the best city in Texas. It has had a thriving music scene since the 60's, the cities' elite have put massive amounts of money up to promote culture. It's got great museums, music venues, a river walk, a big zoo, a cowboy culinary culture of meat meat meat. And the west side sort of looks like a mini-Austin. But Dallas sucks.
OP has already admitted (in another thread a couple months back) that he's the classic "grew up in the Houston burbs" kid who visited the other cities for a weekend of partying in the hot spots and then compares that to his home life. Apples, meet oranges. Not that it totally invalidates his opinion, but there's an asterisk on it. The idea that Dallas has "nicer" and "more walkable" areas than Houston is just silly. I've lived in both, and there's plenty of nice, walkable spots in inner-loop Houston -- you just have to actually spend time here and get to know it. I'd take Houston over Dallas by a mile -- fairly comparable cities in terms of layout and getting around, but Houston has much more diversity and international flair. Friendlier locals and fewer $30K millionaires, too. I'd take Houston over Austin, but it depends on your priorities. Can definitely see the argument for Austin if you're into outdoors stuff. For me, though, the terrible traffic situation in Austin combined with the lack of pro sports teams gives Houston the edge.
This. Other than Houston, Fort Worth is my favorite city in Texas. Even though I hate the stigma it has of being attached to Dallas.
I got curious and did a search for Texas cities by population. I find it hilarious that Beaumont is the only city in the state that is shrinking. It really is a poverty stricken dump. I support this. I went to FW last year for a wedding, stayed a good while, and had a blast. It's big enough and far enough from Dallas to have its own identity.
Ft Worth is ok. I just lump it in with Dallas and call it the cool part of town. Again when I spent lot's of time in Austin it was so much different than it is now and im only in my early 30s it seems like some older posters are very fond of the 60s and 70s.
Growing up in the Houston burbs (Spring/The Woodlands), there's a lot I miss about being there. I miss going to (and even having the ability to watch on tv) games. I still have plenty of friends and family around, too. I've lived in the Austin area since graduating college in 1999. There's so much I love about it...basically all of the things Deckard said. I love the access to the Hill Country, the music, food, and the vibe. Yeah...a lot has changed over the past 20 years. I don't think all of it is for the worse. SXSW has gotten out of control. That might be my biggest complaint. Still, there's a draw to moving back to the Houston area. We're currently waiting to see what happens with my job. If they shut our plant down and move the production, I'll have the opportunity to either move to Atlanta or work from home. I'm not moving to Atlanta. With the opportunity to work from home, I think we're going to pick up and go. Man, though, is it getting nearly impossible to get a house anywhere near The Woodlands. That Exxon complex is making things very tough, real estate wise, for buyers. I couldn't care less if I ever step foot in dallas, again. I've never had a chance to spend time in FTW. I'd like to check it out some time.
I'd rank Austin 3rd, behind Houston and Dallas. Dallas is pretty bland, but I'm a big city kind of guy so the DFW area appeals to me solely due to the fact that there's lots of people. Austin I'd like if it were bigger and had a more urban feel outside of downtown. But Houston is head and shoulders above every other Texas city IMO.
It depends on personality type, interests, goals, etc... San Antonio shouldn't be on the list. For a lot of people Dallas would make a lot of sense. For most people in the world, Houston would make the most sense, clearly. And then there's Austin which is obviously the best if you're not looking for work or affordable housing options and you're into all of the outdoor activities it can offer.
Houston and Dallas are the same. Dallas is more upscale, but how can you say Houston is better than Dallas or vice versa. You drive everywhere and there is a lot of concrete. A lot of bands that go to austin usually do a show in houston and dallas. Austin is a little more green, but if you want to travel especially out of the country you need to fly through houston or dallas. I do think the bar scene in Austin is much better. Better organized and better prices. I prefer houston because I grew up in the houston, and I like the going to rockets games.
I like Austin but never lived in Houston proper growing up. lived and worked on my own in Austin so I really connected and felt like I was part of "the city" in fact, my closest connection to the city of Houston and my one source of pride would be the Rockets, by far. (also partial to my memories of West Fest and Bob Marley Festivals growing up in the mid 90's) my wife, who is neutral on the matter, said she could see us living in Austin but not Houston, which is what I call my "home town"
They used to be more closely aligned but Houston now offers both cultures. You can live that Dallas lifestyle in Houston, definitely. But the "Austin-y" vibes are dominating right now. If you like Austin (outside of college life) you'll like Houston, unless you're into their outdoor activities.
I think this conversation should be more micro instead of macro. That is, what are the best neighborhoods in Texas. The city you live in doesn't affect you nearly as much as your neighborhood. Houston has some awesome neighborhoods, as does Austin. I'm unfamiliar with San Antonio and Dallas though.
