This and lots of small businesses and strip *malls*. I lived in the Houston area for twenty something years. Other areas of the country have sections similar to Houston but nothing like the endless mile after mile with no change in scenery except the billboards and exit signs. Driven around the entire loop/1960,6 from League City to College Station, I-10 from El Paso to Lousiana, I-45 from Clear Lake to Dallas, multiple times. Silicon Valley is disappointly similar to Houston in *places* along 101, but it's a valley situated between two mountain ranges with a large bay on one side. Austin was turning into Houston when I left, but with much more open space and hills. If you're into the outdoors, Houston leaves a lot to be desired (save watersports), but if that's not your cup of tea, Houston has almost everything else.
i always thought that most of the cities in the US basically are all the same... i cant see a new yorker dumping on houston-- new yorks the worst place to live on earth... its overcrowded, overpriced housing, overpriced parking, its dirty, its polluted, way too much crime, too cold in the winter, too hot in the summer, and i can go on and on....
It wasn't actually a review in the Wall Street Journal. It is an article about the changes Houston is trying to make in getting prepared for the Super Bowl. I didn't really get a negative connotation out of it other than stating it's problems.
exactly maybe the media should be a little less harsh on bad-mouthing Houston, but what exactly are they going to say that's positive about it when most are just visitors? there's not exactly anything particularly striking about it.
WOW Pasox says something rational without whiteline fever controlling his brain..... he is spot on, as an outsider... it is the people that make Houston special and an enjoyable place to visit
I've lived in Chicago and Miami, and I now call Houston home. Like pasox said, the cultural diversity is something you won't find anywhere else. There is so much to Houston, but you have to go and find it. I like that. Everything pasox said is spot on. I just want to give him an "Amen, brotha!"
I dislike that, too, though that's obviously not a Houston-only problem. I appreciate what one of the local McDonalds did once. They needed a bigger space, so they built a new, bigger restaurant directly behind the old one. Then when the new building was ready to go, they tore down the old one and turned that space into parking. So they made a needed upgrade, but didn't leave behind an empty shell of a building. Not evryone has that kind of space, though, to build an entire restaurant behind the current one.
Being from Chicago (insert Yankee joke here) and moving down to Nashville for school and now living down here for almost two years - I have been waiting (........and waiting and waiting) for something in Houston to make me "click." That just hasn't happened. I think my biggest problem with this city is that there just isn't anything "pretty" unless you are willing to drive 45 minutes away. The city is all cement and bland architecture and really has no true draw or landmark to make us stand out. What does make us stand out is the pride that Houston born-and-raised people have in this city. So often do I want to be able to follow suit, however, growing up in a different area and going to school in ANOTHER different area has let me be a bit more exposed to different cities as a basis for comparison. Please, don't get me wrong, I love my job and I absolutely adore the people I have met down here, but if I could pick up all that and take it with me, I certainly would consider it.......
wait a second!!! you're WAAAAYYYYY too smart to judge the worth of a city by the attendance at an NBA event! that's just about the silliest thing I've ever heard.
Can't let this go unopposed, we'll have to move this to D&D but no. In terms of news reporting the Washington Post, LA Times, Christian Science Monitor and NY Times have more unique and timely stuff. The Chronicle is better in my opinion in that it actually isn't totally one sided on the editorial page. In terms of the hearts and minds of Republicans, yes, the Wall Street Journal wins the one sided editorial page hands down.
How about Memorial Park?? Its the 2nd largest park inside a metro area in the nation (behind Central Park of course). We have one of the best looking downtown skylines that Ive seen. Doesnt compare to Chicago or New York mind you, but its pretty damn impressive - and the architecture is far from bland. In fact its been praised in many architectural journals. Houston is a city that isnt concerned with burying the past and moving forward - thats what makes it so cool. Its consumerism at its best.
I promise you there will be a few articles ripping Houston. Negativity is just what most journalists thrive on. Yeah Houston's ugly, yeah there's the traffic, weather, and pollution. So what? There's still alot of good things about Houston. The cost of living, the ethnic diversity, the food, access to just about everything any other major city has, etc.
Um, the Houston skyline is consider one of the most "futuristic" and dynamic in the world. It's often used in movies when they want to provide some sort of look at the future. Comparing it to Dallas and its ball is dumb. The rest of your post I agree with. Zoning is necessary - but the people voted it down. That's the price of democracy. Also, the lofts and condos are a step. It's a chicken/egg problem. Do people come downtown and live there first, or are attractions needed to bring them there? And as for things to do on the weekends, yup, that's true, too. Of course, I can't say that much goes on downtown in many cities. Usually it's a day for people to go to parks, water, etc. That is all found in Houston, you just have to look (and drive). Whoever said that people make the city is spot on. Houston is different. I love the city even though I'm no longer there. No city matches its diversity... and it seems like true diversity, not contrived little villages that become attractions for tourists.
Houston sucks, but Chicago sucks ass. I lived there for four years and my wife is from there originally. What is pretty about Chicago? Everything is nasty, run down, and old. The weather is wretched. Property values and cost of living are some of the highest in the nation and wages are notoriously low. I hate even having to go back there to visit the wonderful inlaws (like next weekend when my wifes idiot sister is getting married to a moron). My wife even thinks that Chicago sucks (to live). It is pretty cool to visit because there is a ton to do but I would never ever ever ever live there again. Ship me to Houston first.
Oh, Reunion Tower was what he was talking about. I was wondering what "Dallas-like" needle tower we had. Honestly, I kind of miss the big lighted signs on the buildings when I go to Houston. Even though they're just advertisements, I still like 'em. But other than that, Houston's skyline is as good, if not better, than any other I've seen.
