Houston, TX San Antonio, TX Austin, TX (favorite) New Orleans, LA Washington DC Shreveport, LA Baton Rouge, LA Branson, MO Little Rock, AR And probably some more but not for an extended time (Like, I've been to Orlando twice, but one time I was at Universal and one time I was at Disney and both times I saw absolutely none of the city besides on the drive there, so I don't really count it) I haven't traveled much, but I'm younger and plan to travel a lot more eventually. Also, I really haven't been around Austin that much. I've been 3 times but none of the times I've stayed very long, but loved each stay and I love the area. I'll be going back this year for Austin City Limits and MAYBE SXSW, and I was also hoping to go this summer for a few days or something just to see the city some more. The DC trip was a ton of fun, maybe the most fun on this list, but I dunno, the city was different, and I couldn't imagine myself going very often. Though I would like to go again
You are in for a rude awakening. I have lived in a number of cities, including some of the largest and supposed best in the country and they are every bit as bad, if not worse. New York is unbelievably expensive and the people are not nice. Chicago is also expensive, the weather is horrible 7 months out of the year and the suburbs are worse. Los Angeles is like a dirtier version of Houston, but with twice the homeless. Philly is disgustingly bad. Houston is not perfect, but it overall in the top 25% of cities I have lived in.
There was a time in my life when I was really starting to dislike Houston. I'm 32 and have been in Houston for 21 years now. But now I know Houston is a nice place to live and work. Is it pretty? Definitely not. Is it ugly? Eh....
For me, Houston is incredible ugly and boring compared to a lot of other cities. Sure, my family and I have a very comfortable life here, if you look at what money can buy and give you. As far as being an interesting/fun/beautiful/great place to visit...no freaking way. I am almost ashamed to bring my family over from Europe to this turd of a city. They do love it though, not for the city itself, but because they get to visit with my family. I have lived in a few different cities and countries in my 32 years. Houston is by far the ugliest and boring place to this date...and I have been here going on 12 years... As far as Philly goes, sure there are some pretty bad places. I do not disagree with your statement there. I happened to live in a pretty nice area, so I guess I was somewhat sheltered from the rest of the city.(Lafayette Hill/Chestnut Hill area) Places where I have lived Sweden: Uppsala Gävle Stockholm Japan: Tokyo (Nishiazabu) USA: Philadelphia Margate City Houston
lol Sweden is plain, boring, extremely expensive and cold as balls. I know. I've spent time working there. and, recently, it's been invaded by poor arabs. great place. LOLZ
To those in here who have been bad-mouthing Los Angeles (I've noticed a few posts), the things I'm listing below are the things I'm assuming you've done/experienced before making up your minds about it as a city. I'm guessing you've been camping off the coast of Malibu, hiking at Angeles National Forest, took a stroll on the boardwalk at Santa Monica, took the drive out to Joshua Tree National Park, saw the canals at Venice Beach, got a glance of the ocean from The Getty Center (not to mention the art collection), checked out the early 20th century architecture in Downtown (including a number of amazing art-deco pieces), saw the inside of the DT central branch library (including the dome), checked out the Victorian houses at Angelino Heights, caught a show at the Hollywood Bowl, and got a glimpse of the city scape from Griffith Observatory (not to mention the observatory itself). L.A. is not overrated, it's underrated. It's more than just the Hollywood Walk of Fame and movie stars. There are layers and aspects of this city that no average tourist ever cares to seek out, and they always go home with a deflated sense of what the city truly has to offer.
NEVER been out of the country.. I love the U.S. and there's still places I'd like to see here before I spend my life savings going overseas... but I AM just 21. Favorites are in bold Washington, D.C. (my home) Baltimore New York, NY Philadelphia Pittsburgh Atlanta New Orleans Louisville Nashville Chicago Denver Houston (birthplace) Dallas San Antonio
I don't think nice/peaceful and plain/boring are much of a contradiction. And yes, it's expensive (especially alcohol) and cold...
Yeah, Houston is much better :grin: I am not at all saying that all cities in Sweden should score 100%. Far from it. I am not that delusional...unlike some of you Houstonians I was not even completely in love with Tokyo, nor a lot of the cities in Sweden. It just amazes me how some "well traveled" people can say that Houston is in their top 25% , especially when talking about a city being beautiful. I also realize that the vast majority of Americans never will get the opportunity to travel abroad, to let's say an European country. But to sit here and think that Houston (or whatever city he or she may be from) is the greatest place on earth, is pathetic to me. Open your eyes to what else is out there! I have traveled to many great places. Some I absolutely loved, others not so much. I also realize that the places I absolutely loved, will have their faults as well.
Wow, too many cities. I think continents would've been easier so I'll list my favorite cities that way. Europe Prague, Czech Republic Rome, Italy Bratislava, Sovakia Tallinn, Estonia Oslo, Norway Berlin, Germany Asia Hong Kong, China Osaka, Japan Shanghai, China Istanbul, Turkey Seoul, S. Korea Jerusalem, Israel Africa, Australia, South America Cape Town, S. Africa Tunis, Tunisia Melbourne, Australia Wellington, New Zealand Cordoba, Argentina Santiago, Chile North America Vancouver/Seattle/Portland (Pacific NW region) Chicago Austin Minneapolis Savannah and of course, H-town :grin:
I, for one, can tell that both of you have written off this city. Your loss. As much as I enjoy New York City, you could easily describe it exactly the same way if you lived in an outer burrough like the two of you do. From where I live? I've got great views of the Houston Skyline, literally dozens of great restaurants within 2-3 miles of me (5 of which are literally one block away.) And stop by Brenner's on the Bayou for a great and different view of the city. I personally love walking the 7 miles down the Memorial trail they have next to the Bayou and finishing up right at Sesquicentenial Park. Yes, Houston was built on a swamp by naive individuals that were sold a dream by folks in New York 175 years ago. And look what we've turned it into. A turd? Hardly. You just aren't looking at it as I do.
I feel like a city that is pleasing to the eye is far better to live in/visit, so in a way, yes. I already agreed that Houston is a great place to make a career and a superb city if you want to live in comfort for very little money. The poster that that I originally quoted (or the one before that, named "GlenRice") posted a bunch of pictures of how beautiful Houston was. So, my first reply was that I disagreed with that statement. I truly believe that it is near impossible to find "the greatest city in the world". When it comes to beauty and things to do, Houston is pretty low on my list as far as US cities goes. My husband and I travel quite a bit and I feel like we have a pretty good idea of what "our" ideal city would be like. Perhaps it is too European of me, but being surrounded by pure nature, water and clean air is kind of important to me. Unfortunately Houston lacks most of that. Yeah, I know we have water here, but I am sorry. The Gulf of Mexico is impossible for me to like. At least the part by Texas and Louisiana. To sum it up, I would much rather live in a peaceful, beautiful, clean city and make a little bit less money, than to live in this mess of a place. Unfortunately, we are not quite there to make the move. We still keep dreaming though
Yeah, perhaps that is the case. I am glad you truly enjoy where you live. I do hope that a place and time like that, will come to us as well.
