i went to europe for 3 weeks this summer, and i did feel that way in paris and a few other cities, but like someone else mentioned in this thread, naples is the most ugly ass city ever. we took a one day side trip there from rome and i wanted to leave about 4 seconds after i got off the train. the big, main street had vendors selling crappy stuff all along it, and once you were off that main street, God help you. dirtiest, nastiest place i've ever seen. narrow little streets that were basically just alleys, people hanging clothes out the window to dry everywhere, nasty looking buildings, about 3 times as many people selling you crap as before, at the intersections there were no lights and cars just seemingly played chicken to determine right of way, the ground was dirty (unlike almost all the other cities), i had my hands in my pockets the whole time to make sure i didn't get pick-pocketed (and someone still unzipped one of the parts of my backpack but luckily i noticed it). it was just terrible. maybe i was just in the wrong part of town or something, but it would take large sums of money to get me to go back.
the best thing about houston is by far that every few days you see someone post on the bbs that you know in person.
This is what I hated most probably about Houston. You could never get away from the damn city. You went to work in the city. You went to eat in the city. You went home and you're still in the city. Traffic was everywhere. You have to travel 50 miles out of the city just to get away from it and even then you're stuck in traffic. I'm in the Dallas area now. I miss Houston's food and I miss the cultural diversity. I miss my parents (awww). I miss not being able to buy season tickets to the Rockets games which I never got the chance to do. Outside of that, I don't really miss anything about Houston. To qualify all this, I'm the type of person that doesn't mind driving to the city to work, but I'd rather not live in the hustle and bustle of it 24 hrs a day. I think that sucks. I don't get drunk so the bars per square foot barometer means nothing to me. I do like the aesthetics of a city. I think neither Dallas nor Houston is a very pretty city. Sure there are parts that are nice, but for the most part they're both drab, but they'll do.
I was watching a European film once and they cracked a joke about someone having to move to Detroit. Ever seen Pueblo Co? I have my issues with Houston, and I'll admit that Houston was ugly about 30 years ago, but the trees have really greened the city up. Living there you may not appreciate them. But next time you fly in, take a look. Also, the downtown (buildings) is one of the most attractive anywhere.
Good one! Houston is amazingly diverse. Chicago, which is considered one of the better cities in the US, is so segregated. I went to a Cubs game and I think there were only white people there.
Are you sure about this Jeff? From what I understand, its all the billboards that arent on your own property. IE - Gallery Furniture can have a billboard as long as it is on Gallery Furniture property. And how will they mandate this change? I havent seen any billboards come down as of yet. Is it only Houston city limits? I would love to see FM 1960 included on that list as well. Drewdog
There are pros and cons in any city, including the people. I *like* that Houston has an inferiority complex about itself. The people are more down to earth and lot friendlier than a lot of places because of that feeling. Houston needs to work harder to impress, because, let's face it- much of Houston is a flat, polluted, hot, crowded and sprawling mess. We *need* the Art Car Parade and Astrodome, a truly great downtown skyline, air conditioners and thousands of great restaurants. The spirt of Houston is that it keeps on trying to become a great city even when it is at such a basic disadvantage in terms of beauty, politics, location and weather. Without becoming a chamber of commerce shill (which is what these threads turn into, a bit), the people of Houston, rather than her attractions, make it a city worth living in.
I've lived in many cities.. and the best thing about houston.... they love the guy who wants to fight to make money.... nobody moves to houston for the scenery.. they move to make money or make a change.. the open and cheering atmosphere is great... so maybe I'm energy where we all cheer the guy who went bankrupt three times before his business took off.. that's why people love houston.. you strap on what you can handle and fight the rest... I've lived all over and can't wait till I go back
agreed...boston is the same way. the only diversity i saw while in boston was cab drivers. that was it. seriously. everyone else i saw was white.
yep Boston...I remember on the subway..everyone was white..a lady was studying Spanish and these two contractors were asking why she was learning Spanish. They were like..no one speaks Spanish, we're in America, speak English. ... .. .. it was about 2 years ago so I forgot. Pretty stupid and ignorant imo. And I wouldn't live in Paris.. I know I am biased but I love Houston. Let's all try to make it better..I don't know how.
What's on the shirt? It just looks like a shirt with a mosquito on it. Does it have any wording on it?
just bought me a flying cockrach t-shirt, awesome! i'm a native houstonian and houston proud, but come on jeff. the entirety of houston is a suburb. people watching at the galleria you ought to get out more.
it's always curious to me but just about everyone i've brought to texas from out of town prefers houston to austin.