How should I know? I don't own a business downtown. But I definitely did not imply that it was because a large population of African Americans were in town for the Texas Relays. That was you my friend. I'm somewhat certain it has something to do with the increase in theft, fights (numerous fights reported on 6th Street that weekend), overall arrests, and underage drinking that was taking place. This really isn't the place for this conversation. There was already a long thread on this topic in the D&D. However, I for one am all for any action by any business that has the potential to increase safety and security for both patrons and staff. The business that closed was the only party that had anything to lose in that situation. They were the ones losing money by closing to the public. If they want to close then by all means they should have every right to close without some racist driven uprising.
I agree, I used to do land surveys in Houston and the traffic is absolutely ridiculous in every part of the H. I've lived in Austin for the past 3 years and it cracks me up the way people b**** about traffic here. 5:00 pm, rush hour, Round Rock to Slaughter, 30 minutes. These people have never experienced the torture of a 5-10 minute dead stop and the 2mph crawling Houstonians live through everyday. I have a lot of respect for the people who have navigate that city everyday as a job, outsiders just don't understand. As for the OP, everything and everyone I love are in Houston. I live, work, and go to school in Austin. I have Great affection for both cities, it gives me a lot of pride to have grown up in Houston and to be living in Austin and doing well, therefore I'll have to go with option C, undecided.
I've never really liked Austin. Visitng is okay beacuse I have cousins that live there but too much traffic, construction, heat and the people tend to annoy me.
I moved here 4 months ago on a whim and am hopefully closing on a house next week. Basically love it here and am very happy with the decision. My quick observations: Pro: Outdoor activities Live Music/bar scene Can wear shorts to just about anywhere Green city Small city Cons: Food options no where near what Houston offers (variety and quality) Expensive
Grew up in the Woodlands as well, and bought my first house there almost a year ago. Lived in or around Houston for all but 5 of my 29 years, and all my closest family members that are under 40 live in Austin so I've spent a lot of time there... even considered moving there a time or two. Austin is definitely the winner. The traffic can be bad, but it's not nearly as bad as I-45 at 5 pm... or the dreaded 290. The live music venues, great bars, zilker park, barton springs... even mount bonell... there's just a lot to like there. The rolling hills alone make the city so aesthetically pleasing. I've never been to Austin and not had a good time. The one place Houston clearly wins, in my opinion, is in the "fine art" department. One one of the 7 cool days we get in the fall, sharing a bottle of wine with my lady at the Menil campus park, then strolling around the collection (FOR FREE) is something that can't be duplicated. Just next to the Menil collection is the Rothko Chapel and the Byzantine Fresco Chapel museum... free as well. The MFAH is amazing, and brings the best traveling exhibits in the world to town. Jones Hall, the Wortham Center, the Alley... we have the second most theater seats in the country behind only NYC. If we have an advantage or two over our cool little brother Austin, I think this would be one of them. Does this make Austin "better" than Houston? Nah... neither does the economic factors, cosmopolitain aspects, amazing Vietnamese food, etc. I like Houston better than Austin becuase it's home. Because it's real. Austin feels like an adult amusment park to me because I don't live there, and usually visit for the purpose of having fun. Austin is an awesome city. I can't argue with you if you say it's "better" than Houston. I just won't ever leave my home.
You claim to not know, but then pinpoint why and where No this conversation belongs here. People are talking up the pros and cons of each city. I named racism as a con for Austin, you disagree, and here we are. You are saying exactly what business owners said during there closings. Safety and security, fights and thefts. The facts are that the Texas Relays do not increase crime according to APD and actually the crime rate is lower than other big events in Austin. You want a link? So why would you assume this anyways? That's a good question.
I do the same here in SF. The difference, though, is non-tech friends here in SF comment about it and how it permeates all facets of the culture here. You could be safely oblivious in Austin.
I went out every day during the World Cup Mummy, places such as Cuatros, 3rd Base, Pluckers, Dog and Duck, Alamo Draft House etc., plenty of Hispanics, Europeans, Asians, "white" and "black" americans all mingling and getting together for a love of soccer.
Well it's the World Cup! I'm not saying that everyone in Austin is racist, it's more like, there are quite a few that are just, different. Maybe it's due to the segregation and the people there just not used to mingling with each other and it could be combined with a lot of snobby California transplants. To me, Austinites were not nearly as friendly as Houstonians and like I said in my first post, I like different people everywhere as a community. The whole Texas Relay thing is a black eye for Austin, there's no getting around that. Houston has a huge mix of everyone and we all pretty much get along and to me that's a major "Pro." More than traffic, or scenary. I think what makes Houston the outright winner isn't even the segregation or racism issues I mentioned. It's that Houston has everything Austin has of significance, but Austin doesn't have someof things Houston has to offer. As soon as some Austinites claimed the close proximity to Houston as a "Pro" for Austin, that should have been the end of this thread. By the way, Pluckers has good food, but WAY overpriced!!!
Lol, you think austin is segregated, have you ever taken a wrong turn after an astros game at minute maid park and seen the area? Please, its just as bad in houston as you claim it is in austin. And by the way, do you have any stats to back up your claim that austin is a bunch of cali implants? Your opinion on why houston is better is a bunch of bull**** if your reasoning is based on a made up statistic. And as for texas relays, why doesn't houston hold it? Right, because austin is the only city in the state that is even willing to hold such event in the state. By the way, I don't know if you have ever been in austin during the relays because downtown, there is increased police coverage, so that may explain the claim that crime rate is lower, if that's even true. Why is there increased police coverage you may ask? Its not racism or profiling, but how about the fact your welcoming people all around the nation from different backgrounds and different beliefs? Remember what happened in houston during katrina? Imagine that but with more than the state of louisiana. And as for somebody who said there is no good food in austin, please... you have a case when it comes to asian, middle eastern and indian cuisines, but for everything else I see austin as far superior. More vegan options here and more healthy choices. And austin is by far the more eye attractive city. Houston really lacks in the park and nature area, but its not houstons fault. More to blame on the geography... Houston has more humid weather, not to mention the occasional hurricane which wreaks on everybody in the city. And oh I forgot, houston has one of the worst pollution in the nation. Music scene in austin much superior, although houston has gotten a little better the past few years.
How I miss the Austin of the late 70's. Lived in Austin in late 70's-early 80's, but have lived in Houston most of my life. I think I would pick Austin, but the traffic just reminds me of Houston. I think I'm getting tired of city life.
i'm not going to get too much into detail with the rest of your pissing contest of "my city is better than yours"...but to this part, I'm pretty sure the relay is in Austin because it's the capital. first off..Vegan?! :grin: You may see austin as far superior but that doesnt make it so. Houston is one of the better cities to eat in the US.
Texas relays isn't limited to just texas so why would it being the capital matter? I can't find any good places to eat in houston without having to drive an hour to downtown. Too many good, close, original options available in austin
