The city of Houston does not have a pair of blinders on that make it oblivious to the surrounding world.
I'm not telling you to waste your time with a list, but just give me a few examples so I know what you're thinking? I'm serious. Just 4 or 5 things will suffice.
Fact is that people go to Houston to make money, not for tourism. As the general energy hub for the U.S. Houston is home for a ton of the industry M&A activity, supply and trading, and operations. Whether you're an upstream, midstream or downstream guy, there's so much opportunity. Add to the fact that the cost of living is dirt cheap, you can enjoy a pretty high standard of living depending on how you define "standard of living." Now, in terms of "travel and leisure," Houston sucks. It is embarassingly ugly, there is a lack of scenery/outdoors activity, and the city is spread out way too far. It's a ******* maze of freeways, nothing else. I spent the summer living in Portland, which was the complete opposite of Houston. Awesome public transport, great weather, proximity to mountains and the Pacific Coast, and a generally well planned city with tons of park space. Honestly, growing up, I didn't realize how much Houston sucked, until I started getting out more.
what about the scene from about 4 weeks ago? look, for the criteria given in these rankings houston is miles ahead of austin.
Houston vs Dallas is a good comparison Houston vs Austin is not. different size city, completely different lifestyles Houston has its own unique rap scene. But Dallas did produce the DOC, who was Snoop Dog's mentor. The Formula is one of most overlooked rap records of all time. Thanks DOC.
i do love a-town, but i cant stand people sh!tting on houston. houston has a TON of awesome areas, many of which most people never seem to consider.... the heights, west u/village, museum district, midtown, uptown, upper kirby/montrose, downtown, etc. awesome food, awesome shopping, awesome people, great nightlife. you've got two massive parks right in the middle of the city (herman and memorial); not to mention the booming economy. too many people think of houston and just think "urban sprawl, concrete jungle," but that isn't the houston i spend the majority of my time in.
like I said, its lifestyle preference. Houston is the 4th largest city in America. Austin is a medium size town. I can drive 20 minutes and be out of Austin. I can drive 20 minutes and not make it to other side of Houston. for the food/etc, obviously the much larger city would have more options. People in Houston want the town to get bigger, people in Austin don't want the town to get bigger. I understand your Vince Young Houston pride and how you have to give Htown props all the time.
Houston is a boring ass place to visit, I'll just be straight. No urban scene, shopping is pretty much the same(malls have the same stores), it's too humid, and everything is so far away.
I don't drive on I-35. You really think Htown has better traffic?? That's a dedicated Htown Mike Jones person. man.
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Ha... I've been to Buenos Aires numerous times, never seen a black guy. BTW, I never knew there was such competition on this board of Houston vs Austin vs Dallas.
I'm a native Houstonian, I now live in Phoenix. I have to tell you, Houston is an awful place to visit. I liked living there only because my friends and family are there, but compared to other cities, especiall those out west, it is awful. Nothing to do, high crime, bad weather, humidity, constant rain, pollution, no scenery (no mountains or ANYTHING). I love Houston because I was born there, but seriously, lets be honest, it isn't all that great of a place to live or visit compared to other cities. If you think it is, then you need to get out more. Dallas is way worse IMO. I do like Austin, but would never move back to Texas after being out west, no way.
Actually, I got sick of walking outside my ridiculously expensive apartment on 6th Ave and instantly being assaulted by the smell of urine and rotting trash. But thanks for your concern.
