A poster on Houston forum is bashing Chicago (Lincoln, Peru: real estate, restaurants)

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Number of seats measures the size of your district? How about number and variety of theaters? You could build one arena-sized theater and have more seats, but that doesn't make a "district". This is just Chamber of Commerce-style spin. If you ask any theater expert where the strongest theater scenes are, Houston wouldn't be in the top ten.

I agree. Outside of some boostering here by Houstonites, I was never aware of a theater scene in Houston, and thats just not because Im ignorant, its because the scene there must be small and unimportant on a global scale. If people are looking for world class theater, etc, noone goes to Houston.

[coog78]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Could you find Ethiopian, Polish, Lithuanian, Russian, Togo, etc, in Houston? Chicago is far more diverse than Houston, and will therefore have more ethnic cuisine, naturally. And BTW, Chicago is home to the nation's 2nd largest Hispanic population, so please dont ask if we can find Central American cuisine here, thats like asking if you can find McDonalds in Houston.

And the economy in Chicago is VERY strong, still leading the nation (by far, too I might add) in corporate relocation and expansion projects. The only reason people leave here to go to places like Houston is because its cheaper there. I wouldnt be too happy knowing that Houston is like the Dollar General Store of the country. You get what you pay for here, and you get what you pay for there, we'll leave it at that.

Ignorance must be bliss apparently. Yes, we have all of those ethnic restaurants here (haven't heard of Togo though?), sorry to dissapoint your narrow little mind. Chicago is NOT as diverse as Houston. The Chicago economy does NOT lead the nation. Chicago Bridge & Iron is headquartered in a Houston suburb, so even your own corporations are heading towards better economic times. Since we have the 2nd highest amount of Fortune 500 headquarters here in Houston, I wouldn't be happy knowing that the Dollar General Stores of corporations are relocating to Chicago. You definitely do get what you pay for.

Houston has an 11% higher percentage Hispanic population than Chicago at well over a third of the city.

Demographics of Chicago - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Demographics of Houston - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[AK123]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

Number of seats measures the size of your district? How about number and variety of theaters? You could build one arena-sized theater and have more seats, but that doesn't make a "district". This is just Chamber of Commerce-style spin. If you ask any theater expert where the strongest theater scenes are, Houston wouldn't be in the top ten.

Okay. Give me some proof of that and then maybe I'll take you seriously. Say things like it has "no culture" and I won't.

About Houston Theater District - Houston Theater District, About Us

Houston is one of only five cities in the United States with permanent professional resident companies in all of the major performing arts disciplines of opera, ballet, music and theater.

The Alley Theatre received the 1996 Tony Award for best regional theatre.

Houston Grand Opera is the only opera company in the U.S. to win a Grammy, a Tony and an Emmy.

Houston Ballet is the fifth largest ballet troupe in the country.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

The only reason people leave here to go to places like Houston is because its cheaper there. I wouldnt be too happy knowing that Houston is like the Dollar General Store of the country. You get what you pay for here, and you get what you pay for there, we'll leave it at that.

Being inexpensive is a plus, but it's not the only reason. By far. There are lots of other places that are less expensive. That argument is old, cliche and has been proven wrong.

(By the way... anyone notice the original poster in the Houston forum with the rude Chicago comment is from L.A. apparently? So why all the hate toward Houston here?)

[coog78]

Originally Posted by JJP

Being inexpensive is a plus, but it's not the only reason. By far. There are lots of other places that are less expensive. That argument is old, cliche and has been proven wrong.

(By the way... anyone notice the original poster in the Houston forum with the rude Chicago comment is from L.A. apparently? So why all the hate toward Houston here?)

I agree; I think we should all turn on LA now. Lakers suck!

[raleightransplant]

Originally Posted by JJP

That view is the "rest of the country's" problem... not Houston's/Texas. I think most people know Houston is a large, international city, not some backwater like it's often portrayed.

Come on people -- it's 2008, not 1958. Bragging about the "rest of the county's" stereotyped view doesn't make you look too smart.

For the record, I don't think Houston is a backwater at all. But for people to assert that it's a better American city than Chicago is insane (to me--I'm entitled to my own opinion no matter how much you disagree). Personal preferences are OK. If everyone liked the same city, it would indeed be overrun because EVERYONE would want to live there.

[coog78]

Originally Posted by raleightransplant

For the record, I don't think Houston is a backwater at all. But for people to assert that it's a better American city than Chicago is insane (to me--I'm entitled to my own opinion no matter how much you disagree). Personal preferences are OK. If everyone liked the same city, it would indeed be overrun because EVERYONE would want to live there.

And cue San Francisco.

[Lookout Kid]

There's a troll supposedly from L.A. who is hopping forums and stirring things up. Either way, Chicago vs. Houston is a rivalry waiting to happen. The midwest is a region that has been losing jobs and population to the Sun Belt for the last few decades, and Chicagoans are wary of those trends (though we are doing fine and still growing). Houstonians are ambitious about the future of their city and really want to move up another rung on that ladder, and they see Chicago as the next benchmark to surpass.

And then there's the age old yankee vs. dixie undercurrent...

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by coog78

Ignorance must be bliss apparently.The Chicago economy does NOT lead the nation

On your behalf!
TOP METROS OF 2007 -- Site Selection magazine, March 2008

Originally Posted by coog78

sorry to dissapoint your narrow little mind

First off, you spelled disappoint wrong. Secondly, those are fightin words.

Originally Posted by coog78

Since we have the 2nd highest amount of Fortune 500 headquarters here in Houston, I wouldn't be happy knowing that the Dollar General Stores of corporations are relocating to Chicago.

I was referring to housing costs in case you didnt realize that. Also, I dont consider companies like Boeing, Motorola, etc, in Chicago defined as "Dollar General" companies. What the?!?!

Originally Posted by coog78

Houston has an 11% higher percentage Hispanic population than Chicago at well over a third of the city.

Yes, based on population percentages. Look at overall numbers and NYC and Chicago have more Hispanics, Houston ranks third. Wrong once again!

[Drover]

Originally Posted by coog78

And that pretty much summarizes the facts. Additionally, as far as a foodie city goes, there is no ethnic or other food Chicago has that is not readily available in Houston. Could you tell me where I can find southern cooking, cajun/creole food, tex-mex/a decent margarita, Central American cuisine in Chicago? The "wonderful Chicago economy" has sent many packing to cities with economic success such as Houston. A city "sucking" to live in is completely subjective. I think Chicago has much less bang for the buck than Houston. Others may enjoy paying state income tax and not being able to exercise outside 365 days a year. We all have different tastes, that's what makes this a great nation. Variety is the spice of life. Houston will surpass Chicago in population in my lifetime and culturally as well.

Do you seriously not know that there is southern cooking, cajun/creole, margaritas, Tex-Mex, and Central American food in Chicago? Good God. There's southern food all over the south and west sides, margaritas and Mexican/Tex-Mex on practically every corner (Chicago has more Hispanics than Houston does), dozens of cajun/creole restaurants including the nationally famous Heaven on Seven, and there are two Equadorian, one Peruvian and one Chilean restaurant just within a mile of my apartment. Someone noted that Houston is frequently ranked the #4 foodie town. Whereas Chicago is frequently ranked #1.