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It's a great thing that we don't all live by "your standards."
I've drawn the conclusion you don't read threads, as I've essentially said "to each his own." If the videos depicting the empty streets of DT and the pictures of skanky girls blow your mind, as I've already said:
Quote:
Originally Posted by jm02
It seems you have found an ideal place to hang your hat, so good on you.
For some reason, however, you find the need to insult others who look at the same facts and draw different conclusions :
Quote:
Originally Posted by worldlyman
rather clueless
Anal Urbanist
"Urban" snob
. . . those fake a-holes I've encountered in Miami, Vegas and Hollywood's entertainment areas.
I lived in Houston for many years. There were many things I loved about it including the cultural scene, the quality of restaurants, the diversity and the nice people (with a few rare exceptions ). There were things I didn't like so much, however, such as the lack of a vibrant downtown, the limited quality and options of the PT system and the sprawl. Since I hold different opinions from you on these matters, I'll be more than happy to be classified as rather clueless , an anal urbanist , urban snob , a fake a'hole or whatever other epithet you choose to call me if it draws a distinction between you and me. It's not going to change my opinion on anything I've already posted in this thread. I'll just let those posts speak for themselves.
In the meantime, enjoy those "HUGE PATIO BARS and DECKS!" everyone knows only exist in Houston, Texas, USA.
I've drawn the conclusion you don't read threads, as I've essentially said "to each his own." If the videos depicting the empty streets of DT and the pictures of skanky girls blow your mind, as I've already said:
For some reason, however, you find the need to insult others who look at the same facts and draw different conclusions :
I lived in Houston for many years. There were many things I loved about it including the cultural scene, the quality of restaurants, the diversity and the nice people (with a few rare exceptions ). There were things I didn't like so much, however, such as the lack of a vibrant downtown, the limited quality and options of the PT system and the sprawl. Since I hold different opinions from you on these matters, I'll be more than happy to be classified as rather clueless , an anal urbanist , urban snob , a fake a'hole or whatever other epithet you choose to call me if it draws a distinction between you and me. It's not going to change my opinion on anything I've already posted in this thread. I'll just let those posts speak for themselves.
In the meantime, enjoy those "HUGE PATIO BARS and DECKS!" everyone knows only exist in Houston, Texas, USA.
Well, as you say, to each his or her own.
I see Houston as more of a multi-faceted equalizer. You can adjust the different controls. Less of this, go here, more of that, go there.
And at least we have that downtown switch on our equalizer.
Places like San Diego, Atlanta, Phoenix, Orlando, Tampa and other such Sun Belt denizens do not have a true urban vibe downtown like Houston. San Diego's busy little Gas Lamp feels no better than a trite Disney World; I lived in that section for five months. Downtown Houston at least feels like a portion of Chicago, with towering skyscrapers, meaner looking concrete and all, compared to Orlando, Phoenix, Tampa, San Diego, et al.
The scope of downtown Houston suits many of us Houstonians well enough. Sure it could be better. But there are jobs there, we go there for high-end theater, ball games and night clubbing, even a nice-looking new public park. I just got done capturing lively nocturnal sidewalks in downtown Houston. End of story.
If it sucks compared to Chi-town or Philly or SF, it's really no skin off our noses, except...yours maybe. I will not move to Philly or SF or Chicago because of that.
You must not have seen downtown Houston in 1995, when it was truly "dead" apart from Theater District shows and Party on the Plaza nights. 2011, there's still dozens of bars and nightclubs, quite a good number of nocturnal pedestrians downtown considering the competition of other night life areas.
Houstonians still have the option of hanging out in the Uptown/Galleria area or Richmond Avenue or Rice Village or New Chinatown, among others...all still fun entertainment sections to gather and imbibe.
Again: Downtown Houston is at least an option. Washington Avenue is an option. Kemah Lighthouse District an option. Hell, the various cafes, clubs and bars at STRIP CENTERS up and down Westheimer are options as well.
I think it's great H-town doesn't put all its entertainment eggs in one basket.
That HUGE PATIO DECK of Concert Pub's...that is a most liberating feeling to eat crawfish and watch a band play on the Richmond Avenue Strip under that awesome and huge Texas sky. There we don't have to deal with tight spaces, skyscrapers, old alleyways and sidewalk vagrants when we're not in the mood.
But anyhow, enjoy your philly cheese steaks all neatly arranged in adjacent city blocks so you don't have to venture out and start an ignition.
Phoenix has a huge downtown. Though neither Houston's nor Phoenix's feels like Chicago's. You don't have the trains and buses all over the place, the 10,000 taxicabs coming at you, nor comparable foot traffic. Plus downtown Houston is much smaller than Chicago's and the average building height is way smaller.
It's a great thing that we don't all live by "your standards."
Notice, I said downtown Houston can certainly use improvement. But to say it's "dead" or "there's nothing going on?" Whatever. My video totally KILLS that argument. There are bars, pedestrians, city blocks and night action in downtown Houston, period.
Downtown Houston is about to receive a Sundance Cinema from Robert Redford, the new Skybar is about to go atop Houston Pavilions, the awesome Phoenicia Market is soon to open...so
nothing going on in downtown Houston, eh?
Anal Urbanist types seem to have a rather either-or, black-or-white view of cities.
I've never seen anything like the Richmond Strip in NYC or SF or Chicago or any of those old-school tight spaces. You know, a good stretch of open boulevard, yet still walkable enough (in contrast to the infamous open highway vibe of Tampa's Dale Mabry), but has a good collection of HUGE PATIO BARS and DECKS! Concert Pub, Horn, Rocca Bar, Sam's Boat, Mazaj...those huge decks, open sky feel...that's what I'm talking about.
Yes, the Richmond Strip is accessible by PT, downtown is accessible by PT from the west-side but this is H-town, most of us drive and we KNOW it.
When I worked night shift at the Med Center, I used METRO about 2/5 of the week. METRO 82 picked up partyers from the Galleria area to head down to the Montrose or Midtown! I saw that a lot! People use the METRORAIL to go from downtown to Midtown, and vice versa.
"Urban" snobs seem to underestimate the PT that does exist in Houston.
The family-oriented Kemah Boardwalk is NOT the same party spot as the Kemah Lighthouse District, with those let-your-hair-down, Gulf Coast free spirit dives like Palapa Bar, Zone 504, Monkey Bar and such.
Even those who purport to "know" the Houston-area spots seem rather clueless, lol.
And yet you continue with a Mantra that outside of the DTs in cities with a vibrant core there exists nothing; which to me would give the appearence of you not understanding the argument. You want a plethora of options and claim this only exisits in Houston. The counter argument is you CAN have a vibrant core and a plethora of other options; I think everyones point so a vibrant core with all the other options could be preffered, that is unless you prefer to not have the options...
Also you do realize that you can live in one of these metros with a vibrant core and not use it and still have the plethora of other options
Also no two cities are alike and ok in Manhattan no there is not really the same make-up as places you describe but you would also have to admit that there is no place in Houston that offers what Manhattan offers. Now you dont have to like/enjoy/prefer that type but your arguments really seems a little jaded. If you like options why not have the many options that also exist in Houston and a vibrant core - it seems by your argument, the more is better but am sure we will recieve some additional pictures of decks and girls in trucks to justify your ends - though I must say many of the options you show seem redudant as well.
And yet you continue with a Mantra that outside of the DTs in cities with a vibrant core there exists nothing; which to me would give the appearence of you not understanding the argument. You want a plethora of options and claim this only exisits in Houston. The counter argument is you CAN have a vibrant core and a plethora of other options; I think everyones point so a vibrant core with all the other options could be preffered, that is unless you prefer to not have the options...
Also you do realize that you can live in one of these metros with a vibrant core and not use it and still have the plethora of other options
kid - As you know, there is no logic here. You will not get a straight answer to your bolded points, as I've tried several times. Instead expect any combination of the following:
1) DT Houston IS vibrant! Just like Chicago. Like Bladerunner. And growing! We're getting a movie the-a-ter. I saw pedestrians. My facts KILL your argument! and/or
2) Who wants a cookie cutter dense downtown? Only Urban Elitists - THAT'S WHO! I've been everyehewre, man, and no one can tell one vibrant dt from the other. It's old school tight!! We put our eggs in EVERY basket, unlike a'hole cities. and/or
3) I can get all over town on the 82 bus. And it has people on it, man. Besides, we drive and we KNOW it. and/or
4) No place else in this world has wide boulevards with PATIOS! and WIDE DECKS! where you can PARTY under the sky! There is NO ANSWER to this anywhere!!! and/or
5) More pictures of skanky girls.
Admit the obvious - NO PLACE parties like H'town, man!
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