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I I think Houston is better than either of the other two options. It isn't a fair comparison, with how much larger it is.
That said, although I consider Houston the superior city or metro, I would never want to live there. The weather is horrible, too much sun and too humid. The only thing it had going for it, in terms of weather, is the thunderstorms.
Between Denver and Pittsburg, I would prefer Pittsburg because of its location and it being more affordable, if I remember correctly.
QOL: Rank: Denver, Houston, Pittsburgh Explanation: Denver's youthful vibe, along with strong emphasis on recreation, and environmental friendliness (recycling, conservation, etc) allow for a great quality of life to exist among the city; it is by far the fittest of the three cities. Pittsburgh is last because those winters are just too harsh, and the Rust Belt, as a whole, has seen better times.
Ironically, Houston has a most ideal climate for recreation (it isn't as volatile/harsh in temperature and weather events as the other two cities), and it has greater incentive to conserve the environment (it has the greatest species biodiversity of the three cities, with the highest endemism), but the the format of the city doesn't allow these advantages to be tapped; the sprawl/organization of the city, along with the citizen mentality, prevents cultivation of a fitness friendly culture (which is why it is constantly said to be one of the fattest cities), and as long as oil is the emphasized fuel of the Energy Industry over renewable fuels, environmental conservation often takes a back seat.
Nightlife: Rank: Houston, Denver, Pittsburgh Explanation: Houston has the highest ethnic diversity of these cities, lending itself to greater variety in scenes/styles for nightlife. Additionally, its location on the Gulf Coast allows for a sort of "zest" in the nightlife, just not seen outside the region. Denver and Pittsburgh were close, but I gave the nod to Denver because of its more youthful vibe.
Scenery: Rank: Houston = Pittsburgh, Denver Explanation: Although Denver has the Rockies nearby, the overall landscape of the city is just too arid for my liking.
As for Pittsburgh vs Houston, Pittsburgh has the advantage in topography, but Houston has more spectacular vegetative cover (more variety than Pittsburgh, and more green year-round), as well as close proximity to the Gulf; thus, they tie. Now, if it were, say, Rio De Janeiro vs Houston, then Rio De Janeiro would win; it has the topography along with the spectacular, evergreen vegetation, and coastline.
Weather: Rank: Houston, Pittsburgh, Denver Explanation: Houston may have hot, humid summers, but the magnitude of uncomfort is less than in the winter of the two other cities; the summers are relieved by frequent Gulf storms, sea breeze, and natural shade (clouds, trees, etc). It also has by far the mildest winters of the three, and the highest precipitation (over 50 inches of rain annually).
Pittsburgh comes second because it's winters are less volatile than Denver's (more stable temperatures), it has cooler summers, and it is wetter in climate than Denver.
Denver's dryness and aridity, once again, contributes in sending it to last place; furthermore, as mentioned above it is more volatile and continental than the other two cities, with wild swings in temps/conditions.
Daytime activities/events: Rank: Houston, Denver, Pittsburgh Explanation: Houston goes first because it has the most friendly climate year-round for all kinds of outdoor events/activities; hot, humid summers don't shut things down like cold, snowy winters do, and since Houston's winters are mild, it ends up that outdoor activity, normally, can be done easily 365 (on hot summer days, activity can occur during mornings/evenings).
Denver is a close second, thanks to the youthful, recreational vibe of the city, along with the great emphasis on outdoor activity. Pittsburgh has a lot of amenities, it just doesn't compare to the other two cities in this aspect.
Shopping/Entertainment venues: Rank: Houston, Denver, Pittsburgh
Explanation: Houston is first by virtue of its sheer size and population. Denver and Pittsburgh can be quite close, but I gave the edge to Denver due to the more youthful vibe of the city.
History: Rank: Pittsburgh, Houston, Denver Explanation: Pittsburgh is the oldest of the three cities, and, thus, ends up having the most historic urban core of the three, and is one of the many "legacy" cities of the US.
Houston is second because it is older than Denver, has access to Galveston (very rich in Gulf Coast history), and it is attached to more significant historical events in the nation's history (Texas Independence, NASA, etc).
Urbanity: Rank: Pittsburgh, Denver, Houston Explanation: Being the oldest of the three cities, Pittsburgh ends up having the most established fabric, and, thus, ends up as the most tight-knit and urban of the three.
Although Houston is older than Denver, its was more devastated by Sunbelt sprawl in the mid 20th century (as that is when the city had its biggest boom); it made the city quite decentralized, with heavy focus on the suburban style. As a result, it lags behind in terms of many urban aspects (pedestrian friendliness, PT, etc), whereas Denver invested more in PT and its urban core.
Overall Vibe: Rank: Houston = Denver =Pittsburgh Explanation: Houston's Gulf Coast, subtropic flavor is very exotic ostensibly; however, the sprawl/decentralization of the city prevents it from playing out as it should. Denver has a more athletic, youth-friendly set up (outdoor recreation, legal weed, etc), and, with its decent urbanity, the vibe of the city is able to play out in a palpable fashion, making up for whatever disadvantages it had compared to Houston; they thus tie. Pittsburgh just isn't in the best of times economically; however, if and when Pittsburgh revitalizes, it will have the advantage over the other two cities in terms of established, walkable, tight-knit fabric that allows city life to play out; considering it all, it ties with Denver and Houston.
Its funny how it seems there is always this disconnect between the poll results in threads like these, and what people post. If you just read the post you would assume Houston would not have a chance to be anything but last, people post things like how "horrid" and or "terrible" it is. However I guess the silent masses have a better opinion of Houston than the more assertive posters. As for me Denver is too high and isolated and Pittsburg is too cold and too close to the Northeast corridor. What I mean by that is if your going to live in Pittsburg, why not just go a few extra miles and live in Philly or New York...
I picked Pittsburgh. I prefer its climate and topography over Houston's. Denver has gotten too darn expensive and home ownership to too important to me. In all of the other categories, Pittsburgh does plenty good enough. But, all 3 areas are good places to live. But for me, Pittsburgh fits the bill a little better for what I'm looking for.
Location: Metro Atlanta (Sandy Springs), by way of Macon, GA
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As a young southern AA Male, I wanted to say Houston instantly, but at this point in my life, I think I'll say Denver. The scenery and overall culture and vibe of the city would be an interesting nice change up, and I think the AA population is at least large enough where I wouldn't feel completely isolated. It's probably the safer of the 3 too. Pittsburgh would be a close second for the same reasons. I just feel Denver would be even more "different" than I'm used to. Intriguing.
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