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I’m a 34 year old single gay man and will be relocating from OKC to a new city in October. I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to Houston or Phoenix. I’ll be moving without a job (Yes, I know this is risky) and will find one when I get there. From my research, I’ve come up with the following advantages and disadvantages of each. The factors I’m primarily considering are job opportunities, climate, and having a balance between cost of living and quality of life. I want a city with easy access to outdoor amenities as well as an active LGBT community. I’m wanting a warm/hot climate. Both cities would be a huge step up from OKC in terms of amenities. I think Houston definitely wins when considering only the city but it becomes more complicated when factoring in the surrounding areas, which is where Phoenix really shines.
Phoenix advantages:
-Outdoor recreation/scenery.
-Way more jobs in my field at my skill level with higher pay. Houston’s job market has me a bit nervous.
-Despite the flack Phoenix takes for being car-centric, it seems like there’s more walkable areas in the valley than in Houston.
-Not in the Bible Belt. Will have legal weed many years before Texas will.
-Traffic is more manageable
Houston advantages:
-I have a couple of friends there already. I know nobody in Phoenix. My friends will be a big help during the initial transition.
-Will be an easier move from OKC. It’s also closer which will make visiting family and friends easier.
-Its a true world class city on a level that Phoenix isn’t with all of the cultural amenities that go with that.
-Easy access to beaches.
-Summers aren’t quite as brutal
So if you were me, which would you choose? While Houston would be the easier move, easiest isn’t always best. What cultural amenities would I have access to in Houston that I wouldn’t in Phoenix? How’s the LGBT scene in either city? Are there any other factors I should consider?
My biggest concern about Houston is the job market. I think I’ll be able to find something quicker at the kind of pay I need in Phoenix. Rents are about the same between the two cities. That’s not to say Houston isn’t doable, it’s just going to be a tougher job search and I might be searching for a bit longer. This risk is somewhat offset by the fact that I know people in Houston.
I’m also torn between Houston’s beach access and Phoenix’s mountain surroundings plus easy access to Vegas and SoCal. I like that Arizona is probably going to legalize weed in 2020. Texas is probably at minimum a decade away.
Not knowing what your field of work is but also consider this; if you choose Houston it would put in proximity of 3 additional big metros with San Antonio, Austin and Dallas.
So while you would be in this transition phase putting in job applications, you could extend those to these areas and visit them while being in Texas and make a more informed decision. Of course depending on where you get offers extended.
In Arizona the only comparable metro you would have would be Phoenix itself and that's it.
I’m a 34 year old single gay man and will be relocating from OKC to a new city in October. I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to Houston or Phoenix. I’ll be moving without a job (Yes, I know this is risky) and will find one when I get there. From my research, I’ve come up with the following advantages and disadvantages of each. The factors I’m primarily considering are job opportunities, climate, and having a balance between cost of living and quality of life. I want a city with easy access to outdoor amenities as well as an active LGBT community. I’m wanting a warm/hot climate. Both cities would be a huge step up from OKC in terms of amenities. I think Houston definitely wins when considering only the city but it becomes more complicated when factoring in the surrounding areas, which is where Phoenix really shines.
Phoenix advantages:
-Outdoor recreation/scenery.
-Way more jobs in my field at my skill level with higher pay. Houston’s job market has me a bit nervous.
-Despite the flack Phoenix takes for being car-centric, it seems like there’s more walkable areas in the valley than in Houston.
-Not in the Bible Belt. Will have legal weed many years before Texas will.
-Traffic is more manageable
Houston advantages:
-I have a couple of friends there already. I know nobody in Phoenix. My friends will be a big help during the initial transition.
-Will be an easier move from OKC. It’s also closer which will make visiting family and friends easier.
-Its a true world class city on a level that Phoenix isn’t with all of the cultural amenities that go with that.
-Easy access to beaches.
-Summers aren’t quite as brutal
So if you were me, which would you choose? While Houston would be the easier move, easiest isn’t always best. What cultural amenities would I have access to in Houston that I wouldn’t in Phoenix? How’s the LGBT scene in either city? Are there any other factors I should consider?
Outdoor activity at 110 degrees in Phoenix and dust storms? I don't see that as better than Houston. You can't do any hiking nearby in Houston but the beach is close by. If you want hiking, then its off to Austin.
Houston has the advantage of being driving distance to New Orleans, San Antonio, Dallas/FW and Austin.
You can book a cruise and drive to ship an hour away in Galveston. You have more connectivity for travel for sure. The other negative for Houston is high humidity that Arizona doesn't have.
Houston, while in Texas, isn't a conservative/bible toting town. Its the most diverse metro in the U.S. outside of NYC, and equal to L.A. Houston has a vibrant LGBQ community.
I'll agree on traffic for sure. Cost of living probably doesn't differ much.
Vegas and Los Angeles are further from Phoenix than any big city in Texas is from Houston. Going to L.A. is the same time Houston to New Orleans.
Outdoor activity at 110 degrees in Phoenix and dust storms? I don't see that as better than Houston. You can't do any hiking nearby in Houston but the beach is close by. If you want hiking, then its off to Austin.
Houston has the advantage of being driving distance to New Orleans, San Antonio, Dallas/FW and Austin.
You can book a cruise and drive to ship an hour away in Galveston. You have more connectivity for travel for sure. The other negative for Houston is high humidity that Arizona doesn't have.
Houston, while in Texas, isn't a conservative/bible toting town. Its the most diverse metro in the U.S. outside of NYC, and equal to L.A. Houston has a vibrant LGBQ community.
I'll agree on traffic for sure. Cost of living probably doesn't differ much.
Vegas and Los Angeles are further from Phoenix than any big city in Texas is from Houston. Going to L.A. is the same time Houston to New Orleans.
However, it isn’t 110 all year long and never is up in the higher elevations. Also, Houston is definitely a diverse, progressive city but the state of Texas is very conservative. Legal weed for instance is probably at least 10-15 years away. Phoenix is also a job seekers market right now and Houston is less so, largely because it’s economy is so dependent on oil and gas. If I was going to move to Texas I’d have better luck in Austin or Dallas. I like Dallas but I want a little more of a change from OKC.
With that said, I agree with you that Houston is in a class higher than Phoenix. Also the idea of having the coast so close is really attractive. Houston has a larger variety of gay bars than Phoenix and is actually in the running to get World Pride in a few years. If everything else was equal it would be a no brainer.
I was in the same situation as you, strongly considering both cities to relocate w/o a job lined up. When it comes to finding work you can't go wrong with both cities imo. Both cities also have a solid transit system(not great and more bus oriented, but while not as easy as NYC you can get around w/o a car). Texas has no income tax, so if that's important to you, keep that in mind. The problem I have with Houston is you may have to speak Spanish in order to get hired in many positions, including blue collar work. The crazy weather doesn't help.
If you can put up with no beaches, brutal summers(tho you do want a hot climate so you're gonna get it), an income tax and the fact that Maricopa County is more red politically than Harris County, then Phoenix is your choice. Phoenix also has a gay and lesbian chamber of commerce: https://phoenixgaychamber.org/
Your heart is set on Phoenix, go for it! Curious why you didn't consider DFW - much closer to OKC yet all big city amenities and LGBT friendly
I’d be fine with DFW. I’d be much happier there than in OKC. However, a big part of me wants a little bit more of a change than that. I’d like to get out of the Great Plains if possible.
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