If Houston is supposedly ugly and boring.. (Huntsville, Atlanta: dorms, school)

[Texas User]

Low cost of living overall, affordable living, diversity, great suburbs, restaurents, realiable, business, jobs, etc.

[Ellen Pitts]

I recently read Eric Weiner's Geography of Bliss. He visited about a dozen places across the globe and whose residents showed the highest scores in happiness studies as well as a couple places where they scored the lowest. His conclusions were that happiness has much more to do with relationships than location, entertainment or anything else. The happiest people have close-knit families and communities. They know and trust their neighbors. Finances did play some part in happiness but only to the extent that a person was not in abject poverty. Having enough money to afford basic necessities made people happier than those who could not feed themselves, but beyond that money didn't make make a difference in people's happiness.

Given these things, I would think Houston has as much a chance as anyplace else to be one of the happiest places in the world. Like others have mentioned, anyone can make a living there and be able to afford the basic necessities. The people are warm and friendly. The subdivisions that I have looked at (we're not there yet so don't really know) seem to be communities within themselves, offering many activities where people can get to know one another. I can't wait to get there!

[nana053]

Originally Posted by mistergus75

I doubt we'd ever take our eight year old daughter to see the Alamo if we stayed in Amarillo, But living in Houston, it will be easy.

mistergus75

Yeah, the drive to San Antonio is certainly less from Houston than from Amarillo. I don't think that means much though as it is still a 3 to 3.5 hour drive.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by ethanw

** Some of the best schools, Rice and watch out for UH in 5 years, it will be one of the TOP of the TOP

Oh please, UH will never be in the top of the top. Be proud of Rice though, not many cities have a university of Rice's caliber. It's up there with the ivy leagues. But UH is a low grade commuter school.

[SouthernBoy205]

Ok. Let's stay on topic please.

[theSUBlime]

Originally Posted by cBach

Oh please, UH will never be in the top of the top. Be proud of Rice though, not many cities have a university of Rice's caliber. It's up there with the ivy leagues. But UH is a low grade commuter school.

Not even Austin, surprisingly.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by theSUBlime

Not even Austin, surprisingly.

I'll give credit where it is due. Yes, Rice is better than UT Austin. However, UT Austin is better than UH. To relate this to the thread, having a world class university (Rice) is definitely one of the reasons Houston has boomed. After all, NASA was built on donated Rice property.

[MikeandIke27]

Originally Posted by HtownLove

there are about a dozen cities larger than Houston in size, but none of them are larger in population so I don't get your point. If size and population was correlated then Jacksonville and Oklahoma City would be the largest cities in the South

Its Job growth and 600 square mile city limits. spread Dallas over 600 miles Philadelphia, Atlanta, DC, Miami.. I wonder what there populations would be? Wouldnt that move them higher in rankings? From where there at now . With being 600 square miles isnt it easier for someone to move into the city?

[SouthernBoy205]

It may be 1 million more people. Remember, Houston's LAND area is like 579 square miles, not 600.

[ethanw]

You outta have a quick chat with Dr. Renu Khator and she will prove your wrong mate. Watch what she is capable of.... very intelligent and powerful women. She know what she wants.... Give her time mate, just give her time....

Originally Posted by cBach

Oh please, UH will never be in the top of the top. Be proud of Rice though, not many cities have a university of Rice's caliber. It's up there with the ivy leagues. But UH is a low grade commuter school.