Austin vs Houston (Dallas, Portland, Howe: fit in, landscaping, universities)

[Supernova7]

What do you guys see as the similarities and differences between these two cities. Let's exclude the suburbs and just focus in on the "city life"??

I'm curious about cost of living?
Public Transportation?
Recreational activities?
Political climate?
Accessibility to everything within walking distance?
Weather?
Culture and large ethnic mix?

Just a general honest overview of both cities from your observation.

[AustinTraveler]

Originally Posted by Supernova7

What do you guys see as the similarities and differences between these two cities. Let's exclude the suburbs and just focus in on the "city life"??

I'm curious about cost of living?
Public Transportation?
Recreational activities?
Political climate?
Accessibility to everything within walking distance?
Weather?
Culture and large ethnic mix?

Just a general honest overview of both cities from your observation.

Disclaimer: I live in Austin and have only visited Houston (multiple times), but of course, I've also ready a bazillion threads regarding both. Anyway, here are my thoughts:

I'm curious about cost of living?

I would have to say higher in Austin, hands down.

Public Transportation?

Houston has some; Austin only has the bus.

Recreational activities?

Totally depends on your idea of recreation. If you mean walking, biking, running, etc. I would have to say Austin. Town Lake downtown is the best.

Political climate?

Can't speak for Houston here but Austin is basically known as the only blue part of Texas. People here aren't just liberal or conservative, they are just plain tolerant. Nobody cares about the label.

Accessibility to everything within walking distance?

Um, this is Texas. Not sure you'll find much of this anywhere. There are pockets of Austin's downtown that are accessible to a lot, but definitely not everything.

Weather?

Austin is definitely less humid, but the temps get higher in the summer. Houston has more of a Florida-like climate with high humidity in the summer but usually not temperatures over 100.

Culture and large ethnic mix?

Houston hands down probably wins this one. Austin is definitely not as ethnically diverse but of course it is much smaller too. Plenty of culture to be found in both places; kind of depends on what you consider culture.

Personally, I don't think I would want to live in Houston, but like I said earlier, I have never lived there. Austin is an awesome place to live. The people are really cool and everyone is very accepting and tolerant. I do live very close to downtown and not in the burbs so I know I'm spoiled as far as walking to the bakery, etc. Honestly, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[Supernova7]

Thank you, that was informative. Anyone else care to compare the two cities?
It sounds like Austin is more liberal and free with a better music/ent. scene for the single young crowd. However, Houston, has lower cost of living, much more culture and diversity. Also, job opportunitys sound a lot better in Houston.

[houstoner]

As with Portland, there's really no comparison. Austin has 656,000 people. Houston has 2 million in the city and 5 million or so in its metro. It just depends on what type of city you prefer. If you prefer diversity in race, class, thought, nightlife, arts, culture, things to do, etc. Houston is it. If you're an outdoorsy-type liberal and would prefer to live in a bubble, Austin is the place for you. There are other cities in Texas as well if you're just dead-set on coming here. Dallas would be more comparable to Houston than Austin. It also offers plenty of opportunities in universities and employment, and its metro is slightly bigger than ours at 6 million. You should really visit. Or at least order some travel guides or something and get a feel for what type of city you'd prefer.

[Supernova7]

Actually, I haven't heard one good thing about Dallas from anyone. In fact, even the people in Dallas are trying to move elsewhere. At least, according to the comments on the forums. I heard that Houston is far more liberal than Dallas. Dallas is supposed to be hardcore conservative/bible belt city. Many people have said that, so I hope Houston is very different "socially/politically than Dallas. That's important! Wherever you live you'd like to feel comfortable with the political atmosphere and know that you fit in.

I'm liberal but in no way shape or form wish to "live in a bubble" lol.
Republicans and liberals co-existing together is a great thing in my opinion. It's only bad when you have fanatics and oppressive laws in your state.
I think I would choose Houston over Austin in a heartbeat based on what has been said so far.

[Guerilla]

Dallas is definitely more bible belt. There are way more churches here than in Houston, and they are all along the freeway.

[Supernova7]

I would never move to Dallas. Passed through a few times and felt like I was trapped in a "monster suburban mall." It's a city of huge buildings. Didn't feel any culture. However, I'm sure there are some who desire that kind of setting so it's good that everyone has a choice.

[Guerilla]

I felt the same way... It doesn't feel like a city, but more like a region filled with many cities. I like Houston's feel better. It is one big city. In DFW, you go along on the freeway, and as you pass through the different cities, street signs are different (naming each city and having their own design), landscaping along the freeways start and stop, and city limit signs are everywhere.

Have you been to Houston?

[houstoner]

If you didn't like Dallas, you probably won't like Houston. Although Guerilla is right, Dallas feels more sprawled out because it's the DFW metroplex with tons of smaller cities and suburbs, Houston sprawls, too. I'm not sure how this fact escaped you in your research. How did you figure out Houston was where you wanted to live?

[mpope409]

Originally Posted by Supernova7

Thank you, that was informative. Anyone else care to compare the two cities?
It sounds like Austin is more liberal and free with a better music/ent. scene for the single young crowd. However, Houston, has lower cost of living, much more culture and diversity. Also, job opportunitys sound a lot better in Houston.

I've always believed that if you'll find it in Austin, you'll find it in Houston...twice as big.