Houston rude?? (Mercedes, Saginaw, Mart: insurance, loft, how much)

[work_horse]

I have a couple of questions I am pondering a move to Houston however I have a few concerns?

1. I am coming from PHX which I absolutely hate. The only reason why I am hear is because of the job market and the recession has me stuck. The people are rude here, no hospilality and not to mention its a cultural wasteland with no diversity. I am originally from the Midwest Michigan to be exact and there are NO jobs there. I mean some will say if you have a job stay however if you are depressed and this is not where you see your self living raising a family why not move I am sure the economy in Houston is not good but its not Flint Saginaw or Detroit ... trust me. Also PHX is a pretty new city they just got a lightrail and put up a few new skyscrapers but none very tall because the airport is so close to downtown and besides I dont have 20 years to wait for a city to gain an identity. Another thing about PHX is that it has too much competition with it being so close to Snotsdale aka Scottsdale and tempe. I am used to driving downtown parking and having a good time not driving all over the place and traffic is really bad here because of the unexpected growth.


1. Question is there still true southern hospitality or have transient people ruined it?

2. Guys be honest how is the dating scene are females easy to approach? (out here all they care about is money money and more because truley alot of them never lived a hard life they were born with platinum spoons so if you dont have the latest Mercedes or Cadillac or Lambo or Aston Martin they dont care and that holds very true in Snottsdale)

3. How is the Job market especially in insurance?

4. I know cost of living is cheap from what I heard have anyone experienced different?

5.I am just a hard working man looking to be happy if, thank you for your input it is greatly appreciated.

[vabbrian]

I am new to the area myself, finally made the jump and am very happy I did so.

1) I still get a lot of the southern hospitality, seems to be "give and receive" situation though. When driving you have to learn how to plow down the road like the rest of the maniacs or get run over, and people are shocked when I take the time to let them in / over, but in social situations the people I've encountered seem to want to give you the benefit of the doubt, until you give them reasons not to, which is the opposite of where I moved from (Hampton Roads, VA).

2) Women seem hooked on status here as well, but I'm not out on the scene (currently engaged).

3) Not sure about insurance, I'm in IT and have had decent interest since landing here. Big thing is to keep applying and keep the resume refreshed on job sites.

4) Seems to be a wash on living expenses, at least in where I'm coming from. No state taxes are made up for with other things, like higher utilities. Buying a house gets you a lot for your money, but depending on where you are you get raped on the property taxes.

5) Good luck :-).

[spiritof68]

I don't think Houston is a rude place at all. Coming from PHX, you're going to enjoy the good seafood. I love all the good places to eat in Houston but my favorite is James Coney Island with that neon green relish. Yum!

Of all the places I've visited, the rudest people I've run into were up in Colorado but then again Texans aren't popular up there.

[spiritof68]

ps. Texas women are HOT!

[Bruce81]

I am currently in Phx as well and totally agree with you on the rude people and the stares you get if you invite someone over or just say hi to a stranger. I moved here about 9 years ago and yes, its not the easiest place to make friends. I lived in other states, even recently about 2 years ago lived in Arkansas and made some very good friends in only 3 months. Anyways, having traveled alot, last april my wife and I visited Houston and were so impressed on how nice the people were. At first we thought maybe because we are on vacation, but no, when you have someone in a Target randomly asking you how your day was, that is something else. We will move out of Az very soon, and if I could I would move to Houston in a flash, but I might go to California instead, I have friends there, closer to my family here in Az, but if its really that bad there, Houston would be the #1 place and its close to the ocean with friendly folks, woo!!

[spiritof68]

Originally Posted by Bruce81

I lived in other states, even recently about 2 years ago lived in Arkansas and made some very good friends in only 3 months.

I've never really met a unfriendly Arkansan myself.

[Grunn]

The only times I've found Texas folk to be rude and nasty is when they are in their cars. Funny how their veneer of friendliness drops when social accountability is removed.

My theory is they are like this all the time in reality but are socialised to behave positively in social situations.

I'm coming the the conclusion the same is true of all Americans which might explain why you all seem to be so keen on murdering each other (at least according to statistics which as we know never lie.......)

[AmberAzeneth]

Make the move, you will not regret it. You should be able to find a good woman here, they are pretty plentiful in these parts. Trust me, it is worth the move.

[ayahuasca_mike]

Just an FYI for the OP, women care about money EVERYWHERE you go. They may not care for as much but they still care. I love Houston BTW. Just be advised that the women are very traditional down here. I'm an urbanite and all of my recent relationships have ended because the women immediately want to get married, move in together (in the suburbs, which I despise) and start a family. I live in a loft downtown and they see this as a threat for some reason.

[jaydes]

Im a native texan and have traveled all over US and always comment on how much friendlier people from here are. So yes i would say houston is very friendly.