Q&A...I am moving to Houston from Atlanta! (restaurants, automobile)

[MIBS98]

Originally Posted by The Northerner

We moved the other way......Houston to Atlanta.....back in the day. I hate Houston for many reasons, but can't deny it's the place to be in terms of jobs and affordable housing. They have some awesome sports/concert facilities there, too, and if you love heat and humidity (WAY worse than ATL) then you're definitely heading in the right direction.

How far back in the day? I started coming here often in 1998 and absolutely hated it. When I got transferred to Houston in 2003 I absolutely did not want to come. However, in the time between 1998 and 2003 the city improved dramatically. Midtown sprung up, Montrose was coming along nicely, the Heights was coming into its own, etc. Since 2003 it has continued to improve, so much so that when we had a choice of where in the US we wanted to move back to last year, we chose Houston. This coming from someone who grew up in Chicago and had previously lived in the NYC area, London, Paris, Brussels, Seoul, Singapore, Bangkok so an old hand where it comes to top cities.

[micmac99]

Originally Posted by BohemianMe

Oooh, I am shocked to see your replies, as I posted so long ago! THANK YOU to everyone who replied, especially MikeyAusmus. The time you took is very much appreciated. I was feeling a little nervous today (out of no where), but all of your posts have re-ignited my excitement!

@micmac99, I live off of Highland and Freedom Parkway. I walk my dog through Little 5 Points often (to give you a better idea of my proximity).

Thanks for the well wishes! I am excited about my next phase in life!!

Glad you find the comments helpful. Sounds like Midtown/Neartown/Montrose would be worth a hard and careful look. Drive along Allen Parkway if you can, and up and down Waugh and West Gray. There is a Whole Foods on Waugh and West Dallas. Anywhere where there is a Whole Foods is generally either a good neighborhood, or will be.

Upper Kirby is also a district just to the south of all this, that might be good to drive through as well. In that district there is a Whole Foods at Kirby and West Alabama.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by MIBS98

How far back in the day? I started coming here often in 1998 and absolutely hated it. When I got transferred to Houston in 2003 I absolutely did not want to come. However, in the time between 1998 and 2003 the city improved dramatically. Midtown sprung up, Montrose was coming along nicely, the Heights was coming into its own, etc. Since 2003 it has continued to improve, so much so that when we had a choice of where in the US we wanted to move back to last year, we chose Houston. This coming from someone who grew up in Chicago and had previously lived in the NYC area, London, Paris, Brussels, Seoul, Singapore, Bangkok so an old hand where it comes to top cities.

1987. I'm fully aware that Houston has changed a lot since then.....matter of fact, I have seen it first hand during multiple visits with friends.They've done a great job building up the town, but that part of the country couldn't be any less appealing to me......unless we're talking about the great housing prices, which just can't be beat. I can definitely see why it's so tempting for families looking to get the most for their money.

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by BohemianMe

Thanks Northerner, how are you enjoying Atlanta?

I am actually in northern Michigan now. Lived in the Atlanta metro for 20 years (including 3 awesome years in Buckhead as a single professional). I loved Atlanta for the most part, especially the beautiful topography in and around town, but have always been a midwesterner at heart, and came back to Mich. 5 years ago to start a family. I like to joke that all the southerners told me to "Go home" for years.....so I finally did!

Not discouraging your move to Houston by any means, despite what some people on here are saying.....just think it's good for people to get as much input as possible if they have questions, which you obviously do. Houston did not become the city it is by being a bad place....it just isn't for everyone.......but not every place is, right?

[AK123]

Originally Posted by The Northerner

1987. I'm fully aware that Houston has changed a lot since then.....

That would be an understatement. It's different (better) than just 5 years ago, and you're talking 25 years! You should did seem to be know-it-all and opinionated in another thread considering this huge disclosure you left out...

[Tyryztoll]

Originally Posted by AK123

That would be an understatement. It's different (better) than just 5 years ago, and you're talking 25 years! You should did seem to be know-it-all and opinionated in another thread considering this huge disclosure you left out...

Oh, don't get me wrong, I still detest the mere thought of living there. It takes more than a bunch of shiny buildings, 10 lane freeways, and consistently bad sports teams to impress me. I feel my participation in this conversation is justified at least in part because I have lived in the Houston area previously.

As for knowing it all......maybe I do and maybe I don't.....but it's abundantly clear that some people don't like being told anything besides what they want to hear. An opinion of contrast seems to be most unwelcome in this particular forum.......to which I say

[AK123]

Originally Posted by The Northerner

I feel my participation in this conversation is justified at least in part because I have lived in the Houston area previously.

You did 25 years, a quarter of a century ago! Come on man. That goes for just about any city, but especially newer, ever-evolving cities like Houston. Entire neighborhoods can change in much less time than that, no?

Originally Posted by The Northerner

As for knowing it all......maybe I do and maybe I don't.....but it's abundantly clear that some people don't like being told anything besides what they want to hear.

That certainly goes both ways, such as the bashers that can't seem to stay away from this forum and refuse to admit anything positive or that they may be exaggerating or even wrong about the negative.

Originally Posted by The Northerner

An opinion of contrast seems to be most unwelcome in this particular forum.......to which I say

No, but exaggerations, lies, and outdated opinions will certainly be challenged, as they should be.

[BohemianMe]

I do like to see the pros and cons from everyone who has lived there. If I did not have an open mind, I probably would have opted out of moving to Houston, given the perception of others. I definitely can appreciate everyone's opinion. I was born in Toledo, so I can understand how some from up north would hate living in parts of the south.

I'm visiting HOU again in a few weeks to actually tour the parts of town I originally posted on. It seems like Montrose is my kind of area, but I don't plan on limiting myself when there. I just want to take it all in!

Thanks again and keep the posts coming!!

[jbarn]

If you are wanting neighborhoods in Houston like you are used to in Atlanta, you will be sorely dissapointed. Houston may have a few neat, up-and-coming neighborhoods, but they are so spread out from each other that they might as well be located in different cities, and even their most "walkable" neighborhoods are not walkable, unless of course you are a power walker. Getting anywhere, and doing anything in Houston takes so long, you usually end up not doing nothing at all, hence one of the reasons it was voted one of the most boring cities on earth.

[David Dollar]

I am a "Houston basher" because I am not part of the Houston Homie crew, and it is easy to see who they are. I try to be honest, give my opinion, and tell you how I view the city. If that makes me a hater, then so be it. I am not bitter, and I do not hate here at all. Don't listen to these people that say the city is boring. There are plenty of things to do for most people. For someone like me who does not really fit the profile of a Houston resident, I am still able to find more things to do than I can. The Melvins were in town Friday, there was the I-fest Saturday (didn't go), and there was also a roller derby game Saturday. Don't be deterred. Houston may be the city for you.