Houston vs Seattle (Victoria, Galveston, Spring: school, live in, club)

[mpope409]

Originally Posted by C2H (ComingtoHouston)

Houston is not known for its beauty. Houston is an average looking city that has some nice neighborhoods within. Matter of fact, the entire south is not as blessed with the natural beauty of crescents and mountains that the north has. It's just the way the cards were dealt.

True, but then again, it all depends on what you consider beautiful. I find Hermann Park, Lake Houston, and Sam Houston National Forest to be absolutely gorgeous. Even more so during those two days of snow in 2004.

Some places have that obvious beauty, and there are those places that have the beauty you need to search for. Beauty on a higher plane.

[beachcomber556]

When you take an honest look at Houston, you will find whatever it is you are looking for. Racism? Yes, you will find it. Diversity and tolerance? A thousand times more prevalent than racism. I have lived in Houston since 1997 and am very comfortable here. I am caucasian, live in an ethnically mixed subdivision, teach at high school that is 90% African American and 10% Hispanic. We grocery shop in China Town at the Hong Kong Supermarket. Why wife is a manager for a Russian cafe and deli. Yes, there are nutballs in Houston -- of every color and creed and orientation. But they are a distinct, miniscule minority. Unfortuantely, the media likes to put them on display with great regularity, thus making them seem more numerous and prevalent than they really are. As for the heat and humdity, only in the summer. Sitting on your patio sipping coffee on a quiet Sunday morning in January in your bathrobe is not a Seattle option. It is in Houston.

Hope this helps.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by mpope409

I'm confused. What region of the country are you suggesting Houston identifies with? Because from my viewpoint, the American Southwest doesn't begin until you find yourself west of Fort Worth and west of Central Texas. Andything below San Antonio is Mexico.

Houston identifies with the South. Almost everything you can find in the Southern states, you can find here. However we are different, and there are a few of things that someone might say identifies us with the W or SW:

* Hispanic population of 37% in the city. (South Texas is "Mexico?" So is Houston...)
* Catholics most predominant (see attachment)
* Number of businesses that call themselves "Southwest," not just located off the Southwest freeway either.
* Grazing land for cattle you can find.
* You can also find the largest rodeo in the world right here.

In the previous link I posted you can see we are on the eastern fringe of where the "German" Texans are. Most white southerners apparently identify themselves as "American," including most in deep East Texas.

And the international abundance here also makes this city unique upon itself...

So what does a lifetime native say? Houston is definitely a southern city, but not a typical one. The same can be said for Texas being a southern state, also not a typical one.

[KerrTown]

Originally Posted by cutloose

I think the real south west starts after I35, thats were ive met some of the best true texans, im stating this not to offend anyone but its what ive noticed'
In houston its such a cross of cultures, the true real texans are far and inbetween. If you ever want a great vacation with inside TX, travel to Leaky. i remain in Hou, for my wifes employment, but if i had a choice were to live in TX it would be west of I35. Houston is a bayou city, its not west my any means, same with ft worth u need to travel about 30 miles west of that town.

That's the reason I like Houston, the stereotypical Texan is a minority. I am always outraged when they show the stereotypical TEXAS instead of the 21st Century one. Houston is very unique compared to other cities like Dallas and San Antonio because the stereotype doesn't fit really well--this is the un-Texan city. This is a typical major American city that just happens to be in Texas; Whether by accident or by design is debatable.

[Wysiwyg]

Originally Posted by mpope409

You must be a very lonely man. Only boring people can find nothing to do in Houston. (Yeah, I said it)

LOL I just got married. I'm sure you know about that from watching TV.
*We are not interested in stay at home moms hobbies like read books at B&N or look cute in some coffeshop somewhere just to have something to do. you know *we* meant something interesting to do that earns a spot in the photo albums (*we* know some people save pics of their visits to lame museums ikkk). looks like *we* might have to start jumping planes

[Wysiwyg]

Originally Posted by KerrTown

That's the reason I like Houston, the stereotypical Texan is a minority. I am always outraged when they show the stereotypical TEXAS instead of the 21st Century one. Houston is very unique compared to other cities like Dallas and San Antonio because the stereotype doesn't fit really well--this is the un-Texan city. This is a typical major American city that just happens to be in Texas; Whether by accident or by design is debatable.

thats true. would be great if it was autonomous like hong kong was

[mpope409]

Originally Posted by tstone

Houston identifies with the South. Almost everything you can find in the Southern states, you can find here. However we are different, and there are a few of things that someone might say identifies us with the W or SW:

* Hispanic population of 37% in the city. (South Texas is "Mexico?" So is Houston...)
* Catholics most predominant (see attachment)
* Number of businesses that call themselves "Southwest," not just located off the Southwest freeway either.
* Grazing land for cattle you can find.
* You can also find the largest rodeo in the world right here.

In the previous link I posted you can see we are on the eastern fringe of where the "German" Texans are. Most white southerners apparently identify themselves as "American," including most in deep East Texas.

And the international abundance here also makes this city unique upon itself...

So what does a lifetime native say? Houston is definitely a southern city, but not a typical one. The same can be said for Texas being a southern state, also not a typical one.

Very neat analysis. The thing I meant about South Texas being Mexico, though, is that it seems like every town in that region seems to identify more with Mexico than the United States. Not quite like that in Houston, with the exception of a few areas. Grazing land for cattle can be found all over the south, and the whole rodeo thing, I've always just thought of that as Houston feeding into the whole Texas "Wild Wild West" stereotype. Something that Houston doesn't fit in anyway. The rodeo belongs in El Paso, in my opinion.

[mpope409]

Originally Posted by KerrTown

That's the reason I like Houston, the stereotypical Texan is a minority. I am always outraged when they show the stereotypical TEXAS instead of the 21st Century one. Houston is very unique compared to other cities like Dallas and San Antonio because the stereotype doesn't fit really well--this is the un-Texan city. This is a typical major American city that just happens to be in Texas; Whether by accident or by design is debatable.

...yes. Especially since it was founded by New Yorkers. But we're just going to have to except the fact that the way Texas is viewed by the nation is probably not going to change. Unfortunately, a lot of this country likes believing that there are silly people in silly cities versus their perfect town. Not many care to know the actual Texas, because the Texas they think they know is so entertaining.

[mpope409]

Originally Posted by Wysiwyg

LOL I just got married. I'm sure you know about that from watching TV.
*We are not interested in stay at home moms hobbies like read books at B&N or look cute in some coffeshop somewhere just to have something to do. you know *we* meant something interesting to do that earns a spot in the photo albums (*we* know some people save pics of their visits to lame museums ikkk). looks like *we* might have to start jumping planes

And what I am saying is that one has to be pitiful or lazy to not be able to find something to do. I know that you cannot be that boring.

So what you can't go mountain climbing or skiing? There's hiking in the Sam Houston forest. Not many hills, but still great. Lengthy bike rides thru The Woodlands. There are parachute rides, jet skiing, and skydiving in Houston. Take a tour of all these fine churches, old and new. Go to the Chase Tower and admire the lobby or the observation floor. All of these things can be done in Houston and then some. You're not looking.

Also, there is fall foliage in Houston, snow is something special that we have to hope for, and the only kids in Houston who have nothing to look forward to are the ones of parents who have chosen poor schools or spoil the child with video games and an unhealthy amount of television watching. Everyone I knew who was born and raised in Houston is still here and doesn't regret it.

[Wysiwyg]

Originally Posted by mpope409

Especially since it was founded by New Yorkers.

BAHAHAHA! Get over it! the swindling of some folks may have started a town in the south but NYC has nothing to do with getting rid of the texan cowboy in houston. Just plain progress/civilization and better government (and heat, and time) did that