Relocating: From Atlanta To Houston

[Houston1197]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

True, but, again, it doesn't help the OP when you don't know what you're talking about. You're arrogant enough to think that simply riding around town gives you intimate knowledge of the neighborhoods and its people. Well, hopefully the OP is able to sniff out your sensationalist bull, just as I was.

Since when is Houston notorious for crime, when half of the nation still thinks Texas is nothing but a bunch of rednecks and cowboys? Hell, I can't count the number of people who were even surprised to discover Houston had so many minorities (mostly blacks). Memphis, New Orleans, Chicago, DC, Baltimore, etc; these are cities known for their crime.

You overexaggerated and you made statements of which you had no supporting facts. Period. Point blank. End of story.

All this person is stating is personal opinion and trying to pass it off on everyone else. I have sneaking suspicion that micmac99 and RPS13 are the same person...

[RPS13]

Originally Posted by Houston1197

All this person is stating is personal opinion and trying to pass it off on everyone else. I have sneaking suspicion that micmac99 and RPS13 are the same person...

We are definitely not the same person.


There are definitely shades of grey, but a good number of the lower income neighborhoods within the city are not what I'd personally term safe. One person's "highly dangerous" is another person's, "well it's a bit rough."


I'll accept that you have your own opinion on the semantics used, if you can accept that when someone calls for a "safe neighborhood" in Houston, your knee jerk reaction should probably not be one of the lower income areas within the loop.

[micmac99]

Originally Posted by RPS13

We are definitely not the same person.


There are definitely shades of grey, but a good number of the lower income neighborhoods within the city are not what I'd personally term safe. One person's "highly dangerous" is another person's, "well it's a bit rough."


I'll accept that you have your own opinion on the semantics used, if you can accept that when someone calls for a "safe neighborhood" in Houston, your knee jerk reaction should probably not be one of the lower income areas within the loop.

I have more than adequately explained my position. I can handle disagreement, but I absolutely reserve the right to express MY views on this forum in the best way that I see fit, just like anyone else does on these forums. I have not been disrespectful of anyone on here in any manner. If that comes across as arrogant that is a matter of opinion.

Many times telling the truth, or even expressing an opinion, involves ruffling some feathers. I do resent being told to keep silent about my views on the danger level and crime rate of neighborhoods. Even opinions are valuable information to take into consideration when trying to decide on where to buy a house or rent an apartment. I think most people are smart enough to weigh all the information in a careful and informed manner.

If I think a certain part of town is dangerous, it would be 100% irresponsible of me to tell someone trying to make a major decision "oh yeah, go ahead and try to live on that side of town, just make sure you have a CHL" (someone actually posted that as an answer to someone on another thread). And if there is more factual information that someone else can provide, I have also done my job just by encouraging others to jump in and speak up. That's the tradition of free speech guaranteed to us by our Constitution.

[micmac99]

Originally Posted by Nairobi

If you read the conversation between micmac and I, it would be clear what I'm disputing.

Of course crime tends to be higher in low income areas. I've never suggested otherwise, but if the two of you aren't able to comprehend that higher crime does not necessarily make these areas HIGHLY DANGEROUS, then I can't help you any further.

Let the two of you tell it, and Houston is nothing but a mix of Beverly Hills and South Central during the crack epidemic.

Ask anyone in places like Katy, Cinco Ranch, The Woodlands, Kingwood, etc., what THEIR perception of the city of Houston is, and I'd say it would be a pretty safe bet that their perception of much of the city proper, outside of the gentrified hot spots, IS most certainly "a mix of Beverly Hills and South Central during the crack epidemic". Notice I said "perception". Not necessarily backed up by facts. But perceptions do have a lot of power in people's minds. As a Black man I have to deal with people's perceptions of me on a daily basis, correct or incorrect. Not backed up by any facts or any personal knowledge of me, my history, or my educational background. But I still have to deal with the perceptions.

I have read many, many posts on the forums that clearly suggest that such a perception of Houston's level of neighborhood dangerousness exists and is a problem in this metro area. Posts like "my office building near Gessner and Westheimer was broken into X number of times but they're starting to clean that area up" and "I'm surprised I have to look so far outside of downtown to be in a nice/safe neighborhood".

That perception needs to change in my opinion if Houston is to continue attracting quality people to relocate here.