Just moved to NW Houston from DC/MD area (Center: apartment complex, neighborhood)

[Enzo_Guy]

I just moved to NW Houston (along 290 just past the 610 loop) from the DC/MD area (southern AA County specifically) in order to attend SAM (School of Automotive Machinists). So far I'm liking the place, especially how friendly everyone is! I can start a conversation with someone in my apartment complex or at the gas station without being stared at like I'm weird!

Something I've noticed is Houstonians complain about "traffic" around here. Hate to say it, but you guys don't even know traffic yet hahaha! I think everyone here is like the nicest driver in the world! Seriously, go to 495 or New York Ave in DC and then you will understand traffic!

That aside, I moved here about 2 weeks ago and I'm a single 23 year old male looking for fun stuff to so around town. My opinion of "clubs" has been scarred by the swarms of East Coast guido types so I prefer a more hometown dive bar type place where there's good music maybe, the drinks are relatively cheap, and everyone is there to just hang out not pretend to be some fake orange Jersey Shore wannabe. I also know all of one person in town (my roommate who is from Kanasas City) so I'd love to find a group of down-to-earth people like myself who just like to have a beer or two and maybe are even into cars like I am.

[swopoe]

I can't help you on the bar recs, but I wanted to say welcome. I am from Baltimore County, and I am familiar with 495 traffic. 495 seems so small compared to I-10 here! Yes, the people here are friendly, and I am glad you are liking it here so far. Again, welcome!

[annie_himself]

I don't think you have experienced any traffic yet. It's nothing to shake a stick at.

[mr.mister]

Going to piggyback on this thread to ask a question. Almost identical situation: 23 & coming from DC MD. I'm taking a position at HP and figured this would great to find a place close to work; as I currently have an hour commute (with moderate traffic). I figured something 10-15 minutes from work would be great, but from what I gathered reading through other threads is that there is more to do closer to the inner loop. I wanted to know how is the reverse commute during morning and afternoon rush hour if I where to live inside the loop and commute to HP?

[Enzo_Guy]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

I don't think you have experienced any traffic yet. It's nothing to shake a stick at.

So you're from the DC area , too?

I used to work in a truck shop, if anybody knows traffic it's the truckers, right? Even chatting with some OTR 18-wheeler drivers down here in Houston, they all acknowledged Houston traffic is a joke compared to DC haha! No joke, when I was taking to a trucker here in Houston about the traffic and I exclaimed that it wasn't that bad, he looked at me for a moment then declared I must be from the DC area (never even told him I wasn't from there at all)! When I asked how he knew, his only response was, "DC folks is the only ones that could move to Houston and think the traffic is amazing! To hell with driving in that town!" DC has it the worst man, not trying to brag but legitimately that is the #1 worst place to drive in the USA.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Go to Midtown for the bars, Houston does not have a Guido complex, you won't find people like that here, or loser bouncers either, though most places have 'door men'. You'll find almost everyone is cool and just wanting to have a good time. Washington avenue also has bars, downtown, Rice Village, City Center, just to name a few. You will have fun here my friend.

[crono_clone]

Originally Posted by Enzo_Guy

That aside, I moved here about 2 weeks ago and I'm a single 23 year old male looking for fun stuff to so around town. My opinion of "clubs" has been scarred by the swarms of East Coast guido types so I prefer a more hometown dive bar type place where there's good music maybe, the drinks are relatively cheap, and everyone is there to just hang out not pretend to be some fake orange Jersey Shore wannabe. I also know all of one person in town (my roommate who is from Kanasas City) so I'd love to find a group of down-to-earth people like myself who just like to have a beer or two and maybe are even into cars like I am.

There's actually a few bars that are close to you that might fit what you're asking for (divey or neighborhood bars):

Catty Corner Ice House
El Gran Malo
Cottonwood
Shepherd Park Draught House

These are in the Garden Oaks/Oak Forest neighborhood, which is more a young-family type neighbhorhood.

Since you're single, you might try the White Oak Strip nearby in the Heights for more prospects:

Little Woodrow's
Jimmy's Icehouse
Onion Creek

There's plenty of others in that strip where White Oak Drive and Studewood intersect. It's lively but laid-back at the same time.

Midtown is the city's current trendy hotspot, so you can check it out but based on what you stated you prefer, might not be what you're looking for.