10 Reasons Why Houston is an Up-and-Coming Destination (Plano: city hall, insurance)

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

THIS! Houston has done a great job getting to where it's at now but infrastructure is terrible. I'm mainly talking about transit. Also infill is getting better but there are so many more lots and neighborhoods that still need major investment.
Couldn't agree more on the arts scene, it doesn't feel natural. Everything is just brought in.

Many people in Houston, especially the upper middle that benefit the most from the good economy, don't feel as though Houston needs "quality of life". They think that you make your own quality of life with your job, choice of neighborhood and lifestyle. They think its ridiculous that the city should spend money to give you quality. It's too much money and would scare business away according to them.

[theSUBlime]

Yeah, when they said progressive, I assumed socially progressive. Houston's is fairly socially accepting, at least for a Texas city.

But, in terms of fiscal progressiveness, not so much. I was just having a conversation about how long it would take Texas to institute an income tax. Personally, I think with all the growth, it's probably not going to take very long before it would be more feasible to lower property tax and institute an income tax. And though I'm sure this is terribly unpopular. I don't see how sales and property could get any higher. Then again I'm guessing people here would rather let private corporations bid on running public high schools before that would happen.

Also, the youth thing is questionable. While we do have a very young population, many of them have kids, and are married. It's not to say that these people don't go out every once and a while, but in the cities where youth have a bigger presence on the nightlife scene, people don't usually get married or have kids so early.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by Weatherguy

but I think Houston has gotten a lot more interesting and fun than Austin, and doesn't have the holier than thou snob factor that Austin has.

I would agree. Austin has overtaken Dallas as the most pretentious city in the state.

[annie_himself]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

Many people in Houston, especially the upper middle that benefit the most from the good economy, don't feel as though Houston needs "quality of life". They think that you make your own quality of life with your job, choice of neighborhood and lifestyle. They think its ridiculous that the city should spend money to give you quality. It's too much money and would scare business away according to them.

Well for that vocal population, their quality of life is fine as they have wide streets, a Suburban, a two story house in a cheap subdivision, and their kids have soccer practice, they are completely content.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Well for that vocal population, their quality of life is fine as they have wide streets, a Suburban, a two story house in a cheap subdivision, and their kids have soccer practice, they are completely content.

Yes, like I said "quality of life" has to be "earned" in Houston.

But I agree with a previous poster, Houston's public infrastructure is 3rd worldish by comparison to other major cities. People complain about LA but even though some of the public buildings may be old they're still worlds apart in structure and code, and style. Public works buildings like libraries for one look really good. The social and city services, while bloated and there's red tape are abundant and amazing. Everyone complains but no one will vote to get rid of anything here. They know its better than having nothing.

For the Houston boosters, they still haven't figured out that most of the Texas praising is also a big PR campaign by conservative interests to wage this ideological battle on the best policy to run the country. CA is the scapegoat while Texas is the model.

Houston has a lot of excellent elements about it, the stats aren't lies but there is another side to the story that these financial rags don't explain to ppl. The other half dealing with the **** poor services, lack of health insurance, poor infrastructure, low wage job growth, poverty up, etc.

The boosters seem to dismiss this aspect because the only thing that matters is what's benefitting the middle and upper middle; the high skilled labor and professionals. Everyone else is just lacking gumption according to them.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

Well for that vocal population, their quality of life is fine as they have wide streets, a Suburban, a two story house in a cheap subdivision, and their kids have soccer practice, they are completely content.

I call that the "big government spending" part of the city = wide roads, sidewalks, lots of lighting, lots of free parking, lots of public parks, etc, etc.

[radiolibre99]

I wouldn't even say the public parks are all that developed. Memorial and Herman are probably the best.

[HouTXmetro]

Radiolibre is on fire today!!!! I love your post in this thread.

[radiolibre99]

Thank you. I think it's a good discussion and debate to have.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by HouTXmetro

Radiolibre is on fire today!!!! I love your post in this thread.

He's even shooting at me
Dude, we are homies

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

For the Houston boosters, they still haven't figured out that most of the Texas praising is also a big PR campaign by conservative interests to wage this ideological battle on the best policy to run the country. CA is the scapegoat while Texas is the model.

Exactly,
I don't like to blindly say "Everything here is perfect" because that means that whatever is wrong is never gonna be fixed

You are right about the California vs Texas BS
I can't stand when people say "Texas is better than California" .... who gives a damn?
I don't care what state is worse than Texas, I live here and I don't care about any other state.