Houston rent is 9% higher than national average (Dallas, San Antonio: best cities, amusement park)

[kjones200]

Originally Posted by 0825spring

Got that right! I was raised in Texas, graduated from college in Texas and this is second time around living in Houston. Between the high rent, overpriced houses, traffic, heat, humidity, lack of public transportation, poor quality of life, lack of outdoor activities (outside of going to a big park with a lot of other people), bigotry, narrow minds and rude drivers I truly don't understand the appeal in living here other than work. People simply exist here and live to work. How many people do you see with a big smile on their face in the grocery stores, malls or just in general? I see a lot of glum, unhappy people stuck with house payment, hefty car payments, credit card bills, etc. to appear to have it "all."

I miss working with people who actually enjoy their lives and come in Monday refreshed with tales of adventuresome weekends. Driving beat up jeeps, 4 wheel drives, wearing old keens but enjoying the hell out of life. Ah, but Houston is the best place to live in the entire world don't y'all know.

P.S. Yes, I am working on my exit plan. I refuse to just exist. Life is too short.

What part of town do you live in? I really can't comprehend your opinion of Texas (I assume Houston specifically). It appears you live in the more pretentious areas of town where everyone there is trying to prove something. They over extended themselves to have the biggest house, the nicest cars, the most expensive accessories (Keeping up with Joneses comes to mind). So yes they will have glum looks on their face in the grocery store when they have to decide between getting groceries or making expensive car payments. My home purchasing budget maxed out at $450K, but we chose a home for $250K which would allow us to have more "free" money for a better life. I didn't want to work to live. Many people these day fall into the work to live category, but that is by their own doing. People need to lean to live within or below their means.

My career has afforded many opportunities to travel both domestically and internationally. I've been to many countries and cites. I feel Houston is a one stop shop for experiencing life. There is so much to here. I'm a cyclist, so I love riding my bike through country roads country socializing with my fellow cyclist. Heading down to Galveston for some fun and sun with my son and wife (I do admit the water isn't the prettiest). Experiencing the many international cuisines here. Getting tickets to sporting events, specialtly events (i.e rodeo), and comedies shows. Playing golf at my neighborhood's golf course. Fishing in the many lakes and bayous here. When we have access to babysitter, we head inside the loop for some drinking, socializing, and good cigars. We like driving to Austin to visit friends, driving to San Antonio for some amazing amusement parks. Heading to the range to sharpen up shooting skills. Living a practical life allows us to take major family vacations every year and smaller stay-cations throughout the year. We went to Israel (before things got crazy there) this year and we are headed to Belize in spring of 2015.


Just to give some perspective, I was born, raised, and still live in Houston. I'm 31 now and have yet to find a dull moment here in Houston. If you saw me in the grocery store, I would have a smile on my face and point you in the direction to get a great deal on some rib eye steaks .

[cBach]

Isn't it so weird that Houston is such a practical live to work city while the next big city over, New Orleans, is a work to party city? Same weather/climate but totally different attitude. I wonder how it came to be that way.

[radiolibre99]

Dude, I knew it was only matter of time before someone came in and offered to tell us how their life somehow negates the many observations others have made about some of the downsides of Houston.

Now sure if I lived there and which I am planning to do soon, I would live life just as you're living now. I'm glad you can flourish anywhere but you also mentioned a lot of traveling which is one of the major points to what a few of us were saying; that outside of eating, drinking, shopping, etc there's not much else to Houston unless of course you go looking for a niche. I'll give you that. You can't sit back and have everything handed to you.

But travel is a big component of life in Houston. Living in LA I had no idea how it could feel like a vacation every weekend just by going out in the greater LA area; Venice, Santa Monica, Big Bear, Downtown LA, the many state parks for hiking, etc. I could be in the snow in the morning and the beach mid afternoon and hit the scene at night.

I've lived here three years and still haven't scratched the surface it's so large.

But of course Houston is not a terrible city by any means. It's still my second favorite for a reason and it has a lot to do with my attitude and sociability being really Texan and Houstonian. I love the people. I love the never know where I'm gonna end up nightlife. It's also less pretentious and less "worldly".

The only downside I've ever thought is how much your job almost defines you. It shows others how responsible you've been with your life, and the stuff you've accumulated is the evidence. But that's mostly the newly minted higher end burbs that keep up with the joneses.

[Tool Time]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

The only downside I've ever thought is how much your job almost defines you. It shows others how responsible you've been with your life, and the stuff you've accumulated is the evidence. But that's mostly the newly minted higher end burbs that keep up with the joneses.

No it isn't. the city is a much more pretentious place nowadays. It never used to be this way even a decade ago. These folks, mostly carpetbaggers- may not have the big square feet but everything else applies to an even greater extent, along with an even bigger condescending attitude of how crappy a $400k suburb is. Perfect example of how the pot calls the kettle black. And now all of these pretentious people are crapping their pants now that they overpaid for their homes and that BIG TAX BILL IS DUE while there is so much uncertainty in the job market. And I say good riddance.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by Tool Time

No it isn't. the city is a much more pretentious place nowadays. It never used to be this way even a decade ago. These folks, mostly carpetbaggers- may not have the big square feet but everything else applies to an even greater extent, along with an even bigger condescending attitude of how crappy a $400k suburb is. Perfect example of how the pot calls the kettle black. And now all of these pretentious people are crapping their pants now that they overpaid for their homes and that BIG TAX BILL IS DUE while there is so much uncertainty in the job market. And I say good riddance.

Woah really? It's changed that much? I'm sure its mostly the east coast transplants. I do get the sense that inner loop Houston has turned a bit more uppity.

[statisticsnerd]

Originally Posted by 0825spring

Got that right! I was raised in Texas, graduated from college in Texas and this is second time around living in Houston. Between the high rent, overpriced houses, traffic, heat, humidity, lack of public transportation, poor quality of life, lack of outdoor activities (outside of going to a big park with a lot of other people), bigotry, narrow minds and rude drivers I truly don't understand the appeal in living here other than work. People simply exist here and live to work. How many people do you see with a big smile on their face in the grocery stores, malls or just in general? I see a lot of glum, unhappy people stuck with house payment, hefty car payments, credit card bills, etc. to appear to have it "all."

I miss working with people who actually enjoy their lives and come in Monday refreshed with tales of adventuresome weekends. Driving beat up jeeps, 4 wheel drives, wearing old keens but enjoying the hell out of life. Ah, but Houston is the best place to live in the entire world don't y'all know.

P.S. Yes, I am working on my exit plan. I refuse to just exist. Life is too short.

You have to be tough to live in Houston. It isn't a place for wimpy people, that's for damn sure.

The ugliness, pollution, ass hole drivers, and incredible heat builds character.

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by statisticsnerd

It isn't a place for wimpy people, that's for damn sure.

Houstonians bundling up for 55-degree weather determined that was a lie.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by statisticsnerd

You have to be tough to live in Houston. It isn't a place for wimpy people, that's for damn sure.

The ugliness, pollution, ass hole drivers, and incredible heat builds character.

I was under the impression that the low cost of living, less competition for jobs and ample opportunities made it an easier place to make it?

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

I was under the impression that the low cost of living, less competition for jobs and ample opportunities

What city are you talking about?

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by jfre81

What city are you talking about?

Houston