Why is Houston the most attacked city in Texas? By other Texas cities?

[madrone2k]

The last couple of posts have stimulated my memory. As I said earlier, I had a friend who (in the 70s) liked to snoop around old places. Besides the mid-1800s cisterns and the old mansions, we also stumbled onto the old jail in Richmond, by the railroad tracks. Was that ever restored? It would be great if it had been.

At that time, it seemed that Richmond got a bad rep for being predominantly poor and Hispanic. And, by association, having more crime. As for me, I like that demographic, as long as their kids don't mess with my stuff :-)

As for Houston ... here's something I meant to say earlier. I think that there's something in human nature that calls on people to have someone or something to hate. For many, Houston is that thing. That's why I think of Houston as the Rodney Dangerfield of cities.

[Jimmy1953]

Originally Posted by ftbend06

I’m bumping something old and obviously way behind in this conversation but have some thoughts on the original question (btw lots of interesting discussion here, particularly on Ft Bend County above).

I’ve always said I think Houston gets smashed because it’s bad on paper. Flat, humidity, traffic, relatively unattractive built environment, more-disorganized-than-normal sprawl, etc. Yes those things are present in other Texas cities as well but the consensus is probably more so in Houston when you take all the things into consideration. HOWEVER, you cannot judge a place just based on those data points imo. My opinion, Houston has a great feel/spirit (whatever you want to call it) that cannot be quantified and imo cannot be known until you live here. (Yes this is all very subjective).

Good post. Point on.

I'm a Dallas homer but I won't lie and say we don't admire Houston and it's own. We do.

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by ftbend06

I’m bumping something old and obviously way behind in this conversation but have some thoughts on the original question (btw lots of interesting discussion here, particularly on Ft Bend County above).

I’ve always said I think Houston gets smashed because it’s bad on paper. Flat, humidity, traffic, relatively unattractive built environment, more-disorganized-than-normal sprawl, etc. Yes those things are present in other Texas cities as well but the consensus is probably more so in Houston when you take all the things into consideration. HOWEVER, you cannot judge a place just based on those data points imo. My opinion, Houston has a great feel/spirit (whatever you want to call it) that cannot be quantified and imo cannot be known until you live here. (Yes this is all very subjective).

I buy this too. Lived in Houston 26 years (left in early 2011) and had a great time. Returned this spring and inside the loop looked better than ever. Houston is not as great as its CD boosters claim but it is not as bad as its detractors make it out to be.

[Thoreau424]

I don't know about "most-attacked", but at worst it's just simple jealousy. I won't take the bait and expend time and energy refuting nonsense.

Let 'em whine, complain, and stay far away. We don't have to do anything in response.

[rdz1979]

Originally Posted by Thoreau424

I don't know about "most-attacked", but at worst it's just simple jealousy. I won't take the bait and expend time and energy refuting nonsense.

Let 'em whine, complain, and stay far away. We don't have to do anything in response.

I read your post and thought about this story I read. I especially liked the end.

"The Suffers' new album, Everything Here, leads off with a song called “Intro (A Headnod to Houston).” It features Paul Wall rapping over a background of voices singing: It might not be that pretty / But it looks real good to me / It might not be your favorite city / But it's really got a hold on me.

Maybe it's that sense of defiance that ultimately defines Houston's cool—the sense that a city where cool isn't the primary commodity can afford to lie back and let the world come to it, whenever the world catches on. As Matthew Odam's passenger put it, before closing the car door and taking off toward the Menil's lawn and into legend: “Houston is cool because Houston doesn't give a ____ about being cool.”

Brett Martin is a GQ correspondent."

I omitted a particular word, but I imagine you can guess what it was. Read the whole thing if you want, I found it interesting.

https://www-gq-com.cdn.ampproject.or...-southern-cool