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I think it has to do with the fact that Houston is still a very "young" city compared to most other major cities and just doesn't have the history and culture of an NYC, Chicago, Philly, etc.
thats what i've been thinking. why compete with those cities. its completely alright to be king of the tier 2 city list. I will start going to the dallas, phoenix forums to defend that title.
The same can even be said for many inner cities. DENVER as a large city, is in a valley at the foot of the Rockies with endless vistas of mountain sculpture, snow caps and highland green. Chicago has some of the most beautiful tree filled neighborhoods and diverse vegetation...so do does Detroit! Then, those cities are also built on great lakes too. It's a magic vibe because some thought went into that.
This thread solicited the input of people about their likes and dislikes about Houston. There seems to be a genuine commonality here that you might not understand, being born and raised here but that you certainly can not refute. It is what it is and what it is not, means something to people who come from somewhere else. I think they are all describing very clearly what those things are so it is unlikely that we are all hallucinating.
They tolerate a lot of what the city is or isn't because it is one of the few places they can make a living.
What someone said earlier about this being a place that felt like a lot of people in a large land area but not like a "real" big city such as Philly, Chicago or Boston, hits the nail on the head.
Houston offers no heritage, it has no thriving inner core, it's culture is like some bygone fable that was always adopted but never lived. It is a very average place in a geographical drt plain that's very existence was saved by oil. How do they say it in Philly and Detroit - the place ain't got no soul.
By the way, I was here in the oil bust of 91-92, also in another Bush recession. As Houston has seen, when oil dies, this town dies. If I had have loved the place, in spite of what it is, I would have bought one of the hundreds of half million dollar homes that was being sold at sacrifice for 150k. But it wasn't worth my consideration.
I wish I could make it into all the things that bring enjoyment to living that means so much to me, but it's much too late for this place to become anything but much more of the same.
For those of you who were born here, this is home to you and you love it BECAUSE it is home nd you have life long connections to it. I personally mean no offense but along the way somewhere, you must have asked a question like, "why do they do this?" or "why doesn't this place have..."
As in all situations, when the public does not get involved and gives the reigns to the morons they elect to solve all the problems or do what they want, you end up with someone else's idea of how things should be and how you are supposed to live.
I know that someone made reference to the notorious Houston no-zoning as being Libertarian and i say that no zoning has nothing to do with ideologies...it has to do with the opportunity to make money in any direction and is born out of laziness and greed.
When you make comments about Houston being a dirt plain and talk about how great Chicago's vegetation and trees are compared to Houston than its obvious you really haven't seen a lot of Houston nor explored Houston.
I guess you never noticed the strong Mexican culture that you wouldn't have in Denver or Chicago. Nor the strong SE Asian influence in various parts of town.
What's Denver's heritage? Or Dallas's? Or Phoenix's? You seem to be using a lot of buzzwords
You are entitled to your opinion and I'm not going to dissect your entire post. Furthermore, I am very much aware of Houston's shortcomings. However, you really don't seem you have too much experience with Houston by your comments.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayato
yyyup thats what I said. Anything Texas-Mexico has that reputation. I don't think you can change that just by disagreeing
so if a kid visits a ranch all excited and laterr he found theres really nothing there thats when you start kicking the dirt and some plants. Thats Houston, its a empty ranch to younger people.
Sounds like you live in a family area without any friends. I would be unhappy about having nothing to do for young people as well.
To everyone
Houston is a very large city that encompasses a large area so there are areas for everyone. Maybe Houston isn't your scene but its obvious when people are complaining when they are new here, don't know anyone, and are unhappy because of it that.
There are a lot of people on this forum that know about great bars and great areas to live in for whatever kind of person you are so ask.
In a metro of 5.5 million people, you are being dishonest to say this is just a boring city. Just ask around the forum for things to do and places to see. Honestly, what can you do in Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta that you can't do here?
Sounds like you live in a family area without any friends. I would be unhappy about having nothing to do for young people as well.
To everyone
Houston is a very large city that encompasses a large area so there are areas for everyone. Maybe Houston isn't your scene but its obvious when people are complaining when they are new here, don't know anyone, and are unhappy because of it that.
There are a lot of people on this forum that know about great bars and great areas to live in for whatever kind of person you are so ask.
In a metro of 5.5 million people, you are being dishonest to say this is just a boring city. Just ask around the forum for things to do and places to see. Honestly, what can you do in Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta that you can't do here?
awww come on. where did you pull that from. You dont need regular people telling you what Houston is to the rest of the planet. People would have made movies and based shows around this city if it has something great. I bet you theres more movies/shows about small towns in Alaska than of Houston. Why is that? Because its so-so and leaning towards uneventful.
dont even try to measure by the number of great bars. seriously. maybe the number of taquerias is more your category. nothing wrong with that. I bet Houston is number one for those coming from the south of the border.
I shouldnt have to tell you 'boring' has a few meanings. one obvious one is the lack of excitement. Houston lacks excitement. theres probably lots of things to do, but not exciting things to do. Do you have any idea how exciting it is when the bus/subway service personnel goes on strike in NYC? thats just a bonus round to meet girls.
When you make comments about Houston being a dirt plain and talk about how great Chicago's vegetation and trees are compared to Houston than its obvious you really haven't seen a lot of Houston nor explored Houston.
I guess you never noticed the strong Mexican culture that you wouldn't have in Denver or Chicago. Nor the strong SE Asian influence in various parts of town.
What's Denver's heritage? Or Dallas's? Or Phoenix's? You seem to be using a lot of buzzwords
You are entitled to your opinion and I'm not going to dissect your entire post. Furthermore, I am very much aware of Houston's shortcomings. However, you really don't seem you have too much experience with Houston by your comments.
Sounds like you live in a family area without any friends. I would be unhappy about having nothing to do for young people as well.
To everyone
Houston is a very large city that encompasses a large area so there are areas for everyone. Maybe Houston isn't your scene but its obvious when people are complaining when they are new here, don't know anyone, and are unhappy because of it that.
There are a lot of people on this forum that know about great bars and great areas to live in for whatever kind of person you are so ask.
In a metro of 5.5 million people, you are being dishonest to say this is just a boring city. Just ask around the forum for things to do and places to see. Honestly, what can you do in Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta that you can't do here?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Hayato
awww come on. where did you pull that from. You dont need regular people telling you what Houston is to the rest of the planet. People would have made movies and based shows around this city if it has something great. I bet you theres more movies/shows about small towns in Alaska than of Houston. Why is that? Because its so-so and leaning towards uneventful.
dont even try to measure by the number of great bars. seriously. maybe the number of taquerias is more your category. nothing wrong with that. I bet Houston is number one for those coming from the south of the border.
I shouldnt have to tell you 'boring' has a few meanings. one obvious one is the lack of excitement. Houston lacks excitement. theres probably lots of things to do, but not exciting things to do. Do you have any idea how exciting it is when the bus/subway service personnel goes on strike in NYC? thats just a bonus round to meet girls.
Thank you for this post. I was going to reply with something similar to it. Houston is very uneventful when it comes to entertainment. I have friends here who consider a good time as:
*Going to the clubs/bars Thurs-Sat
*Going to the movies
*Going to see the Houston Rockets get beat time, after time, after time....
*Going to Galveston beach (before Hurricane Ike)
*Going to the casinos in Louisiana
*Going out to eat (my friends here love to eat out, no offense but the food here is not that great, I can get the same types of food almost anywhere in any other metro in the country)
*Going to see a "big name" entertainer perform, (last one here was Brittney Spears on her Circus Tour, sorry but no thanks )
*Or simply just staying home and "chilling"
Rinse and repeat, after awhile that routine gets old pretty quick. Now not to say that Houston doesn't offer much more, but from my time here that's all my friends (who are native Houstonians) enlightened me with. Oh and did I mention downtown was sort of a mediocore, especially after "dark" and when all the suburbanites leave work for the burbs. Houston lacks a certain "vibe" that other cities in this country possess, that can be interpeated as something good or bad, personally I like cities with uniqeness, cultutre, diversity, and cities that are fun to live in. Houston offers alot, but it's not "fun" to be here, my wallet doesn't mind being here but I find myself quickly bored with Houston, no offense, and no, I don't need to "get out" more. Some cities are just fun to live in, some are just comfortable to be in and Houston is a comfortable city, not a fun one in my opinion.
awww come on. where did you pull that from. You dont need regular people telling you what Houston is to the rest of the planet. People would have made movies and based shows around this city if it has something great. I bet you theres more movies/shows about small towns in Alaska than of Houston. Why is that? Because its so-so and leaning towards uneventful.
dont even try to measure by the number of great bars. seriously. maybe the number of taquerias is more your category. nothing wrong with that. I bet Houston is number one for those coming from the south of the border. I shouldnt have to tell you 'boring' has a few meanings. one obvious one is the lack of excitement. Houston lacks excitement. theres probably lots of things to do, but not exciting things to do. Do you have any idea how exciting it is when the bus/subway service personnel goes on strike in NYC? thats just a bonus round to meet girls.
That much has happened...
That's a reflection of self. I have to make my own fun in Boston here all the time and Boston is by no means boring. I just have to find things that interest me.
Does hayato = boring in japanese?
Well that depends on what you find exciting. Find out and move there.
I admit Houston lacks pedestrian street culture (which helps give you that adventurous feeling) because it is a car city, but it does not lot things to do or excitement IMO. Houston is awesome when it comes to food though.
People need to realize that living is city is much different than being a tourist. Just because Faneuil Hall and the Freedom Trail are here doesn't mean I go down there every week to take pictures. If it happens, it happens. Things become a regular occurence when you move to any place. Once you've worn out your options, you move on.
Quote:
Originally Posted by easttexguy
Thank you for this post. I was going to reply with something similar to it. Houston is very uneventful when it comes to entertainment. I have friends here who consider a good time as:
*Going to the clubs/bars Thurs-Sat
*Going to the movies
*Going to see the Houston Rockets get beat time, after time, after time....
*Going to Galveston beach (before Hurricane Ike)
*Going to the casinos in Louisiana
*Going out to eat (my friends here love to eat out, no offense but the food here is not that great, I can get the same types of food almost anywhere in any other metro in the country)
*Going to see a "big name" entertainer perform, (last one here was Brittney Spears on her Circus Tour, sorry but no thanks )
*Or simply just staying home and "chilling"
Rinse and repeat, after awhile that routine gets old pretty quick. Now not to say that Houston doesn't offer much more, but from my time here that's all my friends (who are native Houstonians) enlightened me with. Oh and did I mention downtown was sort of a mediocore, especially after "dark" and when all the suburbanites leave work for the burbs. Houston lacks a certain "vibe" that other cities in this country possess, that can be interpeated as something good or bad, personally I like cities with uniqeness, cultutre, diversity, and cities that are fun to live in. Houston offers alot, but it's not "fun" to be here, my wallet doesn't mind being here but I find myself quickly bored with Houston, no offense, and no, I don't need to "get out" more. Some cities are just fun to live in, some are just comfortable to be in and Houston is a comfortable city, not a fun one in my opinion.
That's what people do in every city...
What people don't realize is that city life is not as glamorous as it seems. (Don't get me wrong. I love cities!) But we all eat at the same restaurants and go to the types of bars/clubs.
You think people who live in Manhattan go to Times Square all the time? What about LA? Do you think everyone is just chilling in Hollywood most of the day? What about New Orleans? Do you think that everyone goes to have a drink on Bourbon street every weekend? Not likely my friend, and even so that could get boring fast too.
The pleasure that comes from living in a city is mostly intangible.
Houston is simply this concept stripped down to the basic elements without all the high rents and sparkle.
Last edited by theSUBlime; 04-16-2009 at 01:24 PM..
*Going to see the Houston Rockets get beat time, after time, after time....
You mean the Rockets who are 33-8 at home this year? Or did you mean to put "Astros?"
Anyway, yes, that's just what you do in a city. Maybe what it is is that the media, Hollywood etc. has not dictated to us that Houston is "cool." You see, Houston's a big sprawled city kind of like LA, but LA has Hollywood and celebrities live there. So I guess it's cool since you can go see movies and sports events and whatever but I guess the thrill is looking around all "OMG IS THAT JACK NICHOLSON?" Or remember how "cool" Seattle was supposed to be 18 years ago? Nirvana, Soundgarden, flannel shirts and all? Or ooh, Austin used to be a nowhere but now it's the "live music capital of the world." Detroit? After all that Motown and Detroit Rock City stuff, at the end of the day you have an economically depressed city with little going for it.
Miami's flat. Oh, and Miami Beach is not in Miami but in....Miami Beach. Yerp. The actual city is quite different from what they show in postcards and travel brochures.
What it is, is we don't have a gussied up image we sell to outsiders - hell, apparently we're the "countryside" now, I still don't get that one. What's the rest of Illinois that's not Chicagoland like? Or upstate New York? What about Pennsylvania? There's Philly but I tend to think of Amish country as much as Philly when I think of Pennsylvania.
Anyway, it's....interesting....to read the way other people's minds work on this subject.
People would have made movies and based shows around this city if it has something great. I bet you theres more movies/shows about small towns in Alaska than of Houston.
Let's make it interesting and bet $100 since you know sooooo much about Houston.
Quote:
Originally Posted by easttexguy
Thank you for this post. I was going to reply with something similar to it. Houston is very uneventful when it comes to entertainment. I have friends here who consider a good time as:
*Going to the clubs/bars Thurs-Sat
*Going to the movies
*Going to see the Houston Rockets get beat time, after time, after time....
*Going to Galveston beach (before Hurricane Ike)
*Going to the casinos in Louisiana
*Going out to eat (my friends here love to eat out, no offense but the food here is not that great, I can get the same types of food almost anywhere in any other metro in the country)
*Going to see a "big name" entertainer perform, (last one here was Brittney Spears on her Circus Tour, sorry but no thanks )
*Or simply just staying home and "chilling"
Rinse and repeat, after awhile that routine gets old pretty quick. Now not to say that Houston doesn't offer much more, but from my time here that's all my friends (who are native Houstonians) enlightened me with. Oh and did I mention downtown was sort of a mediocore, especially after "dark" and when all the suburbanites leave work for the burbs. Houston lacks a certain "vibe" that other cities in this country possess, that can be interpeated as something good or bad, personally I like cities with uniqeness, cultutre, diversity, and cities that are fun to live in. Houston offers alot, but it's not "fun" to be here, my wallet doesn't mind being here but I find myself quickly bored with Houston, no offense, and no, I don't need to "get out" more. Some cities are just fun to live in, some are just comfortable to be in and Houston is a comfortable city, not a fun one in my opinion.
Again? How is the different from Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta, or any major sun belt city? What is it that Houston is lacking entertainment wise compared to many cities of its size? If you were in Atlanta or Phoenix, what would you be doing differently?
Quote:
Originally Posted by theSUBlime
That much has happened...
That's a reflection of self. I have to make my own fun in Boston here all the time and Boston is by no means boring. I just have to find things that interest me.
Does hayato = boring in japanese?
Well that depends on what you find exciting. Find out and move there.
I admit Houston lacks pedestrian street culture (which helps give you that adventurous feeling) because it is a car city, but it does not lot things to do or excitement IMO. Houston is awesome when it comes to food though.
People need to realize that living is city is much different than being a tourist. Just because Faneuil Hall and the Freedom Trail are here doesn't mean I go down there every week to take pictures. If it happens, it happens. Things become a regular occurence when you move to any place. Once you've worn out your options, you move on.
That's what people do in every city...
What people don't realize is that city life is not as glamorous as it seems. (Don't get me wrong. I love cities!) But we all eat at the same restaurants and go to the types of bars/clubs.
You think people who live in Manhattan go to Times Square all the time? What about LA? Do you think everyone is just chilling in Hollywood most of the day? What about New Orleans? Do you think that everyone goes to have a drink on Bourbon street every weekend? Not likely my friend, and even so that could get boring fast too.
The pleasure that comes from living in a city is mostly intangible.
Houston is simply this concept stripped down to the basic elements without all the high rents and sparkle.
Couldn't have said it better myself. I would bet money that people's perception of Houston as being boring is directly related where they live. Furthermore, like Sublime said, people romanticize the idea of living in the city. Houston my not be your scene or vibe but boring it is not.
Thank you for this post. I was going to reply with something similar to it. Houston is very uneventful when it comes to entertainment. I have friends here who consider a good time as:
*Going to the clubs/bars Thurs-Sat
*Going to the movies
*Going to see the Houston Rockets get beat time, after time, after time....
*Going to Galveston beach (before Hurricane Ike)
*Going to the casinos in Louisiana
*Going out to eat (my friends here love to eat out, no offense but the food here is not that great, I can get the same types of food almost anywhere in any other metro in the country)
*Going to see a "big name" entertainer perform, (last one here was Brittney Spears on her Circus Tour, sorry but no thanks )
*Or simply just staying home and "chilling"
First of all, how dare you talk about Houston food like that
I guess you could do that normal stuff all the time, but you can also some of this:
1. Rodeo cook-off and Rodeo
2. Westheimer St. festival
3. I-Fest
4. Museums (lot's of them including the Menil Museum). Mixers at the art and natural science mesuems too.
5. See an upcoming band trying to get noticed at Warehouse Live, Meridean, or Fitzgeralds).
6. It's crawfish season now. Sit out on the patio of a bar and get some.
7. Lights In The Heights in December
8. Art Car Parade
9. Go to the dog or horse track
10. Play disk golf at Buffalo Bayou Park
11. Memorial Park Art Festival
12. One of the best theater districts in the country
13. year round golf
That's all I could come up with at the moment, but there is always something going on. You just have to know how to find it...and it's not easy at times due to the size of the city.
Let's make it interesting and bet $100 since you know sooooo much about Houston.
Ok lets have it. What movie or show is about houston/houstonians?
Northern Exposure is about 110 episodes. They really did a good job making that region seem more interesting.
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I will start going to the dallas, phoenix forums to defend that title.
) 
Or did you mean to put "Astros?"
