Why does nobody walk around in this city? (Houston, Dallas: appointed, condo)

[jfre81]

It's not the discussion we're against. It's the attitude. You wanted to leave San Francisco for some reasons, but you either leave it or you don't. When you go somewhere else, you're going to get somewhere else. You got away from the radicalism at least, at least the kind you have in SF.

Now, on the walking and public transportation thing. Just like we probably have an Italian import provider as you can see there's some demand for it, amenities for pedestrians and improved transit will get provided here when there's a demand. So if you're going to be here, put it to use when you can, understand that it can be a challenge and get on the ground level of bringing change. That's how it gets done, not by posting on the Internet. You're in a good spot to help bring a street scene here, so do something about it. Somebody might even think it's "cool" and maybe even some of those national media guys will pay attention.

I haven't gotten an interview on the Today show or an appearance on Letterman yet from walking around, but one of my pictures got picked up on Swamplot. It's a start. First Houston, then the world. Then we'll have that world-class stuff we're always going on about.

[jluke65780]

Originally Posted by TexasTheKid

That's exactly right. I just don't get the zoning zealots. Zoning creates the antithesis of mixed-use, pedestrian friendly communities! Why don't people understand this? The farthest flung 'burbs have the equivalent of zoning in the form of deed restrictions. How are those areas walkable? And concepts like the the Woodlands city center isn't walkable if you must drive there in the first place. Walkable is Montrose and other neighborhoods like it. I can (and do) walk from my apartment to the grocery store, to downtown, to my bank, to the bar, to Hermann Park and out to eat regularly. And, I do all those without ever getting in my car. I don't drive, park my car, walk around a few shops, get back in my car, drive to the next destination, get out and walk around, get back in my car and drive to the next destination, etc. Zoning makes the car culture mandatory.

So I can walk to the Montrose area from Pearland???

If you live far enough, you have to drive.

[tisha1023]

I thought I would chime in on this discussion because I have truly enjoyed reading it from start to finish. I am moving to Houston in a month and I also enjoy walking. It never dawned on me that city areas did not have sidewalks, but when I looked on google maps I saw that there was a mixture of sidewalks and non-sidewalks in my new neighborhood in Houston. So, I actually thank you all for bringing that to my attention.

But more importantly, as a person who is also moving to the area, young and probably overeducated (can we say Ph.D.). I will say that something that I learned a long time ago is to not to be so caught up on those things such that I lose perspective. Not everyone lives like me or wants the same things that I want. That doesn’t make them any lesser than I, just different.

Sometimes being young, educated and upwardly mobile actually narrows your experience. You may live in different places, but surround yourself with the same types of people. That is sad. Life is about diversity and learning different things.

Houston will never be San Francisco or Chicago or NYC or whatever city deemed more “cultured”. And that is okay because those places will never be Houston. I have actually lived in some of those “world class cities” and I chose to look for a job in Houston, because I was excited to see what it had to offer. I think that you have to come to places with an open mind, because if you don’t you will be miserable your entire time here. If Houston made sidewalks on every street, abolished the use of cars and mandated that people walked everywhere that still would not be enough to make you happy.

[Grunn]

Originally Posted by robertobaggio

God, that sounds sooo provincial...What a boring type of life.

I'm with Roberto here but I'd substitute the word 'soulless' for boring.

edit to add, implants like me that find walking in Houston a problem should get on their bikes. I regularly cover 20 mile round trips no problem, you've just got to pick your route and at 20-25mph the heat really isn't a problem.

[Sampaguita]

Originally Posted by tisha1023

I thought I would chime in on this discussion because I have truly enjoyed reading it from start to finish. I am moving to Houston in a month and I also enjoy walking. It never dawned on me that city areas did not have sidewalks, but when I looked on google maps I saw that there was a mixture of sidewalks and non-sidewalks in my new neighborhood in Houston. So, I actually thank you all for bringing that to my attention.

But more importantly, as a person who is also moving to the area, young and probably overeducated (can we say Ph.D.). I will say that something that I learned a long time ago is to not to be so caught up on those things such that I lose perspective. Not everyone lives like me or wants the same things that I want. That doesn’t make them any lesser than I, just different.

Sometimes being young, educated and upwardly mobile actually narrows your experience. You may live in different places, but surround yourself with the same types of people. That is sad. Life is about diversity and learning different things.

Houston will never be San Francisco or Chicago or NYC or whatever city deemed more “cultured”. And that is okay because those places will never be Houston. I have actually lived in some of those “world class cities” and I chose to look for a job in Houston, because I was excited to see what it had to offer. I think that you have to come to places with an open mind, because if you don’t you will be miserable your entire time here. If Houston made sidewalks on every street, abolished the use of cars and mandated that people walked everywhere that still would not be enough to make you happy.

Great post!

Between my husband and I, we've lived in most of the major cities & then some in the US (NYC, LA, SF, Chicago, Boston, San Diego, Buffalo, Santa Barbara, Vegas) and traveled the US & world for business yet we chose to make Houston where we raise our children.

It's sometimes hard as transplants NOT to compare Houston to other places we've lived and find that it pales in comparison even if the comparison is unfair/misplaced (like the weather - how can Houston's weather ever compare to San Diego's?). Tisha is absolutely correct that you do have to come to Houston with an open mind or else you will be absolutely miserable. I was pretty miserable the first few months here (yes...I chose Houston but grudgingly so) but I'm starting to come around. For us, it came down to priorities for our family. We could have moved to NY where I grew up with all the advantages that NYC gave me as a child: the NY Phil, the MET, Carnegie Hall, Broadway, Yankee Stadium, the museums, amazing restaurants, top-notch schools, etc...but we chose Houston.

It may not be "world class" based on our experiences and travel but we're trying to find the positives, enjoying discovering our new city and researching where it is in the Houston area that we do want to set down some roots. Once we do set down roots, we're looking forward to becoming contributing members of our community and watching it (& Houston) continue to thrive.

[TexasTheKid]

Originally Posted by jluke65780

So I can walk to the Montrose area from Pearland???

If you live far enough, you have to drive.

I didn't suggest you should walk from Montrose to Pearland, but you can, if that's what you're really asking. Sure it's a hike, but you can do it. I also didn't suggest that to get from one far flung 'burb to another wouldn't require some transport. Of course it does, unless you'd like to spend an entire day moving from one place to another. What I wrote is that I can walk everywhere I need to go. I live in Montrose. Montrose is very walkable. The neighborhoods around Montrose are walkable. In fact, in a somewhat ironic way, I can walk to do and see everything except to go to work. For that, I must drive... or show up very, very late. The bus doesn't come out here.

[jfre81]

Now Playing: Pantera > Vulgar Display Of Power (1992) > Walk

Today I have the camera. Go run out and create a street scene for me. We'll make it look like we're cool.

[TexasTheKid]

Originally Posted by jfre81

Now Playing: Pantera > Vulgar Display Of Power (1992) > Walk

Today I have the camera. Go run out and create a street scene for me. We'll make it look like we're cool.

Sweet! I'll bring the skateboards!

[Lakewooder]

If you want muscles maybe you better go to Montrose. Here in East Dallas we hick Texans enjoy moules frites - Guidelive.com

[robertobaggio]

Originally Posted by jfre81

Awesome.

Now that we've established that not all of us like the people you know in Katy, are you still here? Have you gone walking lately?

This place seems interesting by the way. I will check it out.

Nundini Italian Deli & Food Store - The Heights - Houston, TX