Why doesn't Houston take more pride in its appearance? (Dallas: for rent, movies)

[MrMcCoySays]

Originally Posted by jfre81

To be fair I don't think Houstonians put a whole lot of thought into what region the city is in, especially not the transients. There are too many outside influences to really try to pigeonhole it into a region. Maybe this wasn't always the case, but it is now, and it's because of migration of all kinds.

People outside of Texas tend to think of the state as being part of the Southwest and because Houston is located in Texas, naturally Houston becomes "Southwestern" in their minds.

Now, I'm not sure what this has to do with the city's appearance, although it shares a lot with the rest of the Gulf Coast in not having a whole lot of natural features. I guess it's the billboards and the abandoned buildings? Who's ready to petition for a tax increase so the city/county can purchase these properties and take them down? (They're already doing this with some of the billboards)

As I had stated in a post a couple months ago, it's not just one thing that makes houston "ugly" IMO. Its not just the zoning, not just the billboards, the trees, the flatness, or the rundown buildings. Its the unusual combination of all these things.

[honeyinhouston]

Originally Posted by jluke65780

True. Plus you got the Pine trees,bayous,praries,rolling hills,a gulf coast, and more all in the Houston area. It's kind of hard to be defined as just one thing.

I like How Houston is planting trees along its highways though to kind of cover up the mess that's been made lol

Yeah, but now they need to mow the weeds sprouting up between those cute little pine trees....especially along 610...

[jluke65780]

Originally Posted by MrMcCoySays

Well the reality is that Houston really isnt that close to the border. it's just that it's the closest city with major opportunities aside from LA. plus its in Texas which will always attract Mexicans.

Yeah, but even still with us being this far, illegal immigration is still bad.

[jfre81]

Originally Posted by jluke65780

Yeah, but even still with us being this far, illegal immigration is still bad.

Can anyone provide any data on the impact of illegal immigration on Houston as opposed to any of the other dozen or so "sanctuary cities" in this country and demonstrate that Houston faces a unique burden because of a national problem? That would help me determine how much it has an effect on Houston or what, if any, effect it has on Houston not doing enough to make us look as good as Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

Good thing I'm not telling this to anyone in public because I can't even type that last part with a straight face. We've surely got some great role models to look to there.

Maybe we need a Ferris wheel in the airport terminal to appease the tourists too.

[West Side Houston]

Originally Posted by C2H (ComingtoHouston)

Sorry for the rant but seriously. I just came back from Las Vegas and was awakened that Houston has some serious steppin up to do. First, the airport. Why is it only Houston's Terminal E looks good? Terminals A,B, and C are very old and outdated. From everything to the beige carpet, monotone lighting, gives the impression of the airport being a little cold and stale. Las Vegas's airport has designer carpet and an overall exciting feel to it (of course the slot machines help ).

When i got back in to town, we were traveling down 45 going through downtown and disgusted at the rotting buildings still standing like the Old Days Inn and the Central Square building. There was a whole mural of graffiti on the top. They need to go ahead and knock these buildings down since there's no immediate plans for renewal. Some sides of the freeway look unkept and unmowed. It's a wonder why people thought to describe this city as ugly!

It frustrates me to no end because I don't really see the carelessness in other cities. I know Houston and Las Vegas are worlds apart when it comes to population but what about Chicago, Denver, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Fran, and other cities? I don't see their freeways rotting, boarded up buildings, and weeds growing out of the cracks of their prominent downtown buildings. What's Houston's problem? Please give more answers than the beloved Z word because Houston has a light form of it with the deed restrictions.

Las Vegas Nevada is not even a third the size of Houston but it carries itself like it's Tokyo compared to Houston!

Don't compare Las Vegas to Houston....please. Las Vegas is VERY small in comparasion to Houston. Our Uptown/Galleria district alongs is bigger than the strip. We have many beautiful areas in Houston. Memorial, River Oaks, Cinco Ranch, Sugar Land, The Villages...etc. Houston is the 4th largest city in the country. And like every major city, you will have areas that aren't Vegas or Disneyland. And FYI, I lived in Chicago and their roads are HORRIBLE. Potholes EVERYONE...even on the freeways! Los Angeles has some of the UGLIEST neighborhoods on EARTH! And their traffice is THE WORST..I lived their too. In Chicago the violence is off the scales. Houston for being such a huge city is awesome compared to these other places. I wonder if you took a drive the hoods of Las Vegas...don't think so. You didn't see the REAL Vegas. Also Vegas has unemployment rates of 13%...they can keep the cute carpet in the airport, thank you.

I dare all the people bitching about Houston this and Houston that to MOVE. I bet you any money, you will come back crying and regretting you left!

[Keks]

Originally Posted by jfre81

Can anyone provide any data on the impact of illegal immigration on Houston as opposed to any of the other dozen or so "sanctuary cities" in this country and demonstrate that Houston faces a unique burden because of a national problem? That would help me determine how much it has an effect on Houston or what, if any, effect it has on Houston not doing enough to make us look as good as Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

Good thing I'm not telling this to anyone in public because I can't even type that last part with a straight face. We've surely got some great role models to look to there.

Maybe we need a Ferris wheel in the airport terminal to appease the tourists too.

I can not provide you with a source, but I did read that Houston (proper) has about 400 000 illegal immigrants ( that'swhat the U.S gov't estimates). You do the math....

Whoever says that L.A " looks good" has NEVER been to L.A. The city has become a dump.

[hoffdano]

One reason Houston roads seem so poor is that they sit on very soft soil. Notice that most roads in Houston are concrete instead of asphalt? That's because asphalt is somewhat flexible and if used in Houston the roads would rut almost immediately after construction. So they use concrete - which is stiff. The roads are built in sections.

But the soft ground shifts, and the concrete sections move too. Hence the roads that pitch up and down so much.

Oh and the person who didn't realize who the airport was named after - shame on you.

[West Side Houston]

And all you people who blame everything on Illegal aliens...give me a break. Those neighborhoods were like that when they got there. And most are better since the moved in. I rather have Latino neighbors than Katrina victim neighbors. And aren't the illegals the ones who keep those rich folk's homes and landscapes looking so pretty?

[Keks]

Originally Posted by West Side Houston

And all you people who blame everything on Illegal aliens...give me a break. Those neighborhoods were like that when they got there. And most are better since the moved in. I rather have Latino neighbors than Katrina victim neighbors. And aren't the illegals the ones who keep those rich folk's homes and landscapes looking so pretty?

You got to be kidding me.

[West Side Houston]

Originally Posted by Keks

You got to be kidding me.

NO I'm not. It's said to see how many white folks in Houston have this hatred towards people they perceive as illegals, as though they all have crystal balls and can tell. Most of them don't live in these communities anyway, but are sooooo concerned for it's citizens. Cynical and sounds like being a hypocrit too.