People Say Houston's ugly but not cities like Chicago, NYC, etc? (Dallas: university, gated)

[groovamos]

I think this Houston story will change as the city further establishes an international rep. I had a couple from NYC stay with me for 2 weeks and I live in Timbergrove. They were heavily exposed to many of the inner loop treasures we have plus the west loop stuff like the Starbucks at Uptown Park, water wall, Galleria. We even went swimming in one of the water holes (reserved for residents) in a Memorial neighborhood that will remain unidentified. These foks were impressed with the beauty of much of what they saw. I offered the caveat that I had shown them parts of the city where money had made some beautiful buildings, residences, landscaping, etc. and that there were some not so beautiful regions covering wide areas, in case they were to consider moving here. But the thing is, those not-so-beautiful neighborhoods are over time being made into interesting and sometimes beautiful ones. There have been boucou trees planted and many of the neighborhoods and arteries are benefiting from the quick maturation of those trees (new and old) thanks to the extensive sunlight and elevated CO2 available e.g. the trees in Southhampton are attaining wow status. Plus I have a fascination with the high rise portfolio here which excites me like a lot of people. As the city further prospers and expands, the world will have to wake up to what we have here, no question about it.

[worldlyman]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

I hope you dropped the mic and walked away after that epic post.

Did you take all of those photos?

Yes except two which my wife took...and she is the expert photog...

[curbur]

Originally Posted by groovamos

We even went swimming in one of the water holes (reserved for residents) in a Memorial neighborhood that will remain unidentified.

What? Can you at least give us a hint as to where?

[Buildingz R' Us]

Houston isn't ugly, it's just the least attractive.

[User_Null]

Houston's 'ugliness' is all hype; the natural landscape isn't much different than what you have in the Southern US coastal plain, and the urbanists just hate Sun-Belt style sprawl.

[radiolibre99]

Agreed. Maybe ten years ago the detractors had a case but Houston has grown into a pretty nice city. It's not super attractive but it's still nice IMO. I've heard people that have recently visited consider it a nice looking city, but that is mostly because everything is all new and shiny.

You have to realize that people look at Houston like they do Dubai. They think of places such as Rome to be beautiful and places such as Dubai to be too cookie cutter, too manufactured. It's the same when they discuss Houston vs NYC, LA, SF. The latter may be new, shiny and actually cleaner but it's still seen as vulgar because it's too soulless compared to historical NYC. It's really dumb urbanist chauvinism.

[ColdAilment]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

Agreed. Maybe ten years ago the detractors had a case but Houston has grown into a pretty nice city. It's not super attractive but it's still nice IMO. I've heard people that have recently visited consider it a nice looking city, but that is mostly because everything is all new and shiny.

You have to realize that people look at Houston like they do Dubai. They think of places such as Rome to be beautiful and places such as Dubai to be too cookie cutter, too manufactured. It's the same when they discuss Houston vs NYC, LA, SF. The latter may be new, shiny and actually cleaner but it's still seen as vulgar because it's too soulless compared to historical NYC. It's really dumb urbanist chauvinism.

I have to agree, to a point. Because in 100-200 years the new buildings in cities like Houston will be historical and beautiful to people in those times.

[ParaguaneroSwag]

What I don't understand is why OP is saying Chicago isn't classified as ugly. Chicago is praised for its great skyline but then again, so is Houston. Chicago is known to be ugly in the streets. Definitely more so than Houston.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by ColdAilment

I have to agree, to a point. Because in 100-200 years the new buildings in cities like Houston will be historical and beautiful to people in those times.

I'll have to disagree with this particular point. The old buildings in these other cities have more architectural details.

[edsg25]

Gorgeous sunny day. TV's on and the city's magnificent skyline shines in front of spectacular parks, open seas of blue and millions watch in person (and on air) in vibrant, inviting neighborhoods on the North Side and, yes, South and West sides, as well. Now.......Please remind me again how ugly Chicago is.

Hey, Houston, I get it: clearly from all I read just about anywhere, Houston doesn't think too much of us. And that's cool, I'm fine with it. 'Cause there is a city that does love us: Chicago....and that's what really matters. Yep, we're pretty crazy about our town, we being the ultimate homers. And we're pretty damned secure in what we have.

So feel free to pass us up in population; it won't change a thing about how we see ourselves. Chicago has about as much concern about being the fourth largest city in the US as San Francisco does being the fourth largest city in California (not to mention the second largest city in its own Bay Area). that's because San Francisco, when all is said and done, is still San Francisco. Just like Chicago, when all is said and done, is still Chicago, a city that despite its problems (yes, they very much exist), remains a dynamic, forward facing, a great place to be.

Believe it or not, we're not in competition with you. we recognize the rise of Houston and fully understand you're a great city; not a thing I said takes anything away from what you are. We wish you well. And are perfectly happy to not be you. Or NY. Or SF, LA, DC, Boston, etc. We're just happy being Chicago. And on this magnificent marathon morning with that great skyline, wonderful neighborhoods, parks, lake and the Cubs riding high, life is damned good. So why wouldn't we feel that way.