Chicago to Houston? (Post: chapel, high income, restaurants)

[Belem148]

I posted another thread about moving to Houston from Cincinnati, and found the info here helpful. Cincinnati and Chicago have some similarities except if you took Chicago, sucked out every last ounce of culture including its thriving music scenes and quality restaurants and bars, leaving a graying hulk of skyscrapers and a complete lack of night life, then you would have Cincinnati.

[DANNYY]

Originally Posted by Belem148

I posted another thread about moving to Houston from Cincinnati, and found the info here helpful. Cincinnati and Chicago have some similarities except if you took Chicago, sucked out every last ounce of culture including its thriving music scenes and quality restaurants and bars, leaving a graying hulk of skyscrapers and a complete lack of night life, then you would have Cincinnati.

That can't be true, can it? I've actually heard that Cincinnati has a good theater/music scene...

[caliking]

Originally Posted by jluke65780

I respect your opinion, but why is southern culture a negative?

I didn't mean to say that Southern culture is negative (sorry if it came across that way). It is very different from the Chicago or Midwestern culture. Folks are definitely more laid back here, which is usually a nice feeling. But often times that laid back nature permeates the professional/work ethic. If you are used to a faster paced work ethic, Houston can seem delayed or slow.

E.g. when we bought property in the Midwest (twice) both times we made an offer, received a counter-offer, and made a final offer within hours. After the inspection, the amendment to the contract was also negotiated within hours. To do the same took days here in Houston. Also, in my profession, things get done much slower than I was used to in the Midwest.

But people often say that the pace in other bigger cities is too fast. So they move to Texas.

[Zone13]

Chicago-No Palm Trees
Houston-PALM TREES
Pretty much sums it all up..
HORRIBLE Winter this year...dropped to 20ºF(D'town)
,25ºF(Galveston),17ºF(Bush INTL.".....beat up the palms..

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by caliking

I didn't mean to say that Southern culture is negative (sorry if it came across that way). It is very different from the Chicago or Midwestern culture. Folks are definitely more laid back here, which is usually a nice feeling. But often times that laid back nature permeates the professional/work ethic. If you are used to a faster paced work ethic, Houston can seem delayed or slow.

E.g. when we bought property in the Midwest (twice) both times we made an offer, received a counter-offer, and made a final offer within hours. After the inspection, the amendment to the contract was also negotiated within hours. To do the same took days here in Houston. Also, in my profession, things get done much slower than I was used to in the Midwest.

But people often say that the pace in other bigger cities is too fast. So they move to Texas.

I agree to a certain extent. Overall, I think both the Midwest and south offer a laid-back slower pace than the West and East Coast. Chicago just happens to be a huge city located in the Midwest; which leads to it have a faster pace than other midwestern cities.

I've often heard Houston is the southern counterpart of Chicago. My dad hates huge cities including Houston, but he loves Chicago. He often says that if he had to move to a large city; Chicago would be the only choice. I've never been though.

[pach84]

Originally Posted by caliking

I didn't mean to say that Southern culture is negative (sorry if it came across that way). It is very different from the Chicago or Midwestern culture. Folks are definitely more laid back here, which is usually a nice feeling. But often times that laid back nature permeates the professional/work ethic. If you are used to a faster paced work ethic, Houston can seem delayed or slow.

E.g. when we bought property in the Midwest (twice) both times we made an offer, received a counter-offer, and made a final offer within hours. After the inspection, the amendment to the contract was also negotiated within hours. To do the same took days here in Houston. Also, in my profession, things get done much slower than I was used to in the Midwest.

But people often say that the pace in other bigger cities is too fast. So they move to Texas.

Exactly. My properties never closed on time. I had to keep delaying and changing my flight back, which annoyed the heck out of me. Also costing me more money. Come to think of it, I've never been around a transaction that closed on time here.

The attitude is, " Don't worry, it'll close, what's the hurry? If you have to pony up a little money to change plans, do what you gotta do". I find that extremely rude and unprofessional. Quit wasting my time!

When I sold my house back in LA, it closed the same day, first thing in the morning. My money was wired even before I went to brunch. The flip side is, I was able to snag some nice deals here. You can't sit on a deal over there.

[SouthernBoy205]

Originally Posted by jluke65780

My dad hates huge cities including Houston, but he loves Chicago. He often says that if he had to move to a large city; Chicago would be the only choice. I've never been though.

Hmmmmm. A little odd!

[DANNYY]

Originally Posted by A&M Bulldawg

Hmmmmm. A little odd!

I think he should take a visit to Chicago, it's amazing this time of the year!

[SouthernBoy205]

It surely is!

[Belem148]

Originally Posted by OmShahi

That can't be true, can it? I've actually heard that Cincinnati has a good theater/music scene...

If you like live music, there is not much other than local stuff-not very innovative-think cover bands. Don't plan on seeing any national or international acts except Insane Clown Posse for the millionth time at Bogarts or some 500 dollar lawn seat stadium show in the summer.