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[Synopsis]

Griffis,
I've been reading your posts and have enjoyed them thoroughly. I'm confused though. You say that you can't stand the summers in Oklahoma, but you're from Texas. I'm from Oklahoma and currently live in the DFW area, and although it can get hot up there in Oklahoma, it's nowhere near as bad as the bulk of Texas. Man, it can get so hot down here you can cook an egg on the sidewalk, and stay that way for months! I'm not knocking Texas; I've made it my home for 20 years now and will probably be here until I retire. Also, you stated you want to get back to your home state (Pennsylvania?) I believe. Again, I'm not trying to call you out or anything I'm just a little confused on where you're from.

[Griffis]

Hey Synopsis-- I haven't lived in Texas for a long time. I was born in Austin. moved to Wyoming, then Oregon, then Minnesota when I was very young. I used to spend my summers with family in Austin through my teens and have since travelled the state widely, but I haven't resided there in many years.

Yes, the summers are terrible in Texas too. I don't know that they are much worse than OK summers, except to the east near the Louisiana border where it is even more humid and then further South into Houston and beyond.

If it weren't for the summers, I would possibly consider staying in OK or moving to TX.

I'm not sure what I said that gave you the impression that Pennsylvania was my home state. I have been through PA but have never lived there. Perhaps I was trying to say I wanted to MAKE it my home...I'm not sure.

My father was a college professor, but also a nomad. We moved all over thr country when I was growing up, and travelled all over the US and into Canada and Mexico. Though I mostly lived in Texas, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Oregon and Minnesota in those years.

After I moved out on my own, I continued the family tradition of travelling a lot and not staying in one place too long. I have spent time in many more parts of the country since I became independent and have resided in a couple of parts of Arizona, the Baton Rouge area of Louisiana and a couple of years in Chicago. I also took my family to central Europe for a few months in 2003.

This ends my boring life story.

[Synopsis]

Not boring at all! I've moved around quite a bit in my life as well. And like you, I don't like interminable summers. I suppose if I had my druthers I'd live someplace like Portland or Seattle, where it doesn't get hot, but doesn't get TOO cold either. I certainly miss winter down here, although it's pleasant in the winter, I'd like to see some snow. 10 or 15 years ago, it wouldn't get nearly as hot up in Oklahoma as it does now. At least it would cool down in places like Oklahoma City where it's a bit higher in elevation. But, with what seems to be global HEATING (not warming, heating), it's gotten hotter and hotter everywhere.
When I lived in Tulsa back in 84 (from 83 - 85) it snowed there alot then. I suppose that must've been their snowiest winter ever. I swear it snowed at least once a week and it was so cold that year it didn't all really melt off in a day or two like usual. I've lived in Reno, NV and although I didn't like it much then, looking back that was a nice place. I've lived in Arkansas, but moved away when I was young because it was such a boring place. But again, I was young and now I'd probably prefer it, but their laws are somewhat backward there. I remember I had to drive something like three counties over just to get beer for the weekend. When they say DRY, counties in Arkansas are indeed DRY, unlike Oklahoma.

Oh yeah, I lived in Germany when I was in the Army, but not on post like most Soldiers. I was in my own apartment and I LOVED it. If I could almost live anywhere in the world, it would probably be in the Rhine River valley in Germany near Heidelberg.

There's my boring life story!

[AK123]

Originally Posted by Griffis

I've been to Houston many times. I'm from Texas and lived near Houston off and on for quite a while. Calling it a blight on the face of the nation is being gracious. Factor in the absolutely terrible weather and traffic and it's the worst of the cities I listed.

??? Don't know what you mean about terrible weather, other than the summer maybe. And traffic is much worse in many other cities. I lived in Austin previously and it's not much better there...
As far as your other reasons for calling it a blight I don't know, but sounds like a grossly inaccurate observation to me...

[Griffis]

Sorry man. Been there many times. Even spent 3 solid weeks there once. Been in and around Houston off and on from the late 70s through the late 90s.

Yes, summer heat is what I mean by weather. The horrible heat and humidity. (Though it's not much better where I am.) Plus, I just thought it was ugly, trafficky, smelled bad, tons of crime, didn't meet a single nice person any time I've been through. I'm sure there are worse places, but I wouldn't live in Houston for a million dollars a year.

It's not an inaccurate observation at all; it is completely accurate to my observations (and those of others who've travelled with me through Houston at times) based on what we saw. It's not a misconception as far as any observation or experience I personally have had there.

However, I don't know Houston as well as someone who has lived there for a substantial time; I'll grant you that.

But you wouldn't have to spend much time in, say, a Turkish prison to know you wouldn't want to live in one of those either, would you?

[Synopsis]

I've traveled to Houston quite a bit on business over the last few years, and I'd have to agree with Griffis. Every time I have to go to Houston I dread it, especially in the summer. The humidity is frankly a little over the top, they don't have four seasons, the traffic is some of the worst I've ever seen, and there are bugs everywhere. It seems every time I go there it's in late spring or summer and what sticks out in my head the most is that when I go out to eat at a restaurant, there are BUGS, big frickin' BUGS all over the outside of the windows. Not little ones mind you, but these big bugs that the locals call "love bugs" or "mating bugs" (something like that). They're everywhere, on your car, near the entryways of buildings, everywhere. I'm sorry, but Houston, in my opinion, is about the last place I'd ever want to live. About 10 years ago, I was out of work and we were struggling. I was offered a fairly high paying job in Houston which would've meant a relocation. I turned the job down because neither I or my wife wanted to live there. Just my opinion.

Case in point about not having four seasons. In Oklahoma City right now, it's 30 degrees on November the 1st. At the very same time, it's 60 degrees in Houston. That ain't November weather to me. Even here in DFW where I live, it's 45, which is nice for this time of the year.

[AK123]

Hmmm.... the only thing I agree on is the humidity, though right now it's cool and rather dry outside. The specific bugs you speak of: limited to only a few months a year. Traffic: just about as bad in Austin, DFW, and many cities outside of TX. Crime: the latest stats I've seen show only moderate crime rates with many cities like Dallas, Atlanta, and too many others to name ranking higher in crime. Smells: haven't noticed that except on the east side of town. People: I've actually found the people to be very nice compared to other places I've lived.

Something else I've noticed is Houston seems to be very, very different (in a good way) since about 1999 or 2000 as compared to my visits just 5 or 10 years previous to that. A lot more development (especially downtown), planted trees, and attention to aesthetics.

[Griffis]

JJP-- I'm not trying to bait you. I have never lived in Houston and I haven't been there in nearly 10 years. I'm glad to hear it seems to be changing for the better.

I'm from Texas and overall I really like the state, but couldn't bear the summers there. I guess Houston just ain't my place, but I'm sure a lot of people love it, and that's great.

I do agree with you about the traffic in Austin. That town has exploded in population and they are struggling with building up the infrastructure to support it. I have relatives in Austin who tell me it changes so much every year it is now almost unrecognizable from the place it was 10-15 years back.

[Synopsis]

I don't want to come across as bashing Houston, because frankly, it must have alot going for it or it wouldn't be the most populous city in the state of Texas and one of the largest cities in the U.S. It's just not for me. I will never move any further South than Dallas because much like Griffis, I yearn for a little more temperate climate. Really, the only reason we still live here is because my wife wants our daughter to finish school before we move around.

The people in Houston were very gracious whenever I've been there and as far as aesthetics, the Houston area has alot of beauty with the tall pine trees and such. It's mainly the weather, bugs, and traffic. You are right about DFW's traffic being horrendous as well. I'm lucky in that I work from home and don't have to commute, although I've done enough of that in my time.

Anyway, please don't take my comments about Houston personally, it's a booming city that obviously knows how to attract new people, and many people I know that live there wouldn't consider living anywhere else.

[AK123]

No problem!

Ah, old Austin. It was so nice in the early '90's when I first got there. Sad what's happened. Too much growth too fast. It wasn't prepared. I watched it go downhill while Houston greatly improved. Thus where I ended up.... but actually much of Houston I am not that fond of either, but certain areas are very nice (Memorial, museums district, downtown, and suburbs like Sugar Land, Clear Lake, The Woodlands) and I enjoy Galveston too. But I still think people knock Houston way too much than it deserves.

Where I'd really like to live is along the East coast, but the family absolutely refuses to move out of TX...