Dallas v. Houston - Which is right for me? (Austin: schools, colleges)

[grindin]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

I dont disagree with everything you are saying Grindin, but I do have to say you are making a few pretty sweeping generalizations. I have to ask, how much time have you spent in each city?

There is no significant difference between Dallas and Houston as to which is more conservative and which is more family friendly. They are both about the same. It also is heavily dependent on what part of town you reside or visit. Dallas probably is a little more conservative, but the difference is minute.

The black gay community may be more pronounced in Houston, but (and I say this with complete certainty) the gay community on the whole is more pronounced in Dallas. Dallas has a higher concentration of gay residents, gay nightlife, and gay resources than Houston does. It may very well be true that Houston has a better scene for black gays specifically, but I would argue heavily that Dallas does for gays on the whole.

Also, Dallas gay scene is pretty darn diverse. I would advise you to check out S4 or JR's on a Saturday night. You will find white, black, Asian, hispanic, etc. under the same roof. Is it as diverse as Houston's gay scene? Maybe it isn't, but it sure seems a heck of a lot more so than Atlanta's gay scene. (just from observations). Neither city has the concentration of gay residents Atlanta does though.

As far as being accepting of other cultures, both cities are exceptionally accepting of other cultures. You can be anyone from anywhere and have no problem in either. That has to be made perfectly clear.

You are right that Houston has more history with black residents, but DFW has really made up for lost time. Its the 2nd fastest growing black community in the US.

Perhaps you would like Houston better, Im not denying that. But there were just a few generalizations in your post that I felt had to be addressed.

I wasn't out during the time I spent in either city in the past, so while I can talk about other aspects of life there, I couldn't really gauge the gay scene in either city at the time. No need to get so defensive and touchy, I wanted clarification/perspective from people who have spent time in either scene to give me an honest comparison. You're usually pretty even-handed compared to other posters on this board, so I do appreciate the response...but you did read the parts where I said that wasn't necessarily a deal-breaker/trump in favor of Houston or that I admitted to feeling silly for even asking these questions about two top-10 metro areas which are both quite diverse, right?

I'll even admit that a lot of what wrote in my previous post was based off of either hearsay from other people I knew who either lived in or frequently visited Dallas and Houston, so I figure I wanted to find out from multiple sources who may not be so biased and could give me additional perspective. I should've wrote that in my earlier post, oh well... As for the rest of your post, I know that a lot of factors with either city are a "six-in-one-hand/half-a-dozen-in-another," (debating about which one is more conservative/family-friendly for one), but as you know, moving to a new city, finding your niche and social circle can be easier in some cities compared to others, regardless of race/gender/sexuality/religion/political views/etc.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by grindin

I wasn't out during the time I spent in either city in the past, so while I can talk about other aspects of life there, I couldn't really gauge the gay life in either city at the time. No need to get so defensive and touchy, I wanted clarification/perspective from people who have spent time in either scene to give me an honest comparison. You're usually pretty even-handed, so I do appreciate the response...but you did read the parts where I said that wasn't necessarily a deal-breaker/trump in favor of Houston or that I admitted to feeling silly for even asking these questions about two top-10 metro areas which are both quite diverse, right?

I'll even admit that a lot of what wrote in my previous post was based off of either hearsay from other people I knew who either lived in or frequently visited Dallas and Houston, so I figure I wanted to find out from multiple sources who may not be so biased and could give me additional perspective. As for the rest of your post, I know that a lot of factors with either city are a "six-in-one-hand/half-a-dozen-in-another," (debating about which one is more conservative/family-friendly for one).

I didn't think I was being touchy or defensive. I was trying to best convey my thoughts in a respectful and objective manner and Im sorry if it didn't come across like that. Im familiar with your post history and I know you are a knowledgeable and fair minded person. There were just some things I wanted to touch on.

Both are great places to call home. I live in one and my father lives in the other (so I spend a lot of time there). Just my observations.

[TXT]

A gay person could NOT be elected mayor of Dallas. It's much too conservative for that, and the Dallas gay community, albeit lively and glittery, is not big or powerful enough to make it happen.

Houston has the largest most powerful gay community in Texas, and has the population, institutions and mayor to prove it. Next Thread!

[grindin]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

I didn't think I was being touchy or defensive. I was trying to best convey my thoughts in a respectful and objective manner and Im sorry if it didn't come across like that. Im familiar with your post history and I know you are a knowledgeable and fair minded person. There were just some things I wanted to touch on.

Both are great places to call home. I live in one and my father lives in the other (so I spend a lot of time there). Just my observations.

Fair enough, and I do see where you were coming from.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by TXT

A gay person could NOT be elected mayor of Dallas. It's much too conservative for that, and the Dallas gay community, albeit lively and glittery, is not big or powerful enough to make it happen.

Houston has the largest most powerful gay community in Texas, and has the population, institutions and mayor to prove it. Next Thread!

Are you aware that Dallas county has a gay sheriff thats been re-elected 4 times?

Are you also aware that the gay community has a much higher concentration in Dallas than Houston?

[dollaztx]

Originally Posted by TXT

A gay person could NOT be elected mayor of Dallas. It's much too conservative for that, and the Dallas gay community, albeit lively and glittery, is not big or powerful enough to make it happen.

Houston has the largest most powerful gay community in Texas, and has the population, institutions and mayor to prove it. Next Thread!

Dude, you should really quit misinforming people who are series about moving. Saying Houston has the largest gay community in Texas is pretty bold considering both metros similarities.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by dollaztx

Dude, you should really quit misinforming people who are series about moving. Saying Houston has the largest gay community in Texas is pretty bold considering both metros similarities.

Not only that, Houston has 2.1 million people and a gay community of 61,000. Dallas has 1.275 million people and a gay community of 60,000. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see which city is gayer (if thats a word) given the concentration in Dallas is much higher.

In fact, Dallas has THE highest concentration of gay couples in the state:

Study Reveals That Dallas Is Very Gay | FrontBurner | D Magazine

[TXT]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

Are you aware that Dallas county has a gay sheriff thats been re-elected 4 times?

Are you also aware that the gay community has a much higher concentration in Dallas than Houston?

Yes I am, and I'm also aware that Houston is twice the size of Dallas. Are you aware of that?

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by TXT

Yes I am, and I'm also aware that Houston is twice the size of Dallas. Are you aware of that?

Yes, but what does the size of Houston city even have to do with Dallas county having a gay sheriff?

[TXT]

Originally Posted by dollaztx

Dude, you should really quit misinforming people who are series about moving. Saying Houston has the largest gay community in Texas is pretty bold considering both metros similarities.

I'm simply stating facts. Facts that you and other Dallas boosters don't like.