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I always thought of Houston's City Hall as being in a pretty well-located spot. It is right off the major interstate entrance into downtown, and across the street from the 50 story One Shell Plaza. I'm learning people view things differently. No problem with that.
Regardless, all of downtown Houston is fairly quiet when it comes to pedestrians, as noted in the street views above.
I always thought of Houston's City Hall as being in a pretty well-located spot. It is right off the major interstate entrance into downtown, and across the street from the 50 story One Shell Plaza. I'm learning people view things differently. No problem with that.
Regardless, all of downtown Houston is fairly quiet when it comes to pedestrians, as noted in the street views above.
City Hall is convenient to get to, but not so much a place for pedestrian activity. Its surrounded by underutilized green space (they are working to address that with the new Theater District Master Plan), a public library, the City Hall Annex, and a Performing Arts Venue. Yes, the performing arts venue could draw pedestrians, but the rail line to get there is on the other side of the venue, further north of city hall, and there is a parking garage attached to the venue on the opposite side of the building from City Hall.
Yes, downtown has historically been a 9-5 destination. A place to work at the office and then go home. Not very pedestrian friendly either..
Since you've lived in Houston, I assume you realize the population difference between downtown Houston and Center City..? Downtown Houston has around 3,000 residents. Center City has around 60,000. Though Houston is working on diversifying its downtown.
Currently there are about 2,800 apartments under construction, and over 1,800 new hotel rooms under construction. The Dallas St. corridor redevelopment is almost complete, upgrading infrastructure for a future retail district, along with pedestrian improvements. And the George R. Brown Convention Center is undergoing quite a bit of renovations, including creating a pedestrian plaza between the convention center and the Discovery Green park across the street. They are incorporating retail space on the front of the convention center, facing the park, with room for up to 7 restaurants. All over downtown they are working to make it more pedestrian friendly and attractive to potential businesses/residents.
Lovely Pine! West Mt Airy and Germantown are stunning now with the blooming trees. Do you happen to have Spruce St Harbor Park there in your collection?
I really dislike it when there aren't many pedestrians in the city proper. Kinda depressing, when everyone leaves at 5. Used to bug me when I lived in LA too. (Although that's changed a lot). I love walking around Philly.
I don't think anyone is saying that Philly isn't a pretty city in some areas. Personally I think it is. But that's not the only criteria used when a person chooses a place to live. That's why it's pretty impossible to say that Philly is better than Houston or vice versa. For me, Houston would be better than Philly - but not because of looks, it would be because of other criteria - my own personal criteria.
Everyone has their own criteria and it's highly individual. Actually, if the truth be known, I wouldn't want to live in EITHER Houston OR Philly. And that's why I don't.
But the OP has her own criteria and this is what she asked:
Quote:
So for Houston, TX vs Philadelphia, PA I'm looking for your opinion...
-Which is the most diverse in terms of race? I like an area to be so diverse, I can't tell what the majority is.
-Which has the most crime?
-Which has the best Universities? Good community colleges?
-Which has the best housing, or in my case, selection for apartments? (In other words, is the cost worth what you get or can I expect to pay $1300 for a studio apartment like I saw in DC...)
-Which has the best nightlife?
-Which has the best weather?
-Which is the nicer looking city?
-Which has more things to do (museums, attractions, etc)?
-Which, do you think, would be the better city for a single female, nurse, in her mid-20's?
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