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Hmmm...as much as I enjoy living in Houston, it aint no Chicago. However this city is definitely underrated. But it has a ways to go before it reaches Chicago's prominence. Chicago even with its cold winters is simply a more vibrant and walkable city than Houston. The skyline, the festivals (blues, jazz, lalapoolza, gospel, Taste of Chicago,etc.), restaurants, parks, shopping, transportation, lake front beaches, etc. Houston is nice, but it's no Chicago IMHO. Being a Chicago native I'm a bit bias.
Hmmm...as much as I enjoy living in Houston, it aint no Chicago. However this city is definitely underrated. But it has a ways to go before it reaches Chicago's prominence. Chicago even with its cold winters is simply a more vibrant and walkable city than Houston. The skyline, the festivals (blues, jazz, lalapoolza, gospel, Taste of Chicago,etc.), restaurants, parks, shopping, transportation, lake front beaches, etc. Houston is nice, but it's no Chicago IMHO. Being a Chicago native I'm a bit bias.
And summertime is downright chilly there at night.
Technically, it's free Canadian air-conditioning. But the friendly Canucks have not figured out a way to shut it off in the winter
Tstone, thanks for making me smile. My wife, who lived in Texas for 15 years, has a broken thermostat. She gets cold when it's below 70
She has the windows open, even when its 85-90 & she loves humidity. Then again, she did live in the Phillipines doing Peace Corps.
Now if I could only solve her bad case of Chicago winter blaahs; I'm getting them too. I am sooo happy to be in Chi-town now, but I know I am going to be big-time envious of y'all (proper usage? I'm still on the Texan 101 course) Houstonites November through late May.
Houston is a great place but it doesn't compare to Chicago. Chicago just seems like a real city. Houston is too big land wise and its not dense enough for a major city. Plus there is really no viable transportation options or a solid DT core. It seems like a huge suburb.
Im shocked i'm even gonna post here, but going back to what the OP said.
First of all in terms of Proximity of large cities, we have Milwaukee which is really close and is bigger then that of a city like Boston or Seattle. Indianapolis to the South-East, St. Louis to the Southwest, Quad Cities to the west and many more regional cities. And I wouldn't exactly say everyone is a drunk here either.
But in the end I have never been to Houston, but I would want to visit sometime and I have no reason to bash it. I just wanted to get some facts straight.
Houston is a great place but it doesn't compare to Chicago. Chicago just seems like a real city. Houston is too big land wise and its not dense enough for a major city. Plus there is really no viable transportation options or a solid DT core. It seems like a huge suburb.
No one cares about outside the loop. If your inside the loop and you like to have fun,you'll have fun.
Chicago has more universities, more streetlife, more people, more skyscrapers, more companies, more different ethnic foods, more media, more muscle, more creative class, more architecture, more history, more global appeal, more action, more climate, more climate with more climate, more transit options, more money, more theater, more shows, more...um....everything...than Houston does have/ will have/ had in the past.
Food for thought.
Chicago has more universities, more streetlife, more people, more skyscrapers, more companies, more different ethnic foods, more media, more muscle, more creative class, more architecture, more history, more global appeal, more action, more climate, more climate with more climate, more transit options, more money, more theater, more shows, more...um....everything...than Houston does have/ will have/ had in the past.
Food for thought.
Food for thought, eh? Well, hope you're hungry. Houston is second only to NYC for headquarters of Fortune 500 companies (more than Chicago has or will ever have). Houston has the second largest theatre district in the United States (more shows and larger than Chicago has or will ever have). Houston has one of the best medical centers worldwide (better than Chicago has or will ever have). Houston is endurable outside 365 days a year unless you're some Midwest wuss that melts when it gets hot outside. Houston continues to constantly increase density inside the loop and boasts an array and diversity of food Chicago does not have nor will ever have. All that and Chicago is older than Houston by over 50 years. Eat up!
I had no intention of pointing out the obvious and bashing Chicago, but the previous post clearly begged to be called out and put on point. It will be less than 25 years until Houston's population surpasses Chicago. We will continue to be an international hub for the Mideast, Asia, and South America. Chicago will continue to be cold and unbearable to be outside for 5 months of the year. Your city has nothing to make you such a snob, so make like Oprah and eat that food for thought!
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. My wife, who lived in Texas for 15 years, has a broken thermostat. She gets cold when it's below 70
) Houstonites November through late May.
