I want to move to Houston am I crazy? (to live in, prices)

[whitegoldens]

Oh yes= green is so much nicer than brown!

[Denver_Maybe]

Originally Posted by Mike78613

So you like something like this?

These pictures were taken 5-4-08

OK so I'll not dispute that Houston is green, and does get some bluebonnets a bit outside the city proper. But these pictures appear to be Austin? OP says he's visited, so it won't be news to him, but we should be clear that the biggest hills in Houston are the highway overpasses. Houston makes Eastern Colorado seem topographically diverse!

[rybert]

Here's a view from my office. We're in the Galleria area.

[stoneclaw]

Originally Posted by rybert

Houston. The air doesn't move very much. It just sits there... air you can wear.

It's not all bad though... just not for me.

I agree it doesn't move very much in the heart of the summer months, but I know for a fact that during the winter and spring months, i've felt a breeze in Houston that makes the weather quite pleasant. I remember because I was shocked from believing what a few exaggeraters on these boards said about Houston not having a breeze.

Believe me, i'm not going to lie about Houston's weather. It's hell during the summer. But so is Las Vegas, New Orleans, Orlando, Dallas, and Phoenix. Those cities aren't doomed to hell and Las Vegas and Orlando still continue to be top vacation resorts ang great places for retirees.

[whitegoldens]

Rybert,
Thanks for the pictures- my brother is opening the new Costco in the Galleria.

Well we have very unique needs so we will keep serching for the right property in Houston- but the hot summer can't be worse than freezing water pipes and trying to haul water in 5 gallon buckets to all the animals.

[Jennifer73]

I lived in Houston when I was first on my own and I love it there. I do think that the crime can be pretty bad and, for me, the weather makes all of south TX unliveable most of the year. It depends on how the heat and humidity affect you. They kill me and kept me indoors 8 months of the year when I lived down there. To say that Houston is liberal is to compare it, IMO, to the rest of TX, not the rest of the country. If you want to know about the political climate in Texas I would suggest looking up some Molly Ivins essays. Even if they're from the 80's, they're still pretty much spot on. As for friendliness, I've found Denver to be quite friendly in general. There are jerks everywhere. I certainly experienced some of the greatest kindnesses in Texas, but also some of the most two-faced behavior ever. Beware the phrase, "bless his/her/your heart". Bugs: it's not just the size, it's the prevelance.
That said, Houston has a lot to offer in the way of culture, art, music, diversity, education opportunities, great medical care, beach access...the list goes on. It is probably the only TX city (other than maybe Austin) that I'd consider living in again. I just decided a long time ago I wouldn't live there again until I was wealthy. Since that hasn't happened yet, I just go back to visit. Good luck with whatever you choose!

[vegaspilgrim]

Just looking at all that greenery makes me go... ahh ahh ahhchhooooo!!!!! Seriously, I'd rather live in a place that's dry and "brown." It's an acquired taste for sure. I'm sure houston has a lot to offer as a city, but I'd live in any desert southwest city anyday before I'd live in Houston. In fact, one of my slight criticisms of Denver is the city does not take enough advantage of the dry climate of the high plains; too much landscaping in Denver is an attempt to artificially make Denver greener than it really is naturally. I have found a lot of micro-scale examples of xeriscaping in Denver and I've seen a lot of potential for what it could become, but it has yet to be embraced on a mass scale. Deserts and wide open prairie landscapes are just as beautiful as lush greenery; you just have to appreciate it on its own terms.

[breaksraver13]

Well I'm not from Texas but I am from SC and that is much farther north but I can comment on the weather and humidity

Originally Posted by rybert

No.. I'm pretty sure it's humid most of the time... and hot during the summer... and as far as breezes are concerned... what breezes?

I'll 2nd that rust problem... make sure you buy a new car every year or two (oh wait... that's exactly what they do here).

Exactly, the breeze in the south in the summer is like taking a blow dryer and sticking it in your face

Originally Posted by downtownnola

I'd have to agree that many people do exagerrate the humidity in Houston, and humid climates in general.

Oh it is NO exaggeration....you can't even go outside late april though october with out bursting into a sweat within the first 10min......and I am avidly outdoors and hiking was a b**ch in that climate

Originally Posted by whitegoldens

Oh yes= green is so much nicer than brown!

Doesn't matter to me what color it is......if you can't get out and enjoy it

[wankel7]

Originally Posted by whitegoldens

We live in Eastern Colorado so we have brown all the time and high winds- we have had enough of the cold and want to move somewhere warm and green- I have family in Conroe near the Woodlands- so we have been looking in that area. I am hoping to hear from people from Hosuton and how it compairs to CO. I know it is going to be hot- that is a given. How open minded are the folks in that area? I know the bugs are bigger but what else should I consider?

Thanks for your time.

Odd, I thought "Eastern Colorado" was called Kansas?

I would not say you gave Colorado a fair chance. You live so far away from the mountains and the best you see is through the smog, fog, and haze. Move closer to the mountains before you move to Houston.

[abcde]

Originally Posted by whitegoldens

Rybert,
Well we have very unique needs so we will keep serching for the right property in Houston- but the hot summer can't be worse than freezing water pipes and trying to haul water in 5 gallon buckets to all the animals.

whitegoldens,

What kind of animals - are you talking about horses, dogs? Have you lived in high humidity with animals (I do now in Hawaii, it's a PITA).