FORBES: Houston is America's Hippest City (Dallas, Austin: live in, eat, approval)

[dweebo2220]

Originally Posted by AK123

Of course there will be bashing... I've been saying for years that Houston is an underrated city, certainly has lots of "coolness"... but isn't portrayed well (or just ignored) by the media and Hollywood... which has a huge effect on perception.

Though there is definitely something subjective in measuring "coolness", if it is to be quantified, a lot of the criteria Forbes used for this list is legit:

....
Professional jobs mean young professionals move in. Young professionals have money and like to have fun. Being a very pro-business city like Houston is, new places easily pop up to accommodate the growing demand for cool bars, restaurants, art places, recreation, etc. etc. This has being going on for several years. Even before that, Houston had a very quirky vibe because of the lack of formal zoning.

The main area Houston lacks "coolness" and thus has people scoffing at this list? Perception. But again, perception is very dependent on the way a place has or hasn't been portrayed, at no fault of its own.

I would really love to see/read more about Houston's quirky/cool aspects. Worldlyman has done some posts that get into some of it, and I like what he describes. That said, outside of a small area of montrose I'm not really familiar with any cool/hip areas. As an angeleno I know that perception can often be way off the mark, so I wouldn't be surprised if I'm missing a whole lot and I'd love to hear more about Houston's cool aspects if you're up for it.

[gwillyfromphilly]

Never really thought of Houston as a hipster city let alone topping the "most hippest city" list. Kind of odd in a way but congrats anyway.

[cali3448893]

Originally Posted by Spade

So you "heard" Houston is the most boring city in the nation and you "heard" everyone is trying to move out of the city but only stay there because of job growth? So that means you've never been to the city or spent any significant time there? Nothing in your post establishes your personal experience with the city. Just heresay. Your credibility is shot.

You dont know nothing!!!i been going to houston since i was a kid

[AK123]

Originally Posted by dweebo2220

I would really love to see/read more about Houston's quirky/cool aspects. Worldlyman has done some posts that get into some of it, and I like what he describes. That said, outside of a small area of montrose I'm not really familiar with any cool/hip areas. As an angeleno I know that perception can often be way off the mark, so I wouldn't be surprised if I'm missing a whole lot and I'd love to hear more about Houston's cool aspects if you're up for it.

He has some good descriptions, and gets out a lot more than me these days. People give him a hard time over his enthusiasm... but in reality, if the place blew, you wouldn't have people passionate about it like that. He's just one example... they're everywhere.

Montrose is probably the most famous neighborhood, but also the Heights, the Museum District is cool in a more upscale sort of way, Westbury is starting to get attention, the east end of downtown is really up-and-coming, and several more I'm missing but hear people talking about a lot. Art Car Parade started in Houston. There's a Sundance Cinema in downtown now. The new Free Press Summer Fest is, to many, better than ACL Fest. There's definitely a live-and-let-live vibe in Houston... the mayor is openly gay but still Texan. For comparison to similar yet still different cities, you won't find the same sterility and materialism of Dallas, and won't find the trying-too-hard-in-your-face-hipsterness of Austin either... Houston is much more genuine than both. This last part is just my opinion from lots of experience, though I'm sure their residents won't like my honest thoughts.

[davidals]

'Forbes' and 'hippest' don't really belong in the same sentence. I actually laughed when I saw the title of this thread, and I'm not trying to be insulting. It was just an instant reaction.

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by AK123

He has some good descriptions, and gets out a lot more than me these days. People give him a hard time over his enthusiasm... but in reality, if the place blew, you wouldn't have people passionate about it like that. He's just one example... they're everywhere.

Montrose is probably the most famous neighborhood, but also the Heights, the Museum District is cool in a more upscale sort of way, Westbury is starting to get attention, the east end of downtown is really up-and-coming, and several more I'm missing but hear people talking about a lot. Art Car Parade started in Houston. There's a Sundance Cinema in downtown now. The new Free Press Summer Fest is, to many, better than ACL Fest. There's definitely a live-and-let-live vibe in Houston... the mayor is openly gay but still Texan. For comparison to similar yet still different cities, you won't find the same sterility and materialism of Dallas, and won't find the trying-too-hard-in-your-face-hipsterness of Austin either... Houston is much more genuine than both. This last part is just my opinion from lots of experience, though I'm sure their residents won't like my honest thoughts.

Then we agree to disagree.

[migol84]

Originally Posted by dweebo2220

eh, there are definitely people in portland who think they are cool and hip--just like anywhere with a modicum of name recognition.

Yes, of course, but follow closely to what I'm saying. They feel they're hip and cool but not based on your definition of cool. Read your criteria again and that doesn't sound like Portland at all... I actually feel Portland is much cooler than that.

[mjtinmemphis]

Chicago didn't make the list?

[migol84]

Originally Posted by AK123

He has some good descriptions, and gets out a lot more than me these days. People give him a hard time over his enthusiasm... but in reality, if the place blew, you wouldn't have people passionate about it like that. He's just one example... they're everywhere.

Montrose is probably the most famous neighborhood, but also the Heights, the Museum District is cool in a more upscale sort of way, Westbury is starting to get attention, the east end of downtown is really up-and-coming, and several more I'm missing but hear people talking about a lot. Art Car Parade started in Houston. There's a Sundance Cinema in downtown now. The new Free Press Summer Fest is, to many, better than ACL Fest. There's definitely a live-and-let-live vibe in Houston... the mayor is openly gay but still Texan. For comparison to similar yet still different cities, you won't find the same sterility and materialism of Dallas, and won't find the trying-too-hard-in-your-face-hipsterness of Austin either... Houston is much more genuine than both. This last part is just my opinion from lots of experience, though I'm sure their residents won't like my honest thoughts.

The bolded line is an unfalsifiable hypothesis but its not as if Austin even cares.

I think Austin is like the only city on the planet that just doesn't care what people try to label it as. I mean that sincerely... the people there just don't care what people from Houston or any other city think of it. Even when people think that Austin is trying to be like Portland or San Francisco.... the funny thing is they are making very original strides that only said cities wish they had.

But darned if Austin opens up a place like the Highball and now they're "trying too hard"... oh please.

these guys are a perfect example of what Austin's attitude is... call it "austintude" if you'd like, I find it particularly awesome. Basically is using negative criticism against them and using it in their favor... calling it "awesome".

http://justines1937.com/amazing/

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by migol84

The bolded line is an unfalsifiable hypothesis but its not as if Austin even cares.

I think Austin is like the only city on the planet that just doesn't care what people try to label it as. I mean that sincerely... the people there just don't care what people from Houston or any other city think of it. Even when people think that Austin is trying to be like Portland or San Francisco.... the funny thing is they are making very original strides that only said cities wish they had.

But darned if Austin opens up a place like the Highball and now they're "trying too hard"... oh please.

these guys are a perfect example of what Austin's attitude is... call it "austintude" if you'd like, I find it particularly awesome. Basically is using negative criticism against them and using it in their favor... calling it "awesome".

Justine's Brasserie

Hit the nail!