"Sure, this is a city so ugly that sometimes you may be tempted to put a bag over its head" (Houston: appointed, power lines)

[oblivionlml]

Sorry, I didn't mean to start anything. I just thought that the bit about Houston was funny.

[diablo234]

Anyone who thinks that Buenos Aires, Chicago, and Berlin are overrated are either mentally insane or on drugs.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by maggie2101

Yeah, but it says to visit Houston instead of Austin.

Well, the New York Times did a list of the 100 cities to visit in 2013. Only one US city made the list, and that was Houston at number 8. They gave credit to the arts and restaurants of Houston.

[Topaz]

I don't know...I just spent a week in Austin and it was awesome. It seems to me that how good a time you have somewhere has more to do with the visitor than the place.

[theSUBlime]

Houston's that girl that may not be that pretty on the outside, but at least she'll make a good wife. She might even do some kinky stuff.

[Dopo]

also known for being spread out

[dalparadise]

Originally Posted by jek74

Do you understand what the term "overrated" means? It means people ALREADY have very high expectations of those places and often, those expectations let you down. I think SF is a nice area but when I spent time there, my basis for SF was what I saw in the movies and pictures. Always sunny, always clean, bright, warm, exciting, etc. The reality was it was cold, damp, full of homeless everywhere, dirty, crowded, expensive, foggy,etc. So yes, to me it was over rated but that was because my expectation was so high. Same with NY. Same with Chicago. The problem cities like Chicago and NY have to people moving there is most of their image of those cities comes from movies which often create very picturesque scenes and color. Even today when I watch a film about NY I get pissed that they make it look spotless, with no minorities and everyone is living in style in some hip, cool, loft in SOHO. VERY far from reality!

It's simple. The author of this article is taking a contrarian position in order to get picked up and re-tweeted. It's an old tactic and apparently, it works.

I actually read this thread on my iPhone, while wearing short sleeves at 9:30 pm on an open-air cable car, winding its way up a spotless Russian Hill, with sidewalk cafes buzzing in the warm, clear March San Francisco night. For the last couple of blocks walking home, I ducked into a sports bar full of half Warriors and half Giants fans, all happy and cheering their heads off. Two bars and two restaurants in the those blocks along my way had either $1.00 or $2.00 tacos for Taco Tuesday. One even had $2.00 margaritas, too. All were full, enjoying the inexpensive neighborhood (non-tourist) options. The homeless congregate where the tourists go. Visitors are more likely to give up a dollar. Again, you missed out by not venturing beyond the tourist areas.

Out my office window this afternoon, it was so clear, I could make out near perfect details on Mt. Tam and Mt. Diablo which are miles and miles away. The Bay was deep, dark blue. The clean, palm tree-lined Embarcadero was jammed with people loading up on a huge cruise ship and Giants fans making their way to the ballpark on foot. The farmers market was on and food tents in front of the Ferry Building were cooking coal-fired pizzas, ramen, tacos, burgers, udon and more. A lot of people chose to eat by the waterfront and soak up the sun. Street cars buzzed up and down it and Market. It was very lively.

You mentioned in another thread that you visited in Winter and seemed surprised it would be cold. It's strange, as a self-professed "numbers guy," that your expectations would be so askew. It's also unfortunate that you seemed to spend all your time in Union Square on a rainy week in Winter.You really should get out and see more of the City to properly evaluate it. We do have the occasional string of cold days when it will rain during the Winter. It still rarely gets as cold as Houston's coldest days during the Winter and never gets as wet. In Spring and Summer, it doesn't rain AT ALL. And fog is only an issue for certain parts of SF and then, mostly at night, when I really believe it adds to the City's charm. I love falling asleep next to my open window in Summer to the low drone of fog horns on the Golden Gate Bridge.

SF is one of the sunniest cities in the country. It really is a shame it happened to rain during your week in Union Square.

Nothing against Houston, but Austin is probably a more interesting place to visit. I'd still prefer to live in Houston, as its city amenities far overshadow Austin's.

[DavidAg02]

Originally Posted by David Dollar

I think Austin lives up to the hype. You need to be into music, art, and food though.

I've lived in Austin for 18 years, and Houston for 10.

I think Houston is at least just as good in the music category, slightly better for art and tons better for food.
In my opinion, the only real category that Austin beats Houston in is the availability of outdoor destinations and activities.

[HtownLove]

Originally Posted by Topaz

I don't know...I just spent a week in Austin and it was awesome. It seems to me that how good a time you have somewhere has more to do with the visitor than the place.

My Friend please keep up. Not one person has said that Austin is not fun to visit. Its just rated in the minds of Austonians to such a high degree that what comes out of their mouths just sounds stupid.

Austonians have told me that they can't live anywhere else in Texas because the rest of the state is too backwards.

Have heard that Austin is the only fun place in Texas for young people (this young person couldn't wait to get out). That statement sounds better in your head if two things are true:

1. Your white (In color or mentality)

2. You don't give a damn about flavor.

Honestly Austin is anywhere'sville Texas to me. Don't know why the people there seem to think its so different.

Originally Posted by theSUBlime

Houston's that girl that may not be that pretty on the outside, but at least she'll make a good wife. She might even do some kinky stuff.

Houston is very pretty to me. Get your butt off the highways. Most street views outside a few choice ghettos are gorgeous. If you get off I 45 you will find that 90 percent of Houston is lush, green and pretty.

Originally Posted by DavidAg02

I've lived in Austin for 18 years, and Houston for 10.

I think Houston is at least just as good in the music category, slightly better for art and tons better for food.
In my opinion, the only real category that Austin beats Houston in is the availability of outdoor destinations and activities.

this post deserves ten reps.

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by HtownLove

My Friend please keep up. Not one person has said that Austin is not fun to visit.

Uhm, the headline of the article is, "10 Terribly Overrated Destinations. (And Where To Travel Instead)." Note the last part, "WHERE TO TRAVEL INSTEAD."