No, I am not trying to leave Houston. Argh!! (Pittsburg: homes, college)

[swopoe]

I am back east right now visiting my family, and this past weekend I went to my college reunion (15th) at an east coast liberal arts college. I can't tell you how many former classmates (all east coasters) kept asking if we were going to try and move back out of Houston soon. I am so frustrated. Yes, I am from the east coast, as is my husband, but this kind of thinking makes me so sad. Most of the alumni of my alma mater are also from the east coast, and I doubt many of them have even been to Houston, but automatically, they judge. I am tired of having to justify where I live to people who obviously have no clue in the first place.

We love where we are, and right now I honestly can't think of any reason why we would try on purpose to move back east out of Houston. Some of you may be, and that is fine and your choice. But to just automatically assume we want to leave, well, come on now.

It just made me bitter. That is all.

[PedroMartinez]

Give them a call right after a big snow storm.

[Firefly in sweet land]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

Give them a call right after a big snow storm.

And describe how you can casually step out into outdoors in shorts and single T shirt without those million layers of clothing.

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by swopoe

I am back east right now visiting my family, and this past weekend I went to my college reunion (15th) at an east coast liberal arts college. I can't tell you how many former classmates (all east coasters) kept asking if we were going to try and move back out of Houston soon. I am so frustrated. Yes, I am from the east coast, as is my husband, but this kind of thinking makes me so sad. Most of the alumni of my alma mater are also from the east coast, and I doubt many of them have even been to Houston, but automatically, they judge. I am tired of having to justify where I live to people who obviously have no clue in the first place.

We love where we are, and right now I honestly can't think of any reason why we would try on purpose to move back east out of Houston. Some of you may be, and that is fine and your choice. But to just automatically assume we want to leave, well, come on now.

It just made me bitter. That is all.

Swopoe;

What do you think is behind this attitude? Is it regionalism, Political, or something more specific against Houston ?

[kfer]

I used to work for a company with headquarters in Pittsburgh and a small presence in Houston. Headquarters saw us as renegade cowboys who brought in the cash. Every once in a while we had upitty visitors from Pittsburgh (which we called "the Yankees") to show us how to conduct business. Never mind that we were generating huge profits for the company.

[CSD610]

Originally Posted by swopoe

I am back east right now visiting my family, and this past weekend I went to my college reunion (15th) at an east coast liberal arts college. I can't tell you how many former classmates (all east coasters) kept asking if we were going to try and move back out of Houston soon. I am so frustrated. Yes, I am from the east coast, as is my husband, but this kind of thinking makes me so sad. Most of the alumni of my alma mater are also from the east coast, and I doubt many of them have even been to Houston, but automatically, they judge. I am tired of having to justify where I live to people who obviously have no clue in the first place.

We love where we are, and right now I honestly can't think of any reason why we would try on purpose to move back east out of Houston. Some of you may be, and that is fine and your choice. But to just automatically assume we want to leave, well, come on now.

It just made me bitter. That is all.

Wow, bitter over the fact that a few people asked if/when you were going to move back to the east coast.
They were making small talk at a reunion and I seriously doubt there was any motive outside of not having an awkward silence with someone they have not seen in a few years. You don't have to justify anything to anyone but it appears that you feel the need to do so, hence the expanded explanation as to why you are not moving back east instead of a simple "No, we are staying where we are".

[Dopo]

That's exactly why I don't like it when people here that have never been to California talk trash about it. (Golden rule)

[swopoe]

I don't trash talk about CA. I have enjoyed my visits there and never lived there. And to the poster criticizing me, whatever. I did simply say "we aren't, we enjoy it there." But when that is followed by looks of shock, awe, disbelief, and "really?"s, some explanation is necessary.

[Nairobi]

Swopoe, I'd assume that you're likely more traveled than these folks you speak of. Their opinions are pretty much irrelevant.

[Failed Engineer]

My extended family is scattered all over the northeast US, and they all had similar thoughts about Houston. Nearly all of them who have come and visited us over the years have commented on how they wish they could move here. The space, the nicer homes, the affordability, the "niceness" of people, the weather (tolerating our summers better than their winters), less traffic.

Ultimately, no one has actually moved because of careers and/or the fact that nearly all of them are within driving distance of each other (something that I am incredibly jealous of and wish I had for my children's sake).

I bet if your college friends came and visited, they would share similar thoughts.