Gosh H-town, you could be the best city in the country..... (Houston: apartment complexes, homes)

[Pine to Vine]

Originally Posted by 14Bricks

Didn't you know the poor people in Cali have so much better than the poor people in Texas? I mean Compton and Watts are like heaven compared to 5th ward and Sunnyside(sarcasm)

Sarcasm noted. As a reminder, this is what the OP stated:

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

I would hate to be poor in Houston because I've noticed that you guys lack considerable social services. If Texas were to secede, poor people would screwed.

I believe this is what the OP was referring to: Empire Center For New York State Policy - Data Bank. Note Cali is ranked 2nd in terms of public assistance spending per capita and TX is ranked 43rd. Don't care to get into an argument as to whether this is a good or bad thing. For the sake of this thread, it just is.

[GTRdad]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

Yes being low income sucks but the low cost of living translates to a lot of your poor living bottom of the barrell. Ghetto is really ghetto in Houston. For a functioning city, the ghetto areas can be compared to cities that have gone kaput like Camden, NJ and Detroit.

I live in a low income/'ghetto', but I'm not low-income. That's even more low COL for me.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by jm02

Sarcasm noted. As a reminder, this is what the OP stated:

I believe this is what the OP was referring to: Empire Center For New York State Policy - Data Bank. Note Cali is ranked 2nd in terms of public assistance spending per capita and TX is ranked 43rd. Don't care to get into an argument as to whether this is a good or bad thing. For the sake of this thread, it just is.

Thank you. This is what I was referring to and I think that people seem to think of only LA from the movies. I happen to know personally that what is considered "ghetto" in LA, places like Watts, Compton, North Hollywood are not as ghetto as Houston ghettos. I mean Houston poor areas are BAD. Really bad.

Most people just assume Los Angeles is the same city from the 90s but it's a statistical fact that it's one of the safest major cities in America and is safer than Houston.

Houston is really dog eat dog for the poorest. The answer most Texans have to that is "so what, they just need to pull themselves up. Personal responsibility. Don't ask for a handout". Despite the overcrowding, the lack of space and the unemployment, Los Angeles still manages to maintain itself and not descend into total destitution. But some areas of Houston's poorer sections look straight out of NOLA, Detroit and Camden, NJ.

I am just saying it wouldn't hurt to invest a little in social services. It's not f-ing socialism, people. It does help.

That's why Houston zig zags between nice developed areas to horrid squalor. The development has been largely limited because it relies a lot on private initiative. The development is also very uneven.

[Nairobi]

Originally Posted by 3shipguy

Houstonian here who somewhat agrees with OP.

Attitudes like this: "Don't you just love it when someone visits your town/city/country and starts telling you how it would be sooo much better if you did things their way?" is what prevents progression.

Not all criticism is bad. A constructive critique is always welcomed here.

I agree.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by GTRdad

I live in a low income/'ghetto', but I'm not low-income. That's even more low COL for me.

All I know is I live in what Angelenos consider "ghetto", but I find it to be a largely working class Mexican American neighborhood with relatively little crime. It's just old. It's just dated and looks like it hasn't been re-developed since the 80s minus the roads. But I feel safer here than I would in say the low income ghetto areas of Houston.

There is no amount of low COL that will get me to live in some areas near Fondren, Hilcroft or the lawless areas on the Northside. Living in the ghetto in Houston is not that cost effective, unless maybe you're in the loop.

[TexasTallest]

Agreed it is refreshing to hear some constructive criticism. Though if you knew much about the work Houston is doing youd know the city is working to improve many of the things you pointed out. Glad you liked the city and believe in its potential..

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by TexasTallest

Agreed it is refreshing to hear some constructive criticism. Though if you knew much about the work Houston is doing youd know the city is working to improve many of the things you pointed out. Glad you liked the city and believe in its potential..

Believe in it? I know it can be the best. Inner loop Houston has to be one of the most exciting places in the country!

I just know there is that good ol' boy component that wants to keep Houston from reaching it's potential because it's afraid it will look like LA or something. But it won't. These cities are too different and cater to different industries. I don't think Houston would ever be as anti-business as LA so it will always attract business.

I've heard about some of the plans. I mean I know some people have big goals for Houston, so I am hoping for the best.

But there is also that nagging feeling that if something is not done, if all that increased growth is wasted, and that growth money doesn't find itself into city planners hands then Houston would be one ugly mess. They need to start devoting a lot of revenue to making Houston grand.

If not I think that Houston bubble Forbes keeps raving about will soon pop, and Houston will be left with wide economic disparity, an uneven economic and geographical development and pretty bad crime. The horror stories I hear about the crime in Harris county. It's wild stuff!

To be honest, I hardly ever take what Forbes and Finance rags say about "growing" IT cities and nations. It usually just means if you're rich or professional, head out there and make your money. Low taxes and little government = great for the big whig. But then, low wage labor and poor social services and even poorer infrastructure for the least fortunate. Basically when they rave about growth to me that just says;
Typical Finance rag praise:

Brazil, India, China, Chile; nice developed mixed use condos and splendid living for the ones that make a decent living, including middle class professionals and skilled laborers. But 'favela' style poverty for the very very poor. Crime abundant, but plenty of growth!

[TVC15]

Originally Posted by annie_himself

You can't be the best city in the country and have a low COL. I said it's kind of heading that way, public transit is facing immense opposition.

Well in no way is SF the best city in the country and the COL there is ridiculous.

It also has the worst streets than any place I have ever been.

[Spade]

I see harmless constructive criticism here. He never said Houston sucks and there is no hope for the place. Just his thoughts on how much Houston can improve. Nothing wrong with that.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by TVC15

Well I hate to say that in no way is SF the best city in the country and the COL there is ridiculous.

It also has the worst streets than any place I have ever been.

San Francisco is the most beautiful city in America but that still doesn't justify the COL. It's too high. The highest I've ever seen outside of Manhattan.

Houston is unique that it offer amenities that rival NY and LA and it's ten times cheaper + jobs. That is outstanding.

What I find cheap my friends in Houston find expensive. What I find to be nice looking they find to be "ghetto". If you're a young urban upwardly mobile professional then Houston beats out most major cities. And it shows too, the bars in Midtown are full of the professional class getting their drink on!

It's funny cus if you say you're in anything remotely business related (not in the entertaintment industry) no girl in LA will think it's interesting. You tell a girl at the bar or club that you work in O&G, Energy trading, or for Ernst and Young Accouting and they will make sure you take them home!