From Miami to Houston, what can I expect? (Spade: neighborhoods, schools)

[UrbaneAspects]

Im just wondering if me moving from Miami to Houston would be too big of a difference for me. For one, I never been there, and will visit (of course) before i decide to relocate there. But I am still anxious about what to expect. For example, is it true that most of the people in Texas, namely Houston are large and overweight? No offense to anyone; but that isn't my idea crowd. I mean I always hear, "Things are bigger in Texas". does that include the people?

And more importantly than that; How does other races treat each other? When people hang out, is it segregated at the clubs and schools; or do people tend to have some type of mixture? If you are black; latino, or white...Do y'all have this line drawn where everyone has their own groups and are very click-ish (not open to those other than their types).

If anyone has any good feedback I would love to hear it. Especially anyone in their 20's who is into the nightlife; or anyone who has been there awhile. I been in the south (Florida 20 years; lived in Ft Worth 4 months and HATED it) all my life and want to move up north but dont have many connections to help me move their; so I'm looking for a city that may offer up-north mentalities and libral-ism while still being in the south or southwest. NONE here except Miami is the closest. Thanks!!

[tstone]

There is obesity here as there is in Texas and the South, but it's not excessive like some magazines would want to make you believe. You can find whatever you're looking for. Just remember that people here aren't trying to fit some type of pornographic image you'd find in Miami (or the San Fernando Valley). Most of us have more important fish to fry.

[UrbaneAspects]

yea down here they do have those images; and everyone acts like a shady porn star also...Thats kind of what Im trying to dodge lol.

[harrygrath]

As a foreigner,the impression I get by reading ...the testimonies in the threads is that racial tensions r much bigger in the "liberal " North & in Miami...than in the South & TX

In the South,there is more discipline,respect & lower tones by every ethnic group...

It is not "racism" if u have predominantly white,Latin or black neigborhoods,cause people naturally want to stick with their own kind...

The populist politicians inflame & aggravate the situation...

[UrbaneAspects]

hmm; well i wasnt exactly referring to racism; but rather the social structure. yea Miami is tense when it comes to race; but people dont hear about it that much. in fact its not so obvious; its a different breed of prejudice that i wont even bother to go into.
the main idea is whether or not people are broken up in their social groups. say for example, do HOUSTON-IANS? "expect" you to "make associates" with only those "of your own background (race)"...or is it a city where its atleast somewhat common to interact with others; even outside the workplace. (the workplace doesnt count to me)

[Visitor2007]

Originally Posted by UrbaneAspects

I mean I always hear, "Things are bigger in Texas". does that include the people?

And more importantly than that; How does other races treat each other?

What's your race?

[UrbaneAspects]

Originally Posted by Visitor2007

What's your race?

i guess that would be important. i am black and american indian. the issue is that in miami people dont readily connect with those outside of their own. this is especially true in many the latino and even many the black groups. i imagine houston to be a bit more integrated than that; am i correct...or am i getting my hopes up?

[Spade]

It is a bit more integrated than Miami. You will have Asians living next door to Blacks living next door to Hispanics and so on and so on. It is one of the few major cities that is very integrated. My mother was born and raised in Miami. She says that Houston reminds her of Miami and that's why she loves Houston. She also notices the integration of the neighborhoods of the city.

There are similarities between the two though. They both are humid, subtropical, very diverse, budding economies, large Latin population, etc.

There are differences as well in that Miami has the swamp (Houston has a little bit too but nothing on the size of the Everglades. But Houston has the Piney Woods. Miami is a bit more compact and Houston is more spread out though that is changing in the inner loop. Both cities are losing it's Southern characteristics ever so slowly and it's just about gone in Miami though it's still there.

[EasilyAmused]

Hostonians are nothing like "old Miami." Heck Old Miami is almost gone anyway. Hiding out at the Yatch Clubs In Coconut Grove and a few select places in the Gables. Old Miami refuses to associate with anyone outside their kind, desperately tryingto hold on to that relaxed southern marina feel. My grandmother is old Miami and I visit all the time. Houstonians can be that way, but they bend a little more.

Miami's summers are reasonable, Houston's aren't. There is no night time breeze to cool things down. Both place have extremely good areas and extremely bad areas, very little inbetween.

I really don't see anything between the two that are similar. That being said, I like Houston waaaaaaaay better. Except for the water, Miami has that hands down.

[Visitor2007]

Originally Posted by Spade

There are similarities between the two though. They both are humid, subtropical, very diverse, budding economies, large Latin population, etc.

The latin populations are very different between these two cities though. In Miam, you got Cubans, Colombians, Venezueleans, Puerto Ricans, Argentinas (sp), etc., etc. In Houston, it's mostly Mexicans.