Is Houston always a super friendly city or just surface friendly? (Dallas: gated, organic)

[detachable arm]

It's a perceived high rate of gun ownership... if you dig into those #s, Texas is not on top. The problem is down here, there are people whose entire identity revolves around their tools. They have fantasies about legally killing other human beings, and they run their mouths with all kinds of really dumb sh*t. The news also reports some pretty large levels of irresponsibility. That stuff wrecks the sense of community, and makes many scared transplants/foreigners living here assume that all natives are like this.

[Eastworth]

Yeah, I think I want to move to Texas. I'm also looking at the DFW area as well, but I found Houston to be friendlier. I'm looking for the city that has nicer and more down to earth people. I'm a city boy. I won't do well in a small town like Amarillo. I've considered Atlanta, but it's way too far from my hometown which is El Paso, which is also a very rude city too. I still have family in El Paso, so I visit often.

In June of next year, my lease expires. I have to wait until August because of my school internship. After August, I plan to move and leave the desert as a whole.

I considered California, specifically the LA areas, but I feel they might be another Phoenix. I want to be in a friendly big city with southern hospitality and where people don't say excuse me for no reason.

[Eastworth]

Can anyone tell me about the weather in Houston? I know it's humid all year long, but does it rain and flood very often? Do the highways turn into rivers sometimes? I don't think tornados are common like in Dallas, but with hurricanes, can they be very deadly? Are they like hurricanes in Florida?

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Originally Posted by Eastworth

Can anyone tell me about the weather in Houston? I know it's humid all year long, but does it rain and flood very often? Do the highways turn into rivers sometimes? I don't think tornados are common like in Dallas, but with hurricanes, can they be very deadly? Are they like hurricanes in Florida?

There will be days where you will want to stay home as precaution. Highways can turn into rivers sometime. Research before you buy and stay home if it’s too wet outside. Hurricanes in Houston arent like in Florida (especially south Florida). Seriously, I love Miami but I can’t believe how terribly it’s designed in regards to hurricane activity. It’s a linear metro lined up against the Atlantic right at sea level. But unless you live on the far north or northwest suburbs, it is something you’ll deal with when it comes.

[Eastworth]

I'd be looking into Sugar Land or Katy areas. The weather is something else to take into consideration. I feel like Houston has better weather than Dallas in regards to natural disasters. Dallas always gets tornados. In Houston, it probably just rains a lot.

[Pilsn3r]

QUOTE=Eastworth;64530685]Hello everyone, I want to let you all know that I decided to stay in Phoenix, AZ. My decision was based on the fact that it is so nice and lovely out here. Also, one of my friends who is long distance broke the news that he might be moving out here.

With this said, I am very sorry for all of these posts. I have problems, not disclosing anything personal, but I am much better. I had a very bad day yesterday, and unfortunately I do not have any coping skills, other than venting online.

Again, I am sorry for these posts. I do not want to move away. I just said this out of sheer frustration.

Thank you for understanding.[/quote]

From 12/1. 14 days ago in the Dallas forum.

[WRM20]

Originally Posted by Eastworth

I'd be looking into Sugar Land or Katy areas. The weather is something else to take into consideration. I feel like Houston has better weather than Dallas in regards to natural disasters. Dallas always gets tornados. In Houston, it probably just rains a lot.

Katy doesn't really have any real weather issues. Some areas out there have flooded, but if you stay out of teh developments in the flood control reservoirs, you'll be fine.

[Eastworth]

Originally Posted by WRM20

Katy doesn't really have any real weather issues. Some areas out there have flooded, but if you stay out of teh developments in the flood control reservoirs, you'll be fine.

So Katy is actually a flood free zone? That would be what I'd be looking for if I decided to move to Houston. I won't make my final decision until May or June. I have to save up and wait until my lease expires and my internship is over. I also may take one more trip up there to make sure it's what I want.

Does Sugar Land flood? Also, what areas do I need to 100% avoid? I know Bellaire is bad and from what I saw driving there, it seemed shady. Frienswood also did not seem like a good area because of its proximity to the refineries.

Any other areas I should avoid?

[Mescalero]

Houston is genuinely nice.

Dallas is "bless your heart" nice.

[Eastworth]

So it looks like both are equally friendly? That is definitely a deal breaker. Then now I wonder why some people from Texas move to Arizona if it's less friendly out here. I've also been seeing more Texas plates lately too. I've heard of people from Texas who move out here and love it and say it's easier to live in Phoenix than Dallas or Houston. I've read reddit posts that former Texas residents love the Phoenix area and wish they'd move sooner.

I'm from El Paso, not born, but raised there, and Phoenix has been an upgrade. El Paso in my experiences is far more unfriendly. There is just that cliquish more self-reserved culture in El Paso. And if you aren't from there, transplants have a hard time adjusting to the cliquish lifestyle.

I just begin to think how it's so much easier to make friends in Houston and how people approach you in public. I imagine in Houston, talking to others on the light rail is a norm and that people make friends with each other in grocery store lines. Is is like that? Do people make friends in public?

Until I make my decision, I'll keep doing research and talk to more locals. I might make another trip out to Houston and then really decide then and there if it's for me.