Houston or Austin (Dallas, Post: sales, crime rates, home sales)

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by NewGrad2009

I'm Nigerian American and there's a huge lack of Nigerians in my area. Are there a lot of Nigerians in Austin or Houston and if so, what neighborhoods?

Tell me about the crime in both places. Which is safer?

Which city has the better all night nightlife? I'm single and 20 so I really want to explore the scene

Houston has one of the largest Nigerian populations in the country.

Austin is much safer than Houston

Both have a lot of nightlife. Houston's is more spread out where Austin's is concentrated in one area.

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by msanna

Austin is a lot more open minded and tolerant than Houston.

Not

[houstoner]

Originally Posted by msanna

have you checked into Portland, OR or Seattle? They both are VERY diverse and have a huge Nigerian population.

Are you kidding? Not compared to Houston, AT ALL, on either count. Portland alone is one of the whitest cities in the U.S., and Seattle's diversity is mostly due to Asians. Austin is also the whitest major city in Texas, and from what I understand, there's a lack of community, services, and such for black people there. Houston is so diverse that there is no majority race. Historically, the cities most black people gravitate to in Texas are either Houston or Dallas. Both cities have long had a large black middle-class and a number of young black professionals that is rarely seen in other parts of the country, and both cities regularly rank on Black Enterprise's (or BET's? or both??) annual top ten list of best cities for blacks. bamba_boy's post said it best. Comparing Austin to Houston (or Dallas) is like comparing Madison, Wisconsin to Chicago.

[txguy2009]

houston has THE BIGGEST nigerian population in the U.S. Over 100,000

Houston will be much better for you career-wise. No way is SC economy doing better than TX either.

[txguy2009]

Austin isn't more open-minded than Houston. It's latte liberals who never experience real diversity.

Houston is true diversity, and very open. Don't bye the stereotypes.

Houston is definitely more crime-ridden though. They need to clean this town up.

[wazmoot]

I've lived in Austin for 5 years and currently living in Houston for 6 years and counting. One thing I want to make clear: Austin IS more open-minded than Houston. Although Houston is more diverse, there is plenty of diversity for a 20 year old among the large population of college kids in Austin. However, ethnic diversity doesn't always translate to open-mindedness.

I can't stand the concrete jungle that is Houston and wish there were job opportunities in Austin for my profession (pipeline engineering (oil/gas)). I miss the outdoorsy, bicycle/pedestrian friendly (at least, compared to Houston), and academic ambience of Austin, TX...

[Trae713]

Originally Posted by wazmoot

I've lived in Austin for 5 years and currently living in Houston for 6 years and counting. One thing I want to make clear: Austin IS more open-minded than Houston. Although Houston is more diverse, there is plenty of diversity for a 20 year old among the large population of college kids in Austin. However, ethnic diversity doesn't always translate to open-mindedness.

Care to share some examples?

I can't stand the concrete jungle that is Houston and wish there were job opportunities in Austin for my profession (pipeline engineering (oil/gas)). I miss the outdoorsy, bicycle/pedestrian friendly (at least, compared to Houston), and academic ambience of Austin, TX...

Though the Houston area generally has no hills, there are plenty of outdoorsy things to do. Memorial Park, George Bush Park, Addicks, then on the SE side you have boating, fishing, etc.

[coog78]

Originally Posted by wazmoot

I've lived in Austin for 5 years and currently living in Houston for 6 years and counting. One thing I want to make clear: Austin IS more open-minded than Houston. Although Houston is more diverse, there is plenty of diversity for a 20 year old among the large population of college kids in Austin. However, ethnic diversity doesn't always translate to open-mindedness.

I can't stand the concrete jungle that is Houston and wish there were job opportunities in Austin for my profession (pipeline engineering (oil/gas)). I miss the outdoorsy, bicycle/pedestrian friendly (at least, compared to Houston), and academic ambience of Austin, TX...

Austin is not even remotely more open minded than Houston. Austin is 100% latte sipping condascending pseudo-liberals that shop at the most pretentious and exclusive locations and talk down on everyone else. austinites are narrow minded, nearly completely white, and wouldn't know culture if it was a 2.5 hour drive away on the Gulf Coast.
Houston and Dallas actually have liberals that are open to everything from the global cultures that exist in the cities and the great food scenes both cities have.
Comparing Austin to Houston or Dallas, for that matter, is definitely like comparing Madison, Wisconsin to Chicago. It is laughable at best. Compare Austin to Houston's Montrose or Dallas' Oaklawn and even then, Austin loses.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by wazmoot

I've lived in Austin for 5 years and currently living in Houston for 6 years and counting. One thing I want to make clear: Austin IS more open-minded than Houston. Although Houston is more diverse, there is plenty of diversity for a 20 year old among the large population of college kids in Austin. However, ethnic diversity doesn't always translate to open-mindedness.

I've lived in both as well, and disagree.
A recent example? My friends/family still in Austin told me that earlier this year, if you supported any other political candidate (even Hillary) aside from Obama, you were looked down upon and thought of as backwards.
And a lot of people from Austin constantly talk down everywhere else in Texas as if Austin is an oasis in a backwater.
How in the world are either of these examples "open-minded"?

Originally Posted by wazmoot

I can't stand the concrete jungle that is Houston and wish there were job opportunities in Austin for my profession (pipeline engineering (oil/gas)). I miss the outdoorsy, bicycle/pedestrian friendly (at least, compared to Houston), and academic ambience of Austin, TX...

As if there aren't areas of Houston that have an "outdoorsy" feel (Memorial Park and many other parts of the west side), or an "academic ambience" (West University area). And as if there aren't parts of Austin that are a concrete jungle and sprawl. I realize they are not the same, but really... your post seems rather ignorant to me.

[AK123]

Originally Posted by msanna

Austin is a lot more open minded and tolerant than Houston. It is very diverse in culture with tons of nightlife. Houston of course much larger, has a lot more crime. NW/NE Austin is growing and is very nice. As far as business growth, it depends on your industry, if you are in tech or a business related field Austin is doing very well. Houston as you have seen in the news has been hard hit by recent layoffs. So I gotta also throw this out to you as well...have you checked into Portland, OR or Seattle? They both are VERY diverse and have a huge Nigerian population. The nightlife and people in general are much more liberal than here in Houston. I am from the west coast and really miss certain aspects of life there. Houston is different, nice in a lot of ways, lots of trade offs. Just visit and do LOTS of homework before moving so you make the right choice for yourself...

1. The belief that Austin is more open-minded is mostly a myth (see my above post)
2. Houston has the best job growth in the COUNTRY right now. There was a recent post about it here in the forum. Dallas was #2. Austin was not in the top 5. So you are wrong about Houston being "hit hard by recent layoffs" as well.