Need advice.. (Houston, San Diego, Charlotte: house, income, income tax)

[himain]

The bf and I lived in Miami for our whole lives (except moving around FL for a bit) we moved up to Charlotte, NC in May 08. Bought a house and really liked it here especially the change in seasons. Now things are starting to change. They are going to raise income tax again and he already gets hit hard due to his income bracket. It's just way too slow for us.

We miss the big town feel of Miami-having lots of options for social activities, cultural events and just things going on in general. We are kidless and 34/35. Thinking of coming basically from a Miami aspect, do you think Houston would be a good fit for us? We are obviously used to hurricanes, he's Cuban so Spanish isn't a problem/big deal. I guess Im trying to figure out if Houston could be compared to living in Miami in some sense..I appreciate all honest answers.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Houston is not as glamerous as Miami, but I think it has more culture, and more diverse. Need I say lots of Latinos here? Lots of Cubanos too. Also more jobs.

[himain]

I don't need glamorous but I do need more....Does that make sense?

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by himain

I don't need glamorous but I do need more....Does that make sense?

If you like Miami for the party atmosphere and semi-urban, walkable feel, that's going to be difficult to match here. Houston is a great place, but if you are really Miami beachy people you'll find that the Texas coast is quite different.

If you're accustomed to Miami, you are accustomed to heat and humidity but Houston just feels a lot hotter to me. I guess its the lack of "beachiness".

Miami to me seems to be almost Carribean with a certain party flavor. Houston is not like that. This is an oil town that espouses cowboy diplomacy. Its a very different culture and will not match the Miami nightlife.

I'm not trying to discourage you from moving here, it truly is a great place, but don't expect Houston to be Miami.

[City Love]

Miami has sprawl, but the Miami Beach area is what's really walkable. You'll find walkable atmospheres with entertainment scattered around town.

If you want "more." You would definitely be happy here. You get more house for your money, more money in your pocket with no state income tax, and more comfort here.

[EasilyAmused]

Miami and Houston are nothing alike except for the weather. And were're hotter.
Why not go back to Miami if that's what you like? Life is too short, live where it makes you happy.

[Big Dirty]

I lived in Charlotte for 4 years. I like Houston immensely more than Charlotte. To me Charlotte is a conservative frat boy town. Houston is better in every way except for the streets there are better, it is cleaner, and more orgnized.

[Lake Conroe resident]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Miami and Houston are nothing alike except for the weather. And were're hotter.

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Why not go back to Miami if that's what you like? Life is too short, live where it makes you happy.

Exactly right; why move here, or anywhere else for that matter trying to replicate Miami when you can just as easily move back to the original.

If I was looking to find someplace like LA to live I would simply move to LA; Better that than trying/hoping to find a duplicate somewhere else that more than likely will not be the same as the original.

[himain]

Because that is not an option for me. I left Miami for reasons which Im not discussing here. I'm trying to go forwards not backwards..

[EasilyAmused]

I would give San Diego a whirl.