Possible Relocation: Tell me 5 Positive and 5 Negative Things About Houston, TX (Dallas: apartment, crime)

[ApostolicFlightAttendant]

I am doing some candid research to see what city I want to move to next. So far, I've come up with Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto and Houston.

I currently live in Atlanta and am born and raised in New York City.

I've lived in Dallas, Texas before and really did not like it. I always thought life could or would have been better in Houston. I've been to Houston for work purposes numerous times (was a flight attendant for Continental) but had no reason at that moment to live in Houston.

Now, I'd like to know generaly speaking:
1. What are the most affordable crime free parts of Houston (granted I know there is crime everywhere)
2. Can someone list for me 5 positive things they love about Houston.
3. Then can you list 5 negative things you hate about Houston.
4. Finally, what areas of town is a MUST to STAY AWAY FROM (so I dont waste my time when looking for an apartment which would be a 1 bedroom).

Any help would be greatly appreciative. Thanks again.

[Felixmp]

Positive things.

1. Cost of living is better than most US cities. You can get a nice house for $200k.
2. Lots to see and do. Museums, art, sports
3. Winter is mild - no 6 months of cold like northern climates.
4. Near water - several lakes within driving distance and of course there's the gulf
5. less impacted by housing/economy than other states. house prices have remained relatively stable vs. california and other places.

Negatives
1. Traffic can be bad depending upon where you live and how far your commute is
2. Summer is hot, humid, and last longer than the northern climate
3. Houston Texans
4. near gulf coast and potential impact of hurricanes - ie, Ike.
5. too big - takes an hour to get from one side of town to another - not good if you prefer the small town feel.

[rigas]

Originally Posted by mpgerma

Positive things.

1. Cost of living is better than most US cities. You can get a nice house for $200k.
2. Lots to see and do. Museums, art, sports
3. Winter is mild - no 6 months of cold like northern climates.
4. Near water - several lakes within driving distance and of course there's the gulf
5. less impacted by housing/economy than other states. house prices have remained relatively stable vs. california and other places.

Negatives
1. Traffic can be bad depending upon where you live and how far your commute is
2. Summer is hot, humid, and last longer than the northern climate
3. Houston Texans
4. near gulf coast and potential impact of hurricanes - ie, Ike.
5. too big - takes an hour to get from one side of town to another - not good if you prefer the small town feel.

pretty much sums up what i would have said. except i would have to add HOUSTON ROCKETS, and HOUSTON LASTROS to the negatives list., maybe to flat, no trees unless you get out of town.

Moderator cut: off topic

[bfizzy]

Originally Posted by rigas

no trees unless you get out of town.

No trees? Are you kidding?

[houston-nomad]

Originally Posted by bfizzy

No trees? Are you kidding?

That is completely wrong. Most of Houston consists of tree-lined, suburban-looking streets. The weather here allows things to stay green all year, and to grow quickly, so we have tons of trees. There are lovely, tree-filled, affordable neighborhoods all over Houston.

[vicket]

Are you thinking you want the city and not the suburbs? Where will you be working? Traffic makes a BIG difference how happy you will be here.

Houston over NYC:
not as crowded
friendlier people
palm trees/tropical climate
no winter/many fewer gray days
slower pace of life

Houston over Dallas:
friendlier people
closer to beaches
more restaurants (quality and variety)

Houston minuses:
4 months of heat and humidity (Dallas is just as bad)
hurricanes (the storms usually shake up Dallas, too)
unattractive topography (although worse in Dallas, I think)
traffic (worse in NYC)
city doesn't have "snob appeal" if that is important to you

Texas plus that is also a minus:
VERY patriotic (toward their country and state)
This is a good thing, but some folks take it too far and then it is just 'in-your-face' egotism.

[EasilyAmused]

Positives
1. great People
2. Great Food and Culture in the City
3. Ability to own a wonderful home close in (1-12 miles from downtown) for less than other major cities.
4.Small towns within the big city. It's a strange phenomenon.
5. Cost of living

Negatives
1.June, July and part of August
2.Skeeters
3.It takes 90 minutes to get past all the burbs and out of this place
4.Far from the mountains and real, blue water beaches
5. Sprawl

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by rigas

pretty much sums up what i would have said. except i would have to add HOUSTON ROCKETS, and HOUSTON LASTROS to the negatives list., maybe to flat, no trees unless you get out of town.

on the plus side, there are plenty of chicas lol

You haven't spent much time on the west side of town have you? We have more trees, big ones too, per house than most MPCs..by far.

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

If you didnt like Dallas, I highly doubt you will love Houston. You might like Houston more than Dallas, but the difference between the two arent that great that you will fall in love with Houston if you didnt like Dallas. The only people who love one city and hate the other are typically from one or the other and thats because they are trying to save face.

[ApostolicFlightAttendant]

Skeeters? What's that or those??

I work from home as a remote agent so commute is not a problem.

Ok, so share with me the neighborhoods and or sides of town to stay away from. Thanks for answering these questions.