People Say Houston's ugly but not cities like Chicago, NYC, etc? (Dallas: price, to move)

[Othello Is Here]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

I'd say much of Paris isn't pretty. If you walk through Paris, much of the time you are essentially in a man made canyon between unbroken rows of five story apartment buildings. You need to be on bigger roads like the Champs Elysees, by the river, at a park or in the arts section up above the rest of Paris to avoid those canyons.

The majority of Paris isn't alluring to the eye, but those aren't the spots you see on tv or in the tourist brochures.

Paris has lots of visually stunning areas, but they make up a small part of the city.

So
where
are
the
visually
stunning
parts
of
Houston/

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

Yes because ten years ago houston didn't give two diddlies about aesthetics but now has made a significant effort to improve its public spaces and increase development. So far I think it looks nice, 'not beautiful but Houston looks like a nice, new city and it cannot be compared to Chicago which has had decades upon decades to expand and develop. And also these comparisons are spurious as the criteria is so subjective and biased in favor of what most urbanists hold dear. Houston's improvements don't be good enough because it's development still has a very practical nature to it. It's still mixed used development, strip malls and all the stuff urbanists despise. I just happen to think it looks nice.

With Houston's topographic and geographic limitations, it is at an immediate disadvantage. Tie that together with when it boomed and at the speed of that boom, and it creates quite the obstacle to overcome.

As you point out, it is slowly getting better, and I believe this trend will continue.

We may never be a pretty city, but the ugly areas are getting better and the pretty areas are also getting better.

Houston is not an ugly city. It is a city whose ugly parts aren't as hidden as other cities.

Additionally, reputation tends to skew perception.

The good thing is my surroundings are pretty, which is my main concern.

[Othello Is Here]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

With Houston's topographic and geographic limitations, it is at an immediate disadvantage. Tie that together with when it boomed and at the speed of that boom, and it creates quite the obstacle to overcome.

As you point out, it is slowly getting better, and I believe this trend will continue.

We may never be a pretty city, but the ugly areas are getting better and the pretty areas are also getting better.

Houston is not an ugly city. It is a city whose ugly parts aren't as hidden as other cities.

Additionally, reputation tends to skew perception.

The good thing is my surroundings are pretty, which is my main concern.

So why is Dallas more attractive?Its relatively flat also.
Tampa-Ditto

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by Othello Is Here

So why is Dallas more attractive?Its relatively flat also.
Tampa-Ditto

I've been to Dallas many times and don't find it much more aesthetically pleasing then Houston.

I've never been to Tampa, but isn't it located on the water?

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by Othello Is Here

So
where
are
the
visually
stunning
parts
of
Houston/

Visually stunning? Ok no one has used those words. So clearly you have a bias and no pics of the nice areas of town will prolly convince you since Houston's development still follows a practical, mixed use, and all the other things that urbanists dislike.

People are trying to be reasonable in here but there is this perception that skews any positive image of Houston's improvements

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by Othello Is Here

So
where
are
the
visually
stunning
parts
of
Houston/

One immediate example is if you go to Stoneclaws post 408 and look at his first picture.

That is visually stunning.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

With Houston's topographic and geographic limitations, it is at an immediate disadvantage. Tie that together with when it boomed and at the speed of that boom, and it creates quite the obstacle to overcome.

As you point out, it is slowly getting better, and I believe this trend will continue.

We may never be a pretty city, but the ugly areas are getting better and the pretty areas are also getting better.

Houston is not an ugly city. It is a city whose ugly parts aren't as hidden as other cities.

Additionally, reputation tends to skew perception.

The good thing is my surroundings are pretty, which is my main concern.

Nail on the head. Couldn't have said it better. We are trying to be reasonable with people but where does this insistence to paint Houston as something ugly come from?

[Othello Is Here]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

I've been to Dallas many times and don't find it much more aesthetically pleasing then Houston.

I've never been to Tampa, but isn't it located on the water?

Yes Tampa is on water but its an appealing city and its not that urban.
Dallas has spent more money on making the city more appealing.

[Othello Is Here]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

Nail on the head. Couldn't have said it better. We are trying to be reasonable with people but where does this insistence to paint Houston as something ugly come from?

I get what you are saying and I agree.Houston is not an ugly city.
I guess what people are getting at is that in comparison to other cities and for its size and status,its very underwhelming. Sure thats changing but we are in the here and now.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by Othello Is Here

I get what you are saying and I agree.Houston is not an ugly city.
I guess what people are getting at is that in comparison to other cities and for its size and status,its very underwhelming. Sure thats changing but we are in the here and now.

What's underwhelming about it currently? It's improving it's spaces while remaining practical. It's not going to sacrifice overall practicality for aesthetics.