Most Boring Cities In Texas (Houston, Dallas: college, live, restaurants)

[War Beagle]

Originally Posted by peterlemonjello

These places are supposed to be boring. Their selling points are their safeness, quietness, and predictability.

Precisely. That is exactly what I thought when I read the list.

To be fair, the article was definitely tongue-in-cheek.

[Cacao]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

Would you really compare the amenities available in Rosenberg to Houston? There is a criteria listed in the article.

Just because some ppl can have fun in a place like that it doesn't mean its universally known as a vibrant place. Some small towns objectively suck. Some cities do to. The point is I find it hypocritical that cities can be scrutinized so much (again not you per se but in general on Texas forums) but small towns and burbs are seen as sacred cows not to be demeaned.

Why does any place need to be demeaned? That's my point.

[Westerntraveler]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

That's great for you but even underneath that different strokes for different folks talk I've always sensed a bit of pride in loving the small sized towns or burbs. A lot people, not all, in Texas seems to really let you know about how proud they are are of rejecting the city. There's almost like a pride about being humble and simple if that makes any sense.

I'm not saying its a bad thing just that it's there and it seems like if you point it out its like I said before, like talking a wiz on the carpet. As though you're arrogant for even suggesting that small towns or burbs are anything but ideal places where simple people live unlike the "urban" lifestyle.

I was not trying to be arrogant....I was just saying I don't like urban cores.

[radiolibre99]

Originally Posted by Westerntraveler

I was not trying to be arrogant....I was just saying I don't like urban cores.

The thing is if you were to say that you don't like urban cores then it's understandable in Texas. If you say you find some small towns boring, it's as though you're an elitist snob who just insulted the heartland.

[AlfredB1979]

Originally Posted by Cacao

I cannot stand these negative lists!

I'm fine with it. La Porte is #7. I didn't move back this way (actually really near the theater pictured) to have a rowdy nightlife nearby.

This:



Is actually a lot livelier now. I am not going out to get a pic, though. I am enjoying my peace and quiet, naturally.

If I wanted to be near the Galleria, I'd have moved there.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by radiolibre99

That's great for you but even underneath that different strokes for different folks talk I've always sensed a bit of pride in loving the small sized towns or burbs.

You mean sort of like the condescending attitude that some (not all) "urban dwellers" have toward small towns?

A lot people, not all, in Texas seems to really let you know about how proud they are are of rejecting the city.

A lot of people, not all, in Texas seem to really let you know how proud they are of rejecting "small town life and values."

There's almost like a pride about being humble and simple if that makes any sense.

You mean sort of like that pride that some people have about supposedly being more hip, sophisticated, etc because they prefer to live in big cities instead of small towns?

I'm not saying its a bad thing just that it's there and it seems like if you point it out its like I said before, like talking a wiz on the carpet. As though you're arrogant for even suggesting that small towns or burbs are anything but ideal places where simple people live unlike the "urban" lifestyle.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I feel the same way every time I hear someone talking about how small minded and ignorant and boring people are who prefer suburbs and smaller towns to huge sprawling metro areas.

[KathrynAragon]

My husband and I literally could live just about anyplace in the WORLD we want to live, as long as it's near an international airport. We could have chosen DFW or Austin or Houston or any other number of big cities - LA, NYC, you name it. We don't WANT to live in a big city. It's our choice. Usually as people get older, partying and a big nightclub scene and that sort of thing is simply not that appealing. Been there, done that.

Funny and unfortunately true story:

My son was in the Army. Airborne, infantry, 20 months in Iraq with a combat unit, stationed overseas most of his 9 years in. Jumping out of airplanes, blowing things up, vacationing in all sorts of exotic places, and partying every weekend. When he got out, he had to decide where to settle down.

He came home on leave, to our midsize town in east Texas, where he'd grown up. He settled into our luxurious guest room with it's 600 thread count sheets and private bathroom and wing of the house. He hung out with us for a couple of days and rested from his flight from overseas, while we worked in the yard, BBQ'd in the evening, sat out on the patio drinking a few cold ones while we watched the dogs playing in the backyard, tried out an interesting recipe together, went out to eat sushi one night, etc. After a couple of days, my son said, "Mom. I can't do this. IS THIS ALL YOU GUYS DO? Honestly, aren't you bored to death?" Then he looked around our beautiful living room and said, "How did you get all this stuff? You spend at least an hour a day just CLEANING IT AND PULLING WEEDS IN THE YARD!" He was horrified. I said, "Well, we did go see Lynard Skynard and ZZ Top a couple of weeks ago. We've gone on vacation in Europe twice in the past couple of years. We went ziplining in the Smoky Mountains last fall. We are going to Asheville and Biltmore Estates in a few weeks. We have gone to several Cowboys games and sat in a luxury box. I love my yoga classes. I think we have a pretty good life." My son was looking at me with a genuine look of HORROR in his eyes. A few days later he told me, "I'm moving to Guam." Yep - Guam. "Mom, it's an ISLAND PARADISE! I can go snorkeling and diving and cave exploring and hiking any time I want! It's 80 degrees all year round! Hasta la vista, baby! Enjoy your very predictable and boring life!"

So - he's enjoying his life (but dealing with some challenges he never expected - like paying for dental care, an extremely high cost of living, high rent for a crap apartment, and island fever - not to mention that no one in the family wants to go visit him since the tickets are $2400 and the flight involves three layovers for a total of about 24 hours travel time!). And we are enjoying ours.

None of us are bored. And none of us wants to trade places with the other. In fact, we're horrified at the very idea.

[joqua]

Well, I'm not living in Texas. But I moved to this small town 17 years ago, after living in Austin for 12 years. I chose this tourist town for my retirement years knowing it is a tourist-driven economy (and 75 percent second homes). With all of the activities designed to keep the tourists coming back, there is no reason for someone to be bored for long. Outdoor activities are big here, year around, as long as one doesn't require access to boating or large bodies of water. There is even a world-class theater rated as 7th best in the world by at least one source. Race track, three casino sites, numerous golf courses, etc.

And I rarely ever avail myself of the amenities available to me, preferring to avoid crowds and do my own thing. If I get bored, I have plenty of projects to indulge my need to "be doing something." And the great outdoors and great weather afford me all the opportunity I need for keeping the "cabin fever" at bay.

[ozarksboy]

I read the article, but I must have missed a listing of the income per capita in those cities. Maybe that has something to do with whether places are "boring."

[ozarksboy]

Originally Posted by KathrynAragon

He settled into our luxurious guest room with it's 600 thread count sheets and private bathroom and wing of the house. He hung out with us for a couple of days and rested from his flight from overseas, while we worked in the yard, BBQ'd in the evening, sat out on the patio drinking a few cold ones while we watched the dogs playing in the backyard, tried out an interesting recipe together, went out to eat sushi one night, etc. ... we did go see Lynard Skynard and ZZ Top a couple of weeks ago. We've gone on vacation in Europe twice in the past couple of years. We went ziplining in the Smoky Mountains last fall. We are going to Asheville and Biltmore Estates in a few weeks. We have gone to several Cowboys games and sat in a luxury box. I love my yoga classes. I think we have a pretty good life." ... None of us are bored. And none of us wants to trade places with the other. In fact, we're horrified at the very idea.

Kathryn, would you say you are a typical Texan? Do the people in the towns on the boring list live as you do, just in communities that don't have theaters and nightlife?