I'm planning on moving to houston tx. But I hear bad things about it like racism they say its 10 times worse

Question

than it is in california I just want to if its a nice to place to live and raise a family.

Answer 1

Or it could just be that AJ_lets go shopping is racist against old white ladies.

Racism is not terribly bad here. Houston is "majority minority" with Whites making up 49% white (and that includes some who term themselves "hispanic"), 25% black, 6% asian. Regardless of race, nearly 40% are hispanic.

Houston is a fairly laid back city where people come to work. Compared to Los Angeles, for example, Houston is Utopia. People from nearly every country on Earth live here, and nearly 100 different languages are spoken. Some people (like AJ above) just don't like it here. We're not trendy enough, or the job she wants isn't here, or whatever.

Remember that this is the city that opened its arms and accepted a quarter MILLION Katrina refugees from the New Orleans area. Nearly half of them are still here.

So, who are you going to believe? Someone with a chip on her shoulder who likes spamming Houstonians, or someone presenting facts to you? Your call.

By the way, welcome to Houston. We may not be the prettiest city, but we're one of the best no matter what some people whine.

Answer 2

First tip... don't tell everyone you're from New Jersey. I mean, if they ask that's fine, but don't do the, "Hey yo, I'm Vinnie from Jersey" while grabbing your crotch thing that "Guido's" do. Second tip... don't tell locals that New Jersey is better. Third tip... ask locals about Houston and Texas. They'd be glad to give you all kinds of information and lore about this state. Texans are a very proud people, even the adopted ones. Fourth tip... unless you wear one all the time, don't go out and buy a Stetson. Unless you hang out at Midnight Rodeo on the weekends, they aren't necessary. I was in NJ over Easter weekend. I was amazed at the amount of graffiti everywhere. Is there some unwritten, "If it doesn't move, paint it" rule? Crime is, for the most part, lower here. However, we still have about 100,000 Katrina "victims" and they just won't leave... and most of them don't want to find jobs either. There are a few areas you don't want to move to, but otherwise you'll be fine. Gangs aren't as bad as people say. Yes, it is hot here. We know it. We'll even tell you, "Man, it's a warm one." Houston is very humid, too. Our winters last about three weeks, so you probably won't need about 75% of your winter wardrobe. Have a car. Keep it in good shape. You'll need it. This is a big city and it was designed for cars. Some (like AJ_lets_go_shopping) whine about this. Just a fact of life that won't change. Oh, speaking of cars, do NOT use full-service gas pumps. Most are self-serve. Full serve costs about 50 cents more a gallon to do what stations up north do. Why? Because they can get away with it. Good housing is cheap, compared to NJ. $200K will buy you a shack in Garwood on a postage stamp sized property. Here it will buy you a five bedroom home on a quarter acre. Texas is a right-to-work state, and unions are not very popular unless you are a firefighter or a cop. Don't try to organize one here. If you have any more questions, just ask.

Answer 3

Racism in Houston? Please....that is far from the truth!
I spent part of my life in Houston and it is richly diverse. I don't think people are overly friendly because its so large and you never know who's crazy. Some might take that as being racist but trust me Houston is the least place where you have to worry about the color of your skin. So many cultures and nationalities are represented there, just like any other large city such as L.A., NYC, Chicago.
I currently live in Austin, TX I came here 3 yrs ago for college and I plan to relocate back to Houston because I missed the culture, events and attractions. Austin is a beautiful city but behind the times by 30 years. There are a lot of underline race issues. The Austin Police Department has been in a lot of trouble regarding Hispanics and Afric. Americans. That is a fact you can check the records. So the only city in Texas I don't recommend because of racism is Austin, TX
Not Houston.

Answer 4

There are over 200 dialects spoken in the greater Houston area- a modern day Babel. There is going to be friction with that many cultures in one city.

Don't expect to get a helping hand if your car breaks down and you are on a side of town with a majority of a race that you are not apart of. People are very unneighborly in a racial way in Houston. However, I would not know about violence and racism since I have never witnessed anything.

You also might want to consider there are a multitude of gangs which reach into the suburbs.

The north and northwest suburbs (Tomball, Willowbrook, Cypress, and Spring) are pretty good areas with less of a hateful attitude.

Answer 5

Ignore AJ.... that poor girl has issues about damn near everything. Over 105 languages are spoken in Houston; this is one very diverse city !! I'm a native Houstonian and don't see any more racism than other big cities. Like Calif, there are many outcries about the illegal immigrants here. And just like Calif. there are problems with gangs. But they prey on one another.
Like all big cities, it has its perks and its downsides. You'll need a good realtor to steer you to the neighborhoods that are best for raising a family. I live in a neighborhood very near downtown where there are mostly townhomes and young professionals who work in the downtown area or the nearby medical center.

Answer 6

If you are looking for racism you will find it. You can find racism anywhere in any city. There will always be racism, so get accustomed to it. As a native Houstonian, I can say that I never saw anything I would construe as racist and I have had friends of all types black/white/brown/gay/lesbian. Never a problem.

My parent's house was always open for me to bring home any and all friends, blacks, brown, gays, lesbians, poor, wealthy. You name it.

Find a neighborhood where you feel safe, if its going to be a problem for you. If you heard bad things about Houston, you may want to consider another city.

Austin, Texas was rated as the best city in Texas to live. Drive down there and see how you like it. It's probably more ideal for you. It's a University town.

Houston is the ONLY city that NEVER had a RACE RIOT!

Answer 7

I'd say it is. It all depends on where in Houston you're looking to move though. My Uncle & Aunt live in South Houston near Pearland & it's a really nice area. They raised 5 children just fine there too.

Answer 8

I've lived in Texas for nearly 56 years, and in the Houston area for 28 of those. Houston is multicultural, not "racist."

Answer 9

yeah it is a nice place to live in and before you move to houston go and check it out and I found a web site that has some reall cheap tickets www.newcenturyworldtravel.com

Answer 10

Move To North Carolina Or Va, California Has Lots Of Gangs And Crime
Houston Yeah I Heard That Too