What are the pros and cons of living in Houston, TX?

Question

I live in my native Kentucky and don't enjoy it. People are closed-minded and cliquish. I don't like Keeneland, the Ky. Derby, U. of Ky. athletics, the horse industry, hot browns, Ky. accents, and country music crap (it's okay to not know what they are.) So, I have literally been told and made to feel like I'm not accepted for most of my life.

TEXAS, on the other hand, is great! I have a "Misplaced Texan" bumper sticker on my car, which has incurred hook 'em horns signs from passers-by. I love Lyle Lovett, the Astros, Texas' geographical diversity, corn nuggets, U. of Tx. Longhorns, even Marvin Zindler...oh, and all those pretty women. I get along so well w/ most Texans I meet, especially Houstonians.

Houston is booming, period. Kentucky is still just meeting status quo; it is in the bottom 20% in job growth, employment, income, and education. I want to be an urban planner. I know how to party in a sophisticated manner, yet just be friendly and laid-back.

Is Houston my match?

Answer 1

I think Jeanne B must be huffing spraypaint. Sidewalks have to be three feet wide at a minimum, not 18". That's a state law. She must not get outside her neighborhood much, either.

Dude, it is a BUYER'S market right now. If you have enough for a downpayment, buy. Of course, you'll need a job first.

The cons of living in Houston. I'll go through them first: It is hot here, and it is humid. We have summer days that will make you melt. Fortunately we have air conditioning everywhere. Unless you're a golfer or cyclist, you won't have to experience the heat unless you're going between your car and a building.

Traffic can be bad, but so is every major city. What we have are some bad drivers. They aren't the worst, but they are poorly trained. The left lane is for passing and slower traffic must keep right, but you always get the bunghole who plants himself in the left lane at a certain speed and thinks he's going fast enough for everyone (nearly always in a Prius). You also get the jerk with his/her cruise control on who desides to pass the guy in front of him as you're approaching from behind, so he pulls out in front of you, and passes in a leisurely fashion not noticing you hit the brakes. It is easy to get a license here. Oh, and there is the ever-present pickup pulling a trailer full of lawnmowers. They refuse to leave the left lane because they hate the more successful types trying to pass. Oh, the pickup is full of illegals. Once you get past that you're fine. While a Texan will give you the shirt off his back, cut him off in traffic and he'll ride your bumper all the way to your exit... flashing his lights and honking.

Yes, we have no zoning here, but you really don't see new upscale development next to old ratty crackerboxes. We don't have trash strewn everywhere.

Oh, forget the University of Texas. Texas A&M University is the school to watch. We may not have the best coached football team, but it is a school of many proud traditions with friendly people.

The pros of living in Houston. First of all, there are people from everywhere here. Every nation on Earth is represented here, and their emigrants have probably opened a restaurant. Speaking of that, DINING. While we do have plenty of the chains here, most restaurants are family owned and have a great variety. My wife and I had dinner at this great Ethiopian place last Friday where you eat from a communal platter using native bread as your dinnerware.

Housing is cheap here, renting or owning. Compared to the rest of the country, Houston is the cheapest major city (followed closely by Fort Worth). Check out this website: http://www.har.com and look for a home in an area you'll like.

I mentioned people from all over? For the most part, they're friendly too.

I could go on and on, but I need to hit the showers. Welcome to Houston!

Answer 2

There is always a festival of some sort. People here are friendly and polite. If you have an interest in city planning, though, you will be very disappointed with Houston. Residential neighborhoods make their own CC&Rs, the rules only apply as far as the neighborhood goes. There are many ratty-looking patches of weeds and trees between upper-end housing development, commercial and industrial businesses are not clustered together, except accidentally. Houston has not used proper planning in any way. The hideously ugly stands right next to the beautiful, trash is found all over the place, people park their cars on the lawn, sidewalks are only 18" wide.
You ought to come take a look before you make up your mind.

The humidity is brutal here in summer.

I'm sure you've heard about the mortgage crisis. It's hit here, too. You may have a hard time getting a loan, but you will have a lot more room to negotiate will sellers now.

Answer 3

Cons Houston Texas

Answer 4

C'mon, you'll love it. Like any where else, you'll have to compete for your job and may not immediately find what you want.
I'm a native Houstonian but one side of the family tree is from around Nashville, TN. Compared to that area, Houston is great if you like the urban lifestyle. Houston is great if you love the suburban lifestyle. Outside of Houston, yet nearby, you can find rural lifestyles.
In Houston, you will find art museums, performing arts, world class shopping and dining, colleges, cutting edge health care, and most importantly, diversity.
Be prepared for day long rush hours on the freeways and lackluster drivers. Be prepared for some crime. Be prepared for maximium urban sprawl. Be prepared for the humidity and the heat. Did I mention the mosquitos?
No matter what type of an individual you are, you can meet similiar types of people here. Houstonians are very friendly and quick to join in conversation. Unless you are real jerk, you'll make friends quickly here.
Geographically, Houston is as flat as a pancake. But beaches are nearby. A short two or three hour drive puts you in the Texas hill country which is pretty. Austin has the U of Texas and is a center of diversity and good music.
Come visit if you can before you put all your eggs into one basket.

Side note: Marvin Zindler passed away earlier this year. Always the showman, he broadcast from his hospital, complete with his wigs.

Answer 5

Pros

Lots of attractions/restaurants

Nice malls

Many many restaurants

Cons

Traffic

Heat

Crime

Crowds

Answer 6

Pros it's the most spacious city in the USA. The largest city in the USA as far as area. Cons you have to drive along way to get places sometimes. From Sugarland SW suburb to Humble NW suburb is 40 plus miles. I live here and I love it. So I can't tell you many cons of living in this city. I have one more pro and con. PRO We have eater's every where with great food. Greek, Mexican, Soul, Caribian, German, Italian, Creole, Cajun and TexMex. Con we always finish top 5 in fattest cities in the USA.

Answer 7

I live in LA and I grew up in Houston. I would say they are very very similar in terms of urban sprawl,traffic, crime etc. Lots of pretty natural things to see outside of the city. The one thing I love about houston is that it is super cheap for entertainment and living. You will have a lot of fun as soon as you meet people that are in the know about where to go. If people think Houston is boring, its just because theyre not in the know.

Answer 8

houston is a great place to live, i have been here since the day i was born 49 years ago, there is plenty to see and plenty to do. to me the pros outweigh the cons. the only and biggest problem i have had is that there arent too many native houstonians around here anymore, there are too many as i call red river wetbacks meaning they come from up north and brought there styles and customs with them, yes they have helped us grow and have a great economy which is a pro so as i have always said houston is great and in reality i wouldnt change it for the world except we need better sports teams that can win more

Answer 9

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Answer 10

No pro. Con is that it's boring here, and it's a bad knock-off of fun places like NYC. It's basically a wannabe.