[sevfiv]

[Subdude]

Funny, I was just about to post the same story.

I think everyone here would agree that Houston is underrated.

Btw, the others were Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Kansas City, and Louisville.

[BryanS]

[lockmat]

How much of our bad image do yall think is attributed to the ugly ride from IAH to downtown up 45?

[KimberlySayWhat]

Is anyone else kind of starting not to care anymore?

[lockmat]

KimberlySayWhat, on Saturday, February 16th, 2008 @ 11:53am, said:

Is anyone else kind of starting not to care anymore?

Yeah, I pretty much don't.

[KinkaidAlum]

I've been to Kansas City and Louisville. Both are quite nice. Louisville is a lot like Cincinnati in that you can feel like you are in the Deep South, Upper Midwest, or even the Northeast from block to block. Lots of history and some charming historic neighborhoods too. Kansas City has the most amazing collection of public art and fountains. We all love the Mecom Fountain, but KC has 100s of fountains just like that one all over town. It's a nice touch and leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

[sevfiv]

Another article (with the usual landmarks) out of Frederick, Maryland from a former Houston resident:
"8 Reasons to Love Houston"

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/...m?StoryID=72748

[lockmat]

Not a bad little article. I just hope it doesn't come off as being pompous with references to things not being as good as Maryland.

[MidtownCoog]

Chapultepec

The only place where the queso needs a shave.

What's funny is I have actually had Mexican food in Frederick.

[houstonmacbro]

Subdude, on Saturday, February 16th, 2008 @ 11:46am, said:

Funny, I was just about to post the same story.

I think everyone here would agree that Houston is underrated.

Btw, the others were Baltimore, Fort Lauderdale, Kansas City, and Louisville.

I lived in Baltimore for a number of years. Great town. But it is not without major problems.

[Mark F. Barnes]

I am just curious why anyone gives a damn what some rag writer thinks. You don't see people flocking in droves to live anywhere else. I am happy here, and there are millions of folks that have the same opinion. These idiots that have such insecurity that feel left out or insignificant if they don't make some "who's who list", I tell you the list this subject makes with me, the "I don't give a damn" list. Who gives a crap what any second rate want to be writer thinks about anything. And generally I don't care what anyone thinks of this area. Love it or leave it is my motto. I don't care or have the desire to impress anyone else, and do not seek or desire to live up to whatever "standards" they seem to think it takes to be something special.

Sure move to LA and pay $750K-$1MM, for the same home you can get here for $250K-$350K. Oh yeah you get the great view once the smog lifts enough to see the horizon. Or then you could always move to NYC and live in a building for $2500 month in rent, not have own a car, and be land locked for life, oh yeah but you do get the great food and friendly people every where you look right? Or if that's not up to your "standards" you could always go due north to a newer city, (since they burned to the ground once already) and live in the gale force winds and lovely 5 months of lovely winters with wind chill factors in the negatives throughout the duration. You betcha, I'm all in, just the place i want to be.

People live down here because most of us were born here, we like it here, people locate here from all over usually because of the things I listed above. What's not to like here. Mild winters are a plus, sure the summers are hot, but that's why we have ways to cool off. And maybe it's just me, but the summers are just not that bad, there are a lot worse places in the world believe me. Houston is one of the more diverse cities in the US. Cultural diversity across the board, whether you are a into the country scene, or you want big city lights, it's all right here. You can be gay, straight, or confused, it makes no difference, it's okay here, we don't care, just be happy. No matter your religious belief or lack there of, there is a way to fill that need here. And don't tell me you can't find a place to eat, no matter what your taste is, it's here in spades. You can't get a better cross section anywhere else in the world.

And you know what we still have here that you won't find in those other cities? People here still look out for one another, people here still wave and say hello. People here still take the time to try and help their neighbor, or in some instances, a total stranger. When tragedy hits someone here, you find out you have more friends than you originally thought, and usually gain a few more. People here generally want to do the right thing, and want to help their fellow man. Sure we have our bad folks, what place doesn't, but the general consensus is that we are friendly people and still give a damn about each other. So if some rag butcher wants to call us second rate, well screw him. Most people that make those calls, have never spent any real time here, because people that have, don't want to leave, and you know what, we're glad to have those people, and welcome them "Home". Because just just like the cornball slogan goes, "There's no Place like Texas, welcome Home".

This post has been edited by Mark F. Barnes: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 10:19 AM

[CDeb]

Oh hell yeah!

[Heights2Bastrop]

[crunchtastic]

Heights2Bastrop, on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 @ 6:51pm, said:

What makes Fredericksburg such a tourist Mecca? In my opinion it's little more that a town full of tourista priced stores filled with nice, expensive Texana Crapulence.

I love that. Texana Crapulence. It's my new favorite. My best friend recently moved from Wimberly back into south Austin. They couldn't stand the crapulence anymore and the commute wasn't worth the weekend hordes of lawyers on Harleys and their wives buying kuntry kraft stuff.

[jfre81]

Of course, for anyone who's confused, they're talking about Fredricksburg, Texas rather than Fredricksburg, Maryland where that travel piece was published (rather interesting).

It doesn't bother me one bit that Houston is not particularly thought of as "cool" or whatever. For those who care, the city will get recognized for what it is, in time. Then people will come and ruin it.

So enjoy....

[mojeaux131]

Nice post, Mr. Barnes. Not only should we not care, but most of the time they get it wrong, anyway. I used to get steamed reading negativity about Houston and Texas, but honestly, who cares? More for us.

[lockmat]

Look it momma, Chicago likes me...kind of.

http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/travel/...ton0326.article
http://www.suntimes.com/lifestyles/travel/...ide0326.article

mojeaux131, on Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 @ 2:23am, said:

Nice post, Mr. Barnes. Not only should we not care, but most of the time they get it wrong, anyway. I used to get steamed reading negativity about Houston and Texas, but honestly, who cares? More for us.

I can understand that point of view. But really, I don't usually find myself defending Houston. I'm usually initiating the conversation telling people how much I love it. I think there's a difference.

[houstonmacbro]

Does a city really need defending?

[Mark F. Barnes]

Only from the immigration of those darn Yankees!

This post has been edited by Mark F. Barnes: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 9:29 AM

[houstonmacbro]

Mark F. Barnes, on Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 @ 9:29am, said:

Only from the immigration of those darn Yankees!

Hey! I was a Yankee (born here though).

[jfre81]

houstonmacbro, on Wednesday, March 26th, 2008 @ 9:26am, said:

Does a city really need defending?

Well, Rome needed defending from barbarians at the gate...

I don't think we have any barbarians, or any gate. They're talking about a fence at the border though.

[skwatra]

Mark F. Barnes, on Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 @ 9:12am, said:

move to NYC and live in a building for $2500 month in rent, not have own a car, and be land locked for life

since when can you be land locked on a island??

just kidding, i know what you mean. i love visiting nyc, but i would never live there.

[lockmat]

[sevfiv]

lockmat, on Thursday, March 27th, 2008 @ 2:38pm, said:

found this little blogger writing of their experience during fotofest.
link



Watch out Austin! haha

That's Jen Bekman - Lisa Gray just published an article about her online art gallery 20x200.

Really neat (and cheap) art (not quite a la Steve Keene, but similar principle). Just bought a small work that was featured a couple months ago...i feel a bad habit forming!

[sevfiv]

well, Kiplinger has rated Houston #1 - "The Comeback Kid"

http://www.kiplinger...ney/bestcities/

[ricco67]

sevfiv, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 9:45am, said:

well, Kiplinger has rated Houston #1 - "The Comeback Kid"

http://www.kiplinger...ney/bestcities/

The Video was interesting, but they neglected to put up the OPP under construction and seemed to have an affinity for DG.

[Mister X]

This is nice. Now if only the people of Houston and the rest of the world would cling to and spread the news about this ranking (which seems just as credible and valid as any other I've ever seen) as they do to the negitive one's.

This post has been edited by Mister X: Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 10:24 AM

[memebag]

Mister X, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 10:24am, said:

This is nice. Now if only the people of Houston and the rest of the world would cling to and spread the news about this ranking (which seems just as credible and valid as any other I've ever seen) as they do to the negitive one's.

How can Houston remain a top underrated city if everyone starts bragging about its underrated-ness?

[lockmat]

This is why Houston was number one...

Quote

Our approach this year to picking the ten best cities in which to live and work was simple: Look for places with strong economies and abundant jobs, then demand reasonable living costs and plenty of fun things to do.

Quote

"Our formula highlights cities not just with strong past performance, but also with all the ingredients for future success." One key to a bright future is a healthy shot of people in the creative class. People in creative fields -- scientists, engineers, architects, educators, writers, artists and entertainers -- are catalysts of vitality and livability in a city.

----------

me...

Based on your answers, the top city for you is
Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX

Other high-ranking cities:
2) Austin-Round Rock, TX
3) Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
4) Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX
5) San Antonio, TX

This post has been edited by lockmat: Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 11:38 AM

[Vertigo58]

This city will only have a reputation for a place to have a decent career, raise a family and the schools are good.

That's it.

As mentioned by many others here we've just too much "pride" to admit its not a destination point. Sounds like bashing but its reality, that simple. Go stand outside in a minute (heat/humidity) and thats the 1st negative. Would be interesting to have a poll done of people that have visited from other states and see what they experienced while here. Need I say more. Now swat that mosquito!

[lockmat]

Vertigo58, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 12:19pm, said:

This city will only have a reputation for a place to have a decent career, raise a family and the schools are good.

That's it.

As mentioned by many others here we've just too much "pride" to admit its not a destination point. Sounds like bashing but its reality, that simple. Go stand outside in a minute (heat/humidity) and thats the 1st negative. Would be interesting to have a poll done of people that have visited from other states and see what they experienced while here. Need I say more. Now swat that mosquito!

I think it feels great outside.

And thankfully, the mosquitoes have stayed away so far.

[CDeb]

Vertigo58, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 12:19pm, said:

This city will only have a reputation for a place to have a decent career, raise a family and the schools are good.

That's it.

As mentioned by many others here we've just too much "pride" to admit its not a destination point. Sounds like bashing but its reality, that simple. Go stand outside in a minute (heat/humidity) and thats the 1st negative. Would be interesting to have a poll done of people that have visited from other states and see what they experienced while here. Need I say more. Now swat that mosquito!

Go stand outside in Cleveland and Chicago in February and then you'll see why the heat in Houston ain' such a big deal.

[TAK]

The schools in Houston and it's suburbs are not good. They're mediocre or worse when compared to the rest of the nation.

But I like it here:)

[Vertigo58]

A city like Chicago is world famous. Has been for ages.

Think about this, even to this day when we see any kind list of report of weather in the US ie; The Weather Channel it will scroll down and show NYC, Miami, Chicago, St Louis as it pans across the US and never or rather seldom does it even mention dreary old Houston.

Dallas yes, even a cruddy place like Amarillo gets mentioned (now thats depressing) see where this is going. Like we are not even worthy of mention on The Weather Channel...Suffrin Succotash!

I wont even get into the way Hollywood avoids us, break out them 10 gallon hat's y'all!

ok, maybe a little harsh ...or I can erase all the above and pretend. Santo cielo!

[Ethanra]

Vertigo58, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 12:50pm, said:

A city like Chicago is world famous. Has been for ages.

Think about this, even to this day when we see any kind list of report of weather in the US ie; The Weather Channel it will scroll down and show NYC, Miami, Chicago, St Louis as it pans across the US and never or rather seldom does it even mention dreary old Houston.

Dallas yes, even a cruddy place like Amarillo gets mentioned (now thats depressing) see where this is going. Like we are not even worthy of mention on The Weather Channel...Suffrin Succotash!

I wont even get into the way Hollywood avoids us, break out them 10 gallon hat's y'all!

ok, maybe a little harsh ...or I can erase all the above and pretend. Santo cielo!

I see Houston on the weather channel all the time.

Yes Houston heat/humidity is bad but the weather is near perfect 8 months out of the year. More heat and similar humidity are in the other cities across the state and south. Cities like ST. Louis and others along the Mississippi river get humidity and mosquitoes. I enjoyed perfect weather while other place were stuck inside because of snow. Even Minn/St.Paul gets 95 degree weather with mosquitoes during the summer. All cities in the U.S. but southern California has some sort of bad weather a portion out of the year.

Some Houstonias think everything is greener on the other side and aren't happy unless they find something to be negative about the city..... Many times you sound like a chron.com blogger, very little about your above post is true.

[cnote]

lockmat, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 12:25pm, said:

I think it feels great outside.

And thankfully, the mosquitoes have stayed away so far.

I am also pleasently surprised so far by the complete lack of mosquitoes outside. I guess it has just been too dry???

I go oustide every night around six or seven pm, and it does feel great. I have a shaded back patio, and agree that going outside at noon in the sun is not comfortable, but in the shade it isn't bad.

Who cares if we aren't on the weather channel scroll? That is their problem more than anything else, with the amount of business people who travel to Houston, they are stupid for not including us. I think they show New Orleans or San Antonio, and dont show us I guess because of our proximity and relationship to those cities weather patterns. The weather channel is a joke anyway...

Edit: Typo

This post has been edited by cnote: Thursday, May 29, 2008 at 2:01 PM

[20thStDad]

I whine about being hot and muggy more than anyone, but it was a pretty pleasant April and May this year. Warm at times, but some good fronts that brought in low humidity. I'm not going to say we have great weather for 8 months...typically half of May through some of October really sucks. Sometimes all of October and part of November still don't regularly dip down into the 60s. I hate that. 70 degrees is a perfect high, but a crappy low temp.

I love being in Houston, and it has always been a major vacation destination for unadventurous or budget-limited Louisiana folks (where I'm from). Actually much less so now that Astroworld is gone. But as far as an international destination, not even close.

[Vertigo58]

20thStDad, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 2:13pm, said:

as far as an international destination, not even close.

Bingo.


and I really do not want to start comparing other cities but when you have time be sure to see all of the posts regarding the Have you been to Louisana topic. I think I was the only one being sympathetic. Yep most people pity that state and that could acount for most of the problems. Makes sense that a newcomer to Houston would see us as a paradise in comparison to LA.

[Mister X]

I don't think Houstonians should be bothered by what the weather channel does or what any channel does. Fox News Channel shows weather conditions and temperatures in Houston all the time. And although I despise Fox News and rarely listen to it more than 1 or 2 minutes, like it or not, is it a much more popular channel than the Weather Channel and reaches a lot more people.

Anyway, I've seen Houston weather info on the Weather Channel lots of times when I lived in California. TWC constantly list weather info about Houston and it's not just a local insert, it goes national.

It's CNN, CNN Headline News and MSNBC that does not seem to ever list Houston on it's scrolling weather info at the bottom of the screen. Sure they list places like Birmingham, Alabama, Brownsville, Texas and Boise, Idaho, but the fourth largest city, the sixth largest metro, the tenth largest t.v. market in America isn't good enough for them. I removed CNN and Headline News from my selected channels list a long time ago. I figured that any news network that is so out of touch with where the major population centers are, especially one as large and important as Houston, should not be trusted with any important news events going on the nation.

BTW, CNBC always list Houston on it's weather info. This must probably have something to do with Houston being such a popular business travel city.

This thread is turning into a living example of what I was talking about on my earlier post. Instead of talking about Houston being the #1 place to live according to Kiplinger, we are talking about our humidity and why we just don't measure up to other cities. Do you think people in other really humid cities like Miami, New Orleans, Dallas, and Atlanta (and YES these cities are all very humid and uncomfortable in the summer) would be discussing humidity, high crime, ect. after somebody listed their city as the #1 place to live in America. I don't think so. Well, maybe somebody might.

I blame our collective humble nature. If anyone ever says anything nice about us, we feel we must respond by pointing out one or more of our imperfections. I guess that's the kind of thing that makes the people of Houston (generally speaking) so nice, and makes Houston the #1 place to live according to some.

But stop it already. Many people all over America really like Houston. No joke. And CNN can stuff it.

[20thStDad]

Vertigo58, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 2:37pm, said:

...Makes sense that a newcomer to Houston would see us as a paradise in comparison to LA.

Slow down there, I don't know about paradise. I am here because there are no jobs worth a damn in LA for college grads, and since I've been here I've learned there are a lot of things that are great about the city. As for comparison to LA, I'll just bite my tongue and take solace that Houston and Baton Rouge (my hometown) could both stand to improve, and honestly they don't have any basis for comparison. Completely different environments, and I love them both.

Someone in another thread brought up the topography as holding Houston back - I totally agree. It is flat here (hill=overpass), and although we are a huge port, it is no Miami or San Fran when it comes to beach quality and waterfront attractions. Dallas is equally flat and boring, but I honestly don't hear anyone saying Dallas is all that much better except for Dallas homers. Same for Atlanta, I don't think it is much of an international destination either.

[feufoma]

TAK, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 12:46pm, said:

The schools in Houston and it's suburbs are not good. They're mediocre or worse when compared to the rest of the nation.

But I like it here:)

Yeah, but kids should go to private school anyway. So, the quality of public schools isn't a deciding factor for me.

[barracuda]

Kiplinger's has named Houston the #1 best city to live, work and play for 2008. I was shocked until I saw the rest of the list. Cost of living is obviously playing
a big part in this rating.

http://www.kiplinger...ney/bestcities/

No. 1: Houston
No. 2: Raleigh
No. 3: Omaha
No. 4: Boise
No. 5: Colorado Springs
No. 6: Austin
No. 7: Fayettville
No. 8: Sacramento
No. 9: Des Moines
No. 10: Provo

I wonder if it's a catch-22 though. If more people start moving here, won't that increase the cost of living and thereby make it less desirable to live here?

[TheNiche]

barracuda, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 5:59pm, said:

I wonder if it's a catch-22 though. If more people start moving here, won't that increase the cost of living and thereby make it less desirable to live here?

Not really. We've got plenty of land, few geographic or political barriers to growth, and--for the time being--a good freeway system with plenty of highway reconstruction and toll roads in the works by way of which to access all that cheap land.

Notice that there isn't a single other major metro area on the list. All are much smaller cities.

[Houston19514]

Vertigo58, on Thursday, May 29th, 2008 @ 12:19pm, said:

This city will only have a reputation for a place to have a decent career, raise a family and the schools are good.

That's it.

As mentioned by many others here we've just too much "pride" to admit its not a destination point. Sounds like bashing but its reality, that simple. Go stand outside in a minute (heat/humidity) and thats the 1st negative. Would be interesting to have a poll done of people that have visited from other states and see what they experienced while here. Need I say more. Now swat that mosquito!

Go stand in central Florida, endure almost exactly the same heat/humidity and swat a few mosquitoes while trying to explain the HUGE convention and tourist trade there...

[sevfiv]

Two topics blended together - earlier today I just put the Kiplingers story at the end of another Houston ranking-related thread...

[Htowngirl]

"Houston is the best city in the United States in which to live, work and play, according to Kiplinger's Personal Finance. "

"2008 BEST CITIES No. 1: Houston, Texas"

"Houston tops list of best cities" from Houston Business Journal

[Pumapayam]

Htowngirl, on Thursday, June 5th, 2008 @ 11:31am, said:

"Houston is the best city in the United States in which to live, work and play, according to Kiplinger's Personal Finance. "

"2008 BEST CITIES No. 1: Houston, Texas"

"Houston tops list of best cities" from Houston Business Journal

Gosh, when you put it like that, what rank were we last year, 100th?

[Pumapayam]

Update, what a stupid poll, last years best cities was a totally different format, broken up into many subgroups.

"The comeback kid." . .WTF, there was not even a matching list last year to back this up (watch someone find it, foot in mouth in 3-2-1. . .).

Some of these Top 10's, 25's, 100's etc. are just number games to get people to click on articles and add traffic to websites for instant gratification. I think that is why magazine covers always have the word "sex" and some "number related article" of something on the cover; like top 10 TV shows, movies, sex postions or time related stuff; like 30 minute meals, or 10 minutes abs. . .whatever.

I love Houston, and don't need some meaningless rank to prove we have a great city.

Plain dumb.

Htowngirl, nothing against you, just the stupid article.

On a side note, yay for being #1 on a meaningless ranks. . . now where is our crown for the fattest city. . . ?

This post has been edited by Pumapayam: Thursday, June 5, 2008 at 11:44 AM