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| Houston or Chicago??? - 11/30/2014
Hi Everyone,
I know there are plenty of threads out there about which city is better. I don't think any city is better over another. It's a matter of perspective and personal taste. I'm thinking about moving from Chicago to Houston but there are some topics I'd like to discuss with people living in Houston and specially from people who have lived in Chicago and moved to Houston. Below is a list of things that matter to me and perhaps you can guide me to make the correct decision. Here is the list.
1. Salary/cost of living: I know Houston is more affordable than Chicago. But how do salaries compare?
2. Weather: One of the main reasons I want to run away from Chicago, it's way too cold for me. I grew up in Laredo, TX which is WAY too hot. People also complain about Houston because is way too humid.
3. Nightlife/outdoors activities: Although I'm not a party animal, I like to go out and meet people. I also enjoy activities like running, playing soccer, rock climbing etc.
4. Culture: This is one good reason I love Chicago. People are very open, friendly, and kind. I can easily have a conversation with a cab driver, neighbor, co-worker etc.
5. Transporation/commuting time: Chicago has extremely convenient methods of transportation. I take a bus which takes me to work in less than 25 minutes. I know most people drive in Houston. What's the average commute time from work to home? I understand this varies but I would hate to drive an hour to get to work.
6. Crime: I live in one of the safest neighborhoods in Chicago. I'm assuming it varies by neighborhood in Houston. Can you elaborate on your experiences you had in the past regarding crime in the area?
Here are the things I like about Chicago:
Convenient transporation and fast commute to work
Great culture
Great restaurants and outdoor activities
Things I don't like:
Cost of living is a bit expensive compared to Texas
Weather. It's cold 8 months of the year
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated
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| ghetto swamp - 11/19/2014
It's no surprise that Houston has one of the most uneducated populations of any major (or minor) city in the U.S. Most of the people truly are ignorant and plain dumb.
Its a city filled with third world immigrants from places such as India, Mexico, El Salvador and Pakistan. I am one of the few educated white people that live here.
Besides the incredibly high crime rate, the drivers are horrible! Lots of hit and run accidents by uninsured motorists and anyone who dares to walk in their neighborhood should be very afraid. People here don't obey driving laws and dont care to.
People talk about the cheap cost of living. First, it isnt all that cheap anymore and second, if you own property, the property taxes are some of the highest in the natiom.
It is one big ugly strip mall. No charm or character at all. I am moving soon but thought I would tell people straight up the deal with Houston
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| Relocating To Houston (HELP) - 11/10/2014
I am a single parent from NJ looking to relocate to Houston, TX. Well the suburbs where I can raise my child & experience something different than high priced NJ where your $1 goes nowhere. Any advice on where to live and how to find a job out of state before I move? I currently am a executive assistant at a pharmaceutical company making 36K/year.
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| ST THERESA CATHOLIC SCHOOL HOUSTON TEXAS - 10/27/2014
Do not send your child to this school. I am withdrawing my child from this school. My child attended for 2 1/2 years. The principal is very unprofessional, not qualified, and vindictive. She is known for bullying her staff and the parents. She got rid of my child's 3rd grade teacher 2 yrs ago because the teacher begin questioning her about missing budget money. The teacher was dismissed with 3 weeks remaining in the school year. The kids cried for the entire 3 weeks!! The principal placed the teacher under a "gag" order whereas if she communicated with the parents, students, or staff, she would not receive her remaining salary. I found this out from the "expelled" teacher. This year she threatened to expel my daughter, (who has NEVER been in ANY trouble) because she didn't like that I told her my child needed to go to her locker to retrieve her study guide for a test after school dismissal. I pay FULL tuition at the school and participated in multiple fundraising events. I was actively involved in my daughter's school. When the incident with the locker occurred, the principal also threatened to call the police for me....based on (her exact words) "abusive language". I don't like to be threatened, so I told her while she stood in front of me blocking my 9 yr old's path to her locker; I'd call the police for her via my cell phone. I called 911 and the operator said NOT TO EXPECT A VISIT, because abusive language was not an offense. Please note I NEVER USED VULGARITY OR PROFANITY WITH THE PRINCIPAL. She just felt she could intimidate me like she does her staff and the other parents. Nevertheless I made both threats her reality. She threatened to call the police, I called 911 for her. Proving to her, she could not intimidate a paying parent who follows the rules. Secondly, she threatened to expel my daughter, who had NEVER been in any trouble at the school...I sent the principal a withdrawal letter removing my child from the school 5 hours later. If you don't want to experience the bullying and intimidation tactics of this principal, DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE. I'm financially able to pay full tuition anywhere and I have a child who can get accepted to other schools, hence I was able to not let this lady push me around like the does her staff and the other parents. Oh, by the way, my 9 yr old daughter was standing there crying and begging the principal while she threatened to expel her and to call the police for her mother. My child only wanted to go to her locker to get her study materials for her test, after I had gone through the pick up line, so she could make a passing grade on her test
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| Houston Climate - 10/27/2014
Houston is hot and humid most of the year.
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| Abandon all hope ye who enter here! - 10/17/2014
Living in Houston Texas is miserable to say the least. Beginning in the last part of April into November, expect Temperatures mixed with humidity that makes it almost unbearable to get from your house to your car. When you open the door it hits you like wave that even after 20 plus years of living here, can take your breath. I get SAD (seasonal affective disorder) in the summer months because I cannot bear to go out and do anything that requires exertion. I find myself looking out the window at the sunny days and know I cannot possibly fathom even a small trip to the pool. It wilts you and you must plan activities (store, bank, etc.) in advance so that you make the best of your time before the heat takes its toll and you must find shelter immediately. There is no real winter here. There is a time frame when the temperatures dip in the low 30's and mixed with the ungodly humidity may feel colder. Good hair days? Forget it. Even hosing your hair with industrial strength Aqua Net, you either go limp or frizz depending on your hair type. At any given moment you may have sweat mixing with your eyeliner that makes you appear to be a sad clown, or an abused woman. Spring is nice but short lived (several weeks or maybe a month) and then its summer again.
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| Life in Houston - 10/13/2014
I've lived in Houston for 30+ years and watched it grow. On the plus side, we have great access to the arts (almost as much theater as Broadway), terrific diverse choice of restaurants, access to many sporting events and concerts. Golfers can play all year round due to the warm climate. The cost of living is very affordable. Recently there's been a huge growth spurt and the city seems to be struggling to cope. Traffic is extremely congested even on weekends and folks are reacting with aggressive impatience. There are many air quality alerts now so when the weather is pretty outside, it may not be good to breathe due to ozone pollution. I work downtown and can often see a brown haze from 29th floor of my building. Violent crime has also increased substantially, not just in the center of town but into the outlying suburbs. I'm a senior and ready to move to a smaller town.
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| Houston, you have a problem - 8/26/2014
I have nothing nice to say about Houston. it houses the largest population of personality-disordered assholes in the world; the only thing going for it is cost of living, as others have mentioned, but none of this really counts when you need to buy a car and you need to pay for insurance and you need pay for gas to travel 60 miles to your job in stop-go traffic along the dilapidating freeways. some people have chimed in with nice things, but they're just deluding themselves. I was honest and got out and it's made all the difference.
my other gripe with Texas is that the people are so. effing. stupid. I live in New England now, and this is expressly so that I don't have to deal with stupid. and by "stupid" I don't mean "stupid" I mean "y'all have a culture of 'learning is dumb'".
give the city 50 years and it will be entirely uninhabitable. there is no public transportation, there is no environmental movement, there is no zoning. there is no development in infrastructure. the area is prone to hurricanes and potable water shortages. race relations are strained and wealth inequality is growing. enjoy it while you can, cos I see another Detroit looming in the not too far-off future.
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| Arm pit of Texas - 5/18/2014
Houston traffic is horrible and the summer weather is suffocating. !00+ temps with 99% humidity. Crimes are a major problem, as well as air pollution and the school system is one of the worst in the nation. I would not live if I didn’t have to but right now I don’t have any options. The job market and housing market here are very good. There is lot of city parks for outdoor activities. Churches are prevalent and there is one on just about every corner, as well as panhandlers on each of these corners
I personally wouldn’t pick Houston for a place to raise a family however; there are worse places in the US, just not many.
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| search for property - 4/3/2014
Learning to use your service in researching for property.
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| Should we move to Houston Area? Help! - 3/30/2014
For a little background I spent most of my childhood in Nigeria and the UK. I traveled extensively due to my parents' work but settled in the UK 12 years ago at 15. Now I'm married and my hubbs and I want to move to the US are for year round hot weather and a better quality of life. We expect to move in November this year. Up till recently we were seriously considering Grayson/ John's Creek GA and San Diego/Orange County/ Santa Barbara CA, places we know quite well. Recently several US- based family members suggested Texas so we started researching Houston and the surrounding areas and are becoming more and more certain this area would work better for us in terms of our businesses and what on paper seems to be an incredible standard of living compared to what we would have elsewhere especially now we are starting a family. We grew up in places with extreme heat and humidity so we feel we can adapt to that. What we would really like to know is about day to day life in the Suburbs, particularly Friendswood, Pearland and Sugarland. Our social group is currently very cosmopolitan and we don't want to live in an area where races excessively self- segregate. We'd also like to know how bad traffic really is into Houston from these areas. Is there much xenophobia? Are people generally friendly, (especially young couples with children)? Are CofE (Episcopalian) churches popular? How easy is it to get affordable organic food? Are there small farms in the area? What sports and outdoor activities are most popular? Any info. on day to day life from someone who lives in the mentioned areas would be greatly appreciated!
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| Should we move to Houston Area? Help! - 3/30/2014
For a little background I spent most of my childhood in Nigeria and the UK. I traveled extensively due to my parents' work but settled in the UK 12 years ago at 15. Now I'm married and my hubbs and I want to move to the US are for year round hot weather and a better quality of life. We expect to move in November this year. Up till recently we were seriously considering Grayson/ John's Creek GA and San Diego/Orange County/ Santa Barbara CA, places we know quite well. Recently several US- based family members suggested Texas so we started researching Houston and the surrounding areas and are becoming more and more certain this area would work better for us in terms of our businesses and what on paper seems to be an incredible standard of living compared to what we would have elsewhere especially now we are starting a family. We grew up in places with extreme heat and humidity so we feel we can adapt to that. What we would really like to know is about day to day life in the Suburbs, particularly Friendswood, Pearland and Sugarland. Our social group is currently very cosmopolitan and we don't want to live in an area where races excessively self- segregate. We'd also like to know how bad traffic really is into Houston from these areas. Is there much xenophobia? Are people generally friendly, (especially young couples with children)? Are CofE (Episcopalian) churches popular? How easy is it to get affordable organic food? Are there small farms in the area? What sports and outdoor activities are most popular? Any info. on day to day life from someone who lives in the mentioned areas would be greatly appreciated!
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| If your moving may I suggest a TOP Realtor - 2/22/2014
If you are relocating to Houston, Tx metroplex or just moving in general in this area then I would suggest a TOP notch Realtor who can help with your transition be it renting, buying or interstate to the area. She is rated one of the very BEST.
Samantha Starling-Realtor of Vanderbilt Homes, Houston, Texas
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| Houston's Quality of Life - 2/19/2014
I have lived in Houston and Dallas, TX; and travel extensively for work, so I've spent years in both NYC and Denver. I love the quality of life that I get in Houston. The bang for my buck is second to none. Sure, the weather is at times horrendous, but at least we don't have the bitter cold of the northern areas. The restaurants, museums, theatre, golf courses, and green space is second to only NYC in my opinion. But, the cost of living here wins, hands down.
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| Cost of Living - 12/25/2013
Cost of Living is lower in texas that most states.
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| Houston Weather - 12/13/2013
If you like humidity, you will really like Houston weather, get instantly wet as soon as you walk out the door, it's free, unlimited humidity 24 hours a day. personally, I love it, of course its taken me 20 years to say that, at first, it felt like a hot sauna was following me. Now it's great. Oh and by the way, it's far better than living where it snows. LOVE HOUSTON WEATHER!
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| Affordable, Fun and Diverse Houston! - 11/28/2013
I moved around all over the world as a child and teen due to my father's employment. When we returned to the U.S., I went to college and graduate school in New York and Indiana. I've lived in Raleigh, North Carolina Chicago for work.
I settled in Houston and bought a home. I've been living here for 5 years, both in Montrose and in the outer loop. This is what I can tell you from Houston, from the perspective of someone who has traveled a lot: this city is a little too hot in the summer and there are insects that you will need repellant or chemical yard barriers for. BUT, it is also friendly, very green (lots of parks, huge trees and lakes - what a lot of people don't know about), has several good universities, is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the nation, is huge in the arts - theatre, music, art schools and venues/galleries. It has restaurants - including many vegetarian and vegan options - galore. It is a fun city and, very importantly, you won't have to settle for a four-story walk-up with no washer and dryer in the unit! You can be a homeowner here. Say good-bye to your slumlord. For singles, you'll find great nightlife, an active cycling and fitness scene. For families, you'll find free, accessible places to go with your kids. Too many activities to mention on any given weekend and the best children's museum in the country. Houston is an active, fun, very affordable city. You won't have to work to live. You'll work and still have time left over to enjoy this city. I LOVE HTOWN! Will never leave.
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| A good fit for some, but not me - 9/3/2013
Houston has much to offer with it's Museum District, theatrical venues, great medical institutions, abundance of cheap food and easy winters. There are very nice neighborhoods, such as Montrose, Heights, Rice, Memorial Park--all in the 610 loop, but they are very expensive to buy into (even very modest homes with small yards), with property taxes well in excess of 3% of their values. I came to this town to escape the Midwestern winters and get better employment. The heat and humidity are formidable even for a hot weather person like myself and to be comfortable for the long summer means big electricity bills, but the winters are very easy to take. It feels tropical here for about 8 months out of the year and many plants are green all year long. Much medical research goes on as Houston is one of the leaders along those lines. The people tend to be friendlier than what I'm used to in the Midwest and the international flavor of the town is nice.
On the other hand... the traffic is super bad and Houston drivers are the worst I've ever seen, with accidents all the time. I've never seen a place with so many seedy neighborhoods pervasively scattered all over the huge metropolis. If you add up the attractive areas that include the Museum district, Heights, Montrose, Rice Village, Kirby, Memorial Park and Galleria you have about 20% of Houston. The rest of Houston is either mediocre or just plain trashy. In proportion to other large cities, it is a very ugly place built by planners and architects with horrible taste, guided by greed and ignorance in typical Texas fashion. Dogs run loose all over except the best neighborhoods, sometimes in packs and dogbites are very common here. If you can afford to live where you'd like there, it could be a good life. Even If I did get a better job there, it wouldn't pay well enough to finance a home in any neighborhood I'd want to live in that is less than 40 minutes from work. That ain't quality of life in my book.
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| Very, Very, Very, Very, Very Hot! Very, very, very - 8/14/2013
The weather - or specifically the lack thereof - is not for the faint of heart. If you are not a fan of extremely hot, humid weather that lasts forever, then do not move here. After what has seemed like an eternity, I am getting out of dodge for much cooler weather. A place with actual seasons.
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| Finally I get it!! - 7/14/2013
I've lived in Houston for 30+ years ... and I finally get it. I was one of those people who complained about EVERYTHING ... but basically - it wasn't New York. And seriously, you can take the girl out of New York but you can't take the New York out of the girl!
My work takes me on the road Monday through Thursday. There are other great cities around the country ... but I have to confess - I've fallen in love with Houston. We have the Texas Medical Center (which is beyond awesome), Rice University, the University of Houston, southern hospitality and we have Food! No city in this country can touch the amazing international offerings of Houston. And most of all - we have humility ... we take the slams and insults lightly because we know this is one of the country's greatest cities.
You don't like Houston? Move elsewhere. It's the beauty of America - it's a free country. We love Houston - we are happy in Houston and we really would prefer you return and/or move to a place that is more to your liking. We're pretty tolerant BUT we're handing out lollipops and Whoopass ... and we're all out of lollipops!
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