My 3 year stay in Houston
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12/28/2006
Much as changed in Houston over the past 15 years, that upon moving back, I was surprised over how much the area of Spring Branch had 'gone down'. As much as there were spatterings of new buildings and houses, the overall look was predominately ethnic. With that came a different look: trashy streets, people hanging on apartment door stoops, low income apartments, and an ongoing sound of police and fire engine vehicles at all hours of the day. More than once I almost was hit by someone cruising through their red light. So close I could see their face, as IF I was the one in the wrong!
Housing prices are going down in spite of other folks buying up double lots, and placing monstrosity of a house in it's place. It's like seeing night and day in appearance. My brother lives there - over 25 years - and over the past 10, his neighborhood has become predominately filled with low income families. The development looks shoddy in comparison to how it was back in the 90's. His wife is begging him to move out - and out of Houston.
I've been living in the Woodlands for almost 6 months - can't say I was impressed. Housing may be cheap - but also, you are living in a cheaply made house. My home is over 25 years old - I don't think it will last another 25 without some major renovating. I've lived in 100 year old houses with better staying power!(in the Northeast Atlantic region). Sure the prices are lower here - but so is the paycheck too. I may $2 less per hour than when I lived in PA.
Not much to do, unless you don't mind travelling an hour (or more) to get there. The main entertainment for this city is going out to eat (I gained 30 lbs the first year in living here) - shopping, shopping and more shopping...lots of malls... Their parks here are shabby and not kept up as nice as some northern regions of the country. Due to the crime, I would be afraid to walk there without a chaperone.
A person could become very disappointed in time. And NO, you will never really get used to the heat or mosquitoes. With all the influx of people, developing of bigger highways, and more subdivisions, it's no wonder there is such a problem with flooding and pollution. If you can afford a better life than most - you can afford to live in an area that is affluent. That is small in comparison to the rest of the rat race down here.
Thanks
Jules | Chester, VA