Reviews & Comments
Houston, TX
re: Thinking Houston? Think again - 1/26/2012 -
1/8/2014I have to disagree with you on the depiction of Houston. I lived in the Heights for four years where my rent for a 1100 SF house was $800 a month. The rest of the 20 years have been in Montrose, which is one of the more expensive neighborhoods due to ongoing gentrification (just on the cusp of downtown). The suburbs suck and I'd never live there with the cookie-cutter homes and strip malls. I rent a duplex built in 1920--three bedrooms, spacious dining, kitchen and living room--1500 SF for $1500 a month.
It's rich in culture. Top-notch museums, contemporary arts scene, amazing music scene, the Orange Show, the art car museum and parades, countless meet-up groups for all interests, and weekly cultural festivals (like our infamous Gay Pride parade) are just a few examples. I know most of my neighbors and we always say hello and look out for each other.
Summer weather is hell, but you learn to adjust. It sounds like you're unaware of any of these deep cultural opportunities--and made no effort to do so. Pick up a copy of the Houston Press and you'll see many events, including intimate nightclubs (for example, the Continental Club) featuring live music by local and national/international bands. Sounds like you haven't made any effort to meet people or take advantage of any goings-on I mention here. The rent you pay for where you live is over-priced and probably was the result of not doing any due diligence (or "do diligence"--sic). My suggestion is to leave your house/office and explore. Or quit your job and move back to (no sarcasm here) Southern California. We don't want you if you're to lazy to integrate and instead whine.