Pros and cons of moving to Houston (Dallas, San Antonio: foreclosed, crime)

[MsIzzy]

I want the hardcore truth from real Houstonians (is that correct?) please.

We're going back and forth between a move out to Bakersfield or Houston, and both places have some major negatives for me, but we HAVE to move because of a job. Those are the choices (oil world), and they both have things that bother me.

So, besides the God awful traffic and humidity from hell, what are the great things about life in Houston?

What are the most awful things that you, a native, find you would run away from if you could.

I am sooooo confused.

[Lost_In_Translation]

best selection of restaurants in the US. more parks being created every year (one day Houston is looking to have greenbelts along every major bayou going through the city).

home prices have been steady, meaning neighborhoods haven't suffered as badly as alot of california. empty foreclosed house = crime attracting.

a city with a job you like is better than a city you like with a terrible job or no job. go where you have the best, most stable employment.

[DejaBlue]

Bakersfield, CA?

Pro Houston: more house for your money vs. the same price for something teeny-tiny in Cali.

Con Houston: the traffic and God awful heat.

Really the best thing about Houston is the cost of living. Everything else you can get anywhere else (food, entertainment, etc)

Pro Bakersfield: within driving distance (between 1-3 hours away) tourist attractions and nicer beaches.

Houston has Galveston but you wouldn't want to swim there and there's not much to see down there. A strip of hotels and soupy brown water.

1-3 hours away from Houston will get you to Coushetta, San Antonio/New Braunfels, Dallas, Austin, etc.
Really and truly, Texas just has food and bars with a smattering of things you might really want to come see. Food you can get anywhere.

[placidian]

Originally Posted by Lost_In_Translation

best selection of restaurants in the US. more parks being created every year (one day Houston is looking to have greenbelts along every major bayou going through the city).

home prices have been steady, meaning neighborhoods haven't suffered as badly as alot of california. empty foreclosed house = crime attracting.

a city with a job you like is better than a city you like with a terrible job or no job. go where you have the best, most stable employment.

So you're an optimist about this whole drought thing? o.0

[Lost_In_Translation]

Originally Posted by placidian

So you're an optimist about this whole drought thing? o.0

one day it will rain again.

[testmo]

Bako? You serious? Have you been to Bakersfield?

try to visit both. they are vastly different

[TimBomb]

There's really not much pro except the extra bit of money. you have to move here for that, or family.
Dont believe anything about houston being best on anything, especially food.

[thesouthwest]

Houston's traffic is really not bad if you actually live in city limits, the majority of the complaints come from suburbanites who want their mcmansions out in the boonies. I live about 8 miles from school and my typical commute is around 15 mins during rush hour.

but yeah the heat is horrendous

[OscarLevant]

There is no decision to make.. Go to Houston Yeah the weather sucks swamp water but :

No state tax in Tx... cheaper cost of living.... AND if you want to go somewhere you can get there from IAH. As a native I have to say the best thing about Houston has to be all of the opportunities. If you want to continue your education plenty of schools, if you want to see your favorite band they will stop in Houston, and if you need something in a hurry you can always find a place open. I have lived other places and so far Houston is still in the lead.

Also take into consideration if the job you are locating for does not pan out... you will be able to get another job in Houston.

Good luck !

[DejaBlue]

Originally Posted by thesouthwest

Houston's traffic is really not bad if you actually live in city limits, the majority of the complaints come from suburbanites who want their mcmansions out in the boonies. I live about 8 miles from school and my typical commute is around 15 mins during rush hour.

but yeah the heat is horrendous

Those suburbs are called "Houston" so it's safe to say Houston traffic is bad. Contrary to popular belief on here, Houston ventures out much farther than the Inner Loop

Some don't want to live "cozy" right by all the clubs and bars and museums with the hood next door. The Heights is suppose to be paved in gold the way people wax on but for "living" that's to close to Eastwood, Kashmere Gardens, 5th Ward and South Park for me and probably a lot of other suburb dwellers. With those as hoods as neighbors if I had the money, I wouldn't even be living in River Oaks.