Getting ready to move from California (Houston, Galveston: transplants, cliquey, high school)

[AK123]

Originally Posted by JoshRall

Good points. Now back to my point. Apart from museums, are there places for me to bring children visiting on the weekends?

And, museums get old very fast.

It depends on where you're coming from and what activities you like.
So... can you elaborate on these?

[ToyYot]

Originally Posted by JoshRall

Good points. Now back to my point. Apart from museums, are there places for me to bring children visiting on the weekends?

And, museums get old very fast.

Monster Jam was two weeks ago and there's another one in February, the Houston Auto show is on this weekend, the Houston Arboretum is having a free family day too with live owls for the kids to see. The Rockets are playing Sat night for $10 a ticket (worth more? likely not!) Lady Gaga is playing next weekend. We really like crawling all over the USS Texas, ok me especially, and at some point I would like to kayak down the Buffalo Bayou although not sure I'd do the tour or just do it.

Sometimes I just like taking the kids out exploring - I google map Houston and look a park or something we haven't been to before and check it out but they're young so easily amused. That's how I found a frisbee golf park just of Beltway 8, pretty cool. Not to mention with the great weather this weekend there were FOUR frisbee football games going on at the same time at Bendwood Park.

No wonder I haven't gotten around to taking up tennis at the local club...

It's a city of 6.2M, how hard can it be??

[JaqueCosto]

monthly weather data, not sure what's with everyone complaining about the heat considering there is something called air conditioning. Texas tint laws are lax and getting an automobile with a lighter exterior and interior will go a long way. For those who can afford it luxury vehicles have IR coated windows and retractable sunshades.

Average Weather for Houston, TX - Temperature and Precipitation

[JaqueCosto]

Originally Posted by bloodwings19

I have to agree with this. I drive every workday in the wee hours of the morning to the so-called unsafest area of Houston for 8+ years. I have never been approached, or had been a victim of a crime at my work. I am aware of my surrounding and always alert. Unless you roll up in a ultra pricey machine and dress like a pimp, you will be a target.

City is safe if you live in a good area. Of course sometimes bad things happen even in good areas just like last night.
Kingwood man shot multiple times, possibly by would-be carjackers, while driving to airport | abc13.com

Biggest problem with Houston is the utter lack of zoning, most everything is either Houston or extraterritorial Houston (unincorportated). This isn't a problem the Dallas area.

And Houston will inevitably get hit by a nasty hurricane sometime in the coming decades.

[JaqueCosto]

Originally Posted by JoshRall

And, museums get old very fast.

lol, I know many people who've lived in NYC their entire lives and haven't visted much of anything, I've literally seen more tourist attractions in NYC then they have.

Houston has the museum district, San Jacinto museum, theater district, sports veneus, the Downtown aquarium, random parks, + NASA and Moody Gardens.

[nana053]

Originally Posted by JoshRall

Apart from museums and museums, what theme parks does Houston have? Where else can you bring your children to for a weekend visit?

No theme parks here at all.

There are rides at the Kemah Boardwalk though
Kemah Boardwalk - The Fun Never Stops!

The Downtown Aquarium has some rides, but imo, it is expensive for what it is. It is pretty boring. I actually like real aquariums like the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago (no rides, but a great place anyway).
Downtown Aquarium - Houston, TX

Beaches are in Galveston which is not close either.

[jek74]

Originally Posted by nana053

No theme parks here at all.

There are rides at the Kemah Boardwalk though
Kemah Boardwalk - The Fun Never Stops!

The Downtown Aquarium has some rides, but imo, it is expensive for what it is. It is pretty boring. I actually like real aquariums like the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago (no rides, but a great place anyway).
Downtown Aquarium - Houston, TX

Beaches are in Galveston which is not close either.

Does Chicago have NASA?

I'll take NASA over a theme park any day. But then again, I'm not 12 years old.

I went to college in Gainesville,FL. Ninety minutes from the theme park capital of the world. In 3 years I went one time and that was with some friends to a Halloween event at Universal Studios.

[swopoe]

I am not going to touch the "troll" topic, but I have three kids, ages 9, 7 and 3 and we do not want for activities and places to take the kids. Houston has a ton to offer families. Living in Houston is not boring for children and families, that is for sure!

[TVC15]

Originally Posted by winkosmosis

I can't think of anything appealing about Sugarland. It's flat, the trees are tiny. Why would you move there?

OMG you're back in the H-Town that you loath so much
Wow I can't imagine that you would ever consider moving back there after the flame wars you had with me for cheerleading Houston and you just bashing it
I guess the grass was not so much greener in Hawaii.

Anyway OP I am the reverse of your situation (meaning I moved to CA from TX) and I think the things that will stand out right away to you are the following (in no particular order)

Kind people
No State Income Tax
No SDI Tax
No large vehicle registration fees year after year
Much Lower COL
Humid and Hot when the summer rolls around
Outstanding Top Quality Restaurant Scene
Not a backwards place as most Californians that have no clue about TX think
You can use your cell phone while driving unless you are in a school zone...but don't use it if you are one of those who can't chew gum and tie your shoe strings at the same time!
Fast Impatient Drivers...but no different than what you see in CA.
Less government control over your life
Death penalty is actually enforced
Over all more financial freedom
Better Economy
Outstanding Texas Medical Center
Culturally Diverse
Unions do not control the State government!!!!!!
Bill Boards
No quality public transit system
Misquotes
Flying Roaches
No compost or recycling bins
Dealing with the DMV is worse only in the fact that you can't make an appointment...just get there early!

No nature

[jek74]

Flying roaches? What the heck are those? Seriously?