Is the Houston Metro "Beautiful?" (Galveston, Canyon: living in, restaurants) - Texas (TX) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

Mezter · 07-09-2013, 07:59 PM

What about the northern metro? I think the heavily wooded are with pine trees are really beautiful.

marcopolo2000 · 07-09-2013, 08:07 PM

If Houston had zoning, it would make it a much more "beautiful" place. Theres way too much "ugly" in the most traveled parts but more than any other city in Texas; Houston has the southern charm that comes from moss covered oaks and lush landscapes.

Nairobi · 07-09-2013, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marcopolo2000

If Houston had zoning, it would make it a much more "beautiful" place. Theres way too much "ugly" in the most traveled parts but more than any other city in Texas; Houston has the southern charm that comes from moss covered oaks and lush landscapes.

Zoning would only make a dent, and unless we had far more density, I wouldn't want it.

Architectural design and landscaping are our real problems.

houstonfan · 07-09-2013, 08:25 PM

Depends what other 11 cities were we compared to? I think there are nice areas, but unfortunately, when I close my eyes and think of Houston overall, the first image that comes to mind is concrete. Flat, hot and lots of highways.
I think we are missing a landmark. Ie, when I think of DC, I see a postcard like image of the Capitol and surrounding area. when I think of St Louis, I think of the arch, when I think of NYC, I think of many skyscrapers shooting up towards the sky and in the middle is a big beautiful park.

Social D · 07-09-2013, 08:55 PM

Houston could have been a beautiful city but unfortunately too many of the bayous were channelized and paved with concrete. What could have been nice water ways were turned into open sewers. The newer MPC's do a much better job of handling drainage and actually turn the water into an amenity.

PedroMartinez · 07-10-2013, 07:55 AM

Some areas of Houston look good, some areas of LA look like he|| holes.

It also depends upon what you think is attractive. Some people see the new developments of Midtown as very attractive, while others would see it as ugly due to the closed in feel without any open space.

Overall, I think Houston is a nice looking city with good areas and bad areas. Yes, when you shoot through town on one of the freeways and see only that view, you're going to have a pretty poor opinion of Houston. However, if you were in Denver close to that Purina plant and saw that industrial part of town with the horrible smell, you'd wonder why anybody thought Denver was pretty.

Should Houston do more? Absolutely. I think they need to continue adding additional restrictions on billboards to slowly reduce the number (as has been happening over the years). I think the city needs more jogging paths, bike paths and parks. I hope the Bayou project continue. I don't mind paying more in taxes to accomplish this. I think we are on the right track.

Dionysus · 07-10-2013, 01:58 PM

Well, there are pockets that look very nice and others that look like crap. I used to live by Hobby - that area is very ugly. Then again, I later moved to Montrose, which I find very appealing aesthetically.
I suppose that's true for any larger city, though. Rolling into Chicago on the Amtrak train is ugly as hell; no city is 100% "beautiful" (I guess unless it's some small tourist hamlet).
River Oaks, Montrose and The Heights are all very attractive, lush areas in Houston.

H'ton · 07-10-2013, 02:54 PM

I often give family and friends, who have never been to Houston, a quick tour. Most are form the East Coast and i've heard twice that Houston was the cleanest city they've ever been to. Another time one of them said that our downtown reminded him of downtown St. Louis. Another one said that we do a good job of developing around green spaces and seem to make that a priority.

Take it for what it is worth but those were their impressions.

Mezter · 07-10-2013, 04:11 PM

I live on the very edge of Denver where there are few natural trees and the grass on the plains is only green for maybe 2-3 months a year. To me, any city that is green throughout the year is attractive, so maybe that's why I appreciate the scenery in Houston for what it's worth.

statisticsnerd · 07-10-2013, 05:33 PM

Yes, the brown smog bubble covering the city in the morning on my drive in to work is beautiful. So is the smell of the ship channel.

The pancake-flat land and unbearable heat is also beautiful, as well as Little Mexico going down I-45 south.

Quote:

Originally Posted by houstonfan

when I close my eyes and think of Houston overall, the first image that comes to mind is concrete. Flat, hot and lots of highways.

You hit the nail right on the head.