Why do so many people not like Houston? (Austin, Center: home, construction)

[nana053]

Originally Posted by bu2

There are 4 times the number of people in NYC metro. The % of people with kids is much, much smaller. You don't have to look to hard to find comments about people moving out of LA because they don't want to be there with kids. And actually, more Americans are moving out of California than moving in. The only reason they aren't losing people is immigrants.

It's not a matter of percentages. People are saying that there is no reason to live in the NYC area with kids. Those who live there disagree. NYC and California are totally different places. There is no real comparison - living in NY is different from living in LA from living in Houston.

[Jack Lance]

Originally Posted by Gunion Powder

I'd argue that both Dallas and Atlanta have more notable skyscraper architecture than Houston does. New Orleans is far more impressive at street level. Miami is perhaps the all around best. You wouldn't mistake it for any other city in the world.

I would vigorously dispute your claim with regards to DFW and Atlanta but even if that were accurate with the exception of Miami if you were discussing the architecture of those cities then the conversation is specifically about southern, or sunbelt architecture. You are not claiming that those cities rival New York or Chicago in notable architecture are you?

Architecture is another one of those subjective opinions that nitpickers use to bash Houston or any other city they have some distain for. It is a perfect subject for this because it is so subjective and the standard is so fluid and easy to change.

[IronDragon]

Other than the summer and to a lesser extent the drivers/traffic, I don't hear too much negative about Houston

[Yn0hTnA]

Originally Posted by Gunion Powder

I'd argue that both Dallas and Atlanta have more notable skyscraper architecture than Houston does.

What particular buildings do you think Dallas and Atlanta have that make their skyscraper architecture more notable than Houston's? Because Houston has plenty of its own distinctive buildings that are quite unmistakable.

Originally Posted by Gunion Powder

New Orleans is far more impressive at street level. Miami is perhaps the all around best. You wouldn't mistake it for any other city in the world.

The skyline of Miami is not really that remarkable, not too different from what is seen in many South American cities.

[steeps]

Originally Posted by Yn0hTnA

What particular buildings do you think Dallas and Atlanta have that make their skyscraper architecture more notable than Houston's? Because Houston has plenty of its own distinctive buildings that are quite unmistakable.

The skyline of Miami is not really that remarkable, not too different from what is seen in many South American cities.

What Miami has that Houston does not.... is .. blue waters are round its downtown and Miami beach a Resort across the Bay. If downtown Houston was closer to Galveston? They could Complement each other and make for a more visually seaside city pleasant. Water improves a cities visually attributes. The Bayous do not replace A shore.

Even Chicago gets a HUGE BOOST from Lake Michigan and being along its shores. Can Houston really best this?

City only planted these Palm trees one year. Trying to get the Olympics. I liked them in the sand not in planters as much.



Chicago skyline on Lake level

[Yn0hTnA]

Originally Posted by steeps

What Miami has that Houston does not.... is .. blue waters are round its downtown and Miami beach a Resort across the Bay. If downtown Houston was closer to Galveston? They could Complement each other and make for a more visually seaside city pleasant. Water improves a cities visually attributes. The Bayous do not replace A shore.

Even Chicago gets a HUGE BOOST from Lake Michigan and being along its shores. Can Houston really best this?

Why are your posts always so off-topic? Do you know how to follow discussions at all?

[steeps]

Originally Posted by Yn0hTnA

What particular buildings do you think Dallas and Atlanta have that make their skyscraper architecture more notable than Houston's? Because Houston has plenty of its own distinctive buildings that are quite unmistakable.

The skyline of Miami is not really that remarkable, not too different from what is seen in many South American cities.

Miami's skyline is unremarkable? Really EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE PLEASE?

Also what is REMARKABLE in your words of Houston's Downtown Skyline? Nice yes but MORE? Elaborate please. Any SuperTalls on the horizon too?

[Yn0hTnA]

Originally Posted by steeps

Miami's skyline is unremarkable? Really EXPLAIN AND ELABORATE PLEASE?

Also what is REMARKABLE in your words of Houston's Downtown Skyline? Nice yes but MORE? Elaborate please. Any SuperTalls on the horizon too?

Miami's skyline does not have distinctive buildings that make it known that "this is Miami;" the skyline is mainly tropical-style condo constructs, not really that different than what you will find in Brazilian cities like Florainopolis.

Houston's skyline is not really that remarkable either; it looks quite awkward in spots. However, it at least has certain key buildings distinctive enough them to be recognizable.

The taller buildings in Houston tend to be quite dull-looking (especially those built around the 70s and 80s), however, the gems from that era, The Bank of America Center, and the Heritage Plaza, are quite distinctive, enough to easily be placed to Houston. Another great tall building from that era in Houston is the Williams Tower, although it is in Uptown, away from the CBD. In general though, the shorter buildings in Houston tend to be more distinctive, and charming; Penzoil Place, Esperson Building, Gulf Building, Rice Lofts, etc. There are no supertall buildings on the horizon at the moment, but there is a building, the 609 Main, under construction that will be planned to rise up to 757ft. The builder is a game changer in the sense that it it is a tall building for Houston that actually has an interesting shape and form to it; it actually looks sleek, smooth, and sexy, not boxy and blocky like much of Houston's tall buildings. It can really be the catalyst for some really great 21st century architecture in Houston.

Pics:
Tallest structures in Houston that I consider remarkable:
Bank of America Center:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/garypsmith/8471307755

Heritage Plaza:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wrxkaboom/8464086978

Williams Tower:

Houston, Texas: Williams Tower photo, picture, image



The shorter buildings:
Penzoil Place:

Pennzoil Place ©Ron Scott

Esperson Building:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/574560864931435365/

Gulf Building:

Exquisitely Bored in Nacogdoches: Gulf Coast Deco VII

Rice Lofts:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...iceHotel-2.jpg



Extra:
609 Main (under construction):

http://archinect.com/*****rdchilton/...-main-at-texas

Houston's dull tall buildings:

Houston Skyline by Jeremy Woodhouse

Houston's color and charm in its smaller buildings:

Pin Main Street Houston Texas 2006 on Pinterest

[steeps]

Originally Posted by Yn0hTnA

Miami's skyline does not have distinctive buildings that make it known that "this is Miami;" the skyline is mainly tropical-style condo constructs, not really that different than what you will find in Brazilian cities like Florainopolis.

Houston's skyline is not really that remarkable either; it looks quite awkward in spots. However, it at least has certain key buildings distinctive enough them to be recognizable.

Aspects of Miami's Skyline is SETTING. TV shows that showcased and its current building frenzy are adding to a setting among the water that continues to give it a WOW factor. Not to mention Miami beach. Buildings appear to shoot right out of the ocean.

Houston needs TV or Major Movie exposure. A CSI Houston? It lacks the natural setting unless it's the Elevated Expressway/Freeways over the Bayou that can appear orange. LA's current skyline is not that distinctive. But exposure on TV and movies make it more so. Seattle has had "Grey's Anatomy" intro and its Space Needle. But it always gets a Natural setting nod too.

Most people would not be able to pick which was Houston or Dallas. The once iconic "Dallas" TV show was 40 years ago. Chicago's Skyline transformed entirely in the 40yrs. The Crash hit a Boom cycle there at its peak. With 3 SuperTalls that got canceled. Only Trump's Building got built there. One stopped after 20stories a other 2000ft Chicago Spire had its foundation in when cancelled . Dallas ironically looks more the same from the 70s? The ones that transformed it then, are still those that stand out today. I still would have expected so much more?

Toronto is another City CRAVING RECOGNIZABILITY. But its building frenzy is hard to ignore. Miami's is all in Condo/Apt. Buildings. Which count for a good portion of Chicago's. Most of the Downtown North of the Loop Business core. Is High-End Skyscrapers for living or mixed use and Hotels. 1/2 of the downtown today.

Just Houston overtaking Chicago proper in population? Is not going to do it. Surly Oil wealthy can. A SuperTall would help. Even Chicago finally has a new one planned. I expect Toronto to in the next few years will. Some new are close.

Nice pictures. Especially a couple older buildings.

[In_Correct]

Originally Posted by theone33

Lets keep it real here. Houston is the butt end of jokes to so many people around the country and you have sooooo many people complaining about the city who are work transplants. Why? Houston is a fairly cheap city to live in and has lots of fun stuff to do. Most people are fairly nice. Lots of good food. There are big city annoyances and problems that can be found ANYWHERE so why all the hate for the city?