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Houston isnt my favorite city in Texas. My family lives there; Sugar Land actually.
A critical view tho of Texas.
The infrastructure sucks here. Because of our low national profile (were not on either one of the coasts and havent been a historical population center or site of strategic importance to the US Gov - the funding source). Also, our taxes are rediculiously low, so we cant really afford to find things the way they should; higher ed, freeways, etc.) But thats how most texans like it. There is actually a ban on state income taxes in our state consitiution.
It gets hot as hell here in the summer. Conversely, it is reallyt mild here in the winter. Yeah, it was cold last weekend, but the highs were in the 40's while he was here. Did he run a column on the three feet of snow NYC got two weeks ago? Callign texas cold is just foolish. THis winter has been really mild as well. Christmas day it was 75 and we spent the afternoon out by the pool. We have onyl hit freezing here twice this winter. I guarantee we'll hit 90 in the next two weeks. We almost hit it here a few weeks ago. I am fine with the heat. As I have said a million times before, no one ever dropped dead of a heart attack shoveling the heat outta the driveway. Plus, texas isnt like up north. Everyone here has AC. Pretty much all buildings, so unless you are a day laborer or lawn care guy, you are only in it walking to and from your car.
Most cities in Texas suffer from sprawl. This is because texans dont like governemnt involvment in their lives and most cities have lax zoning ordinances. Here of late, they have strengthened them but its kinda the genie in the bottle thing. Too little too late. So with that comes the attendant problems of traffic and congestion. It dosent help that we are the second or third fastest growing state in the US. Everyone is moving here becuase the job market is pretty good and we have the lowest hosuing costs in the nation here. There is no 'bubble' in texas. You can get a brand new 3,000 sq ft house in a brand new subdivision (yeah its a mcmansion but still) with mid level finishes for about $140K. Of course if you work downtown, your commute is gonna be a half hour...
Each city in texas is different. Houston is new money, and an immigrant center. (Its a port city). Lots of business there. But there is lots of refinerys and manufacturing. It dosent seem to have much of a personality to me. I didnt grow up there and my family has only lived there for 9 years. Yes, in independence day there was a small part of me that cheered when the millitary nuked houston, lol.
Dallas is money. Its the LA of texas. Its the only place where you have to dress up to mow the yard. (OK, dress up to watch your yard guy mow the yard). It is pretty fast paced and has lots going on there. Again, sprawl is there too. I have a sister that lives there and its cool, but it snows up in that part of the state and thats a deal breaker for me. Plus they have tornados up there and I dont go for that,
San Antonio is a cool place. 1.5 million people and still has a small town feel. This is the perfect place to raise kids because its a relatively safe place and the schools are great. Its also a big hit with the millitary retirees because there are lots of services here with 4 bases. It does suck being young here because there isnt a huge nightlife scene (like austin has). If you want fun, you have to suck it up and go do the tourist thing on the riverwalk. The city is in the midsts of an economic rebirth tho. In the last year new companies to the area have brought 25K+ new jobs and Toyota just added its first manufacturing plant in Texas here last year.
Austin is pretty cool and one of my favorite places in texas. Just has a cool vibe to it, and pretty urban. Its a pretty cultured place too, with the academia and the university there.
Lots of the big cities look just like any of the other big cities anywhere in the south or west. Big box stores and mc mansions for miles. Where my family lives, there is nothing around that has been there more than 5 years. I kinda miss character of older areas. My neighborhood is about 40 years old and I like it that way.
I dont know if you can qualify why some of us are so passionate about texas. Its about being tied to the land and your people being from here. Its a nod to the history and what made this land ours. Would I ever leave texas, sure, if it was for a job or something, but I'd always want to and plan to return. It is just a part of who I am. This place is in my blood. Is it perfect here, hell no. Do I have a list of things I'd liek to fix? Yes.
I also dont think someone could live here for a year or two and 'get it'. You have to have spent a long time here to get it or in some cases, like it. I think thats true for a lot of places tho. A year or so isnt long enough to fall in love with a place and consider it your home. But thats just my opinion.
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