I maybe moving to the Houston area...

[HTOWN stunna]

Houston isnt tough, its just like any city in america, you look for trouble you're gonna get it. i didnt know WA was such a tough place houston is or was the fourth largest city in the US and yeah there is crime but there is crime everywhere even in this small **** town called alpine with 6500 people. but i wouldnt call it tough. remember people in Texas dont take any **** from anyone, and we have some killer gun rights.if you know what i mean.

[Deerhunter]

Thank you everyone for there time and replies. I currently live near Philadelphia, so I think it is going to be an improvement when it comes to crime.

[Brickboy240]

Yes, Houston is like most other large urban cities. There are good and bad areas and you learn how and when to stay out of them and kepe your senses about you. I have never felt totally unsafe in most of this city...mo less safe than I have in Dallas, St. Louis, Phoenix or Chicago or any othe big city I have travelled to.

A few things you will notice about Houston that make it better than most large urban cities. First, people here have no sympathies for criminals. Second, people here have different views on guns and carrying guns than in most other urban locales. Third, people here are more friendly and helpful than in most other large urban areas I have travelled to - they'll help you out in a jam.

Another thing you will notice about Houston is that even though their is quite a big mix of races and cultures here, it all meshes together really well and theres not alot of racial or cultural tension. If there is any separation in Houston, it is mainly by class...not race.

Yes, other than the hot weather, you will probably find Houston a good change from Philly. Just remember that even though you're sweating like the devil right now...you will be laughing at Phily in December, when you're in shrt sleeves and no coat.

- Brickboy240

[Deerhunter]

The biggest thing I noticed is the cost of housing. You definately get more for your dollar than you do up here. Every time I have gone down to visit (Friendswood) it has grown on me. The people just seem a bit friendlier and from my impression things move at a slower pace. I'm 33 and just looking for a nice place to raise my family.

[Brickboy240]

As one who has been here during many hurricanes and tropical storms...I'd say move as far north and west as possible. Those in Friendswood, Clear Lake and other nice southern areas get HAMMERED by the winds and floodwaters. The farther north and west you are, your chances of being damaged by the hurricanes goes way down.

I know this is something unimaginable by you but ask anyone here that was in Houston for Hurricane Alicia, Rita or Tropical Storm Allison...these things are NOT fun and very much a reality.

The inner city (inside Loop 610) is very expensive, the schools are crap (you'll have to go private and thats expensive) and the inner city is constantly under construction and very prone to flooding. When I first got married, we lived in Bellaire and got out because of these reasons. Its nice if you do not have kids and have the means to afford it.

Me? I live in the northwest...Hwy 290/Hwy 6 area in an older neighborhood that was built in the late 70s. I really did not like alot of suburbia where all the houses looked alike and there were no big trees.

- Brickboy240

[Deerhunter]

I was actually down there for Rita ( I think 2-3 years ago), and we evacuated to the Woodlands. When we got back to the house not a thing was out of place. I guess my in-laws just got lucky. My wife actually went to school at Clear Lake and she really liked the school district there.

[Tard]

I visited Houston back around 2000 for business.

I saw a cluster of people in a circle looking in and downward, not moving. From previous sad experience I recognized this likely meant someone was laying on the pavement dead or dying or sick or injured and everyone was waiting for someone to do something.

SO, I stop and nudge my way in to find a homeless woman shaving her legs, sitting on a bench. For some reason when she saw me, she threatened to kill me with her razor which was treated as just another part of the street show by the crowd.

While this is the end of MY story, I wonder... who shot J.R.?

[HTOWN stunna]

houston is one of the friendliest cities. it was the first city i ever moved to, i moved there when i was 19 years old with my girlfriend (now fiance) and let me tell you, i cant wait to go back, it was a big change from living in a town of 6000 people but never once did i feel unsafe or like i made a mistake. i think the biggest mistake i made was moving out of houston.

[zac07]

There are some nice areas my parents used to live in the Woodlands and now they live west Houston around katy I cant remember the name of the subdivision but they are both very nice areas.

[texasm203]

Originally Posted by HTOWN stunna

friendswood, clear lake, sugarland. just to name a few upscale places. every upscale place has their downs also. true the farther north you go the less dense the population is but crime is everywhere in Htown. i lived in the not so glamorous Southwest area for almost 5 years or so and never witnessed anything dramatic. dont get me wrong people were getting killed and robbed around the area where i lived but its not like it happened all the time. i always kept my XD close but never had to be put in a situation where i had to or felt like i should have drawn it. houston is a great place to live, and the TXDPSA members are the best friends to have there. Texas Land and cattle mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, also pappadeaux's mmmmmm seafood.

Best of all, your only a few miles from San Antonio. IMO, we have better Mexican food here than they do in Mexico!

A +1000 for TX Land and Cattle (TLC you may hear it called)

a -1000 for Papadeuxs. I had a roach crawl across my foot, and another across my table last time I went there. Very nasty. This is the SA location though.

OH, BTW.... H-E-B is a grocery store. And yes, the founder's name was Harry Edward Butts. Everybody always asks those 2 questions.