It’s the 4th of July – American Independence day. And we’re celebrating with them – 6 months independently living in the USA.
When we first learned we would be coming to Houston, we had mixed feelings. Having passed through once on the way home from a holiday back in 2011, we had not been well impressed. Everything seemed so spread out and finding the heart and soul of Houston seemed impossible.
Maurice had visited a few times with work and similarly had not been too enamoured. But when we came last year to see what it had to offer, we started to warm to the idea. We thought we would give it a chance.
Six months on and I’m glad we did. Our preconceptions were misconceptions, mostly, and we have found it to be a city of surprises. Ok, so it won’t win any awards for scenery to speak of, it’s a city after all. But the downtown skyline can look very striking and the architecture in the Medical Center is ambitious and creative, for hospitals.
Here’s a summary of likes thus far. And there are lots of in-betweens too – some things are a bit ‘meh’, and ‘so what’. Some ‘wow’ and ‘ugh’. The next post will be the not so nice…
16 things I like about living in Houston:
It’s in the USA
May seem obvious, but ever since living here for a year as a teenager, I’ve been drawn back again and again. I like living in the USA. For all its bad press and its detractors abroad, it is, generally speaking a great place to live. It attracts huge numbers of immigrants from all over the world, still, and Houston embodies the melting pot that is the USA. Many of the rest of the reasons I like living in Houston would probably apply wherever we lived in the US.
Hermann Park and the Bayou
Right on the doorstep and we visit every day. We never get tired of our walks in the park, getting there via the bayou. The fountains, the boat pond, the choo choo train, the pedalos and the birds. The Japanese Garden and the McGovern Millennial Garden. Did I tell you I like ducklings?
Miller Outdoor Theater
I have, to date, seen 6 free performances at Miller – that’s one for each month we’ve been here (ok, so one was last year when we were just visiting). Miller is in Hermann Park so right on our doorstep and we’ve been privileged to see Jefferson Starship, The Spencer Davies Group, Los Lobos, Legally Blonde, Hairspray and a wonderful Blues Night on Juneteenth with some great local blues acts. And it’s FREE, free, free. All of the time.
Rice Village
Houston is not known for its walkability and so Rice Village is unusual in that it is a collection of various shops and bars and restaurants in a 3 or 4 block area, easily walkable and much like UK shopping centres. Think Westhill Shopping Centre on steroids and you wouldn’t be a million miles away. It’s only a 5 minute drive from our house too so we’re lucky to have it so close.
Food stores
In general packed with wonderful fresh produce. Our various local stores include a Whole Foods Market with a bar so that those not actually shopping can imbibe – or maybe take a break from the shopping tribulations – and also watch whatever is on the tv, like a real bar….We also have a Fresh Market that plays very highbrow classical pieces as its ‘muzak’ clearly trying to appeal to a particular demographic.
Weather
Apart from sometimes (see also what I don’t like) in general I do like the weather. I like being warm most of the time. I like seeing the sun most of the time and I like seeing blue sky. It’s good to get a shot of vitamin D more often than the one week in summer if we’re lucky back home.
Diversity
Houston is a melting pot of peoples and cultures. Mostly getting along ok. Or at least it appears so on the surface. Our street neighbours include those with India, Pakistan, Brazil, Ireland, China, England and Scotland as their country of origin, as well as Americans from a variety of states. We only have 26 houses in our street.
Craziness
The Annual Wife Carrying Competition – I rest my case. Originated in Finland and has made it to Texas.
Friendliness
People are on the whole really friendly, especially when they hear you are ‘foreign’. They love us over here – they really do. It may be a cliche “I luuuuuve your accent” (said with American drawl) – but they really do love it, can’t get enough of it. It is most odd. There is a downside to this – wait to see my dislikes.
Location
Music Scene
It is generally known that we do like music. And the Houston music scene is thriving. Both with local bands and acts playing in small spit and sawdust bars to big acts in the main stadia. We have a great choice and we’re certainly making the most of it.
Eating out
Not just the fresh produce that you can buy at the supermarkets, but the range of ‘eating out’ options is testament to the Americans’ obsession with food in general. Not much wonder that half the population seem to be obese. The other half are desperately trying not to be, jogging and exercising their skinny butts off to keep them that way. I do love the food though – junk food especially is a guilty pleasure, but only in moderation. I can feel the fat piling on in great chunks every time I even look at burger, let alone a steak. While many vegetarians stay in the closet, there is a also a fantastic range of plant based food available, locally grown and ultra fresh. So you don’t have to be carniverous to enjoy the BBQ, but it helps.
Birds
An abundance of bird life lives in the equal abundance (surprisingly) of trees. From beautiful blue jays and colourful cardinals to garrulous grackles and cantankerous cormorants, with stately herons of all shapes and sizes standing sentinel on the Bayou. Did I mention ducks?
Trees
Houston’s streets in the residential areas are beautifully tree-lined, gracious oaks spread their substantial branches to cross the street and meet their partners in the middle. This gives welcome shade in the heat and some shelter from the rain if you happen to be caught short. There are other types of trees too and a whole area of the local government website devoted to urban forestry. What is reassuring about some of the trees is that they have obviously been here for a very long time. Perhaps a bit battered from hurricanes but stil standing nevertheless, providing homes to the birds and another animal I like…
Squirrels
Aw, they are so cute. Even if they overrun the place and are technically pests. They are so tame too. They are so friendly in Hermann Park that they eat right out of your hand. But you are not supposed to feed them.
Having visitors
We like having people to stay. It’s fun to show people around and see the sights. And we have plenty room. We don’t live in a huge house by Houston standards, but a comfortable size and plenty big enough for two plus visitors when they come.
So come on over – flights can be quite cheap depending on the time of year, and our accommodation is very cheap too!
Whole Other Country 