These are photos of Houston's skyline from flickr.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Sanjan.jpg
flickr oneeighteen

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/transco.jpg
flickr Hilary C.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/path.jpg
flickr tommy haymes

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/KA-BOOM.jpg
flickr balheretic

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/6969/auf7.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Houstonfreeways.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/woah.jpg

Please comment and feel free to post more photos of Houston.I will post more soon :)

Those pics are beautiful! i was just around Houston today at the galleria, then down around 59 and the beltway and back up around downtown near montrose and Richmond, and it just reminded what a great city it is, lots of stuff to see even though a lot of people think that Houston doesn't have anything interesting.

Why do you say it is underrated? I find Houston to have one of the best skylines in the country.

^^ Because not many people share your opinion and would string you up by your toes for complimenting Houston in any way.

Why do you say it is underrated? I find Houston to have one of the best skylines in the country.

So do I and with the addition of One Park Place, Mainplace and Discovery tower its going to get better!!!

Stunning images of a city that doesn't get the love it deserves, IMHO. Thanks for posting them here.

Great pics... what sets them apart from the rest is the way they were taken and the location, if that makes any sense.



http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/woah.jpg




So this is what downtown must look like when I'm driving by it on I45 where you cannot see a damn thing in front of you, much less downtown because of some freak storm. Next time this happens I'm going to try and get up to the Chase building if I can.

Nice pictures, but how is Houston underrated? Houston's a major city. I do have a question though, evertime I've seen street level pictures of Houston's downtown, it always seems so dead and quiet.

Are there no apartments or condos in downtown or is it just too hot to walk or what is it? How is the core, is it nice to walk around, are there a lot of things to do besides offices?

For example, would it be fine to walk from City Hall to the Toyota Center? How does I-45 play with the core, does it split it up, does it ruin it? Etc. I'm just curious because it seems to have great density, but only offices, and I wonder if it's well rounded for the people who live there. Just curious, thanks!

I like the one with the Battleship Texas with the San Jacinto monument in the background. But all the pictures are great. Houston is a great city in the USA and I do not think it takes a second place anywhere in the southeast forum.

Nice pictures, but how is Houston underrated? Houston's a major city. I do have a question though, evertime I've seen street level pictures of Houston's downtown, it always seems so dead and quiet.

Are there no apartments or condos in downtown or is it just too hot to walk or what is it? How is the core, is it nice to walk around, are there a lot of things to do besides offices?

For example, would it be fine to walk from City Hall to the Toyota Center? How does I-45 play with the core, does it split it up, does it ruin it? Etc. I'm just curious because it seems to have great density, but only offices, and I wonder if it's well rounded for the people who live there. Just curious, thanks!

In Downtown,we have the tunnel system and the tunnels connect to lots of the buildings downtown. So lots of people use those and it takes away from activity above the streets. It's usually pretty active during lunch time,but the medical center usually has some pedestrian-traffic all throughout the day except maybe after the dark. Theres a a few lofts,apartments,and condos around downtown,but theres lots of high-density areas being created right around the downtown core.

Blacknight, you should not have even entertained that question. He has been a member since Sept. 2005 and has over 1600 posts. I have no doubt that in that time he has learned why Houston streets are the way they are. That was a poor attempt to hide a snide remark in the form of a sincere question.

Why do you say it is underrated?

Because I think that Houston Skyline is underrated by most people,but think its one of the best skylines in the country as well.Lets just say I made a mistake...

More of Houston...
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/Huntergallien.jpg
flickrHuntergallien

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/danakay.jpg
flickr danakay

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/OhSNAPJohnny.jpg
flickr Oh SNAP Johnny

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/medicalcenter.jpg
flickr emalia

Blacknight, you should not have even entertained that question. He has been a member since Sept. 2005 and has over 1600 posts. I have no doubt that in that time he has learned why Houston streets are the way they are. That was a poor attempt to hide a snide remark in the form of a sincere question.

I wasn't trying to snide anything, I just honestly don't know too much about Houston's downtown besides the fact that they have crazy heights and big density. Just because I've been a member for a long time doesn't mean I've followed every sub-forum, chill out. I spend most of my time in the Miami forum, and noone ever mentions Houston, so why should you assume I should know anything about it?

I wasn't trying to snide anything, I just honestly don't know too much about Houston's downtown besides the fact that they have crazy heights and big density. Just because I've been a member for a long time doesn't mean I've followed every sub-forum, chill out. I spend most of my time in the Miami forum, and noone ever mentions Houston, so why should you assume I should know anything about it?

My apologies then. Being a Houstonian (a proud one at that) you have to be defensive when you are on here. Its just the way it is. But Houston is VERY underrated and I say that as someone who moved here from atlanta and the only thing I hate about Houston is that I didn't get here sooner!

Why do you say it is underrated? I find Houston to have one of the best skylines in the country.

The OP isn't saying it's bad, but that it's under recognized as a great skyline, and to that I will have to agree. People outside of the S and SE don't appreciate Houston's skyline as one of the country's greats even though it is a very good skyline.

My apologies then. Being a Houstonian (a proud one at that) you have to be defensive when you are on here. Its just the way it is. But Houston is VERY underrated and I say that as someone who moved here from atlanta and the only thing I hate about Houston is that I didn't get here sooner!

It's okay. I'm actually very curious about learning more about Houston, so I guess in that sense yeah, it is underrated here on the forums. In all honesty, I don't know too much about it, but with such a dense downtown, I'm curious to see how it is. Anyone have pictures?

More Houston Photos
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/aerialviewofhouston.jpg
Flickr shmat

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/bilbao58.jpg
Flickr bilbao58

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/bilbao59.jpg
Flickr bilbao58

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/EricRasch.jpg
Flickr EricRasch

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/bilbao5-8.jpg
Flickr bilbao58

Great pics, love Houston´s skyline

Houstonian there are very few people on this site, that thinks Houston has a underrated skyline.

did you ask the photographers if you could post there work? it's rude not to (but at least you credited them.)

-

Houstonian there are very few people on this site, that thinks Houston has a underrated skyline.

I disagree with you. Houston never gets the credit it deserves in anything.

Oh, poor Houston! So mistreated.

Cut it out with the inferiority complex.

^^ Lol

Oh, poor Houston! So mistreated.

Cut it out with the inferiority complex.

No inferiority complex. Just stating the truth.

I do not think there are as many people from Houston on this site, so that many the reason there are not as many posts.

Houston is simply one of the U.S. cities that gets a lot of crap on this an other urban sites. Any growing, prosperous, successful city is hated and dispised by people from cities that aren't doing so well. It's very difficult to post any positive information about Houston without drawing nasty comments just to point out its flaws. :)

In the general population Houston is probably not underrated...same with skyscrapercity folks who are truly unbiased.

CLT, people from Houston don't come here it is exactly as WeimieLvr points out which is we can post a positive report and it the conversation turns to one of the city's negatives. I remember about 2 months ago someone posted an article showing that Houston was leading the nation in job growth (and by a signifigant margain) and from that the conversation turned to how Houston is not dense enough and the lack of mass transit (rail) and how it is not pedestrian friendly.

Weimie, I would disagree with you and say that at least people on SSC and other forums like this know Houston has a skyline. The general population beleives what Hollywood would have them beleive which is that we are still in 1888 instead of 2008 like the rest of the world! Or that we all live on ranches and own oil derricks in our yards!

CLT, people from Houston don't come here it is exactly as WeimieLvr points out which is we can post a positive report and it the conversation turns to one of the city's negatives. I remember about 2 months ago someone posted an article showing that Houston was leading the nation in job growth (and by a signifigant margain) and from that the conversation turned to how Houston is not dense enough and the lack of mass transit (rail) and how it is not pedestrian friendly.

Weimie, I would disagree with you and say that at least people on SSC and other forums like this know Houston has a skyline. The general population beleives what Hollywood would have them beleive which is that we are still in 1888 instead of 2008 like the rest of the world! Or that we all live on ranches and own oil derricks in our yards!

I hate when Hollywood does that to us. I mean come on Texas has over 24 million people but they continue to portray us as being a rural state. It gets on my damn nerves!

I hate when Hollywood does that to us. I mean come on Texas has over 24 million people but they continue to portray us as being a rural state. It gets on my damn nerves!

Texas is home to Bush-loving-stuck-up people... and for Houston... urban sprawl... superfat people... very polluted... eeewwwwwwww! You guys still have that "I'm from Texas, what country are you from" mentality... darn Texans... Yeeee haw! I'm goin' home on the ranch to shoot me some indians!

Nobody but Texans want Texas... when Obama come to power, he should give it to Mexico

Nobody but Texans want Texas... when Obama come to power, he should give it to Mexico

Pretty damn ignorant.

Texas is home to Bush-loving-stuck-up people... and for Houston... urban sprawl... superfat people... very polluted... eeewwwwwwww! You guys still have that "I'm from Texas, what country are you from" mentality... darn Texans... Yeeee haw! I'm goin' home on the ranch to shoot me some indians!

That's interesting. Considering that Virginia voted for that same Bush. As for Houston, superfat people? Where? very polluted and urban sprawl? Take a trip around NOVA lately? . What does that have to do with this thread in the first place?

Fairfax County voted for Kerry... I don't care about the rest of the state politically... and for take a trip to NoVA, I live here and love it. We have the wealthiest suburbs in the nation, to say the least.

State-by-State Obesity List

Here's how each state -- plus Washington, D.C. -- ranks in adult obesity prevalence, along with the percentage of obese adults. States with the same prevalence are listed together.

1. Mississippi: 32%

2. Alabama: 30.3%

3. Tennessee: 30.1%

4. Louisiana: 29.8%

5. Arkansas: 28.7%

6. West Virginia: 29.5%

7. South Carolina: 28.4%

8. Georgia: 28.2%

9. Oklahoma and Texas: 28.1%

10. North Carolina: 28%

11. Michigan: 27.7%

12. Alaska, Missouri, and Ohio: 27.5%

13. Delaware and Kentucky: 27.4%

14. Pennsylvania: 27.1%

15. Iowa and Kansas: 26.9%

16. Indiana: 26.8%

17. North Dakota: 26.5%

18. South Dakota: 26.2%

19. Nebraska: 26%

20. Minnesota: 25.6%

21. Oregon: 25.5%

22. Arizona and Maryland: 25.4%

23. Washington: 25.3%

24. New York: 25%

25. Illinois: 24.9%

26. Maine: 24.8%

27. Wisconsin: 24.7%

28. Idaho: 24.5%

29. New Hampshire: 24.4%

30. Virginia: 24.3%

31. Nevada: 24.1%

32. New Mexico: 24%

33. Wyoming: 23.7%

34. New Jersey: 23.5%

35. California: 22.6%

36. Montana, Utah, and Washington, D.C.: 21.8%

37. Hawaii and Rhode Island: 21.4%

38. Massachusetts and Vermont: 21.3%

39. Connecticut: 21.2%

40. Colorado: 18.7%

Texas is home to Bush-loving-stuck-up people... and for Houston... urban sprawl... superfat people... very polluted... eeewwwwwwww! You guys still have that "I'm from Texas, what country are you from" mentality... darn Texans... Yeeee haw! I'm goin' home on the ranch to shoot me some indians!

I pity your ignorance to such a wonderful city and state.

FL,GA,SC,NC,VA,WV,LA,TN,AR,OK and a few others voted for Bush along with Texas.

WHY THEY'RE FIT OR FAT

Here are some of the reasons people in America's fittest cities keep in such good shape:

1. Colorado Springs. That fresh mountain air is the best you can find anywhere, and there are more than twice as many health food stores per capita than in any other city.
2. Minneapolis. Keeping fit is easy when there are more basketball courts and gyms per capita than any other city. Also, people spend 49% less time watching TV than in other surveyed cities.
3. Albuquerque. With 57% fewer watering holes per capita than the national average, getting that beer belly is much harder. Staying outdoors is much more fashionable: The city's 361 parks are among the most in the nation on a per-capita basis.
4. Denver. There must be something in that mile-high air. The city ranks among the tops in high participation rates in running, biking and walking.
5. Portland, Ore. Consuming fruits and vegetables is a top priority here; a survey-high 15% eat the recommended five servings a day.

Here are some of the reasons residents of America's fattest cities are testing the limits of their belts:

1. Las Vegas. Poor eating habits and an alarmingly sedentary population kept Sin City atop the gluttony charts.
2. Arlington, Texas. Commute times have increased almost a half-hour in the past five years, and the percentage of overweight people skyrocketed in the past year from 36.5% to 43.2%.
3. San Antonio. Parks are scarce in the city, and people are more likely to get their kicks from binge drinking. In a survey, more than 20% of San Antonians acknowledged having five or more drinks in one sitting within the past month, higher than the national average of 14.7%
4. Fort Worth. People are just less likely to go out and exercise compared with those in other cities. It probably has something to do with the fact temperatures top 90 degrees an average of 101 days each year.
5. El Paso. A relatively low number of golf courses, gyms and tennis courts makes it hard to find a place to get fit. And again, the Texas heat is too much to handle.

Just getting the FACTS across. :-)

Four out of the top five fattest cities are in Texas... drinking is a big reason for that in San Antonio.

Four out of the top five fattest cities are in Texas... drinking is a big reason for that in San Antonio.
http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/top25s/skinniest.html
Now will you look at that. Three Texas cities, ALL in the Houston area, is at the very top of the skinniest cities in the NATION list.

nd for take a trip to NoVA,
I didn't ask you that. Considering that I saw your location, I asked you, "have you taken a trip AROUND NOVA lately."

Fairfax County voted for Kerry
And the city of Houston voted for Kerry. And the city of Dallas voted for Kerry. And the city of Austin for Kerry. Do not waste your time and post the county results on here because than I would tell you that you need to understand the difference between a county and a city.

^^ Thankyou. I was going to post the same thing. Enough said.

Look, he posted an idiotic listing that promotes Virginia...what a surprise. He doesn't realize the small numerical difference between 28% and 24% - that's not a lot of people. Stop stereotyping people from specific cities or states...it makes you come across as extremely ignorant and naive.

that's a neat site... look at the education rankings:

Most educated

Here are the cities with the highest percentage of residents with graduate degrees.

Rank City % residents with graduate degrees
1 Arlington, VA 35.7%
2 Davis, CA 34.6%
3 Brookline, MA 32.5%
4 Evanston, IL 31.2%
5 Bloomington, IN 31.2%
6 Towson, MD 31.2%
7 Oak Park, IL 29.1%
8 Bethesda, MD 29.1%
9 Alexandria, VA 29.0%
10 West Hartford, CT 28.9%
11 College Station, TX 27.7%
12 Ames, IA 27.5%
13 Columbia, MO 27.5%
14 Iowa City, IA 27.4%
15 Newton, MA 26.9%
16 Cambridge, MA 26.3%
17 Corvallis, OR 25.7%
18 Palo Alto, CA 25.4%
19 Berkeley, CA 24.5%
20 Lawrence, KS 24.3%
21 Champaign, IL 24.1%
22 Irvine, CA 24.0%
23 Santa Monica, CA 23.8%
24 Catalina Foothills, AZ 23.7%
25 Gainesville, FL 23.7%

no offense intended, but your "skinny" rankings were from 2006... here is the updated list:

Skinniest Residents of these counties from the Best Places database have the lowest average body mass index.
Rank County Towns include Body mass index

1 Marin County, CA Novato, San Rafael 24.48
2 San Francisco County, CA San Francisco 24.86
3 Williamson County, TN Brentwood, Franklin 24.90
3 Maury County, TN Spring Hill 24.90
5 Boulder County, CO Boulder, Lafayette, Longmont 24.94
6 Douglas County, CO Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Parker 25.34
7 Alexandria city, VA Alexandria 25.41
8 San Mateo County, CA Belmont, Burlingame, Daly City, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Pacifica, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco 25.42
9 Fayette County, GA Peachtree City 25.43
10 Santa Fe County, NM Santa Fe 25.50
11 Indian River County, FL Sebastian, Vero Beach South 25.51
12 Yavapai County, AZ Prescott 25.75
13 Adams County, CO Broomfield 25.77
13 Sarasota County, FL North Port, Sarasota, Venice 25.77
13 Arlington County, VA Arlington 25.77
16 Santa Clara County, CA Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Sunnyvale 25.79
16 Brevard County, FL Melbourne, Merritt Island, Palm Bay, Rockledge, Titusville 25.79
18 Montgomery County, MD Aspen Hill, Bethesda, Calverton, Colesville, Fairland, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Montgomery Village, North Bethesda, North Potomac, Olney, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Wheaton-Glenmont, White Oak 25.80
19 Deschutes County, OR Bend, Redmond 25.87
20 Seminole County, FL Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Oviedo, Sanford, Wekiwa Springs, Winter Springs 25.91
21 St. Johns County, FL Fruit Cove, Palm Valley, Ponte Vedra 25.93
21 Gallatin County, MT Bozeman 25.93
23 Cumberland County, ME Portland, South Portland 25.94
24 Barnstable County, MA Barnstable Town, Sandwich 25.95
25 Missoula County, MT Missoula 25.97
25 Fairfax County, VA Annandale, Bailey's Crossroads, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Dranesville, Franconia, Groveton, Herndon, Hunter Mill, Jefferson, Lorton, McLean, Mount Vernon, Newington, Oakton, Reston, Springfield, Sully, West Springfield 25.97

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2008/top25s/qualitylife/skinniest.html

hmmmm. what does all this health information have to do with the skyline of houston? isnt that what this thread was about? i think we all just need to ignore that virginia guy. let him think what he wants to think. he doesnt like houston and thats that! who cares! and just for the record, i love it! :)

^^ As do I!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/2186081930_756d53ef8f_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/101/255727575_9313e06461_o.jpg

Amazing!

Amazing!

Except for the freeway ;) I have been to Houston once and it was a cool city except for the huge freeways! My dad and I stayed at one of the Westin's at the Galleria Mall and we rode lightrail downtown and walked around a bit.

Except for the freeway ;) I have been to Houston once and it was a cool city except for the huge freeways!

uh... you'd prefer them small? okay...

uh... you'd prefer them small? okay...
he prefers them just like the majority of us on this forum do. Not to big but not to small.

haha... luckily you guys aren't in charge, otherwise i'd be sitting in traffic all day.

haha... luckily you guys aren't in charge, otherwise i'd be sitting in traffic all day.

That's the point. Many on this forum want you to get OUT of your car sometimes. Having the widest and most massive freeway is nothing to brag about. I don't hate the car nor do I hate the freeway because I love the occassional joyride sometimes. But I do like having other alternatives to transportation which is what most people on this site desires.

great shot
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm99/YahTrickYah57/medicalcenter.jpg

That's the point. Many on this forum want you to get OUT of your car sometimes. Having the widest and most massive freeway is nothing to brag about. I don't hate the car nor do I hate the freeway because I love the occassional joyride sometimes. But I do like having other alternatives to transportation which is what most people on this site desires.

agreed there, but when it comes to houston i'm just being realistic.

agreed there, but when it comes to houston i'm just being realistic.

Realistic about what?

Realistic about what?

about how spread out and pedestrian-unfriendly the city is. we obviously need our cars. for that to be different, changes should have been made way long ago.

about how spread out and pedestrian-unfriendly the city is. we obviously need our cars. for that to be different, changes should have been made way long ago.

Oh. Well yeah, and for just about any city in the Sunbelt. The Inner Core is shaping up nicely, and Uptown is on its way.

Nobody but Texans want Texas... when Obama come to power, he should give it to Mexico

You simply sound SOOOOOO GHETTO!!!

You simply sound SOOOOOO GHETTO!!! and dumb :ohno:

Simply Houston, Metro Pop: 6 Mill + (many unregistred), Houston is simply to large to catch completely on camera, skyscrapers extend over miles in many "separate downtowns" due to Houstons nonzoning regulations which has spared the city the worse of 2007-2008 Housing crisis

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/Houston_Cityscape.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Large_Houston_Landsat.jpg

http://www.freewebs.com/thedefinitive08/HoustonSky2.jpg

http://www.freewebs.com/thedefinitive08/HoustonSkyline-1_281210650_std.jpg

Downtown Sky/Underground Walkway, connects many large Corporation buildings downtown together and to upside and downside parking lots
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1140/723581183_2784184291_b.jpg

Just exactly, who underrates Houston????

Certainly not on this forum.

^^ You have to be joking!! You have been a member of SSC since 2004 so I know you are just being sarcastic.

Maybe back in 2004 Houston was underrated. At that time, I hardly remember seeing any threads on Houston, it was mostly Atlanta and Charlotte. But I would hardly say that today. There's no general consensus that Houston is underrated. I just think at that time, there were more Atlanta forummers on here than Houston. That is hardly the case today. These days Atlanta and Dallas are like afterthoughts on this site.

I hate when Hollywood does that to us. I mean come on Texas has over 24 million people but they continue to portray us as being a rural state. It gets on my damn nerves!

Whether it gets on your nerves or not Texas IS a rural state. 24 million people in an area the size of France is nothing...

Whether it gets on your nerves or not Texas IS a rural state. 24 million people in an area the size of France is nothing...

uh, no, Wyoming is a rural state, North Dakota is a rural state, Montana is a rural state, Texas is definitely not a rural state. I don't care if the state is the size of France, first the state contains 3 cities with populations over 1 million and two metro areas in the top 5 of all metros in the U.S. population wise. The DFW metro alone area has over 13 cities with populations over 100,000. By your standards I guess you could say China is a rural country considering most of its population is concentrated in a small area and much of the country is rural. So I guess until Texas reaches a population comparable to our own country's population it will continue to be rural. Give me a break.

Well, Texas' population is around 90 per sk mile, so that is pretty damn rural!~

Not even in the top 25 for density...... So you figure it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_population_density

considering the size of Texas (enormous btw only Alaska is bigger) and still being 26 on that list, that's not rural. I live here and know how rural it's not. Again, not on the same scale as China but same principle. West of DFW/Austin/San Antonio (I-35 corridor) is rural kinda like how the population of China is concentrated on the coasts and the interior of the land is uninhabited. Sorry but Texas is not rural whatsover. Tell that to the 6 million plus inhabitants who live in DFW or the 5 million plus in Houston.

Well, Texas' population is around 90 per sk mile, so that is pretty damn rural!~

Not even in the top 25 for density...... So you figure it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_population_density

If New York City was put in Texas. Our density would still be very low. Texas is very big and lots of areas aren't residental areas.

Amd1588, I just have to disagree with you. Houston is underrated, period. Just because more members are on SSP and you see more pictures of it does not mean outsiders like yourself views have changed about it. Everytime someone on here posts something good about Houston the conversation never fails to turn towards it's flaws. Secondly, EVERY STATE is rural outside of the metro areas. I have crossed every single one every single way you can cross them and TX is the same as GA,CA,NY,FL,IL,VA,MA,PA and on and on. You could put the entire population of the U.S into TX and the density would still only be 1138!

^^ Okay well then Texas is a sprawl state.......

either way, a great deal of the state lives in what may be considered the country, depending on who's perspective. All I said was that it wasn't in the top 25, which means it hadn't cracked a half of the country. 26 is close to half though.

Georgia was 18, now that's an Urban state!

Amd1588, I just have to disagree with you. Houston is underrated, period. Just because more members are on SSP and you see more pictures of it does not mean outsiders like yourself views have changed about it. Everytime someone on here posts something good about Houston the conversation never fails to turn towards it's flaws. Secondly, EVERY STATE is rural outside of the metro areas. I have crossed every single one every single way you can cross them and TX is the same as GA,CA,NY,FL,IL,VA,MA,PA and on and on. You could put the entire population of the U.S into TX and the density would still only be 1138!


I think just because Houston doesn't have the major media representatives there like other cities, this may be why you may perceive it to be underrepresented. Everyone that I talk to even here in Atlanta, knows that Houston in a great city. In fact, most people that aren't even into Skyscrapers can tell you that Houston is the 4th Biggest city in America! Whereas Miami and Atlanta are like down in the 30's. I am sure you guys get plenty of tourism. With many more attractions. Being an outsider I think makes me a BETTER credible source as to whether or not Houston is underrated, because I am on the Outside looking in. You guys are on the inside looking out, hence your City-Self-Consciousness.

^^ Okay well then Texas is a sprawl state.......

either way, a great deal of the state lives in what may be considered the country, depending on who's perspective. All I said was that it wasn't in the top 25, which means it hadn't cracked a half of the country. 26 is close to half though.

Georgia was 18, now that's an Urban state!

GA is roughly 1/4 or less the size of Texas and you are comparing them! Everything outside of Atlanta is rural! Just like every other state! TX is no different. Secondly, we must just talk to different types of people. I do nothing but travel for a living and whenever I tell people Im from Houston, I find myself having to inform them on just how large this city is...even those from Atlanta. As a matter of fact people from Atlanta do everything but call me a flat out liar when I tell them that Houston is larger than Atlanta and is 4th and 5th in city/metro size.

^^

Well I do have a friend from Dallas who swears up and down that Atlanta is much bigger than Dallas, despite contrary. Maybe it just seems that way because of the hype Atlanta gets ??? I don't know. Or maybe because the city is smaller it seems more dense to visitors?

Also, I was being facetious about Texas.

I guess when I think of underrated cities, the first thing that pops in my head is not large metropolis' like Houston or Dallas... My idea of underrated is cities like Little Rock, Chattanooga, Louisville, Charlotte, or Tulsa.

Amd1588 said:
"Well I do have a friend from Dallas who swears up and down that Atlanta is much bigger than Dallas, despite contrary."


It's because Dallas is familiar to him. People tend to take their own city for granted. You know, the grass is always greener...

Amd1588 said:
"Well I do have a friend from Dallas who swears up and down that Atlanta is much bigger than Dallas, despite contrary."


It's because Dallas is familiar to him. People tend to take their own city for granted. You know, the grass is always greener...

Or maybe he just thinks Atlanta seems bigger to him. I've been to cities larger than Atlanta, and I felt they were smaller or comparable size. And I've also been to cities smaller than Atlanta, that I certainly feel is bigger. It has nothing to do with me taking Atlanta for granted.

I only assume that's the reason because of how Atlanta is smaller in city obviously, but also in metro, urban area, not as high density, etc.

I understand your point, that smaller places like maybe Cleveland or Pittsburgh seem much bigger than they are in reality. But that's because they were a lot bigger at one point, and of course were built in a much more urban design. I just don't see how someone who has been to both would think Atlanta's bigger than Dallas unless they stay confined to their one little area of town, and don't really pay much attention to what's happening around their city. Then they visit a new place, and go to all the sights, experiencing new things, and it seems "bigger".

But hey, I'm just speculating.

Texas is not a rural state. It is suburban though. But nowhere near rural. Not when you have two metros over 5.7 million people, one more metro at 2 million, another at 1.5 million, two more metros over 500k, and a couple of areas that have around 300k (but those do have rural pockets in them).

GA is roughly 1/4 or less the size of Texas and you are comparing them! Everything outside of Atlanta is rural! Just like every other state! TX is no different.

I agree that Texas is not a rural state...it has rural and uninhabited areas, but much of the state is urban and with cities the size of Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Austin, etc. you can't designate Texas as rural. Every state has rural areas...California is very rural and has huge areas of farmland, but I doubt many people would call California rural. I've driven across upstate New York and seen nothing but farmland as far as I could see, and country folk galore...does that mean New York is a rural state?

On the other hand, everything outside of Atlanta in Georgia IS NOT rural. There are several cities of over 100,000 residents - Augusta, Macon, Columbus, Athens, Savannah, Albany - all outside of Atlanta and spread all across the state. They certainly aren't huge cities but are far from being rural.

^^ You are right and it's funny because I was just waiting to see how long it would take someone to correct me. I was so excited I didn't take time to make my point as clear as I wanted to. I was meaning that by the logic being used everything outside of Atlanta should be considered rural (although I agree that is not the case). I'm gald you pointed out how rural upstate New York is. NY and PA are probably 2 of the most rural states you will come across. Driving the Thruway or Penna Turnpike can be brutal on the senses!

Just exactly, who underrates Houston????

Certainly not on this forum.

I think anyone who would put Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, or any other city in the SE ahead of Houston is who.

^^ Oh NO!!! That is the comment heard round the forum. The gloves will be coming off
soon enough!

bring it on............ lol

^^ You are right and it's funny because I was just waiting to see how long it would take someone to correct me. I was so excited I didn't take time to make my point as clear as I wanted to. I was meaning that by the logic being used everything outside of Atlanta should be considered rural (although I agree that is not the case). I'm gald you pointed out how rural upstate New York is. NY and PA are probably 2 of the most rural states you will come across. Driving the Thruway or Penna Turnpike can be brutal on the senses!

Ok, you do know what you're talking about then. :) I have heard that exact statement about Georgia before..."there's nothing outside of Atlanta". Some people actually believe that.

Yes I do. As I have said, I have crossed the lower 48 states every single way you can cross them. Plus my wife is from Tifton,GA (60 miles north of the FL line on I 75).

The truth though is that there is a lot to Georgia outside of Atlanta, so if you believe that, then perhaps there's at least one of the Lower 48 you haven't crossed every which way, and probably a few more. It's just that Georgia outside of Atlanta is about as Deep South as you can get, so you may incidentally associate it with being all rural..

I'll give you two examples: Athens is a GREAT college town, and Savannah is absolutely beautiful.

What is your point? I dont get it. I think I said there IS more to GA than just Atlanta. I have indeed crossed everyu state. You could try me but you'd probably think I was just lying.

The truth though is that there is a lot to Georgia outside of Atlanta, so if you believe that, then perhaps there's at least one of the Lower 48 you haven't crossed every which way, and probably a few more. It's just that Georgia outside of Atlanta is about as Deep South as you can get, so you may incidentally associate it with being all rural..

I'll give you two examples: Athens is a GREAT college town, and Savannah is absolutely beautiful.


Macon is beautiful as well, and Augusta is growing and larger than most people think. Columbus has the riverfront and huge military base, and lots of other smaller cities have their positive aspects.

Deep South, by the way, doesn't mean country or rural to people who are familiar with it and know what they are talking about. I'm not sure what other people think it means, but there is a wide variety of education levels, communities both rural and urban, dialects, economic conditions, etc. across the Deep South - which to me is a location, not an area unified by any one cultural characteristic.

To people outside the south, Deep South means Inherit the Wind, if you've ever seen that.

Houstonian there are very few people on this site, that thinks Houston has a underrated skyline.

i actually agree with houstonian as well.
i think its just that were fed up with dallas stealing all our glory ;)

To people outside the south, Deep South means Inherit the Wind, if you've ever seen that.


I don't generalize as to what people believe...perceptions vary, so to say that "To people outside the south, the Deep South means..." you're assuming a lot. If someone believes that it is still 1940 in the south, then so be it. That is a very ignorant perception that most people have realized is in the past.

Well, let's take it up with the rest of the forum. I hope I'm wrong.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=727288

Well, let's take it up with the rest of the forum. I hope I'm wrong.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=727288

Your choices in that poll are ridiculous...could you be anymore extreme? I'm not interested in ignorant stereotypes anyone has about the South - but I doubt most people on this site are uneducated and/or untraveled.

I think you're ridiculous, and extreme, too. :)

I think you're ridiculous, and extreme, too. :)


Ouch. Great comeback. Nerd.

It seems your ideas on perceptions aren't working so far...many more people think the South is "hip and edgy" (where did you come up with that nonsense?) than "Gone With the Wind".:lol:

I think anyone who would put Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, or any other city in the SE ahead of Houston is who.

Who put those cities ahead of Houston ? And even if they did, so what ? All of these cities are in the same peer, so what difference does it make ????

I don't generalize as to what people believe...perceptions vary, so to say that "To people outside the south, the Deep South means..." you're assuming a lot. If someone believes that it is still 1940 in the south, then so be it. That is a very ignorant perception that most people have realized is in the past.

When people come visit me in Houston, they're shocked that there are

A: No cactus
B: No tumbleweeds
C: I drive a car, instead of riding a horse

Old stereotypes die hard

When people come visit me in Houston, they're shocked that there are

A: No cactus
B: No tumbleweeds
C: I drive a car, instead of riding a horse

Old stereotypes die hard

When people come visit me in Atlanta, they're shocked that there are

A. No Plantations
B. No roads to Tara
C. Separate Water fountains

It is true, stereotypes do die hard. I had a friend in Philadelphia who honestly wasn't sure about the separate water fountains.

When people come visit me in Atlanta, they're shocked that there are

A. No Plantations
B. No roads to Tara
C. Separate Water fountains

It is true, stereotypes do die hard. I had a friend in Philadelphia who honestly wasn't sure about the separate water fountains.

At least the baseball team's crappy again, that was really getting me all out of whack for a while ;)

When people come visit me in Atlanta, they're shocked that there are

A. No Plantations
B. No roads to Tara
C. Separate Water fountains

It is true, stereotypes do die hard. I had a friend in Philadelphia who honestly wasn't sure about the separate water fountains.

There are still seperate water fountains? :shocked: Haha, I kid, I kid. :lol:

Don't think I forgot about this thread. ;)

More of Houston:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/3035501517_82cdc1e380_b.jpg
flickr telwink

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/2968016249_4f324a8f70_b.jpg
flickr artandsteel_com

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3271/2951933728_edcd96c635_o.jpg
flickr Lanny Partain

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3039/2928916600_36f1673cd5_b.jpg
flickr b2tse


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3511/3212272612_3a5cd5d49a_b.jpg
Momentsintimephotos.com, Flickr.com

I love that bottom pic. It does a really good job of showing the density of the west side of Houston.

That building in the 3rd picture is such an eyesore. Everytime I drive to visit my sisters down in the southwest area, it's there blocking the view of the medical center. I don't know what it is (but I suppose it is residential), but it is so ugly. Should be torn down immediately and a nice glassy tall takes its place. :-)

I disagree, I've always thought it looked cool. Soon there will probably be plenty of glass high-rises surrounding it and the Museum District, so enjoy the uniqueness of its modern design for now.

At least the baseball team's crappy again, that was really getting me all out of whack for a while ;)

Houston's baseball team has ALWAYS been crappy. That's one thing we're consistent about down here.

Love that bottom pic

Houston's baseball team has ALWAYS been crappy. That's one thing we're consistent about down here.

LOL. I used to have to tell people that I'm a fan of the Bermuda Triangle of Sports: the Texans, the Astros, and the Rockets when T-Mac and Yao have injuries.

Houston has an awesome skyline! The only thing needed are more tower cranes!

Houston has an awesome skyline! The only thing needed are more tower cranes!


well ask and you shall receive. I know in downtown there are about 3 or 4 new scrapers either being completed or where construction has started.

Nice thread. :okay: Houston has great skyscrapers.

Houston is actually a very overrated city. I've gone 3 times in the past few years. It is very industrial and ugly, full of rude drivers, and needs better zoning. What I mean by this is that nothing really good is going on outside the advertised areas and there is literally mansions next to ugly neighborhoods and buisnesses smack dab in the middle of them too. Galveton is very ugly too(and hurricane Ike didn't help any) with dirty oily shark infested waters and poor zoning also. Oh yahh! I forgot to mention the jellyfish and crumbling infrastructure. And for all you thrill seekers out there, six flags astroland closed and the city doesn't have much to offer. The sports teams suck too. It's just a phoney bunch of misleading propaganda. :)

I don't reccomend that anybody waste time or money in Houston.

I don't reccomend that anybody waste time or money in rude Houston.

We'll lightly regard your contribution as it seems that you had a bad personal experience.

For that matter, I was acosted by a transvestite panhandler in Dallas.

I like industrial and ugly...

You're also shooting yourself in the foot if you come to Houston and expect it to pander to your likings and curiosity without having any prior knowledge beforehand, like walking around some tourist-friendly cities and exploring. Research your shit and you will thank yourself later, otherwise you WILL hate it. This city is spread out and so are all the good stuff contained within. Internet, use it - then get in your car and go. I guess it helps if you know people here too ;)

I always laugh when people fly here on business for a few days and leave with their panties in a twist. Or when pretentious hipster losers think they've had enough and aspire to move somewhere more "cosmopolitan" (read: super expensive). Good - get out.
I have a friend from Atlanta that has flown here twice and loved it both times, never having been here before... but that's because he was hanging out with me all the while.

Actually, the one time I've been to Houston ... I was struck by the amount of tree-cover. It seemed very lush.

I always thought Houston was underrated in general, so many positives.

- great weather (in my opinon)
- a good amount of every race is represented in city limits
- museum/arts/cultural events
- wide array of urban and suburban areas within city limits to chose from
- so large and cosmopolitan

I always thought Houston was underrated in general, so many positives.

- great weather (in my opinon)
- a good amount of every race is represented in city limits
- museum/arts/cultural events
- wide array of urban and suburban areas within city limits to chose from
- so large and cosmopolitan


I'd back you up on all of those, the weather being...arguable. Summer sucks, but I'd rather endure that than a really harsh winter. It all pays off during late fall/winter/early spring. Hell yes. I would not have winter here any other way, really...

Houston is actually a very overrated city. I've gone 3 times in the past few years. It is very industrial and ugly, full of rude drivers, and needs better zoning. What I mean by this is that nothing really good is going on outside the advertised areas and there is literally mansions next to ugly neighborhoods and buisnesses smack dab in the middle of them too. Galveton is very ugly too(and hurricane Ike didn't help any) with dirty oily shark infested waters and poor zoning also. Oh yahh! I forgot to mention the jellyfish and crumbling infrastructure. And for all you thrill seekers out there, six flags astroland closed and the city doesn't have much to offer. The sports teams suck too. It's just a phoney bunch of misleading propaganda. :)

Right on the spot! Very nice.

There is no zoning, it seems. Commercial buildings are right next to houses and apartments.

Infrastructure is practically non-existent. Galveston's beaches are either dirty or the water is very muddy/oily.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/4084764552_01a16bd22e_b.jpg
Flickr Dan PanCamo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pancamo/4084764552/)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2654/4052805365_f9da9719ff_b.jpg
Flickr Kaleigh :D (http://www.flickr.com/photos/28240145@N04/4052805365/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3470/3867234619_28033d4d86.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2667/4099401627_fd483363ae.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3145/4086124019_1f3bfd6336.jpg
ANVAR - SO BUSY RUSSIANTEXAN (http://www.flickr.com/photos/svetan/)

This one would make a good banner, but it doesn't show off our best architecture, just the quantity of buildings in DT, unfortunately....good find
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/Houston/9.jpg

Anyways, heres some good ones, ive found. I already posted the 1st 2 in the fav. skylines thread, but theyre cool anyways

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/6-5.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/3-10.jpg

http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k353/northbayoukid/1-20.jpg