travleis

wemr, I used to work at Mayo and I can assure you that the conglomeration of facilities called the Texas Medical Center is much larger. Mayo has about 1900 hospital beds and 1700 physicians at this point (in Rochester).
TMC has over 6000 beds and some 60,000 employees. It's at least 3 times larger than Mayo.
But TMC is not a single coordinated entity, as is Mayo.

qzseattle

Statia, I would love to settle in the Woodlands. Unfortunately, world isnt perfect. It is about 40-45 minutes drive from my work plus I will have to pay toll

Other areas that I have seen so far include Sugarland, New Territory and Sienna Plantation. Although they are all nice, I liked Sienna Plantation the best. Also, it has more newer homes than Sugarland or New Territory.

I also like most of the areas between I-10 and Westheimer, all the way from Highway 6 to downtown. However, the houses there are either too old or too expensive for me.

I havnt seen other parts of Houston yet. I would probably be exploring northwest area as well.

P_M

Hi, gzseattle.

I agree with much of what you said, except one thing. You said that Houston, Austin and SA all have Six Flags amusement parks. While Austin has a great deal to offer, we do not have a Six Flags, and I only know of one water park near Austin which is out by Lake Travis. If you are thinking of Schlitterbahn, that's in New Braunfels, which is closer to SA than Austin.

Welcome to Texas.

qzseattle

Bellairegirl, I havnt got the chance yet to try out restuarants although I have driven down many and would want to try some of them. No, I havnt been to central market yet.

I lived in Seattle for 13 years. That's too long to change my screen name right way

By the way, this may be out of topic, but I will be flying out of George Bush airport in a few days and need to park my car at or near the airport. Does anyone know what options do I have. And, oh, when and why did they name the airport George Bush?

rkkwan

qz - Since I usually take US59 to IAH, I park at XpressPark on Will Clayton Parkway, just off 59. Good rates, good service, and you can usually find a coupon on their website.

While ex-president George Hebert Walker Bush spent most of his early life in New England, Houston was his "official" home when he was in public service, and his real home afterwards.

rkkwan

It should be Herbert. Sorry.

Statia

qz, yes The Woodlands is a very nice area, as are others you've mentioned. Have you had a chance to check out the Clear Lake area yet? There are some really nice homes there, as well, and there is a lot to do in the area. However, you would still have about a half hour or more commute into town during rush hour.

qzseattle

Thanks for the tip rkkwan. I was planning to take Beltway 8 and then JFK. Not sure how far the exit for JFK is from I-59. Maybe I could keep going east on beltway till I hit I-59?

Statia, no I havnt been to Clear Lake yet. I hear it is a nice area. I also hear that Pearland and Friendswood are nice although they probably have older homes. In the north/northwest, I would check out Bear Creek area, Copperfield, Fairfield, Champions etc although they are probably as far as Woodlands.

rkkwan

qz - There are also a couple of commercial parking lots on JFK Blvd too, but I've never used them. But if you decide to use XpressPark, then yes, just stay on Beltway 8 a little further (about 1.5 miles), and then go US59 North. Turn left on Will Clayton towards the airport, and XpressPark is on your right, with yellow canopies.

LDLee

I have been traveling a lot for work recently, and I park at the terminal. I know it is $12 per day, but its worth the extra amount not having to wait for the bus, haul luggage around and hope its not raining when I try to load my vehicle.

Glad that on balance you have enjoyed your time here so far. Good luck on your search for a house.

rkkwan

I used to think it's better to park at the terminal, but actually, these off-site lots are better in many ways. Many have covered spots, for maybe just a dollar more.

But most importantly, they send the shuttle bus right to your car, and the driver can help you haul luggage (tips optional), and drop you off in front of the terminal. The walk and distance to haul luggage is a fraction of what would be required if park at the terminal.

And at least with XpressPark, I've never had to wait for over 2-3 minutes before they send a shuttle bus.

qzseattle

rkkwan,

How much does it cost to park at XpressPark?

kk, my response to your post got lost. This site has been acting weird lately.

I wanted to thank you for your post and agree, that after all the pros and cons, I do find Houston quite a nice place to live. I think that visitors need to see past the heat and humidity of summer months and freeways to appreciate what Houston has to offer to its residents. While looking for a house, I have explored many of its really nice areas. I have gawked at the pretentious mansions of River Oaks, Memorial and its villages, driven through quaint tree-lined, oak-shaded streets of West University Place, Bellaire and Rice University, smelled the pine in lush forests of Woodlands and northwest Houston and found pretty country side in the southwest. Indeed, the amenities available in the residential communities around Houston are unthinkable in Seattle. Things like oylmpic-size pools, water parks, lagoons, golf courses, gyms and so on. Of course, it is also not too hard to afford your own private pool or a huge backyard in your mansion-size home. So, given all that, do I find Houston a pretty decent place to live? You bet I do!

Statia

qz, sounds like you are warming up to Houston even more. Glad to hear it!

rkkwan

qzseattle -

xpresspark.com

$7.75 covered, $6.75 uncovered - without coupon
$6 covered, $5 uncovered - with coupon printed from website.

libretango

How about the weather Seattle?

I lived in Houston for 23 years and relocated to Eugene, Oregon.

Wouldn't trade even the long rainy season for that "wall of heat" you hit once stepping outside.

The traffic--needless to say--its none existent here compared to Houston.

I've been in Oregon for almost 13 years and haven't been back once to visit and don't intend on doing so!

I loved Houston in the old days late 60's and 70's.

qzseattle

Hello libretango,

You cant compare the traffic of a small town such as Eugene with a big city like Houston. Thats not fair! As for Seattle, the traffic there is awful as well. Indeed, Seattle was ranked 2nd among the cities with worst traffic.
As for weather, I think it all depends on your preference. Some people find long rainy season depressing. Some people cant stand constant snow and freezing temperature in northern states. Others cant tolerate heat and humdity of the South. Like I said before, there are very few cities in the country with perfect weather all year round.

By the way, I have no intention of puting down Seattle. I lived there for 13 years. It is indeed a very pretty city and one of my most favorite cities. My intention here is to point out that not everything about Houston is bad either, as it is often projected, and it has it own share of good stuff.