Southern California vs. Houston
Oct 30th, 2006, 11:46 AM
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Southern California vs. Houston
I was wondering if those who know both Houston and southern California (San Diego and Santa Barbara) can provide comparisons (pros and cons) as far as living in each of these cities.
I am considering a move out of NY to either, and so far have only visited San Diego/Santa Barbara. I loved it but was saddened by what seemed to be a very expensive part of the country.
My criteria are year-round good weather, affordable cost of living (by middle class standards), dash of culture, and laid back and friendly people.
Thank you.
I am considering a move out of NY to either, and so far have only visited San Diego/Santa Barbara. I loved it but was saddened by what seemed to be a very expensive part of the country.
My criteria are year-round good weather, affordable cost of living (by middle class standards), dash of culture, and laid back and friendly people.
Thank you.
Oct 30th, 2006, 12:23 PM
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You'll find more affordable housing in Houston. Other than that, I can't think of anything else to recommend it over San Diego or Santa Barbara.
If you're willing to forego the "dash of culture" in your immediate neighborhood, many great coastal towns exist along the CA coast. Pismo Beach, Cambria, Morro Bay etc on the central coast, and Vista etc in San Diego County.
If you're willing to forego the "dash of culture" in your immediate neighborhood, many great coastal towns exist along the CA coast. Pismo Beach, Cambria, Morro Bay etc on the central coast, and Vista etc in San Diego County.
Oct 30th, 2006, 12:50 PM
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Cost of living and housing costs are going to strongly favor Houston. Also, Houston is a much larger city than San Diego and can offer a better cltural life. Santa Barbara and coastal San Diego will have better weather (Houston is unbearable in the summer), but you pay dearly to live there. As for scenery, the California cities are the best.
You should visit Houston before you make a decision.
You should visit Houston before you make a decision.
Oct 30th, 2006, 02:48 PM
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You can live close to downtown in Houston without paying a fortune. Look at www.har.com to get an idea. Houston is not expensive, has great cheap restaurants, wonderful museums, an ethnically diverse population, a great art scene, good baseball team, friendly people, and disgusting summer weather.
Oct 30th, 2006, 03:02 PM
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These are weird cities to compare. Houston is totally different than Santa Barbara and San Diego. Santa Barbara is beautiful and unaffordable by almost anyone's standards. San Diego is on the coast, has great weather and would be nice if you could afford it. Houston is less expensive but is lacking of charm and beauty. There is a world of difference between Texas and Southern California. These are odd cities to be comparing.
Oct 30th, 2006, 03:36 PM
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Visit Houston in the summer if possible. The heat and humidity are pretty bad all summer. Although you may be used to that in NY, I think (not sure) it's worse heat wise in the summer. As a native Californian, I'd pay the money to keep our nice weather. 
Oct 30th, 2006, 04:10 PM
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Don't go to Houston. I left NYC for Houston 25 years ago, and spent five weeks there before moving on. It was horrible. So hot and humid it was sickening to go outside, and roaches everywhere. I hated it and couldn't get out of there fast enough.
Oct 30th, 2006, 05:16 PM
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my perspective (having lived 13 years in houston and 5 years in LA) is:
- houston is cheap. WAY CHEAP.
- houston's weather is NOT good year round. most days you're pushing mid-to-upper 80's if not 90's with high high high humidity. you get a thunderstorm a week (at least), many times with flooding. and then you get hurricanes and tornados from time to time
-socal's weather truly is great year round, particularly in san diego and santa barbara
- you definitely get more culture in socal, however, houston has some serious ballet, opera, museums, symphony, etc. (all that stuff floats my boat) but ya gotta be downtown to enjoy it, and that can be a pain coming in from the sprawling 'burbs
- houstonians are laid back and friendly, that's for sure. when i first moved out to LA, i thought everyone needed to take a xanax or prozac. seriously.
- houston is cheap. WAY CHEAP.
- houston's weather is NOT good year round. most days you're pushing mid-to-upper 80's if not 90's with high high high humidity. you get a thunderstorm a week (at least), many times with flooding. and then you get hurricanes and tornados from time to time
-socal's weather truly is great year round, particularly in san diego and santa barbara
- you definitely get more culture in socal, however, houston has some serious ballet, opera, museums, symphony, etc. (all that stuff floats my boat) but ya gotta be downtown to enjoy it, and that can be a pain coming in from the sprawling 'burbs
- houstonians are laid back and friendly, that's for sure. when i first moved out to LA, i thought everyone needed to take a xanax or prozac. seriously.
Oct 30th, 2006, 05:19 PM
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other things to consider- your religion (if any) and your job.
texas is a pretty religious place and it can be hard to be an "outsider" if you're don't believe in jesus. growing up there, i was told repeatedly that i wasn't a christian because i'm "catholic." religion is a big deal to texans and your kids can pay a price if you're not a religious family.
if you make good money, i would move to socal.
texas is a pretty religious place and it can be hard to be an "outsider" if you're don't believe in jesus. growing up there, i was told repeatedly that i wasn't a christian because i'm "catholic." religion is a big deal to texans and your kids can pay a price if you're not a religious family.
if you make good money, i would move to socal.
Oct 30th, 2006, 05:30 PM
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Hi tonianyc..
I have good friends that lived on their boat in SD and moved to Houston last year..we were all stumped as to why anyone would want to go from one extreme to the other and after they got settled they called us and were basically crying saying "Why didn't we rent for the summer"? The said it was the most horrific weather they have ever experienced and even though it was so much cheaper than SD, they regret their decision so very much..
Real Estate is very cheap in Houston and the people are lovely but I suggest if you are considering Houston that you rent in the summer so you know what you are up against..there is also so many wonderful towns from here to SB..the market is softening but real estate is expensive here for a reason...its gorgeous!
I have good friends that lived on their boat in SD and moved to Houston last year..we were all stumped as to why anyone would want to go from one extreme to the other and after they got settled they called us and were basically crying saying "Why didn't we rent for the summer"? The said it was the most horrific weather they have ever experienced and even though it was so much cheaper than SD, they regret their decision so very much..
Real Estate is very cheap in Houston and the people are lovely but I suggest if you are considering Houston that you rent in the summer so you know what you are up against..there is also so many wonderful towns from here to SB..the market is softening but real estate is expensive here for a reason...its gorgeous!
Oct 30th, 2006, 05:37 PM
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Well said Tahiti Tams. My daughter is in law school in Austin. While she likes Austin, those long hot summers are getting on her nerves. She is applying for summer internships on the west, and to "guest" at one of our bay area law schools for her 3rd year. Her husband is a native Californian also so he will be happy. I may retire out of state in 10 years, but it would be on the west coast (maybe Portland).
Oct 30th, 2006, 07:11 PM
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I'm in agreement with some of the other posters. Come to Houston and check us out! We are certainly hospitable!
Yes, it is hot in the summer. Humid too. But... you sure won't miss shoveling snow and our housing is affordable!
Do you have particular questions about Houston that I can try to answer? (tomorrow - bedtime soon)
Do you have a job prospect in either city? Would either city lend to more job possibilities?
Do you have friends or family near any of the comparison cities?
Yes, it is hot in the summer. Humid too. But... you sure won't miss shoveling snow and our housing is affordable!
Do you have particular questions about Houston that I can try to answer? (tomorrow - bedtime soon)
Do you have a job prospect in either city? Would either city lend to more job possibilities?
Do you have friends or family near any of the comparison cities?
Oct 30th, 2006, 08:17 PM
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I can live wherever I like in the US and I chose Houston. It is one of the most affordable large cities in the US and is quite diverse and most convenient. I like to visit Southern California, but I cannot imagine living there. Save your money and grow wealthy in Houston; you can always visit So Cal..
Prop 13 is one of the main reasons I would never consider moving to California. If you are not one of the landed gentry who owned property prior to Prop 13, or at least the recent bubble, you will find yourself funding the incredibly expensive liabilities of this state while your more established neighbors pay a fraction of your obligation due to tax caps. If everyone had to pay property taxes at the market rate in California you would likely see much more affordable housing. Tax caps essentially turn long time residents into squatters of a sort from a tax standpoint. This in turn reduces the supply of properties for sale, especially in the more established areas driving prices up.
As for the weather, I don't enjoy the summer months here, but I definitely prefer Houston to Southern California in the winter months when the temperatures can be too chilly for me.
Prop 13 is one of the main reasons I would never consider moving to California. If you are not one of the landed gentry who owned property prior to Prop 13, or at least the recent bubble, you will find yourself funding the incredibly expensive liabilities of this state while your more established neighbors pay a fraction of your obligation due to tax caps. If everyone had to pay property taxes at the market rate in California you would likely see much more affordable housing. Tax caps essentially turn long time residents into squatters of a sort from a tax standpoint. This in turn reduces the supply of properties for sale, especially in the more established areas driving prices up.
As for the weather, I don't enjoy the summer months here, but I definitely prefer Houston to Southern California in the winter months when the temperatures can be too chilly for me.
Oct 31st, 2006, 06:30 AM
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Thanks everyone for your replies. To answer your questions:
Why is Houston on the "list"?
1) Well, I had heard about the low housing costs. The sense of urgency in leaving New York is that I don't want to continue paying rent (I currently rent an apartment in Broklyn, but from family who cut me a pretty big break - I know this can't go on forever).
2)I'm too nice for New York. I want to be in a friendly city where people say hello, are generally laid back, and not driven by greed and so forth.
3)Warm weather, although I did hear about those humid summers. I think this would be alright, as it's proabably better than 5 months of cold winter.
4)My best friend just moved there, so I would at least know someone.
I didn't realize it's a heavily Christian place. Not sure how I would feel about that. I'm Catholic, sort of practicing, but moreso spiritual than religious.
I have varied work experience (had a grasshopper syndrome in the 20s, in combination administrative/financial jobs) but will have an MBA soon so my job opps are pretty open.
I plan on visiting Houston in Februray so I'll have a better benchmark then, for now was curious as to your feedback
and they've been great.
I loved Santa Barbara, but know that beauty comes with a price...visited the SAnta Ynez Valley, Solvang, etc. how gorgeous!
Fdecarlo, I think you are right and I should look into some of the coastal towns you mentioned in California.
It's so tough deciding on where to spend the next phase of your life!
But thanks for all your inputs so far.
Why is Houston on the "list"?
1) Well, I had heard about the low housing costs. The sense of urgency in leaving New York is that I don't want to continue paying rent (I currently rent an apartment in Broklyn, but from family who cut me a pretty big break - I know this can't go on forever).
2)I'm too nice for New York. I want to be in a friendly city where people say hello, are generally laid back, and not driven by greed and so forth.
3)Warm weather, although I did hear about those humid summers. I think this would be alright, as it's proabably better than 5 months of cold winter.
4)My best friend just moved there, so I would at least know someone.
I didn't realize it's a heavily Christian place. Not sure how I would feel about that. I'm Catholic, sort of practicing, but moreso spiritual than religious.
I have varied work experience (had a grasshopper syndrome in the 20s, in combination administrative/financial jobs) but will have an MBA soon so my job opps are pretty open.
I plan on visiting Houston in Februray so I'll have a better benchmark then, for now was curious as to your feedback
and they've been great.
I loved Santa Barbara, but know that beauty comes with a price...visited the SAnta Ynez Valley, Solvang, etc. how gorgeous!
Fdecarlo, I think you are right and I should look into some of the coastal towns you mentioned in California.
It's so tough deciding on where to spend the next phase of your life!
But thanks for all your inputs so far.
Oct 31st, 2006, 07:19 AM
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I have to admit that I don't agree with the heavily religious comment on Houston. I grew up and lived there until about 14 years ago and return to visit my family often.
I have never felt that it is a highly religious city. I am Catholic and have friends of many different faiths and have never noticed any of us being treated any differently for such. I personally feel that it is the same as any other major city with regards to religion.
I have never felt that it is a highly religious city. I am Catholic and have friends of many different faiths and have never noticed any of us being treated any differently for such. I personally feel that it is the same as any other major city with regards to religion.
Oct 31st, 2006, 08:10 AM
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Have never lived in Houston but stayed on business for various lengths of time at least a dozen times.
First, the heat is completely unbearable n the summer.
Second it is a very unattractive area of the country - flat, boring - little to see (versus New York State - which is absolutely beautiful).
Can't comment on housing costs but my understanding is educaton is a mjaor issue in many areas.
(My cousin lived there for about 6 years when her husband was posted there and they said most schools were poor to mediocre - and they had to look very carefully to find a decent school system without breaking the bank on housing - vs VA where they lived before).
First, the heat is completely unbearable n the summer.
Second it is a very unattractive area of the country - flat, boring - little to see (versus New York State - which is absolutely beautiful).
Can't comment on housing costs but my understanding is educaton is a mjaor issue in many areas.
(My cousin lived there for about 6 years when her husband was posted there and they said most schools were poor to mediocre - and they had to look very carefully to find a decent school system without breaking the bank on housing - vs VA where they lived before).
