sarahiki

I disagree. The blue box goes very far, even with silver inside. But I guess I've always been a cheap date.

Oh, man... I never said it was. See above, I was just responding to Ricco's remark that there are illegals in NY as well as here, so illegal labor isn't enough to account for low housing costs. And I was pointing out that while that's true, there are so many more here that it DOES affect the cost of certain things, like houses, and the examples I mentioned above. I think we're done on this subject?

I agree... as my grandmother said when inspecting a piece of jewelry given to me, "Oh, he is SERIOUS about you!" Diamonds and hearts say love, love, love. So if that's what you want to say, go with it. If you want to be a little more vague, no hearts, no diamonds; just something beautiful that says "quality" "taste" and "elegance" without saying "love love love!!!!!" (or even, "love marriage babies!!!" which is how some women might read a diamond heart necklace!)

Right, and Texas has 21 million, Houston has only 2 million. Again, just proves my point. There are fewer illegal aliens in NY, and NY is a bigger city than Houston. So Houston has a higher percentage.

Well, I think those numbers prove my point. I was not arguing that there are NO illegals in NY, just fewer. And sure enough, there are. Especially when you consider the relative population. So yes, I guess I am making a valid point that the Harvard professor didn't make. My degree is not for nothing after all. I missed that debate regarding drivers licenses. I still don't get it... you have to be a registered voter to vote. Does a driver's license let you register to vote? If that's the case, I am surprised to find that I agree with you... illegal aliens should not get drivers licenses.

What does it mean to be an "InnerWeb dude?" I think I'm being insulted, but I don't understand the insult. And by the way, being a sanctuary city doesn't mean you have a similar number of illegals. Just that you welcome them similarly. I am quite willing to admit my ignorance regarding actual numbers, or estimated numbers as is more likely, but I'd be interested in seeing a comparison of numbers of illegals in both cities, as raw numbers and as a percentage of total population. By the way, I don't think illegal aliens are allowed to vote, whether or not they have a drivers license. I know, I'm not a Harvard professor, but I can recognize a bad argument when I see one.

There simply aren't as many working there. Look at how little we pay here for lawn care, house painters, house cleaners. You'd pay easily twice as much for those services in the northeast. That's not just a vague cost-of-living difference, it's the availability of cheap labor, largely due to the presence of those here illegally.

Agreed, it is great to hear this positive spin on Houston. But let's not be simplistic and lump all kinds of planning or zoning in together as a form of stultifying regulation. A little planning would go a long way here, without hindering the kind of growth the article talks about. You're all smart enough to know the difference.

Interesting article. I was sad to see a Pei Wei entree on there. Sad, but I guess not surprised...

Amen.

I would really like to keep this non-political. So, aside from political posturing, what were the reasons for the Congressional and Executive bans on offshore drilling? Not ANWAR, but offshore. I heard a story on NPR this morning about how Bush has lifted the executive ban. McCain supports new offshore drilling, Obama does not. I understand that benefits would occur far down the road, but that argument aside, why not start exploring? What are the disavantages? Thanks... I know many of you are in the energy industry so I figure there's some knowledge out there.

I think it is shameful that a city with a climate like ours has such abominable pools. Sure, charge a season fee, something like $25 or $50 per family... enough that most families could afford it. But only if that money (and other money, I guess) is used to actually make these places decent. Right now I'd rather pay a fee to use the West U pool occasionally; it's a lot of money, but not if we only go now and then. It's a beautiful pool. (edited to add more)

These little things have great graphic appeal. They would make good bumper stickers.

Very cool. Thanks for all the choices... now I must define myself. I am Euro no more, alas...

So true! See this new book on the topic: http://www.scienceprogress.org/2008/07/interview-carbon-age/

What I read (somewhere; sorry I can't produce a link) is that the newer locations are the ones more likely to close. As well as, of course, older locations that are underperforming. I am only slightly ashamed to admit a deep fondness for Starbucks. And Dietrich's. Both produce reliably excellent coffee. McDonald's and other places are hit and miss; they don't have the same strict rules regarding freshness. Coffee makes me feel good. Of course these economic times require me to drink less of it, and more of the kind that comes out of my own pot. Which is no doubt the broad trend leading to closures of so many stores.

Wow, did you feel like you hadn't insulted, offended, and belittled enough people already on this thread? Had to open it up a little? Furthermore you are now way off-topic. If you want to start accusing poor people of laziness, start a new thread.

So what I'm hearing is that Pearland is getting french fries, biscuits, and chicken-fried-steak. Good thing it's close to the medical center!!

I don't understand the question. But it's the middle of the night where I am so perhaps I'm foggy. The point is that I don't see the logic of paying an additional 200K to save money on gas. If you happen to have the money, sure. Property is a great investment. But if you don't have the money... well, I guess the question is moot. Good night HAIFers, inside and outside the loop.

Nobody is asking you to. And I'm just asking you to stop and recognize that not everyone has the extra 200k lying around. So instead of implying that people are stupid, or deserve to pay $10/gallon because they're so stupid and irresponsible, just recognize that it's actually not a dumb decision to move 15 minutes away and save 200K. And have better schools. And sidewalks for their kids to ride bikes. And parks that aren't full of broken glass and condoms. And less crime. It could be argued that it's smart, actually.

I don't think you've really done the math. As I wrote earlier today, houses in the burbs can be 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of an inner loop house. If I can buy a house out there for 200K and a similar or smaller house ITL for 400K, I have to buy an awful lot of gas before it stops being a good deal to get the 200K house. I'm not sure you've realized what the disparity is these days in real estate costs. Of course, there are innumerable things you clearly haven't realized. See above. and above. and above...

Thank you. "McMansion in the exurbs" has been made to include, in this thread, every home in suburbia, no matter what the size, no matter how close to the city. Pearland is closer to the med center/universities than the Memorial neighborhoods, for example.

That's great. I'm sorry, my tone probably came across differently than I meant it. I guess what I meant is that I, personally, wouldn't go into a home purchase in the Houston suburbs expecting appreciation. I think people who bank on appreciating in that market are making a mistake. But if the home does appreciate in value, that's great, and it's a bonus. I say this (and my above comments) as an inner-looper with a mind towards moving to the suburbs, with my two children, who will most certainly play in their yard, whatever size it is.

I'm kind of laughing now. But seriously, what are you talking about? Who is shaming whom? And anyone who thinks a suburban house in Houston is a good investment is worse than a sucker. I really think most people are buying these houses to live in, and to raise their families in. Not because they've been "shamed" or think they're going to get rich buying in a suburban subdivision. Of course, I can't pretend to know the minds of the masses....

Sorry Puma, I'm still looking for a better answer than that. Many of those neighborhoods are already 10 years old, so surely into second owners. Things still look pretty good. I'm not invested in this in any sense of the word, I just think these opinions are being flung around pretty wildly, and I'll like to hear some evidence. I agree about cookie cutter homes. One reason people may buy them is that they cost 1/2 to 1/3 what a more interesting house in the loop might cost. That's a fairly compelling reason. Personally, I wish the builders would build things that varied in style more, in particular more modern homes. But I guess the rest of the buying public disagrees, or they probably would.