Houston

Jules Rogers took a new job at a newspaper in Houston and moved from Portland, Oregon, in 2018.

She was earning 20% more and living in a more spacious apartment, but other costs increased.

She and her husband weren't able to save and they missed parts of life in Oregon, so they returned.

I really appreciate it when the article includes its own TL;DR

I’m from Atlanta currently in the PNW, and I meet folks every now and then that say they want to move to Texas or Florida or wherever because of the property prices and what not. I keep telling them the culture is just not the same. Not bad or good just that many things they appreciates and expect about where they live will not be there. I myself had to get used to the big differences in the food scenes, shopping, no A/C in most residential buildings, and how to meet people and make friends.

I’m happy with my choice overall but many folks just don’t do their due diligence when relocating.

Here's what she liked, to save you a click: "My favorite things about Houston were the radio stations — the rap and country stations were both really good. I also adored the Tex-Mex and barbecue, especially the brisket breakfast tacos (oatmeal and acai bowls are common breakfast favorites in Portland)."

I lived just outside Portland for a few years, it was beautiful and had amazing outdoor lifestyle.

I Iived in San Diego for 10 years and it was beautiful and had an amazing outdoor lifestyle.

I moved to Houston and it is ok looking and has a terrible outdoor lifestyle.

You know what Houston has that neither of those places do?

Color, culture, and opportunity.

My wife was a reporter, you can't live anywhere on that kind of pay, it's just where that industry is at. You want to make money in Houston, you need to be part of the energy complex somehow. She works in crisis communication and makes twice as much money as I do, as an engineer.

But it took us a few years to make connections, get our feet under us, and start to actually build towards retirement. (We were Dinks in SD, but two kids in Houston, man that took some wind out of our sails for sure).

I desperately miss better weather and good hiking, but Portland and San Diego are white af. (And I'm white). So fucking expensive too. We just visited SD for 4 days and it hurt how much it cost.

Ooh, great rap stations and good food. That is about all you can expect to like if you are shallow.

Rodeo, sports, NASA, Renfest, more concerts than you know what to do with, more diversity than NYC, an actual nightlife, Comicpalooza, street art, musical dynasty, friendliest people (until they are behind the wheel of a car), a sense of community that just doesn't happen in big cities, an airport that flies everywhere, and yeah, we've got food for anyone.

Sure, we have shit weather and shit traffic. If we had a real mass transit, I would use it.

But I knew what was shit before I moved here.

(Except that those big ass cockroaches can fly. That was some bullshit when I found that one out)

Seems like these two people didn't know that Houston was bigger, than Portland and didn't have any of the shit that they liked to do.

Most of her problems could have been avoided with a few hours of googling