Centerfield

Any city where everyone seems to have the same intolerant opinions, whether liberal or conservative, would drive me crazy. That being said, I'd take San Fran by the ocean over soul-less, ocean-less Houston any day.

One of the best things I can say about Houston is that it's as unpleasant to drive in as is Los Angeles. Another great asset is the combination of 90+ degree heat with very high humidity.

Politically, I believe it's like Dallas: slowly moving from GOP back to Democratic majorities in the city, due to more hi-tech businesses and larger hispanic population.

I've lived in both. Suprisingly, Houston actually has a more numerous and diverse ethnic population than San Francisco, being a major entry point for Central American, Carribean, Middle Eastern, and African immigrants, and having a fairly substantial Vietnamese population. Traffic sucks big-time in both places.

If I had to choose, I'd rather live in San Francisco, if only for the climate. But it's a LOT more affordable to live in Houston, and it's a good bit less politically silly. Not that it doesn't have its own absurd politics. It does. But they're certainly more towards the Great Middle than those of SF.

And while Houston may not be directly on the Gulf of Mexico, it's not very far away. Some of the prettiest beaches in the world are on the Texas Gulf Coast, if you can stand the summer heat and humidity.

Could I live in San Francisco in the summers and Houston in the winters? Have Dungeness and abalone part of the time, blue crab, shrimp and redfish the rest? Switch between Anchor Steam and Shiner Bock?

Overall, I think SF is more livable, if you can afford it. But that's a very big "if."

Agree, any city where extreme is dominant would drive me crazy. Some cities are indeed unliveable because of the political climate.

The polarization of both extremes in power and being expected to pay for their agendas is crazy too. Want politicians hands off the public treasuries candy stores.

Alex

As a Texan, we consider Houston to be the armpit of the state. San Francisco was nice, but the people seemed a bit loopy.

I choose Austin.

> I choose Austin.

Me too!

Do you live here, Staunch?

I can ignore the politics, but I can't ignore the climate and high humidity makes me miserable. Fortunately, I live on San Francisco Bay in one of the more affordable cities without having to live in San Francisco, so I am happy enough!

When I want to visit the city, it is only a BART or ferry ride away.

Do you live here, Staunch?

No, but I used to -- and wish I still did.

I'm stuck in Washington, DC, for the time being.

In the mean time, drink a Shiner for me, Jon.

Being a West Coaster, I'd definitely side with those citing 'Frisco's weather as an advantage. That and I really dig those old Victorian houses on Nob Hill.

Politically, I wouldn't want to live in either city.

Given a choice between Houston and San Francisco, I would say that it depends on my income or degree of financial independence and security. I love the city of San Francisco. It has so much character, and so many interesting destinations in the city and in nearby communities to to see that I would never grow tired to visit. I consider S.F. to be the most European of U.S cities, as I could readily arrive by plane and manage an entire business/leisure visit without renting a car. I look forward to West Coast trips to the S.F. Bay Area to eat at the Fish Market or Charlie Brown's restaurants and order the halibut or salmon when in season. On the other hand, I would have to earn nearly twice what I make in Houston for an equivalent lifestyle (housing, transportation, taxes, food, entertainment, etc.).

Houston is often regarded to be a working town, with little to offer beyond, cinemas, churches, and shopping malls. However, it also has tremendous cultural diversity, decent to excellent restaurants for all tastes and an improving, sports, entertainment and fine arts/cultural scene, in a somewhat less expensive cost of living. On the downside I must mention Houston's high heat and humidity over 50% of each year along with the limited public transportation choices, awesomely bad traffic, crummy roads and high pollution events that literally take my breath away when the wind shifts from the southeast. On my worst days here, the best point I can make would be Houston's south central placement in the continental U.S. and two major airline hubs (Continental/IAH, SW Airlines/Hobby) enable me to easily leave town for other business and leisure destinations.

Houston's political interests happen to be full spectrum, depending upon region, and local ethnicity and economic levels. However, it is possible to develop an impression that this city is mostly conservative from its single major newspaper and two or three of the prime AM talk/news stations. Also, there are times when Houston presents a corporate face over a local "soul" given the tremendous number of transplants to this city (including myself).