Houston, Texas

Norwegianwood · #1 10-28-2010, 08:43 AM

I just got an internship (wohoo) in Houston. I've never been to the U.S., let alone Texas, so as always I turn to the largest source of knowledge on any given topic for some clues about what to expect!

I know the U.S. is less pedestrian-friendly than Europe, and from what I've read it's impossible to live in Houston without a car. How much do you have to pay for a used car that is running? I'm extremely short on cash, so we're definitely talking low end. Also, is it lots of effort to register a car, with authorities, insurance and everything? I'll be there just for 6 months...

And more importantly, does anyone know anything about the music scene in Houston?

Any other things I should prepare for?

And of course if any of you guys plan a Talkbass get together - do let me know!!

macaroni tony · #2 10-28-2010, 09:35 AM

Gold teeth, dreads, and a whole lot of this

seriously, though, there are some good guys on tb in the area. You should get some good answers...

MJ5150 · #3 10-28-2010, 09:47 AM

Your first USA experience is going to be Houston, Texas? Oh boy.

Plan on at least $2000 USD for a car that will start everyday and get you around.

Someone get this guy a 44 ouncer of Purple Drank.

-Mike

Norwegianwood · #4 10-28-2010, 10:02 AM

Hahaha, thanks guys, I can't wait to check out this local specialty!

2000 USD is probably doable!

sloasdaylight · #5 10-28-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ5150

Your first USA experience is going to be Houston, Texas? Oh boy.

Plan on at least $2000 USD for a car that will start everyday and get you around.

Someone get this guy a 44 ouncer of Purple Drank.

-Mike

This.

stevetx19 · #6 10-28-2010, 10:08 AM

coming to houston, eh? be sure to go to austin.

**Staccato** · #7 10-28-2010, 10:13 AM

Congrats on your upcoming Texas adventure!

Houston has a large pool of very aggressive drivers. Many people have premature gray hair from the stress of driving on those highways.

mid_life_crisis · #8 10-28-2010, 10:14 AM

The only thing I know about Houston is second hand from a very good looking woman I met in Chicago who told me she left Houston and came home because there were too many attractive, aggressive women there. In short, the competition for the desireable guys was too tough for her.

Edit: I forgot how old I am for a second. That was about 20 years ago. YMMV.

Norwegianwood · #9 10-28-2010, 10:24 AM

Haha, I love the enthusiasm.

Too many good looking women, huh? Finally some news I can like!!

(20 years ago...at the very least it should mean Houston is currently abundant with good looking cougars...could be worse!!)

Bevo1995 · #10 10-28-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevetx19

coming to houston, eh? be sure to go to austin.

+1

I learned to drive in Houston. The good thing about the freeways in Houston is that you KNOW that everyone else wants to kill you, so you can drive accordingly.

The problem with Austin traffic is that only 4 out of 10 drivers wants to kill you. The trick is figuring out who's who.

mid_life_crisis · #11 10-28-2010, 10:41 AM

That sounds like driving in Boston, where I learned.
"Use a blinker? What, and let the enemy know my plans?"

Phalex · #12 10-28-2010, 10:50 AM

My drummer LOOOVES Houston. He went there several time a year or so ago. They have some pretty cool blues jams happening every night, and he didn't sleep the whole time he was there.

I have no idea what the record high temperature in Oslo is, but I have a feeling that Houston is gonna make you sweat!

Pilgrim · #13 10-28-2010, 10:52 AM

Houston will be a definite cross-cultural experience for you!

A car is needed - if you have good contacts there, I would ask one of them to help you find a car through dealer or used car place that they know and trust. This could save you a LOT of problems. Most used car places will look for a specific type and price of car if they are working with someone they know.

Get ready for good BBQ, and learn to recognize this:

mpdd · #14 10-28-2010, 10:53 AM

music scene in houston, cool bands, lot of creative people, (butthole surfers influenced)

indian jewelry, future blondes, kunst fashion, the wiggins, clipd beaks

if i didn't have a teaching job in LA, i'd live in houston with all my friends

billiam5billion · #15 10-28-2010, 11:05 AM

Yeah, because the fourth largest city in the states is just screw music and purple drank. Guess nobody got the memo that we're also the home of NASA, one of the largest museum and library districts in the world, and a vibrant food/art/music scene.

Houston is awesome because my neighbor to the left is Vietnamese, to the right is a Mexican couple, and across the street is an old hippie with a crazy painted up school bus in his back yard. I can get authentic Indian, Mexican, Italian, Vietnamese, African, and southern cooking all in the same zip code. I have Mexican friends actually from Mexico who swear our Tex-Mex is better than Mexican food from home.

When you get here, make sure you check out Rockin' Robin guitars on Shepherd street.

And yes, you'll learn to drive like a maniac.

billiam5billion · #16 10-28-2010, 11:13 AM

Oh, and forget the Shiner beer, this is the stuff you want-

Or this-

Pilgrim · #17 10-28-2010, 11:14 AM

I figure that Shiner is the REAL national beer of Texas.

Their current Oktoberfest stuff is very nice, indeed!

I live in Fort Collins, CO, 'the Napa Valley of beer", but even so I keep some Shiner Bock around.

billiam5billion · #18 10-28-2010, 11:15 AM

Their 101 Czech pils is pretty nice too, but Southern Star and St. Arnold are actual Houston breweries.

Valerus · #19 10-28-2010, 11:15 AM

The music scene is good. Usually a ton of great bands come and play.

I've seen ISIS, Pelican, Amon Amarth, Queensryche, Opeth, Baroness, mewithoutYou, and Kamelot there. Good shows.

Pilgrim · #20 10-28-2010, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billiam5billion

Their 101 Czech pils is pretty nice too, but Southern Star and St. Arnold are actual Houston breweries.

BUENO! More research to do!!