Anyone from Houston?

[Masa]

I'm flying into Houston on Thursday the 13th and staying a couple days at a place called Hotel ZaZa. Never heard of the place but whatever. I'll be checking out Rice University and their graduate school program. I doubt I'll have any time to get any golf in unfortunately (I hear the weather is supposed to be in the 70s that weekend) but was just curious what good courses were around the area in case some free time comes up or if I choose to continue at Rice.

[mn723]

Not to rain on your parade, but I lived in Houston for 2+ years and think it's one of the worst places in the country to live. It has some good golf, but the city is sprawling, character free, crime ridden and has unbearable traffic.

[g-funk13]

I am in Houston with work right now, and it is my second time here (both times will have been for 6 weeks). When the weather is like it has been the last few days, I LOVE HOUSTON.

Houston has great golf. The muni at Memorial park is a great place to start-and on a day like this the drive to the course is just great . . . all the ladies getting their exercise on the jogging track. . . ah, spring. I am dedicated to finding other courses while I am here, but the choices are many. more on that in 6 weeks.

Houston has fine arts. One of the best Opera and Ballet cities in the nation. That takes money, organization and class. Houston has it.

Houston has FOOD. there is a reason that Houston was the fattest city in America a while ago. . . the food here is great.

Houston draws events. I plan on going to the Houston open while I am here. considering the parrothead concert, and DEFINITELY going to the golf expo April 4-6. I would see the Rockets play, but since they are making NBA history right now, tix aren't easy to come by.

Its not my favorite city to work, but its top 5.

[mn723]

I guess I shouldn't have ripped Houston so bad and I apologize to any locals who I have offended. I just wasn't a fan of Houston as it differs so much from my native St. Paul. Houston does have plenty of excellent golf opportunities and the restaurants are great. Chuy's on Westheimer is awesome. If you can afford to live in the Rice village area I'm sure you can find some character around those parts. Astros games are fun and the stadium is top notch. You just have to be patient in rush hour driving and be able to handle air conditioning 10 months a year to make it in Houston.

[Masa]

Well, flew back into Denver this afternoon. Spent most of the time around the university obviously. Went to dinner at a place called Fogo de Chao... Awesome food, just glad I wasn't the one footing the bill. Most graduate students live somewhere either around the university or around Rice village for convenience reasons. I'm hoping to find a place close enough that I can just walk or bike to school and only drive when I absolutely have to. After visiting the campus, just an absolutely amazing school. Seriously impressed with the program, but Houston is a huge city and the traffic can be pretty bad. I'm originally from Texas so I'm used to heat, I'm not used to this damn white stuff I see in Colorado that ruins my winter outdoor activities. As graduate students we get paid a pretty nice stipend so I will be able to afford to live pretty reasonably close to campus. Just need to decide which school I'm going to attend now. Both are very impressive academically.