[SirensOfTitan]

Neither the abundance of obesity nor intelligent design proponents affects me or my quality of life in any way.

So the arguments against Houston collapse to: you have to drive everywhere and weather (essentially). And taking the MUNI isn't much of an upgrade over having a car in an affordable place.

[tga_d]

Could be wrong, I interpreted the obesity and intelligent design comments as reflections of the culture. Unless you never leave your house, living in a place that promotes sedative lifestyles and intellectual crutches seems... draining.

[diafygi]

The big city culture in Texas is actually quite progressive. Houston was the first major city to elect an openly gay mayor.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annise_Parker

[bdcravens]

Don't forget the startup darling Austin. Lifelong Texan here, and I live in Houston. I have a cousin who has lived in Austin for a long time - 30+ years. She's conservative, and country - she describes Austin as the capital of Texas where you can almost see Texas.

[robryk]

Intelligent design proponents might affect education of children, which might affect you if you have children (now or in some future).