Regardless of who I’m talking to – family and friends from California or new friends and acquaintances in Texas… I keep getting asked one particular question:
Which state is better?
Answering that might incite riots and to be completely honest – both have their merits.
People are proud of their states (and get defensive) – particularly when it comes to these two! And considering how different the places are…
Let’s leave it at that. ;)
Blouse – Torrid, 3
Skirt – ASOS Curve, UK 26
Shoes – Steve Madden, 11
Bangles – Torrid
I’ve been experiencing a little bit of culture shock. Living in the Bay Area is extremely different than the outskirts of Houston, but I’m adjusting.
Climate is a given – yes, it is hot, hot, HOT and humid in Texas. California is mild, in comparison. The political climate… talk about a 180! The space… Texas is HUGE – it is the second largest state in the US. Here a 30-45 minute drive is considered “close” – the mall, the yarn store, the gluten free bakery, knit night. In California, most of that was 10-20 minutes from my house, if that! And that was “far”.
So far, Texas has been great. The heat isn’t bothering me, which was a surprise. Though the bugs – ugh, the bugs. BIG GIANT BUGS. And every time I step outside, I get another bug bite (or four) on my leg.
I miss my family and friends in California but that is to be expected. It is depressing some days but I’m coping… and trying to make new friends ASAP! That would make things easier. I’ve found a knitting group and a couple of knitting friends, so things are looking up.
I don’t do well when I’m not busy. Unpacking and decorating can only occupy me for so long…
One piece of advice I got from a friend was to acquire things for the apartment over time, not in the first month or two.
I’m a buy-it-if-you-want-it, kind of girl – especially when it comes to “living necessities” (major air quotes because, yeah…). So far there is a lot of stuff but we’ve got all the basics. My splurge was a table and chairs. Chris cringed when I mentioned another trip to IKEA…
I can’t help the fact that they have the cheapest clippy hangers I can find! Even better that they are made well, instead of being cheap plastic.
One thing about Texas. It is green. Greener than I expected – so yes, the grass is greener… literally!
Each visit – I’ve made spring, summer, fall… everything is GREEN, even in the middle of summer, in the unbearable heat. One thing I don’t see much of is flowers. I guess greenery does well year-round but flowers have a very short life span in the spring.
I guess you could say Texas is greener too… because it is a lot cheaper to live here than California, thus saving me more green. Ha ha. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
This outfit was thrown together from some things in my closet – I bought the top on my trip here in February (almost walked out of the apartment with the tag still on) and the skirt has shown up here a few times. To cheer myself up, I wanted to wear something bright! It worked.
My answer to the frequently asked question? Both places have their pros and cons, but the best part is the people!
In seven days, I’ll be on a plane heading off to Full Figured Fashion Week in New York. I haven’t had a chance to make a post about it but know what is worse? I haven’t thought about what I’m packing yet… yikes!
What is your favorite thing about the area you live in?
Tags: asos curve, steve madden, torrid
For the first look I thought you cut your hair, and I must say that you would look pretty cute with a pixie cut :D
Your outfit is lovely and I’ll keep my fringers crossed for you to soon feel like you really arrived in you new home!
Thank you Katrin!
I’m starting to settle in but I definitely miss my family and friends back home. There are good days… and not so good ones.
I’ve never thought about a pixie cut. I’d love to do something dramatic with my hair but it takes wayyy too long to grow as is! I don’t think I could do it, haha.
And I think the straight or ponytail styles are easier for me – lazy and hair styling-challenged.
Cute Outfit!!
Welcome to Texas!! I love this post…pros/cons of Texas. Different perspectives! I always love visiting California! And love differing opinions as well, we all have our own experiences and we shoudl rejoice that we do!
30 min drives in Houston are nothing!! I used to live in the Galleria area and worked in the Transco Tower (tallest bldg in Houston), so if you need any advice as to shops/areas to frequent just ask!!
Love the top! especially paired with that skirt and shoes!
Thanks Krisitie! I’ll send you an e-mail.
Yes, differences are good. Aside from the bugs, I’m enjoying Texas. With the abundance of air conditioned spaces and a pool at my apartment complex… I don’t think I’ll mind summer too much! (But I’ll probably whine about it in a month or two)
My boyfriend had a similar opinion when I was talking about how far everything is. 30 minutes seems like the standard to go anywhere besides the grocery store and maybe a Walmart or Target. Those are everywhere!
It is rare that I can decide to go somewhere and it is “nearby”. That will take adjusting! I really hate being late and I get lost regularly, hahaha.
Your hair does look great! Glad to hear that you’re settling in. My dad’s from Texas so we went there in the summers – I never really got used to it – but my best friend from college lives in Houston and keeps inviting me, saying that it’s changed. My favorite thing about the bay area is that there are all types of people here so there are all types of food,music, fashion, politics, weather, EVERYTHING! I really can’t imagine living any place else now.
Thanks Juliette!
My hair seems to look better the less effort or sloppier I make it. If I actually try to DO something, it is awful.
I didn’t think I could live anywhere but the Bay Area… but I figured I had to give it a try first. Definitely miss everything going on in the Bay – especially the weather but Houston has some great things going on too!
Love the outfit! Love the blog.
Welcome to Houston, TX! It’s a great place to call home.
LOL and in Houston everything is about 30 minutes and to us that is nearby. Not to mention with traffic we love when we get anywhere in 30 minutes. Best of luck getting acclimated and hopefully, it will get easier to navigate.
Thanks Hillary! I’m getting lost less and less. I can manage to navigate around the tollway (no ez-tag yet) and find where I’m going without getting too miserably lost. I’m using my phone’s GPS less and less, but it can’t always be trusted…
What a great post! I think its a little unfair for people to ask you to choose between states when you have only been a perm resident of one of them for barely 2 seconds!
Really like the outfit and the pictures are great – they tell a fab little story. Its good to have you back!
Yeah, I guess it is a little unfair. I’ll have to remember that, haha. Being a resident of California for… 26 years and Texas for a handful of months can’t really compare. ;)
Thanks Claire!
Very cute outfit!
I haven’t been in my new city for a week. I’m getting acclimated. I like the bus system but I know I’ll LOVE it once the fall semester starts. [The bus system operates later and comes to my apartment complex more frequently during the Fall + Spring semesters]
I love the scenery in my home state of Arkansas.
In the area I lived in, I’d say our public library system was the best part of the city.
I’ve never been to Houston but I hope to visit one day. I definitely agree it’s cheaper than the Bay Area.
Thanks Courtney! I hope you’re getting situated in your new home.
Getting familiar with public transit before the semester starts is smart. Go you! I wasn’t that bright when I started commuting to San Francisco on BART, but got the hang of it pretty quick.
Though I really hate when they change things up – like the bus lines/numbers. There have been a few times I’ve gotten lost or gone the opposite direction of where I want and had to end up walking, haha.
If you ever visit Houston, let me know!
Pretty outfit!! You really are back 2 posts in days! I love CA, but as you know it can get hot where I live, so far it has been mild and I hope it continues!! The best thing is family and friends are close (except you) and on certain days I wonder if having family etc. close is good, when they just show up. But you know I love them all. I wonder what living in a new state would be like? It is great you are already meeting and making new friends.
Moving to Houston has given a whole new meaning to the word “hot”. You will have to come visit me and see.
I hope your mild weather continues, but I doubt it!! We’re getting a heat wave now… 105+ and I walked out the door and said, “Hey, this isn’t bad!”
Hard to believe, I know.
I miss having friends and (especially) family close but it is exciting to live in a new place and explore a new city. And to see ridiculous houses that are 1/4 of the price than California, ha ha.
I’d be able to afford one here!
Love this post, and glad to hear you are getting settled in Texas. I laughed at the “far” part. I drive 40 minutes to an hour to go shopping, and my family in Michigan looks at me like I’m crazy when I talk about it. This is probably why I like shopping via the internet. Anyway, NYC! So close! Yayy :)
I hope that’s just the mall and not grocery, etc. shopping too! Because that would be quite a trek!
I love internet shopping more than in store. Especially if they have free shipping and returns, so I can try on and return at my convenience, haha.
Internet shopping is pretty dangerous though. Too many things!
I love the color combination of pink and navy, so super cute!
I’m actually headed to Houston this summer for my friends wedding! It’s in August and I’m pretty sure that I’m going to melt, or get sunburned into lobster color or some combination of both.
I completely understand the sentiment behind the “where is better” questions. Sometimes I feel like people (myself included) get so attached to their home state. For me, it leads to a lot of totally unnecessary (and ridiculous sounding) bragging about how awesome Virginia is and also led to a whole lot of handringing when I realized I was going to have to move less than an hour north into Maryland. But I hope that Houston starts to feel like home for you soon.
Thanks Mel! I haven’t actually burnt to a crisp yet – and I haven’t been wearing as many cardigans as usual. It is just too hot!
The one day I did get sunburned we were outside at garage sales and a flea market from 6:30am until 3pm or so… and it was worth it.
Just make sure to invest in some good sunscreen and you’ll be fine!
It doesn’t totally feel like home yet… but it’s getting there. And I’m buying the appropriate apartment stuff to make it feel more homey. ;)
I think if I had to choose between Texas and California, I would opt on California. I’ve only been to Texas a few times, during the summer, and I felt like I was inside an oven! Austin has some amazing jazz bars :)
As to favorite things about the area I live in, it’s a quieter part of a busy city, it’s cleaner than most cities it’s size that I’ve experienced, lots of green, and everything is easily accessible by metro or on foot.
Hopefully you will get settled and adjusted quickly and make lots of new friends. Have you signed up for any meetup groups or crafts classes? Great places to meet new people with similar interests.
Good luck :)
With nothing else to consider… I’d probably pick California, just based on the weather, haha. Surprisingly enough, I’m acclimating well to the hot/humid situation that Houston has going on.
I haven’t made it to Austin yet, but I’ll have to check them out. I might be headed up there this summer. Do you have any suggestions?
One of the great things about Texas is that the humidity seems to keep things green – so that’s one of my favorite things about here too.
It sounds like you live in my ideal place – close to or in a big city, but not at the heart. I love the slower, quieter areas.
Oh, thanks for the meetup group idea! I’ll have to try that. I’ve found a couple of friends through knitting, my blog and just being friendly, haha. So far so good!
Thank you Ais!
this outfit is giving me life! it’s so good!
Thanks Gazel!