Make sure you have a bite at Churrasco's, out Westheimer Road, just a few blocks east of the Sam Houston Parkway. Have the house special with fresh crab meat. You won't be sorry.

Frankly, I like living here when it's not in the hot season. Lots of trees, good parks (although not so many of them), superb restaurants. It slays both LA and New York in that regard.

Very friendly place, as well. Not nearly as stuck up as Austin, as evidenced in Pat's e-mail.

But he's right about one thing. Aside from fantastic trees through the Memorial corridor (we live near the end of that drive), it isn't much to look at.

Avoid the East end, Pasadena/Deer Park, and (as said) the north I-45 corridor. Most other areas are actually quite safe, and walking isn't usually any big deal. The thing is that it's so hot much of the year, people are not in the habit of walking much unless outside for exercise. The whole city is built around car access for a reason.