It Always Seemed Nice To Me
The local Howard County Chamber of Commerce and other civic associtations are all abuzz over the fact that Money Magazine rated Columbia/Ellicott City the fourth best place to live in the United States. I always thought my neck of the woods had a lot to commend itself as a place to live. (And despite today's weather forecast in The Sun being "oppressive.")
Maryland got beat out by Fort Collins, CO, Naperville, IL, and Sugar Land, TX. I've never been to any of those places but as a yankee it's galling to have Howard County beaten by any place in Texas, especially one called Sugar Land.
For me, living anywhere in Texas would be as close to Hell as I care to get.
K-
Nacogdoches, TX is beautiful and I almost moved to Dallas in the late 70s. On the other hand, I drove from New Orleans across Texas to El Paso back in the 55mph speed limit days and I will surrender for lethal injection before I do that again.
Texas spells their city Nacogdoches and Louisiana spells their city Natchitoches. Same Indian tribe.
It's all a question of temperament. I've basically lived in the north my whole life, leaving me with the worldview, mores, and biases of such an upbringing. (Despite being south of Mason-Dixon, most of Maryland lost its southern attachment a long time ago.) I've been told Austin is nice, I'd love to see San Antonio and bird the Big Bend area, Nacogdoches is now on my list. But to actually live in Texas... that would be too hot, too cowboy, too pick-up truck, too baptist, too yee-haw, too... Texan for me. Living among all those folks who, for reasons beyond my poor comprehension, think Texas is God's gift to the world. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't like them and I'm sure Texas wouldn't like me.
K-
If you make it to Nacogdoches, stop in at Rita's Cantina and order the fajitas. Those were the first ones I ever tried and nothing has come close since. Looking at the menu and trying to decide what to order, one of the waitstaff walked past with a sizzling tray of them with fresh guacamole. In unison: "We want whatever that is."
Sugar Land is southwest of Houston TX. It was once a separate town but is now more of a exurb/bedroom community (think Gaitherburg, MD) due to Houston's continued growth. The name comes from the town's (former) largest employer, Imperial sugar. The processing plant was right on the town's main drag. Sugar Land is known for three things, one of which it should be proud of:
1) An outstanding barbecue joint, the Swinging Door (http://www.swingingdoor.com/) - actually in neighboring Richmond. (counts as metro Sugarland, anyway)
2) A real texas Ice House (open air bar), Bo's Ice House, just down the street from the Swinging Door.
3) Tom Delay
If it weren't for the Delay connection, I'll bet Sugar Land would have been No. 2.
K-