Memo To Tulsans Who Are Transferring To Houston
Citgo finally ended all of the public waffling today and announced it will be relocating its Tulsa headquarters to Houston.
The move makes sense for all sorts of reasons. Houston is the energy capital of this hemisphere and serious players should have a presence here.
But it really is a blow to a struggling Tulsa/Oklahoma economy.
Anyway, consider this some free advice to you Tulsans who think Houston is a hellhole and are worried about transferring. It's really not a hellhole.
No, it doesn't have your rolling hills and your wonderful lakes and rivers for outdoors recreation, and yes, the humidity really IS that bad. But Houston also doesn't have your deteriorating freeways (thanks to TXDOT -- Lee Brown couldn't destroy those), or your North Tulsa nightly gang killings that your police seem disinterested in solving (although our Danger Train is, well, dangerous), or your state's income tax. And we do have the great amenities of an international city (whether it's an international airport where the best carrier in the US is headquartered or the arts or major league sports or great restaurants or ... well, you get the idea). There are pluses and minuses, to be sure, but there really are pluses. Some of us think they are considerable.
And even though Houston seems outrageously huge if you drive the place from end to end, nobody does that. There's no need. Most everything you need is in individual neighborhoods (thanks in part to no zoning), so you rarely have to make that trek of 30 miles to another part of town. Trust me, we all dread having to make such treks. But not as much as I dread trying to get to Woodland Hills Mall in your city at a busy time of day!
Anyway, all of this is just to say that I hope some of you who have the option to move to our fine Bayou City will give it a chance. It really is a great place.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 04/26/04 18:17 | Other | Technorati
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Comments
Plus, we're world class!
Sorry, that just never gets old. Houston really does rule.
Posted by TP @ 09:40 on 04/27/04
What? You're working for the Partnership now? I didn't realize that I was subject to economic development propaganda when I stopped by here. :)
I agree that the Citgo move to Houston makes financial and political sense for the company, and I am heartened to see that they are leaving 300 jobs here in Tulsa. Lest your readers think that all is doom and gloom here in Tulsa, let me assure you that it is not. While there is no question that Tulsa has been hit hard, there have several job creation announcements within the past few months including the relocation of a corporate headquarters (Dollar Thrifty Rental Car) to town. We've survived downturns in the past and rebounded, we will do the same this time. This is yet another opportunity for creative destruction.
You are spot on in your comments about Woodland Hills Mall being hellish. And the sales tax issue – we’ll never be able to compete with you there. But if you polled any of the Citgo employees considering a move to Houston, I doubt any of them would mention your fair city’s low rate of gang violence as being a major attraction for them when considering a move there.
And, as for your defense of Houston: I haven't sensed that anyone here is saying Houston is a hellhole. I think that Citgo employees are justifiably concerned that their livelihoods are being yanked out from underneath them. Even thought they've had considerable time to come to grips with the fact that their jobs are being shipped to Houston, I still think there is some reluctance – at least initially -- to embrace such a substantial move. Were I in their position, I am not sure how well I would initially react to the pressures inherent in packing up my family and community roots to re-establish my life elsewhere.
There is no argument that Houston is an international city. And I dare I say, it might even be called world class. Were I single -- or married and childless -- I might think it would be a grand adventure to charge ahead and explore Houston's many amenities as a newly minted resident there. But, as a husband and a father with roots in this area, there are myriad issues that would concern me about such a move -- most notably access to good public education without having to move into the 'burbs. And, if you move out that far out, you've really committed yourself to the hellish traffic conditions and the generic life in suburbia. Perhaps we can expect your passionate defense of Katy, Kingwood or The Woodlands in an upcoming entry? :)
I think the issue comes down to whether you choose to live in a metropolis, a mid-major market, a small town, or in a rural area. As you say, each has its own advantages and disadvantages. But I am grateful that my family was able to make its decision for ourselves without the major external pressures such as the ones facing hundreds of Citgo families today.
Posted by Dave H @ 10:02 on 04/27/04
First Kev considers BlogAds, next he's bought and paid for by the Partnership. :)
The Houston 'burbs do make lots of sense for plenty of folks, especially families. While they don't especially appeal to me, we do have some great 'burbs. And they supply plenty of reliably Republican voters to Harris County and Texas, so I can't speak TOO ill of them! heh.
Anyway, I hope the folks whose lives are being disrupted do make the best choices for them. And if it involves Houston -- Give us a chance. We'd be happy to have ya!
Posted by Kevin @ 10:14 on 04/27/04
Speaking of moving to Houston, ever notice that like 90% of people who move to Houston pass through either Allen House or Bayou Village?
Posted by Stu @ 12:00 on 04/27/04
Hello,
I am a Houstonian and have a beautiful house for rent in a very nice gated neighborhood across the street from the Aspen Tech building where Citgo will be reocating to. There are very good public schools and private schools in the area. It is a 4 bedroom, 3 1/2 baths, formal living and dining, den overlooking lush swimming pool (which is fenced in - for younger childrens protection) gated driveway (makes a great place for little ones to ride their tricycles etc), huge gameroom upstairs off the beautiful sprial staircase - along with 3 bedrooms up, master bedroom down with sitting area and big master bathroom. All of this overlooking a nice green rotunda (nice for privacy - nobody across the street from you).
I agree Houston is very big and has many neighborhood choices but to me the best is West Houston for families where it is quieter than being in the middle of Houston but where you are still near enough to all the conveniences Houston has to offer, good restaurants, close enough to the Galleria and Memorial City for shopping and my favorite thing is Terry Hershey Park with beautiful jogging trails and walking or biking for all of the family. If you are interested in leasing my house, please call Linda Williams at Gary Greene in the Town and Country office location - 713-461-6800 and she would be glad to show you. You can also find it listed under har.com on the internet under leases on the west side of Houston in Parkway Villages.
I think for any family moving here they will grow to like Houston because of its no zoning you don't have to leave the area you choose to live in most of the time because you have everything you need basically all right in that area so you don't feel the bigness of the city.
Welcome to Houston!
Posted by pfakahany @ 12:20 on 06/16/04
Hello,
I feel for anyone that is facing relocation. I am a working mother with two young children and have relocated three times in the last four years. My last relocation has landed me right back where I started…Houston Texas! I reside in The Woodlands and have been very active in the community for the last year. I have continued to follow the reporting of companies that have chosen to ‘set up shop’ here in our community. I work for a large Mortgage Lender and would love to have to opportunity to help any of you facing relocation with your mortgage loan. I know how frustrating buying a house can be, especially in unfamiliar grounds. I will not only work hard to make the process quick and pain free; but I will also not charge an origination fee for your loan! Why would I do this you ask? Because I know how valuable that additional money can be to you and your family during your transition, and I wish I could have had this savings with each of my relocations. My contact number is 281-296-2228 or toll free 1-877-352-4002. We embrace this economic growth and welcome you to our community! Kelly.Brown@americanhm.com
Posted by KBrown @ 12:15 on 11/02/04
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