I'm with you on San Antonio. Fun place to visit. Not a place I've ever consider to be very livable. I could totally do Austin, but in town (which is expensive, but that's the case in any major city). We're not really the suburban type, and rather enjoy being in the central part of a city.

Raleigh is also a nice city, from what I've seen of it on trips through there for work. I like Nashville as well, but I find it a little too small.

^:cool:

Congrats, ALCO on 164K in the B:DX!^

The Awesomeness of HHonors cannot be overstated. I'm glad to have Gold (comp), as I think it provides good-enough benefits for a mid-tier elite hotel status, but I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to maintain HHonors status.

I would be, too -- if I were to go!^

Sad to see the Ren Kowloon closed. It's always been a good deal despite spotty service. I can't justify the JW Hong Kong.

I grew up in the sticks. Never doing that again. Never have really lived in suburbia and don't really want to.

It's partially what you describe and partially the fact that suburbia seems catty but with no real friendships.

I talk to our neighbors on a daily basis, they're out in their front yards playing with their kids or walking their dog. It's nice knowing the people around us and enjoying each others company.

Part of that is the fact that suburbia is home to the big back yard and no front porch and part of it is Texas. People love their space and that's fine. Suburban life has its place and it appeals to a number of people, it just isn't for me really. I have nothing against people who live out there, I just don't like the area.

When I was in Dallas I lived right at Beltline and North MacArthur, where Coppell and Irving meet, it was definitely a factor in me wanting to move.

What's interesting to me is the people who, when I tell them where I live, tell me, "I could never live there and deal with the traffic"... ? I never deal with traffic and when I do, it's usually 10 cars at a light. Now, go down to Sugar Land and drive on Highway 6 around 6:30pm and tell me that's a fun experience ;)

We have friends that live out by you and haven't seen them in months, because the last time I invited them out to dinner, they said they didn't like driving inside the loop because there were "No Parking" signs. Really? But, then they ask us to go to dinner by them, so we do, but they don't understand why we have to leave at 9pm (it takes 30-45 minutes to get home because they're so far).

And last fun tidbit for this post, a number of people we have talked to prefer to go to Memorial City Mall over the Galleria because they say it's less crowded. Either these people have mental issues, or they're going right before Memorial City closes. If we need to go to the Galleria, we go on Tuesday night at 7pm and we're the only people in the place.

With 7 zeros worth of points, I can safely say that I am not on the bonus point plan :o.

Wanna trade some HHonors points for SPG? I need some for my honeymoon in the MLE where the HHonors options are significantly better than the W.

That is a bummer. I had a great stay at the Ren on CNY 2008.
Well, I think it is only 500/stay.

Good for you.

And while I'm certainly no expert in parenting, baglady jr. will probably grow up with a much broader view of the world because of the travel you all have done, and with a more mature, confident outlook as well.

I know in my own family, I have several cousins that were way too sheltered in a suburban utopia growing up, and had mothers that were constantly at their beck and call. They've also grown up to be the ones who struggled through college, have struggled in their careers, and have had the most drama with their spouses and kids. On the other hand, those of us who had mothers that worked at least part of the time while we were growing up, were exposed to a lot of different people and cultures through travel and other experiences that took us out of our comfort zone, and were encouraged to do our own thing and explore (within safe boundaries) on our own have ended up with more successful adult lives when it comes to careers and family and personal relationships. Maybe it's just coincidental, and maybe there are other forces at play there, but that's just what I've seen in my own family, and I've got friends who have said the same about their friends and family as well.

How many :rolleyes::rolleyes:nors points do need to can haz?

Yikes -- about your 'hood'!:rolleyes: I hear ya about your last thought!;)^!

Another post.