Calling out Praying4MD

[SocialistMD]

Ok, I would like you to e-mail me. I am moving to Houston to start my research and I need someone to be my guide to the town. What do you say?

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[praying4MD]

I'm kind of new to SDN, so I wasn't sure how to access your email address, but I'd be happy to tell you the cool places to hang out here in H-town. Where are you planning on attending med school? Where in Texas are you coming from? As long as you can survive our summers here, it's not so bad. Although I personally prefer bigger and busier cities, Houston is a nice place overall. Anyway, tell me how to contact you and I'll give you the lowdown on the city.

 

[SocialistMD]

There are two icons above. One has a face with a ? and the other is an envelope. Click either of these icons and it will allow you to either see my e-mail address or allow you to e-mail me.



[This message has been edited by SocialistMD (edited March 22, 2001).]

 

[Ryu]

According to FBI, quite a number of people are kinapped, raped or stalked after meeting people whom they thought they knew from the internet. In my opinion, it is very risky and naive to trust anybody from the internet, especially meet him/her in person.

 

[praying4MD]

After careful consideration of Ryu's advice, I have decided to keep our contact through this forum and not contact you via email. I realized that I was being more than a bit naive before. It's sad to say, but it is true that no one can be trusted in this day and age. I truly hope I am not offending you socialistMD, as I really enjoy reading your posts, but I also think that it is wise to communicate through this forum. In addition, I know people who have had very bad experiences even through email contact.

In any case, I would be happy to tell you about Houston through posts and I hope to get advice from you regarding applications this summer. Again, I hope this doesn't offend you. Thanks for understanding.

 

[twister]

praying4MD -

Ryu's advice referred to meeting people face-to-face after communicating via the internet/email. I understand you have friends who have bad experiences with email. I don't see much harm in emailing someone information concerning a city. However, if you post any personal information (i.e., full legal name, phone), anyone can usually find you and cause problems. Personally, I've emailed people after communicating through the forum, and I have found it to be mutually beneficial. Of course, it is your decision, but I have had positive experiences communicating via email with people on this forum (although I think they only know my first name and the state I am from).

 

[kimberlicox]

SocialistMD

Do be careful around the TMC and U of Houston. Its not the best area of town and Hermann Park (which borders the TMC)is a favorite for vagrants. Don't walk down University BLVD or Main Street past Rice either after dark, although it is well traveled with joggers during the day.

After being warned of all the dangers when there on my elective, I actually strained my strap muscles. Took me awhile to realize it was from constantly looking over my shoulder while wandering around the TMC! tee hee

NASA and the Astrodome are quite close to the TMC and worth a trip out to see. The best upscale shopping and restaurants is at the Galleria - about 30 minute bus ride away from the TMC. One mile down University BLVD (toward Rice) there is Rice Village - full of shops (Eddie Bauer, Vicky's Secrets, Baskin Robbins, etc.) and restaurants. I often walked down to Souper Salad - all you can eat Soup and Salad (bread and dessert) for about $6.00. I'm not sure where the "hangouts" are but I'm sure P4MD can help ya there.

Hope this helps.

 

[praying4MD]

SocialistMD,

Now I feel even more guilty that I didn't even answer your question! So here it goes:

The Galleria area is the place to shop, eat, see, and be seen. Excellent but slightly pricy restaurants include: Americas, Ruggles Grill, La Strada, Canyon Cafe, Brennan's, and Churascos, Clive's.

The Rice Village is a nice place to wander the streets, as long as you don't cross Kirby or Sunset Blvd. You will then be in the medical center, which is dangerous after dark, but quite safe during the day time, due to busy streets and traffic. College students most heavily populate this area.

The FM 1960 Area is also a good place to go to for cheaper but roughly the same quality restaurants and shopping.

Interesting things to see: The waterwall, The butterfly museum, NASA, Old Towne Spring (Old German town).

Clubs and weekend hangouts: The Richmond strip and through Westheimer: Spy and The Roxy.

Sadly, that about covers it for sights, but nice weekend trips are close by. San Antonio is about a 2 hour drive away and is beautiful, and my personal favorite is New Orleans, about a 5 hour drive.

Hope that helps. Take care.

 

[lilycat]

A couple of my really good friends are from Houston (one is at Baylor Med right now) and I've spent a lot of time with them there -- what everyone has mentioned so far seems right on the money. One other thing -- a lot of med students live in "Condoland" which is sort out towards the AstroDome -- don't do it. It's not the safest of areas, and I think you can definitely find better places to live. (My friend lives there, right across from the Dr. Pepper plant, and right before he moved in this fall, a driver was shot and killed. Condoland is also pretty close to the Blockbuster where the MS-1 was killed this fall). It seems to be a mistake that 1st and 2nd year students there make, and then try to move away the final couple of years. A lot of the older students seem to live in the Montrose, which seems to be a slightly more eclectic, artsy neighborhood, although I've heard varying reports of the safety there. If you have any specific questions, let me know and I can probably get them answered for you.

 

[jenniferl77]

I live across the street from the astrodome and have had no problems. My complex has many students and profesionals that work in the med center. I don't go walking at night, but you really shouldn't do that just about anywhere.

 

[kimberlicox]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by praying4MD:
SocialistMD,

Now I feel even more guilty that I didn't even answer your question! So here it goes:

•

Hope it wasn't something I said!

Don't forget about The Cheesecake Factory in the Galleria; one of my favs. But THE best Mexican food I've ever had was at a local chain in the Galleria - down on the lower level next to the Ice Skating Rink. I can't recall the name (I think its next to Sbarro's Pizza) but the carnitas and homemade tortillas are out of this world! You must try them.

For a quick trip, I also recommend Galveston and South Padre Island (especially this time of year with all the Spring Breakers).

The TMC is right near the Museum District and they have a nice MOMA there. The Museum of Medical Science, right across the street from the Children's Museum is geared toward children. Cute, but you won't learn much there! Good gift shop though if you're looking for pens shaped like metacarpals or squishy brains and other organs. The Butterfly museum is kewl.

Not sure where you're living - I would stay away from the TMC or Astrodome area, and the area north between the TMC and dowtown. Melrose is nice and artsy and probably safer.

Have fun and don't wear your nice shoes around Fannin Street because its ALWAYS torn up and you'll ruin those Bruno Maglis.



[This message has been edited by kimberlicox (edited March 25, 2001).]

 

[kimberlicox]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by praying4MD:

The Galleria area is the place to shop, eat, see, and be seen. •

It does seem to be the place where Houston society hangs. The *minute* the temp drops below 70 F, the fur coats come out!

I looked like a TOTAL loser in my stolen scrub bottoms, sweatshirt, stained tennies and GOD FORBID, straight, relatively flat hair. Women there DO have big hair (though not as bad as in Dallas/FW). The next time I hit the Galleria I dressed up a bit and got much better service!

 

[praying4MD]

Yeah, the Galleria certainly has its share of snobs. It's fun to make fun of them, if nothing else. The next time those people give you dirty looks for being in your scrubs, just tell them it was custom made by Versace. They're sure to be impressed, as fashion conscious as they are, and who knows, you may just start the newest trend

. Big hair is still here, and forever will be, I fear. River Oaks houses are beautiful aren't they? That's where "Terms of Endearment" was filmed and where Bush (Sr.) lives. Anyway, that's way off topic. Hope you're getting used to Houston and enjoy it here more than I do!

Later

 

[kimberlicox]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">Originally posted by praying4MD:
The next time those people give you dirty looks for being in your scrubs, just tell them it was custom made by Versace. They're sure to be impressed, as fashion conscious as they are, and who knows, you may just start the newest trend

. •

Ahh..yes, the latest rage in Paris!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2"> Anyway, that's way off topic. Hope you're getting used to Houston and enjoy it here more than I do!

Later

•

Well fortunately I finished my elective in December and am now well ensconced in my parents home in California - watching tv, playing on the internet, occasionally riding the horses, etc. I can't say I was a great fan of Houston when I was there...but it was fun for a couple of months!

 

[SocialistMD]

Sorry about the delayed response, I have been in New Orleans for the past 6 days and did not take a computer.
praying4MD- Don't worry about it. I understand the concerns posted and never really expected you to meet with me. I just figured that since you were the only one on this board who admitted to being from Houston, I could bug you for information.
All- The info you gave is great. I do not know where I will be living during the school year, so I will have time to check the apartments while I am down there. I will take into consideration the advice about condo land.

 

[CaMD]

It's probably way too late for the original poster in the thread, but for those moving to Houston and doing a keyword search I have three words:
Chuy's
Cafe Adobe