Podcaster Asks, ‘Why Should I Not Move to Houston?’ Here’s What Twitter Had to Say

Podcaster Asks, ‘Why Should I Not Move to Houston?’ Here’s What Twitter Had to Say

OVER THE WEEKEND, DC-based attorney, podcaster and best-selling author Rabia Chaudry, who first rose to prominence on Season 1 of the pioneering podcast Serial, tweeted that she wanted to move to Houston. "It's diverse, affordable, I'm tired of being cold in the DMV, no state income tax, and the food there is some of the best I'd had in America," she said. "I only want to hear from ppl who live in, or have lived in, Houston: Why should I not move there?"


Twitter, naturally, mobilized, with thousands of replies pouring in.

Humidity topped the list of reasons given, as did Ted Cruz and Governor Abbott. (To which Chaudry replied, "My governor is Hogan and he ain't doing much for me anyway.")

One person succinctly listed "hurricanes, humidity, roaches, very flat, fire ants." And

Nicole Flores elaborates a bit: "Do you like humidity? Can you kill a flying roach? Are you ok with driving everywhere (very few neighborhoods are walkable)? Very very diverse. Low cost of living. People can be a bit rough around the edges and insular. Fresh seafood if you eat that. Food scene A+." She followed up with, "Forgot to mention fire ants and water moccasins."

User @htownmark explained that Houstonians "have to work a little bit to find natural beauty," and tacked on "hot AF." He also said, "If you live inside the loop you will have to navigate the HISD magnet school system, brave your zoned school, or pay for private. But it's worth it."

Meanwhile, another user joked, "I don't think the power is back on there."

And law student and military vet Erik Esqueda offered, "The biggest drawbacks: We're prone to flooding, the Texas weather here is just as chaotic as the other parts of the state, you better buy a good car and have podcast to listen to in traffic. But I love this city."


Art + Entertainment
Leadership in Action: John Kuykendall Traded Newcaster Dream for Success in Luxury Retail

John Kuykendall, Showroom Manager, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove

How did you get to where you are today? Growing up I had envisioned myself as a news anchor, living in NY and enthusiastically saying into the camera “Good Morning America!”. To this day, I am still a news/political junkie. My mother owned fur salons so specialty retail, luxury retail was in my blood through the family business. Eventually, mom shuttered the stores and I was recruited to a large specialty retailer. Over the next 30 years, I was in commissioned sales on the sales floor, became a department manager, worked my way up to buyer and store manager. Although I never became a newscaster, I did live in NYC for a few years. But Texas is home and with aging grandparents, I felt the pull to come back to my roots. A headhunter approached me. I never envisioned myself in the high-end appliance market, but there are so many similarities. Clients want a memorable experience; whether shopping for diamonds and fur or remodeling their kitchen.

Keep Reading Show less

The patio at Heights & Co.

IT'S ALMOST TIME for summer vacations, but Heights & Co. is offering escapes on its newly redecorated patio in the form of wine and movie nights — no passport needed! Visit France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and more through wine pairings and tasting menus, all complemented by movies set in each location.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Ally Shell and Martijn van Koolwijk

BLAME IT ON the Moon! Mercury Chamber Orchestra’s 2025 gala at the Thompson hotel — themed “Moonlight Serenade and chaired by Ally Shell and Martijn Van Koolwijk — was a night of glamour and big band vibes, raising more than $350,000 for the company.

Keep Reading Show less
Art+Culture