By Mickey Scott
Texas is the largest of the 48 contiguous
United States and features several distinct cities, each with its own perks and attractions. The state is a keystone of Mid-Western America, both geographically and culturally. Here are some of the best cities in Texas and what they have to offer.
San Antonio
San Antonio, located in south-central Texas, is an economically secure city and according to the Brookings Institution, is one of the nation's best-performing city during the recession. The Alamo, a national landmark, is located here, as are several other historical Spanish missions built by Catholic missionaries in the 17th and 18th centuries. The scenic River Walk, a series of paths along the midtown portion of the San Antonio River, is a key part of San Antonio's revitalized downtown and is lined with many eateries and shops. For the sports fan, San Antonio is home to the Spurs, NBA's 2007 champions, as well as college football's Alamo Bowl held in December.
Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, located just an hour-and-a-half's drive south of San Antonio on the Gulf of Mexico, gets sunshine 255 days of the year, making it a popular destination for beach-goers, fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts. Residents and vacationers alike are drawn to North Beach where they can visit the Texas State Aquarium and the USS Lexington. Corpus Christi is also near the northern end of Padre Island, the longest barrier island in the world and home to the endangered Kemp's Ridley sea turtle.
Austin
Austin is the capital of Texas and is nationally renown for its music scene. Music lovers from all over the country flock to the SXSW and Austin City Limits music festivals. In addition to being culturally rich, Austin is also economically sound, as it is ranked number one by Forbes as America's best bargain city in 2009 and boasts an unemployment rate of only 5.5 percent, best in the nation among cities.
Dallas
The Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex, with over six million residents living within its 9,000 square miles, is the hub of Texas. In Forbes' list of best places to move in the United States, six of the top 25 are in the Dallas metro area. The city is home to 12 Fortune 500 companies, several top-tier sports franchises and the largest urban art district in the United States.
Houston
The largest city in Texas, and the fourth-largest in the United States, Houston is located near the Gulf of Mexico in the eastern part of the state. Officially nicknamed "The Space City" due to the presence of NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston is a remarkably affordable place to live. Of the major American cities, Houston's cost of living is second-lowest, and of the 10 most populated metro areas, Houston's housing is most affordable. Houston is also known for its sports teams and facilities, boasting an MLB, NFL, and NBA team, and is home to the world's first domed stadium.
El Paso
Texas' western-most city, El Paso, borders the country of Mexico and the state of New Mexico and is geographically closer to the capitals of five other states than it is to Austin. Located in the Chihuahuan Desert, El Paso averages 361 sunny days a year. A city of history, culture and nature, El Paso is also a city of business, having been ranked the best mid-sized city in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine in their 2005 list of Hot Cities for Entrepreneurs. Surprisingly, despite being adjacent to the metropolis of Juarez, Mexico, El Paso consistently ranks among the safest cities in the United States.
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About the Author:
Maintaining his United States citizenship, Mickey Scott is a Canadian resident recently transplanted from the American Midwest. He holds a broadcasting degree from Central Missouri State University with a minor in creative writing. In addition to Demand Studios, Scott also contributes to Suite 101.
