Houston. H-Town. Bayou City. Space City. Clutch City. Whatever you call it, it's one of the best, and here are just some of the reasons why.

1. The diversity.

Houston is known as the nation's most diverse metropolitan area. Growing up in or around Houston means you are comfortable with a variety of languages and cultures, and leaving your home can sometimes result in an anti-culture shock.

2. The food.

Houston is famous for its variety and quality of food. We have everything from Korean BBQ and Thai food to crêpes and gourmet cupcakes. A large part of a Houstonian's social life is food, and there's no question why.

3. The lack of pesky tourists.

Houston is not a big tourist town, and to tell the truth, we're very okay with it. The lack of tourism means our already crowded freeways and airports don't become even more packed, and we get to keep our city pretty much to ourselves.

4. The close(ish) drive to Austin.

If we want to be touristy, we have places to go. Austin is our state capitol and home to the University of Texas. It has tons of beautiful places to explore and even more food places to discover.

5. And San Antonio.

San Antonio is another great tourist spot about the same distance from Houston as Austin. The Riverwalk is simply stunning, and the Alamo is a vital part of Texan history.

6. And Galveston.

Galveston may not be the prettiest beach, but its proximity to Houston means it holds a special place in most Houstonian's hearts. Plus, you can actually swim in it, because it's not fifty degrees. *cough* Pacific *cough.*

7. We have our medical needs covered.

Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world. So if we ever get sick, let's just say we're pretty well covered.

8. The Galleria.

For those who don't know about the Galleria, it's basically like a mall on steroids. With over 350 stores in one location, it's safe to say we have our shopping needs under control. Not to mention the built in ice rink and water feature.

9. Beyoncé.

Every once in a while, we just need to remind everyone where Queen Bey came from.

Simply put: Houston is a beautiful city. Not necessarily in looks, but in what it encompasses. There is so much culture and diversity overflowing everywhere, just waiting to be discovered. So while people may look down at us for the heat or the humidity or the hurricanes, we know that none of that compares to the privilege it is to live in such a wonderful place.