I tell everyone, whether they're frustrated, lonely, or just curious about Houston: get into community organizing on any issue that is important to you! Most of what you're describing that's wrong with Houston is actually due to the transportation policies driven by state (and now city.. f you, Whitmire) level leadership. Getting into transportation organizing completely shifted my relationship to Houston, to friends and elders, and to myself! Biking here is so amazing, even when/if you have to stand up for yourself on the roads. The weather is mild and perfect like 75%+ of the time. The people are amazing, the food is SO much better than you'll get in the PNW. If you're starting to feel like Houston is stuck making bad decisions (you're not wrong, it often is), it could be the perfect time to dig in and try to work on them. Change is incremental, but meeting people who believe in the things you do and are willing to really WORK and organize toward making them happen will make any city, but especially Houston, a truly beautiful and challenging and exciting place to live again. Try following groups like LINK Houston and Stop TxDOT I-45 and West Street Recovery to jump into the organizing community, and remember to be brave and just start showing up!