Living in Houston is about as varied as an experience as you can imagine and different parts of town have wildly different density, walkability, sameness and yes soul (Montrose, Museum District just off the top of my head). It's like visiting New Jersey and saying NYC is soulless. Lay Houston + the suburbs you were probably in over the top of both and you'll see it's not a bold statement.

Most of the driving that people complain about are people that don't even have Houston addresses, it's a rare day I drive more than 5 miles, and none of the houses in my neighborhood are the same.