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Tell me about Texas!
Hi there,
I'm sure that there are a number of Texans on this board, so I hope that you can share with me a bit about Texas. I'm interested in living and working in the USA. While California "calls" to me, I am also very interested in Texas. I don't know why, but as a Canadian, Texas has always had some sort of a "mystique" for me! Mind you, I have never been to Texas, so I'm curious as to whether the reality would live up to the romantic pre-conception that I have in my mind! I'm interested in Austin, Dallas and Houston (in that order). I've also heard that climate wise, Austin is the most pleasant, followed by Dallas, then Houston. If any of you Texans out there could help out, I would be pleased to read your response! (Also, if you're a non-Texan who has visited Texas, I would love to hear your input as well!) Thank you! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif [This message has been edited by CutiePie2000 (edited April 12, 2001).] |
I'm an unoffical Texan!!! I've lived in Austin for just over five years and I love it. Austin is the "Other Texas". Forget about the big belt buckle, cowboy hat, boot scootin' image that you have of Texas if you visit Austin - 'cause that's just not us (or most of us).
I've only visited Dallas and Houston but didn't like either of them... too much BIG HAIR!!! Austin is pretty casual and is very high tech... we are our own little Silicon Valley. We have five beautiful lakes and boating is big here... in the summer, you've got to be close to the water. Austin is also the capital city... Our state capital building is taller than the US Capital... you know, "everything is bigger in Texas." It was great fun in Austin during the latest Presidential Election. Community service is also a big influence in Austin. The Live Music Captial of the World is the latest battle cry of Austin. Music is huge...every style, you'll find something that you like. Nightlife is great here. And lastly, greek life is huge. I'm sure that you'll find members of your group in Austin (unless you're part of a local) whether or not you have a chapter at UT... My first friends here were Alpha Xi Delta's. Ahhhh, it's great to be greek in Austin! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif |
Texas is Awesome!!!
I'm from Austin but I go to school in San Antonio (which I noticed was not on your list :-( ) Anyway, Texas is great. The people here are very friendly. I'm not sure what your image of our state is but a lot of people tend to focus on the wild west or small town image. Those are both real and you can definitely find them if that's what your looking for. There are quite a few ranches and cute little towns but we also have the big cities. The climate is great here (Houston can be more humid than the rest of the state though). It is pretty mild year round but summers are HOT! It's been getting up to about 115 degrees the past few summers. (Thank goodness for A/C!) I've been to all the major cities; I was born near Houston so I'm most familiar with that area after Austin. All the cities you mentioned are great; you should look into San Antonio too because its a great place to live. Geez, I sound like a travel brouchure for Texas http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Oh and by the way, we do say "ya'll" and some people do have the Texas twang but the accents vary depending on the part of the state. Hope this helped! Let me know if you have any other questions http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif |
Hey turtle, where do you go to school in SA? If you dont wanna spill the beans to everyone, email me. Glad to see some SA representin' on here.
[This message has been edited by lifesaver (edited April 12, 2001).] |
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(Also, I would love to hear what TxTechChiO has to say, being that she must be a Texan!) I don't really have the "Wild West" image so much in my mind, which is probably surprising. I've asked some Canadians who've been to or lived in Texas for a while, so that has helped my perceptions out a bit. Also, about 10 years ago, I was reading SEVENTEEN magazine and they had a profile on U of Texas at Austin, and oh, how I wish I could have gone there! It looked like such a fun school to go to, with amazing amenities and social activities going on! I guess my image of Texas is that it is kind of old fashioned in that "the men are men, and the women are women". I've heard this can be good or bad, in some ways I have heard that the attitudes can be kind of sexist against women and I should expect to be called "little lady" or something like that. At the same time, when I think of Texas, I also think of glamour, beauty pageants, big Greek life (along with the Big Hair! LOL!), but also people who are very charming and endearing. Whenever I have met Texans on vacation, I've found them to be so charming! In any case, I would sure to be curious to live there, if only for a few months. Also, how would Canadians be received when I say "Hi, I moved here from Canada?" Would I be thought of as a "Yankee" (being that Canada is north), or just as a Canadian (i.e. igloos, hockey, Mounties, etc.). Just wondering! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif [This message has been edited by CutiePie2000 (edited April 12, 2001).] |
CP2000- Ima gonna type up some infor for you as soon as I get a chance next hour or so. I was born and raised in texas, and we'd love to have ya. Give me a few hours and I'll see what I can come up with.
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hey CutiePie2000,
I am also a native Texan- born and raised! Houston to be more exact. Anyway- i have to agree with most of the information you have received. Houston tends to be more humid than anywhere else- although Texas as a whole is HOT. The cost of living here is great- and there is SO much to do!! I have been to Austin a couple of times and i absolutely LOVE it there! I should have gone to UT! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif Greek Life is also big here. I have never been to Dallas- but I have been to San Antonio. San Antonio is also a fun city- but it seems like you would get tired of the same things fast. Although- i am just saying that, but I dont know lots of the fun things to do there besides the obvious. I am happy to hear you are considering Texas- its a great place and Lifesaver hit the bullseye when he said we would love to have ya! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif |
Texas is very different from anyplace I have ever lived. There is pride in being a Texan. I wasn't born there, but I got here as fast as I could. Texans have a very interesting relationship with Oklahoma as well. We talk bad about Okies all the time, especially during football season, but it seems that is a right reserved to Texans because if anyone else tries it they get jumped on. Austin is a beautiful city. Unfortunately it has the highest cost of living and the worst traffic in the state, including Houston. In Austin it rarely snows, maybe once every 5 or 6 years we might get an inch on the south side of town where I live. It has rained since Thankgiving, that is unusual, but at least the lakes are full. We may not see rain between May and Sept, so makes for great motorcycle weather though it can get a little warm in the summer. I grocery shop at night when it cools down, but last summer it could be 90 at midnight. Austin is the most 'liberal' city in Texas and is said to have the second highest per capita gay population of any major in the country, behind only San Francisco. Unfortunately the 'liberal' attitude has caused the growth of Austin to outpace its' infrastructure, hence the traffic problems. Look at a map sometime and you will only see one major highway (I-35) in Austin, that must serve a population of 1 million people in the greater Austin area. Now look at Houston, DFW, or San Antonio and look that the major highways there. Sure there are more people, but they may have 10 times the highway miles with only 2 or 3 times the population. Most people are friendly, be friendly back. I was in Reston, Va. (near D.C.) last year. I pulled up to a stop light and there was a cute blond in a convertible next to me. She looked over and I smiled and nodded. She gave me the snottiest go to hell look as though I had said something mean. That attitude will NOT fly in Texas. I have seen people from the northeast kicked out of a restautant in Austin for being rude to the waitress. Bad manners and bad disposition are frowned upon in Texas.
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Here were some rules I posted on another board for someone moving to Texas:
1. Save all manner of bacon grease. You will be instructed later how to use it. 2. Just because you can drive on snow and ice does not mean we can. Stay home the two days of the year it snows like the rest of us. 3. If you do run your car into a ditch, don't panic. Four men in the cab of a four wheel drive with a 6-pack of beer and a tow chain will be along directly. Don't try to help them. Just stay out of their way. This is what they live for. (the 6-pack was a 'tip' from the last person they pulled out so it would be nice if you would be so generous. An alternative tip would be a brick or .22 ammo if you don't drink.) 4. Don't be surprised to find movie rentals & bait in the same store. Also don't complain about not having a good selection of new releases, it ain't Blockbuster. 5. Remember: "Y'all" is singular. "All y'all" is plural. "All y'all's" is plural possessive. 6. Get used to hearing, "You ain't from around here, are ya?" If you do hear it, it is an insult, you have done something wrong. Think about it. 7. If you want to make a joke of it, before you ask a question, preface it with 'I'm not from around here, but I was wondering...?' 8. If you are yelling at the person driving 15 mph in a 55 mph zone, directly in the middle of the road, remember, many folks learned to drive on a model of vehicle known as John Deere, and this is the proper speed and lane position for that vehicle. On the other hand you could be in Austin. 9. If you hear a Texan exclaim, "Hey, y'all, watch this!" STAY OUT OF THE WAY AND WATCH. These are likely the last words he will ever say. If they aren't then you can fit right in by doing the same thing. 10. Get used to the phrase "It's not the heat, it's the humidity". And the collateral phrase "You call this hot? Wait'll August." 11. There are no delis. Don't ask. (Actually Katz's is in Austin) 12. In conversation, never put your hand on a man's shoulder when making a point, especially in a bar, especially in Austin. 13. Chili does NOT have beans in it. 14. Brisket is not 'cooked' in an oven. 15. We don't care how you did where you came from. This is Texas. If we wanted to do it that way we would move there. 16. If you think it's too hot, don't worry. It'll cool down-in December. Someone might say, 'You ain't from around here are ya?' That's a clue, if you piss and moan about it you will give Texans a bad name. 17. We do TOO have 4 Seasons: December, January, February, and Summer! 18. A Mercedes Benz is not a status symbol. A Ford F-250 is. (or for some of you an F-350 or any other dually). If you don't know what a dually is 'you ain't from around here'. 19. If someone tells you "Don't worry, those peppers they ain't hot" you can be certain that you will be able to light the fire in your fireplace by breathing on the wood. If they warn you that the peppers are hot you will not be able to light the fire because your breath would melt the stone and brick around your fireplace if you breathed on it. 20. If you fail to heed my warning in #19 above, be sure to have a bowl of guacamole handy. Water won't do it, but a Shiner will help. The alcohol helps break down the alkaloids in the pepper. 21. Rocky Mountain oysters are NOT oysters. They aren't even from the ocean. Don't ask. 22. If someone says they're "fixin" to do something, that doesn't mean anything's broken, but they probably won't be around there for long. 23. Don't even think of ordering a strawberry daiquiri (unless you are in a bar in Austin where it is okay to put your hand on another man's shoulder, usually has a neon rainbow sign in the window). What you really mean to say is 'margarita'. 24. If you don't understand our passion for college and high school football just keep your mouth shut or you will hear, 'You ain't from around here are ya?'. 25. The value of a parking space is not determined by the distance to the door, but the availability of shade. 26. If you come up behind slower moving vehicle on a two lane road and it pulls on to the shoulder, it is letting you go by. That is called "courtesy". 27. BBQ is a food group. It does NOT mean grilling burgers and hotdogs outdoors. 28. BBQ has nothing to do with a grill and charcoal. 29. Pig is a breakfast animal. 30. We BBQ beef. If you go to a BBQ restaurant and ask for something from a pig, the server will say, 'You ain't from around here are ya?'. 31. No matter what you've seen on TV, Texans do NOT line dance. 32. "Tea" = Iced Tea. There is no other kind. 33. Everything goes better with Ranch dressing. 34. When driving you must know the 'Lugnut Rule'. The vehicle with the most lugnuts has the right of way. (count lugnuts on all wheels: motorcycle=2, Renault LeCar=12, VW=16, Caddy=20, F250=24, F350=32) 35. When buying a house and you are told the price do not flop out your checkbook and say, 'I'll take it!' They will know you are from California. 36. Get you license plates changed as soon as possible. If you have license plates from Ca. or any state east of the Mississippi River and north of Ky (especially NY or NJ) this is especially important. 37. Get to like the Dallas Cowboys and San Antonio Spurs. 38. Learn to talk slow. 39. Be nice. If you walk around with an attitude problem you will have a miserable life. If you are rude to the wait staff in the restaurant the manager might kick you out. 40. We don't wear cowboy boots and cowboy hats, not in the cities anyway. If you do people will say, 'You ain't from around here are ya?'. 41. The Alamo is in San Antonio. Know this. Never make a bad comment about anything related to the Alamo. It is important. 42. Texas is BIG. The biggest state in the United States. Don't argue about it, accept it. We all know it is true. 43. Women in Texas are BEAUTIFUL. If you don't believe me go sit in an airport in Texas then in St Louis or Indianapolis. 44. Women in Texas don't turn gray. Somehow they turn blond. 45. Get a pickup. 46. Get a dog for the back of the pickup. 47. Get a rifle rack for the window of the pickup. 48. Don't ever ask for a soda, soda-pop, or pop. It's COKE or in most cases Dr Pepper (if you're a REAL Texan). Dr Pepper was founded in Waco and in Waco is made with real sugar not corn syrup. 49. Drive courteously. Texans are still a little peeved at the invention of concrete highways, so mind your manners. 50. Do not put a Green Peace sticker on your car. 51. Do not put a Gore sticker on your car. 52. Never touch another man's hat or cap (or wife) 53. Order grits at the truckstops. 54. Never complain about the grits you ordered. 55. Never complain. 56. Get a Bass boat. 57. Get a CHL. 58. Remember: those are breakfast Tacos, not burritos. 59. Never be afraid to fill up your gas (or diesel) tank. 60. Get use to seeing drivers use their F250's to make their own exits from the "Super Slab" if the state did not think of putting one where people want to exit. 61. Don't tailgate a jacked up truck. 62. Corollary: Don't let a jacked up truck tailgate you, pull over and let him by. 63. Texas men still hold doors open for ladies and children, offer to carry packages, and any other manner of gentlemanly courtesies. 64. Big or "Texas" hair has never gone out of style. 65. Real Texans have two pair of shoes, work boots and dress boots. 66. Only in Texas are you likely to see country women bailing hay, sloppin' hogs, or any other manner of work in full evening makeup. (Most common around Dallas.) 67. If a Texan looks you dead in the eye and calls you, "Sir", with a bit of a hardness on the word, you have screwed up mightily. 68. If a Texan say, 'Hello darlin'.' or 'Mornin' darlin'.' it is a standard Texas greeting. It is not a sexist remark and he is not trying to get you to have his children. 69. Don't ever go under 60 on the interstate. And don't be suprised to see Suburbans flying past when your doing 80 yourself. (I regularly drive 90-110) 70. If you like Mexican food you won't like it in Texas. Whay you have eaten has been Americanized. 71. DO NOT TRAMPLE THROUGH THE BLUEBONNETS TO PLACE YOUR CHILD IN THE MIDDLE OF A FIELD TO TAKE A PICTURE. You are not the first one to have thought of it and if the other 4,867,533 people who thought of it did it then everyone would think that Bluebonnet were flat and grew close to the ground. This is why the Bluebonnets are watched by Tx DPS Troopers. You will be fined if you hurt the field. 72. If you hear the term, 'Git a rope!' You did not heed the warning from #6 and you are in trouble. 73. Ladies, if you hear a yelp out the window of a passing vehicle, a loud 'WOO!', that is a compliment form of 'Howdy'. Something on the order of, 'She's finer than a new set of mudders.' 74. People in Texas have guns. If you do something that you are not suppose to you might get shot over it. Get use to it, that's the way things are. If you don't like it, don't come here. Texas is the only state that you can legally use lethal force against someone to protect your property. We have had people get killed over $2 because the guy picked the wrong person to rob. It is called 'theft in the nighttime.' Lethal force is also justified to prevent 'criminal mischief in the nighttime'. TAGGERS BEWARE. 75. If you are single, the bench seat in a pickup is very short. That is why the girl in the truck sits in the middle. 76. When dinning out (particularly at a steakhous) remember that vegitables are what food eats. 77. NEVER say, "Your wife (girlfriend, daughter, etc.) sure has nice (physical attributes of any kind). Instead, if he's your *close* friend, you might get away with, "My, she shore is purty." And for God's sake, don't stare! 78. NEVER let a friend stand alone. NEVER! Odds, common sense be damned! If he's your friend, by God he's your friend. Stand by him - no matter what! -- If you survive, you will have a friend forever - past death itself. -- If you don't survive, well, what're friends for? 79. Duct tape and bailing wire can fix just about anything. Now for things you don't want to say in Texas: 1. We don't keep firearms in this house. 2. You can't feed that to the dog. 3. I thought Graceland was tacky. 4. No kids in the back of the pick-up, it's not safe. 5. Wrasslin's fake. 6. Honey, did you mail that donation to Greenpeace and PETA? 7. We're vegetarians. 8. I'll have grapefruit instead of biscuits and gravy. 9. Honey, these bonsai trees need watering? 10. Who's Richard Petty? 11. Deer heads detract from the decor. 12. Spitting is such a nasty habit. 13. Trim the fat off that steak. 14. Cappuccino tastes better than espresso. 15. The tires on that truck are too big. 16. I'll have the arugula and radicchio salad. 17. I've got it all on a floppy disk. 18. Unsweetened tea tastes better. 19. Would you like your fish poached or broiled? 20. My fiancee, Paula Jo, is registered at Tiffany's. 21. Banana moon pies have too many fat grams. 22. Checkmate. 23. She's too old to be wearing that bikini. 24. She's too young to be wearing that bikini. 25. Does the salad bar have bean sprouts? 26. I don't have a favorite college team. 27. I believe you cooked those green beans too long. 28. Those shorts ought to be a little longer, Mary Beth. 29. Elvis who? |
as a texan (my exact whereabouts will remain unknown http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif ), i must tell you that you will enjoy the cities you listed in the following order: dallas, houston, san antonio. for whatever reason, people in dallas are WAY more friendlier. making eye contact is not a threat, it is an invitation to conversation. dallas also has seasons. it does snow up there.
in houston, there are 2 seasons: hot and HOTTER. people in houston are a little rude. and if you don't enjoy freeways, traffic and 20 minute trips to go any- and everywhere, you won't like it. but, if you ignore red and yellow lights, if the "turn lanes" to you mean "passing lanes," and if it amuses you to see "wreckers" lined up on the freeway at about 4 p.m., WAITING on accidents, you'll love it. as a black woman, i can say that the only time austin is fun is during the texas relays. i can't quite understand why every time i have visited austin, i have been subjected to stares, disrespect, accusations, and the like. to give an example, i requested some towels at the front desk of a hotel and the attendants surrendered! i was not interested in robbing the place. but, i will say, texas has got to be the most wonderful state in the u.s. the land is cheap and there is a lot of money to be made in this state! ------------------ I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. Maybe in order to understand mankind, we have to look at the word itself: "Mankind". Basically, it's made up of two separate words - "mank" and "ind". What do these words mean ? It's a mystery, and that's why so is mankind |
Hey Cutiepie,
I'm a native New Yorker...and I visited Texas before...lemme just say--if you're not a Republican or if you're not conservative--you will NOT like Texas. Just a warning! I prefer California--the ppl there are a hell lot more nicer, plus the weather is gorgeous, and it isn't so stifling hot! Plus I was way more comfortable in the liberal atmosphere! Youjust can't beat California! I plan to move there after college! |
Hi! I was born and raised in Houston and although my immediate family has moved out to the Hill Country near Austin, the rest of the crowd is still in Houston. I enjoy Texas for its cosmopolitan atmosphere and friendliness. Houston has changed so so much since we lived ther--it's a megalopolis!--and I feel much more comfortable in Austin now.
I don't ever remember any of the "little lady" business--that's more common in Georgia, where I live now. |
Hi! I'm from TX! I love it here! It's the best! I couldn't imagine wanting to live anywhere else! Whenever I have to do some survey asking where I want to go to college (happens often) I always chose TX only. Yes... "Everything is bigger in Texas!" Texas is known for the good looking guys and pretty girlies! AHHH everything Jeff said is sooo true! I love that list Jeff.. brought back memories! Texas is just an all around amazing place with the awesome scenery, great summer weather nearly year round, extremely nice people...! You have to come to Texas.. preferably Austin. Austin gives you a feel of TX life! Houston is horrible to me! I used to live 35 minutes from there, and as much as I like shopping, i dreaded the trip there! The highways are just sooo confusing and there are sooo many running together and plus traffic is a mess and the drivers are rude! Austin has considerate drivers, very indulgent cops, great education system, tons of open job positions, "live music capital of the world" tons of concerts here! I am going to a big concert on April 21st to see Cory Morrow/Pat Green and others (austin locals), also 6th street can be a blast with all the great clubs that they have for a variety of people. GOd, there is soo much to do here in Austin! I moved here 2 yrs ago from a small town and I know people from every other high school in Austin and boardering towns except for Reagan High School... I'm telling you, it's a friendly place! O'kay I just would be sooo disappointed if you picked any place in TX other than Austin to live! Especially picking Houston.. that'd be the worst decision you'd ever make! O'kay thanks! COME TO AUSTIN! BYE!
**(if you want me to talk to more about Austin... I can!!!)** |
This is so fun; I love telling people about Texas http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif. Anyway, I've never really noticed a sexist attitude; but then again it doesn't really bother me to be called "little lady, miss or ma'am" (it is kind of weird that people will call like an 18 yr old girl ma'am though). But I can see how it would begin to grate someone's nerves if they took offense by it because it is pretty common. Oh and that list of rules for living in Texas was hilarious! I love Austin but traffic there is crazy. Somehow, Austinites can complain constantly about the traffic yet still refuse to build new roads. We instead continue to cram way too many people onto only two freeways (three if you count 183 but hardly anyone does). Ok but this is not a thread for me to vent about Austin driving so I'll move on http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif And Meez Discreet, I am very sorry to hear you've had bad experiences in Austin. Please know those were just a few stupid people and the majority of Austinites are not so rude (unless they're stuck in 5:00 traffic but that's a whole other story http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif )
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Wow bebechick! You really love Austin! Where do you go to school? (If you don't mind sharing of course)
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I've only been to Houston, so here's my opinion. I found it to be very sterile - lots of metal and glass. It was a *big* change from New Orleans.
But the job market in Houston is *great* and there's plenty of cool shopping. It wasn't my 'thing' but I know lots of people that LOVE it. |
I have never been, but I have had the pleasure of knowing and befriending many Texans over the years. My impression is that they are super friendly!
------------------ Phi Love, AEPhiSteph |
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hey! i'm from Anderson High School! Where are you from? Oh yeah.. about the roads.. they are building an upper deck on I-35 and that is coming along pretty well so far! I know that will make traffic a hell of a lot better! Just to let you know Austin is doing something about roads. Anyway, how old r u Turtle girl? Write back alrighty? *ALLOY HAS SOME REALLY CUTE SPRINGY CLOTHES!! (IM LOOKING AT THE CATALOG I GOT IN THE MAIL RIGHT NOW) |
well, I grew up in Dallas and I am now living in Houston, and I have been to Austin a couple of times. So here's my 2 cents.
Austin: cost of living is a biiiaaatch! climate is nice. Not sure of the job opportunities out there. Dallas: Great Climate. Dry heat in the summer, gets cold around November/December. decent cost of living. Great place if you're looking for a job. Nice people. Houston: Hot and very very very Humid most of the time. Lots of job opportunities. People here are a little rude. Everything you need is in the city! [This message has been edited by mintyfresh82 (edited April 13, 2001).] |
NO WAY BEBE!!! I graduated from Anderson last year. That is so awesome!
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That list was great! I am from Dallas and think that most of what you said is sooo true!(My favorite was Women's hair in Texas doesn't turn grey, it turns Blonde.)But I do have to say that I have never met people as nice as the people in Lubbock. And I have never seen guys hotter than the ones at Texas Tech. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif
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Hey there CutiePie2000! I wish I could have gotten on this post sooner! I looove to brag about Texas! Hopefully you aren't tired of reading about Texas yet (not possible). I had no idea that there are so many Texans in here!
I grew up in East Texas and I now go to school in the "Piney Woods" of Texas... exactly what it sounds like. And it's soooo very beautiful this time of year. It's green green green everywhere. I went to school at Texas Tech for a few years (in Lubbock) and it is dry as he** out there. Great for my asthma but bad for skin (no huimidity, dry dry dry). It's beautiful out there. The wind is a pain in the butt, though. It wasn't odd to have 60 mph wind gusts. We had beautiful winters there. It snowed quite a bit, usually after Thanksgiving. But the funniest thing about Lubbock was that they have a severe lack of drainage for the roads. When it rains, it goes on for 30 solid minutes and then the entire town floods. Crazy. The boys there... yummy. But I felt so isolated and missed trees. I wanted to be closer to home so now I go to school in Nacogdoches (the oldest town in Texas!) at a smaller university. Growing up in East Texas, we frequently traveled to Dallas/Ft. Worth for better shopping and baseball games. So I have always been more familiar to the Dallas area. It is so friendly there. The weather isn't too bad, they even get snow occasionally during the winter month (yea, anywhere east of Abeline in Texas has a winter MONTH). My boyfriend is from Houston so I have gotten to know Houston really well over the past few years. It's a high-class town with various job opportunities. But the humidity... oh Lord, it takes some getting used to (esp. for you). To compare and contrast Houston & Dallas, Dallas seems to be a more functional, "get down to business" town. While Houston is more prissy and showy. *I am not trying to piss anyone off, I love every part of Texas with all of my heart. So don't send me any pissy posts.* I have lotsa family in Austin and the cost of living there is outrageous, compared to other parts of Texas. But the lakes and golf courses in Austin are absolutely top notch. Where you live in Texas depends on what kind of environment you are looking for. We have a varity ot choose from! Personally, I find myself feeling more cozy in Houston. There are so many tucked away areas and suburbs that much of Houston doesn't have that big city feel. My boyfriend lives in River Oaks, a very old Houston neighborhood. It's so comfy there that we take walks at night and I feel safe. Haven't had a gun pulled on us yet! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif I see Austin as more compact. Everything seems to be so squeezed into one particular primo area. I considered attending UT but I just couldn't get used to the idea of the school being right downtown. Sure, it's convenient. But it was difficult to tell where the school actually "began". It just blends into the downtown area. I love that you said you have "romantic pre-conceptions" about Texas! Yes, you will probably get teased for being a Yankee! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif Anyone who has ever been here will tell you that Texas is it's own country. And so it is. I absolutley love it and I don't ever want to leave. I love telling people where I am from, although my accent usually gives it away. And not everyone in Texas has a twang (at least I don't notice it) but I have been told that people from East Texas tend to have a more pronounced twang than most areas. But I find it charming. I am sure I can come up with pages and pages of Texan bragging rights. Bottom line, don't go to California. Eventually, it's going to "earthquake" itself right off of this continent, which I believe is a part of God's plan. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif And George W. ROCKS!!!!! Texans are just going to take over everything (again, all part of God's plan)! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif |
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Anyway, that's probably way more info than you wanted! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif But I'm pretty sure she never went to college, and I don't recall ever hearing of her being an honorary member of anything. |
So, cutiepie, what do you think about Texas now? when are you going to go check it out for yourself?
IMHO, I was not fond of TX. when I was there, I felt like every woman was checking me out to see if my nailpolish properly matched my lipstick, which of course, should be bright pink! I definitely felt like I was being judged on my appearance constantly. I guess that sounds weird coming from a Californian which has the rep of being image conscious, but it's different in CA because there is so much diversity. You can look however you want, as long as you are really good at your particular look. I also didn't like the weather, but again, I am spoiled from CA. Some people are VERY nice, which is a big change for me. personally, I like walking down the streets of downtown SF without having to say hello to each of the 502,897 people I see on the sidewalk, but in Texas, they actually do. So, if you are looking for old-fashioned friendliness, that's one place you will find it. (CA is a lot more unfriendly and there are just too many people. For instance, a lot of people have bumper stickers that say, "Welcome to California...now get out!" We're not really that mean, and I love showing new Californians around, but it is hard to see our cities keep growing and wondering...when will it end?!?) Back to Tx... I wasn't into the whole Texas is big thing, though. I was with some people from Alaska and they were like, "So Texas thinks they're big, huh? Maybe we should cut Alaska in half and make Texas the third largest state instead of the second." Seriously, if big is such a great thing, go to Alaska! Also, the quality of their environment is very poor (George W....) as I have read in mnay many reports and studies. BUT, they have good food and you know that is important! Good luck making your decision! |
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I love California too....I just asked about Texas, since I have visited California, but I haven't been to Texas! People are sure passionate about their respective States! The only thing that concerns me is the gun-thing. Is Texas a bit more (for lack of a better word) "gun-fixated" than other States? This worries me quite a lot. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif (Please note, I don't want this to degenerate into a a big gun debate...please know that guns in general are pretty alien to we Canadians. ) But otherwise, the more that people post, the more that I am interested in seeing Texas with my own eyes!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif [This message has been edited by CutiePie2000 (edited April 16, 2001).] |
Cutiepie, that is great. I hope you do go in 2002 and Convention's are fun, so it will definitely be worth your time and money to go!
It's so good of you to be open-minded! The great thing about the world is everyone likes different things. So, thank goodness some people like Texas, some like California, some like neither. After all, we all can't live in the same place! And texas and Canada would be so different! I think one of the greatest things to do when young is to travel and really live in other places rather than just visit. It really changes your perspective and opens your eyes! |
I LOOOOOOVE living in Texas...I don't think I could ever live anywhere else. I was raised in a little town south of San Antonio, and went to college there my first two years. I love Houston, and Dallas, but I don't really care for San Antonio. It's a great place to visist, but it gets old, IMO.
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ok, So heres my opinion. I have lived my whole life in Texas and love it. Wouldnt live anywhere else. So heres my opinionon the cities you listed....
Dallas- It is pretty much the LA of Texas. All about having the money, the job, the right friends and the perfect tan. Nobody in Dallas is from Dallas, they are all transplants, and Dallas is personified by one word, MONEY. Ka-Ching baby! Dallas does have a lot of culture, and there is always a ton of things to do there. It has the most weather extremes of any of the big cities in Texas. They do get snow and ice frequently in the winter months and it can get pretty hot in the summer, as well as they do have some pretty severe weather that us folks in the south luckily miss out on. It can get just a tad windy there. Every famous restaurant/store/bar is represented in Dallas. It is also a pretty educated town, with very limited manufacturing. Dallas probably has the best job market in Texas. Dallas is pretty spread out, with everything being at least 35 minutes away. Houston.- Well, if you thought you knew what hot was, visit Houston in August. You only thought you knew hot. Houston is a neat city, who has the personality of Oil. Not Southfork Ranch- JR Ewing type oil, but big business oil. Exxon, Texaco and the like. Houston has the worst environment (air quality) in the state, with the most Ozone Action Days (Now Called Air Quality Alerts – another euphemism for SMOG days). With Houston’s humidity, it creates a haze that can be pretty bad, but no worse than Atlanta or any other big southern city. The people in Houston are a bit more friendly, and aren’t as concerned with appearance as they are in Dallas. Houston has tons of shopping as well, but it isnt AS big on Chain places like Dallas is. It has more local flair. Houston also has more than one ecological area in the city, for instance, the Southern and western parts of the city are in the coastal plains and the northern areas of the city are in the piney Woods (Forrest). So that’s nice. Another good thing is Galveston. It is the beach, only 45 minutes away or so from most parts of the city. The down side, is that mans Houston is really vulnerable to hurricanes. Houston has a great nightlife, but it is very big-city. Houston is even more spread out, with everything about 45 minutes away. I think the smart money has to be on Austin. I love that town. It is where Texas and the big cities meet. It has the look and feel of Texas. Not cowboy boots and Wranglers, but the other side of Texas, local beer, people who think Stevie Ray Vaughn was a god, people who are proud of themselves, who enjoy the out of doors, and the wonderful hill country. Austin is a city of contrasts. A paradox of life. (They even have a pretty good club there called Paradox.) It is a walking, talking, breathing dichotomy of itself. It is both rich and poor, city and country, educated and working class, exciting and boring, wound up and low-key, hippie and yuppie, conservative and liberal, big business and mom-and-pop. I think that’s what makes it cool. It has a very urban feel to it for a smaller city (only 750,000 compared to about 4 million each in the DFW area and Houston.) It almost has a SOHO feel to the downtown area, which I think is really cool. Also it is home to UT, which rocks. The town revolves that and the business of state government. So education is important to all there. Also, Austin ROCKS on its environmental record. Yes the traffic sucks, but the citizens have done a great job of preserving their way of life and keeping the entire city from being bulldozed and turned into a giant strip mall as has happened in so many other areas of Texas. They are really big on preserving the natural beauty of the place. It is beautiful, the skyline is unobtrusive, and the rolling hills of the Texas hill country provide a scenic backdrop to the town, where the affluent settle into multi-million dollar homes. Austin has a ton of lakes, rivers and springs. It even boasts Texas’ only nude beach, Hippie Hollow (but is always nasty 60 years who are all fat, harry and stuff, so don’t think you’re gonna find Playboy or Playgirl models lounging around the river.) Austin is a mix of the weather in Dallas and Houston. It gets cold there, but not too cold, and rarely snows or Ices. It does get hot in the summer, but not nearly as bad as Houston. The clubs on 6th street are great. Nothing better than heading there after at UT football game and spending an evening bar-hopping. I would totally encourage you to visit and see it for yourself. You won’t be able to get a sense of it from just emails. This is a place you have to, as we say in Texas, “Enjoy its Sabor!” Enjoy the flavor. Don’t worry about the gun issue. Texas was only like the 30th state to pass a concealed weapon law. So the rest of the US has the same laws we do now, plus, most places still ban you from carrying a concealed weapon on the premises anyway, Hospitals, schools, universities, restaurants, malls, theme parks, so its not that big of a deal. That’s just not what Texas is about. The reason Texans are the way they are is that this place is a hard place. The land is hard to work, and the weather is extreme in a lot of the state. Our forefathers fought to free Texas from the Mexican government when we were oppressed much like the early US colonies were. So we fought for what we had, worked to make the land productive and built great cities when the vast wealth in this country was concentrated in the Northeast. Why wouldn’t we be proud. Come experience it. You’ll be proud of us, too. |
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For all of you Austinites... there's been a lot of talk about bad traffic (and I agree - I travel from Northwest Austin to downtown every day on Mopac). I'd like to get your opinion on the Light Rail Issue. And anyone else that lives in a city that has light rail - I'd love to hear what you have to say. It's been a huge issue here in Austin this year and the project was defeated by citizen vote during the November elections. It will be back on the ballot very soon - so give me your opinion if you have one. |
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'That dog don't hunt' = 'It isn't going to happen' or 'No way.' 'Fixin' to' = getting ready or preparing to, as in getting ready to do something, nothing is broken. 'Dumber than a bag of hammers' or 'Dumber than a box of rocks' = self explanatory. 'Look at the $hitter on that critter' = Exclamation made when noticing a well formed rear end. 'Show pony' = an attractive woman on the arm of a man, usually at a social function like a BBQ. 'Not running with the herd.' = a free spirit, a true individual. 'Scoot a boot' = go dancing 'Wet a hook' = go fishing The original long list was from myself and a few other Texans sitting around the cyber campfire making a list of things that we noticed. |
My mom is a big ol' redneck. Sha has a few she uses:
Her elevator doesnt go all the way to the top floor. = Not real smart. Dumb as a bag of hair. = Stupid. Lets all bow down to the east three times. = Not real impressed by something or someone. ANd my personal FAV: Lady, move it, milk it, or build a fence around it. = GO! I love it. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif [This message has been edited by lifesaver (edited April 17, 2001).] |
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EGAD! MoPac! Yuck! I pitty you my friend. Stupid-arse voters in SA just defeated light rail, and it was a fab-o proposal. We SO need it. I am mad that it lost. The only reason it did loose was because of this CRAZY woman here who is against everything and she has mony and funds these anti-campaigns herself. She has fought against floride in our drinking water for the last 20 years. We are just now getting it. She swears its poison. Im like, so you gonna pay my dental bills? I think she has been watching TOO much X-Files. Yep, she discovered the secret. The government is controlling us through dental health. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif [This message has been edited by lifesaver (edited April 17, 2001).] |
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