I feel like that describes most places.
I’ve been to Dallas a few times for work and Austin once for a wedding. They seemed ok. Dallas was very ‘business’, but we managed to find fun stuff to do. We spent a lot of down time in Deep Ellum partying.
I think the tree thing is about money. The whole section of Richardson I live in was built in a single burst in 1960-63. The nicer neighborhood next to mine has amazing trees–but not my streets. I think it’s because when they laid out the subdivisions, they planted live oaks on the nicer lots, and crepe myrtles and Bradford pears and maybe maples on my side. So 60 years later, the live oaks look amazing, but the Bradford pears and maples are long gone, replaced by grass or volunteer hackberries. We have trees on my side–some red oaks and pecans that are the same age as the houses–but nothing like the next neighborhood over.
I think the relative costs of trees has gone up, so the older the neighborhood, the more likely they had good, long lived trees planted early on. Or maybe people just used to plant trees more.
That’s a good point; my buddy actually had a Bradford pear at one point, but it broke in a storm and he had to get it cut down and removed. I wonder if they originally had a bunch of low-cost trees like that when the subdivision was built, and as time has gone on, they haven’t been replaced, or haven’t been replaced with trees like magnolias, oaks, pecans, etc…
Dallas’ self-portrayed image is one of business and sophisticated stuff. In reality, it’s just another big city, albeit one that seems to have fewer tourist attractions than most. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have our fair share of the arts, bars, fine/ethnic/local restaurants, etc…
About all I have to say about Austin is not to believe the hype. It’s a great place to visit, sure. But it’s got its own set of problems- not particularly diverse, lacking both effective highway transportation AND public transit, lots of (IMO) ugly recent high-rise apartment development, a considerably younger demographic in some parts of town. I don’t feel like I fit in when I visit my in-laws in a way that I can’t say I’ve ever felt anywhere else. I feel like I’m being judged there more than anywhere else I’ve been. Houston certainly doesn’t have that feel, and nor do most other cities. But Austin makes me a bit uncomfortable for some reason. If I had to guess, I’m not thin, young or progressive enough to feel comfortable there.
Honestly, I think Denton is turning into what Austin likes to pretend it still is: UNT is very diverse, it’s got a college-town vibe, there is a distinct music scene. It’s not so expensive that bohemians have been priced out. UNT is as good a university as an average state flagship.
Yeah, I think Austin’s something of a prisoner to its own history and success. It’s got that reputation as the lone hippie and liberal outpost in Texas combined with a reputation for being “cool” that it’s obtained in the last few decades (I do not recall Austin being particularly “cool” when I was in high school or college, although college was probably tainted by going to A&M).
But the combined effect is one where there seems to be a lot of deliberate and directed effort going into being “cool” on the part of the residents, which seems to be a blend of environmental/old school hippie stuff (organic food co-ops, environmental activism, etc…), fitness/outdoors stuff, hipster stuff(obscure local products, goofy clothes, etc…) , and liberal politics. To me, a fat middle aged guy, it feels rather exclusionary and judgmental. Which is funny because in my experience, the real counter-culture types are nothing if not accepting of people. It’s the people who are deliberately trying to be that way that aren’t.
I was born, raised and lived my entire life in Texas. My family has been here since at least the 1870s, with one line having arrived in 1836. So I’m about as Texan as you can get. And I have a love-hate relationship with this state.
There are many things I love about Texas. I find our history/mythology very interesting, even if problematic. I think there are aspects of our culture that can stand with any other place (music, food). I love our open spaces. Someone mentioned that driving across Texas is “brutal” and “boring”. Not to me. I grew up in DFW and went to college in the Panhandle. I loved making that drive. There’s something about being on an open road where there is a big sky above you and rolling prairie all around you and you’re the only car for miles.
There are many things I hate about Texas as well. First and foremost are the politics. I see that slowly changing, but it still has a long way to go. And the more rural an area is, the more stubbornly conservative it can be. I don’t see that changing soon. In fact, it may be getting worse. I hate the traffic in our big cities. But that’s not something unique to Texas. It’s no different here than it is in other large metropolitan areas. And if given the option, I would prefer that our weather was a little less extreme. It would be nice to have four distinct seasons here, not just “Summer” and “Not Summer”.
I get why many people have a negative perception of us. There is something to the idea of our “obnoxious Texas pride”. But this is a state with a unique history that is drilled into us from third grade on. We are raised to believe that Texas is somehow different from the other states. We’re taught to consider ourselves Texans first, then Americans.
Texas has been and is a great place for me to live. That being said, if an opportunity came along and it made sense, I would have no problem moving away from here. But I would still be a Texan in my heart and mind.
My parents’ last trip before the pandemic was to San Antonio. They rave about the river walk but are a bit “meh” about the Alamo.
Combined with your recommendation is making me think that San Antonio might be worth a visit.
I have the idea that Galveston is another place popular with snowbirds, like Florida, but doesn’t have much else going for it.
Otherwise? Not really interested in going to Texas.
Shhhh! If everyone else finds out, it’ll end up like Austin. 
The Alamo is a bit underwhelming. The mission itself is just a big empty room, but the outbuildings have some exhibits that are worth seeing, old uniforms and weapons and such. If you’re a history buff, definitely worth a look. Otherwise, can be missed. An hour should cover it quite easily.
If I went back to Texas it would be to see Dealey Plaza. Not sure if there’s much to see at NASA in Houston but that’s another thing on my list of things to visit.
Could you share the rest of the list, please? And your current location, generally? For perspective?
Dan
I’m headed in that general direction in a couple of weeks. I’m considering a visit to The Alamo to catch a preview of the Phil Collins Collection – something like 150 artifacts that Phil (an honorary Texan) donated to the foundation several years ago.
My wife and I did that two years ago. A lot of it is aimed at kids but there is still plenty for adults. We were there for about 4 hours and still didn’t get to see it all but we had to get to a baseball game. I’d book a full day next time.
There are also like 5 other Spanish Missions in the area that are better preserved. The history of San Antonio is really interesting and much broader than one small battle relatively late in the story. You can theoretically walk to all of them from downtown, I think, but it’s a ways. If you have a car, it’s really worth seeing a couple.
If you thought the Alamo was underwhelming you’ll really scratch your head at Dealey Plaza.
It’s a narrow triangular-shaped area of grass that looks like it belongs between two branches of an offramp at different elevations. Because it is between two branches of what amounts to an offramp at different elevations. A bunch of people milling around trying to find something to see. A bunch of people trying to sell souvenirs. A replica of JFK’s limo you can take a selfie with for a few bucks. And a block away, a couple of non-descript red brick buildings, one of which held the school book repository and now houses a museum.
Even by Texas standards, there’s very little there there.
Back about 1990-something I visited one of my friends that relocated to Dallas, and he and his wife took me on a tour of the area. We went to ‘The Fifth Floor Museum’ that overlooks that plaza. We walked around exhibits wearing Walkman cassette tour guides and it was reasonably interesting. For whatever reason they had the actual room of the book depository barred from entry. There were old books and boxes of books, and you could see out of the windows, but you couldn’t get the LHO view of standing right at the windows down at the grassy knoll. I guess the area being changed by the freeway ramps rendered the historical view moot anyway.
I had a far better time at an aviation museum there. First time I got to see a Heinkel He-111 in the flesh, even if it was a post-war Spanish plane with bulbous RR Merlins replacing the svelte nacelles of the Jumos.
Wisconsin. Retired with full pension after 25 years in county service. But In a second career with a municipality and own a couple of small yet successful businesses. Eligible for another full pension in November 2022 as well as SS (I’ll be 62). As will my wife. After selling our properties and businesses we’ll be crazy flush in cash not including pensions and SS.
Sure, Florida isn’t bad, but it is no match.
Been to Texas many, many times. Like the weather as opposed to here. Love the people and the attitude. Tax benefits are just icing on the cake.
Grew up in West Texas. Spent 24 years there. It is the shithole of all shitholes.
But at least it’s not Oklahoma.
It’s something to see when you go to San Antonio, but what most people don’t realize is that the chapel itself (what people commonly think of as “The Alamo” was just part of the larger mission complex where the battle was fought. Only the VERY last part of the final assault took place by the chapel and long barracks (one of the buildings immediately to the left as you face the chapel from the street.).
Much of what was part of the complex is now under other buildings or nearby roads.
I wouldn’t recommend walking- it’s like 10-15 miles, and a lot of it is on sidewalks, etc… We walked it once as a hike in Boy Scouts. Pretty much all I remember about the hikes was that it was hot and dull.
But the missions themselves are very interesting, as is the aqueduct/dam setup to supply them with water. Really gives you an idea of just how OLD San Antonio is, which is something that most cities in this part of the country aren’t. San Antonio is contemporary with New Orleans, both being founded in 1718.
Yeah, the only thing Dealey Plaza is really good for is walking out into the road, standing on the X, looking back at the School Book Depository and realizing what a pot shot it was. It’s less than 100 yards and a straight shot. Anyone who claims it was a tough shot is a moron.
Pretty sure that’s the Cavanaugh Flight Museum in Addison. Very cool place if you like old military aircraft. I used to work next to the airport, and it wasn’t uncommon to see/hear them roaring out or coming in to land.
I saw that, and I was thinking of Los Angeles. But L.A. was founded in 1781. Just a little transpositon in my brain!
I agree with you about Dealey Plaza itself. It’s basically a street (although seeing it in person will make you realize some of the assassination theories are silly).
But I was very impressed by the museum and would recommend a visit.