Culture Shock Moving to Texas
LIVING
“Don’t mess with Texas.”
Originally a slogan for an anti-littering campaign, the words have evolved to include the fierce pride Texas residents take in living in the Lone Star State. But don’t let the perceived warning scare you; Texas has a reputation for being one of the most welcoming and diverse states in the country.
Quick fact check: not everyone in Texas lives on a ranch, owns a horse, or has an oil rig in their front yard. But if that’s what you want, it can be done in Texas.
The living options in Texas can be surprisingly diverse. If you’re moving to Texas and want to reside in a big city, you’ve got your pick of some of the biggest and well-known cities in the U.S. including Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Prefer the suburbs? Texas has you covered there, too. And what if you really do want a ranch, you’ll find it here.
Aside from the sheer magnitude of things to do, Texas living culture enjoys the reputation of being a prime example of southern hospitality. Living costs tend to be cheaper in Texas too, especially when compared to California and New York. The Great State of Texas also boasts excellent universities, most notably the University of Texas and Texas A & M.
Factor in the warm weather and natural beauty, living in Texas can offer the sense of frontier wildness and hopefulness that movies, books, and television have tried to recreate for decades. One can find themselves in Texas, or maybe just rediscover something they thought was lost.
WORKING
A big reason for the diverse population of Texas rests with its diverse work force. Texas serves as the headquarters for multiple companies, including American Airlines, Hewlett-Packard, and 3M. The largest employers work in the energy sectors, but the university systems also rank up there.
The state boasts a wide variety of engineers, instructors, and energy experts, but there’s also a big demand for medical professionals including nurses and therapists. With a state this big, every job becomes more important.
WEATHER
Let’s get the obvious stuff out of the way: Texas is huge, and it can be hot and dry. Does that mean the entire state exists in a state of permanent desert summer heat? Depends on what part of the state you’re in.
The mountain regions tend to be dry, the southeast gets the most rain, and snow has been known to fall in the north. Snow does fall, rain does occur, and summer conditions generally start in April and run through October. Basically, moving to Texas does not mean you’ll be forced to accept a backyard that looks like a sandbox with a cattle skull and vultures for decorations.
But the Lone Star State does experience some pretty extreme weather events, up to and including thunderstorms, tornadoes, flash flooding, lightning, and hail. Not small hail, either; the kind of hail you can use for batting practice. Oh, and hurricanes can occur along the Gulf Coast.
The good news? These weather events generally don’t all occur at the same time. That would be biblical.
So, to recap: it’s hot, but the weather can be diverse. It’s dry, but it’s also prone to flooding and heavy rains. And while the weather events can be extreme, they currently do not include anything from the ten plagues.
THINGS TO DO
Oh, where to start. There’s very little you can’t do in Texas, even though you might have to make a few in-state journeys to experience most of it.
Enjoy outdoor activities? You’re in the right state. You can go tubing down multiple rivers, canoe down others, or just go to one of the four Schlitterbahn water parks. You can go camping at the Enchanted Rock, visit the limestone swimming hole and waterfall that is the Hamilton Pool Preserve in Dripping Springs, into (or go cave diving if you’re experienced enough) into Jacob’s Well, or walk/bike through the Palo Duro Canyon.
What about sites? You’ve got the Alamo, Big Bend, the Fort Worth Stockyards, the San Jacinto Monument, the Caverns of Sonora, Gormon Falls, the McDonald Observatory in Davis Mountains State Park… oh, we could go on and on, and that’s not even including the fields of blue bonnets.
Getting hungry? Try any of the numerous Texas-style barbeque joints. Want a beer to go with dinner? Texas is home to hundreds of craft beer breweries. But if you want ice cream, you’ll most likely be offered something from Blue Bell. Don’t hesitate; it’s wonderful stuff.
There’s also rodeos, country clubs, and whatever is on the side of Route 66. Anyone moving to Texas will not be bored.
CULTURE
Like Los Angeles, New York, and Boston, Texas culture enjoys the benefit of nationwide recognition even by people who have never set foot in the Lone Star State. While this does lead to some stereotyping (cowboys, guns, steak, and big hats come to mind), it also means anyone moving to Texas has a decent idea of what to expect, a luxury that someone moving to Iowa might not share.
The state is surprisingly diverse, a result of the close proximity to the Mexican border. There’s no doubt that Mexican culture remains the biggest influencer of local culture, be it Day of the Dead celebrations in San Antonio or Tex Mex.
And this is real Tex Mex food, which means burritos and melted cheese. The cities are big, the highways go on forever, and you’re just as likely to find the grace and beauty of art and theater influences as you will find country western flair and swagger.
And if it’s the fall, there’s always a football game on Friday night. Don’t worry if it’s not your high school; the locals don’t care as long as the game is on. Heck, there’s a good chance they didn’t go to school there, either.
Just run with it. Living in Texas will present these kinds of opportunities.
Take it from the team that moves hundreds of thousands of businesses and families each year. You’re going to love your new life in Texas. When you let the professional movers at Colonial Van Lines service your move to Texas, you’ll enjoy peace of mind and a price you can actually afford. Call us today for a free quote on your long distance move to Texas.