I never thought I'd move to Texas, but I’m sure glad I did. This place has surprised me in many wonderful ways. So, here are just a few of the things I’ve learned about this great state since I relocated from the west coast:
Disclaimer: A good chunk of this list is specific to my Austin experience, but feel free to extrapolate to the rest of the state (with caution).
- Say howdy. Boy, Texans are friendly. I’ve been ma’am-ed and miss-ed to death since I got here. People hold doors, say, “pardon me," "thank you," and "good morning,” and smile at you on the street. When I went back home for the Christmas holidays, Californians seemed downright rude. (They’re not, but Texans are some of the most blatantly nice, welcoming, and hospitable folks I’ve even met.)
- Everything is bigger in Texas, especially the bugs. There are also many MORE bugs here than on the west coast. Worse, they come INTO YOUR HOME. Here’s a quick rundown of the ones I’ve seen in my house: roaches (several kinds, even if your kitchen is immaculate), earwigs, silverfish, centipedes, beetles, flies, mosquitoes, ants (three kinds), pillbugs, and spiders. Outside, we’ve got cicadas, giant wasps, fire ants…
- Some of the stereotypes are true. Yes, Texas is all about cowboy boots, cacti, barbeque, high school football, pickup trucks, and the Texas drawl (among other things). I still have moments when I feel like I’m in a Hollywood backlot, surrounded by actors dressed up for a Western. But not all the stereotypes are fair. The biggest misconception? That Texas is a wasteland—a sandy, flat desert full of Republicans and oil wells. We have those things, sure, but we’ve got so much more! The Texas hill country is a gorgeous expanse of oak trees, craggy cliffs, caves, rivers and creeks, wildflowers, and wineries. East Texas is known for its piney woods. The Gulf Coast is home to bayous and beaches. Big Bend Park, in west Texas, is a stunning national park with mountains, desert, and the Rio Grande. (And we’re not ALL Republicans. Really.) Other things that are true, though unfortunate: everyone drives. The summers are very hot. The public transportation sucks. Meh. It’s a trade-off.
- A quick note on the word “y’all.” If you move to Texas, you will start saying this word. A lot. Embrace it.
- Austin is a bubble… but we’re still part of Texas. Austin is a great place to live, but it drives me nuts when people speak about this city as if it’s a completely isolated from the rest of the state. Really? Some of the things that best about this city just scream Texas! First off, Austin wouldn’t be Austin without two great things: the State Capitol and the University of Texas (hook ‘em). We’ve got 50,000 students (plus professors and staff), hundreds of lobbyists, lawyers, consultants, and legislative staffers… much of life in Austin revolves around these two institutions. The rest of the city’s culture is rooted in the Texas way of life, as well. Good food, enjoying life, being outside (and active), and embracing great music. People gravitate to this city because it brings together the best of Texas culture, and then we give it an Austin spin. Southern-texmex-Asian fusion? Why not. Two-stepping? Yes. Tons and tons of BBQ? Of course. Live Music Capital of the World? Heck yeah. Life is good here.
- Grocery stores a plenty. I swear there are more grocery stores here than anywhere I’ve ever lived. Whole Foods is the obvious one. But we’ve also got HEB, Central Marker, Savers, Randalls, Sun Harvest, Wheatsville, Sprouts, Royal Blue, Farm-to-Market... I know Austin is a city of 800,000, but do we NEED this many grocery stores? (Sadly, we don’t have Trader Joe’s. Breaks my heart.)
- Three major food groups: BBQ, texmex, and beer. These are the essential elements of the Texas diet. People have fierce loyalties to their favorite BBQ and texmex restaurants. I try to be an equal-opportunity consumer of texmex and barbeque, but I will admit that I have my favorites. (For the record… favorite texmex = Maudie’s. Favorite tacos = Taco Deli and Torchy’s. Favorite BBQ = Salt Lick, Rudy’s, and Pok-e-jo’s.) Beer goes with all of the above.
- Hotter than hell. Well, not always, but damn, it gets hot in the summer. The joke is that we have three seasons: hot, hotter, pretty damn hot. There are three things I’ve noticed that make life waaaaaay easier during Texas summers, which last from May through September: air conditioning, swimming, and (I never thought I’d say this): styrofoam. My born-in-California self cringes at the idea of using Styrofoam, but wow, it keeps things cooler. Recycle, y'all.
- Be prepared: the Texas essentials. Being outside is a way of life in Texas. Whether you’re on the lake, hiking in the greenbelt, at the pool, enjoying a concert in Zilker—it doesn’t matter. You need a few things to make the most of your experience. And it can’t hurt to keep a few of these in the trunk of my car.
-- Koozie. It’s not a “kozy,” it’s a KOO-zee. In case you hadn’t heard, it gets warm here. Want your drink to stay cold? Bring a koozie. Add a cooler to the equation if you can.
-- Camp chair. Essential for shows, picnicking, and staying comfy.
-- Sundresses, sunscreen, and sunglasses. A given.
-- Bug spray. See item on bugs, above.
-- Towel. You never know when you might be going for a swim.
-- A dog. Everyone in Austin has one. - Texas pride. Love it or get outta town. The love people feel for Texas is contagious. I find it difficult to believe that you could live in Austin and not think it’s one of the best cities in the world. I, for one, have only minimal patience for people who gripe and complain about Austin. Really? Then leave. Another sign that Texans are in love with their state? Texas-shaped everything. Cheese, cakes, buildings, pools, chips, belt buckles, earrings, ash trays, clocks… is there any product that can’t be improved by making it in the shape of Texas? We also LOVE our Texas beer (Shiner Bock, Lone Star, Live Oak, Independence, Saint Arnold, (512).
In short, this place is awesome. Don't move here! I want it all for myself.
