Moving to austin....and scared (Howe, Hays: fit in, vs, license plates)

[twange]

Originally Posted by GayleTX

The climate is extremely liberal in Austin and a lot of the behaviors and attitudes of the young people (and some of the old ones!) is somewhat shocking to people from more conservative areas. They allow all kinds of wierdos to wander around on campus and attend classes - liberal admin won't/doesn't want to/can't do anything about them.....the young people I know who went off to school there were scared to death of them and cut a wide swath around them.

Sounds like a good learning experience to me. College is about more than classes. The world is a big place with all kinds of "weirdos". Some of them are even conservative!

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by GayleTX

The climate is extremely liberal in Austin and a lot of the behaviors and attitudes of the young people (and some of the old ones!) is somewhat shocking to people from more conservative areas. They allow all kinds of wierdos to wander around on campus and attend classes - liberal admin won't/doesn't want to/can't do anything about them.....the young people I know who went off to school there were scared to death of them and cut a wide swath around them.

Wow, this sounds like a parent from the 60's talking about UT! As one of those "weirdos" then, I can assure you that it's all part of the learning experience, and mostly it's kids that are trying to look "different" by all looking the same, and trying to be shocking. Of the "weirdos" I knew then, most of us turned out just fine, thank you very much (doctors, lawyers, businessmen and women . . . our younger selves would be shocked, shocked, I say!).

Seriously, college is, among other things, about learning about life other than in the nest. Just because someone looks, or thinks, differently doesn't make them a "weirdo". It just means that they think or look differently than you, and to them, you might be just as weird and "scary".

[GayleTX]

I am just relating the observations and experiences of my students who have gone to school there. Some of them survived, some didn't, but, yes, they all 'expanded their view of the world' while there. From other inside sources on the campus, I am aware of the mental cases and criminals that are there.....yes, they have a right to an education, too, but it's important for a very young, naive person away from home the first time to know that they exist in greater numbers on that campus than some places.

[TexasHorseLady]

Depends on what you mean by "some places". There's a population of approximately 50,000 students at UT-Austin, and they are a diverse mix, coming from a variety of schools and countries and cultures - which is one of the benefits of an education at a school of that size and caliber. Understandably, there would be a greater number of EVERY kind of person there that in some other places. What size school do you teach at, and how diverse is its population?

[LiveLaughLove]

Thanks again for the replies. Id like to say my fears were eased but I feel guilty for moving there as there seems to be a general dislike for all the growth. I feel like getting a bumper sticker for my car that says "TEMPORARY tranplant. Apologies"

[LiveLaughLove]

of course "transplant" would be spelled correctly on the sticker : )

[twange]

Originally Posted by LiveLaughLove

Thanks again for the replies. Id like to say my fears were eased but I feel guilty for moving there as there seems to be a general dislike for all the growth. I feel like getting a bumper sticker for my car that says "TEMPORARY tranplant. Apologies"

Well, there where always be people somewhere who don't like something. Don't apologize. Just live your life as you see fit and treat people well. It's still a free country right?

[LiveLaughLove]

About my plates and such...do I have to switch everything over?? Im only going to be there for three months so it seems like a waste...is it a rule?

[First24]

^^^ 30 days if you're establishing a permanent residence in Texas (sign a lease). As long as you maintain NM residency, you should be fine. Advise your auto insurance company of your transfer and make sure you have a valid insurance card that covers you within the state of Texas. Authorities here will tow your vehicle on the spot without identifiable coverage.

PS: You also should make sure the your address listed in the NM DOT system for your tags match the one on your drivers license.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by BBQgritz

Authorities here will tow your vehicle on the spot without identifiable coverage.

News to me! When I've been caught without my card (due to not getting the new card into the vehicle - duh!), they've written a hefty ticket, but it can be gotten rid of by simply showing up within 10 days with evidence that you had insurance. I've heard of others having the same experience.

It's not cheap, but I've never heard of a car being towed for failure to show proof of insurance.