Conservative Catholic family moving to Austin- Bad idea? (Dallas, Corpus Christi: chapel, university)

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by decisions2009

Hi,

My husband and I want a scenic, waterfront and safe home to move to in Texas. We're currently in Dallas and find it both not pretty and a lack of things to do once we have kids. We fell in love with Austin, it's beautiful and has so many things to do... but we're afraid it might be a bit too liberal for us from what we hear.

I want my kids to be raised in a good community with great family values-not necessarily Catholic, but just with good (more on the conservative side) family values. However, we'd also like to be a part of a nice Catholic community, where families of the same faith get together. Is this doable in Austin? We were looking at Vineyard Bay..any thoughts?

My other question which might seem stupid is: Is Austin headed to be the next San Francisco? There's nothing wrong with SF...just not the type of environment I want my kids to be raised in.

FYI: I'm not a fanatic and I'm not fond of the religious fanatic of any sort. But I am conservative and would like my kids to be raised in such an environment.

Thank you so much for any help!

I think that you'd be happier in San Antonio if you want a traditional "CAtholic vibe". My sister and her family are Very Catholic. They are not bigots, just very religious. They both are active in ACTS retreats. They have all the 3 kids in Catholic school, etc. San Antonio is VERY catholic. You will not get that vibe in Austin. You cannot possibly with all of the influx of folks that have come from all over. What's wrong with Dallas? That is a VERY conservative environment, although probably more Protestant than Catholic. Let Austin be weird, please.

[nomore07]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

If you are a conservative Catholic then you follow the Catholic teachings.
Not everyone agrees with them but to each his own and I don't want to go further for fear of offending.

Great example of the "live and let live" mindset that people are referring to in regards to Austin In other words, we don't beat each other over differences.

And I am referring to the city of Austin, not the exurbs 40 miles out that people claim to be Austin

[llkltk]

Originally Posted by centralaustinite

But what are "conservative family values"? I don't quite get that either.

Would you please just respond to the poster's question. They are not questioning your values, they are just trying to find a place to live.

[centralaustinite]

Originally Posted by llkltk

Would you please just respond to the poster's question. They are not questioning your values, they are just trying to find a place to live.

I found their criteria unclear. I have very conservative Catholic cousins, I know what "conservative Catholic teaching" imply. But the OP didn't say that, they said "great family values-not necessarily Catholic, but just with good (more on the conservative side) family values."

And honestly, I am puzzled. Whatever it is, they can't find it in Dallas?! And what exactly is it that they wouldn't find if they lived next to me?

My cousin is a deacon in the Catholic Church, has political views 180 degrees from mine but we both value family and our kids are actually very similar (polite, thoughtful, etc [none of them are teenagers yet!]) His kids attend church, mine do not. We tease each like crazy about our divergent politics but he would never say that I don't value family.

Is "great family values" code for white, married families with two parents who vote Republican and have one stay at home parent? Is it code for something else? Is it a comment on materialism? Folks who value their possessions and experiences more than their children? Does the OP not want to live around singles or people who are childfree by choice? No divorced and remarried families?

I don't mean to be unwelcoming, the Catholic Church is an important part of Austin, and I like diversity of opinion and politics. I just don't know what the heck they are talking about!

[doctorjef]

When I hear phrases like "great family values" I do indeed view it as code for something more sinister that the person isn't willing to state or perhaps for their own unexamined ideas, prejudices and fears -- afraid of gay people, afraid of gay couples, uncomfortable about singles of whatever sexuality, uncomfortable with diversity, uncomfortable with Democrats and liberals who aren't single-issue voters, etc, etc. The OP is right about one thing -- the North Texas prairie country on which Dallas is located is Ugly! So they want to move to Austin because it's lovely and charming.

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

When I hear phrases like "great family values" I do indeed view it as code for something more sinister

That tell us more about you than it does whatever "code" you are trying to decipher or the people you wish to judge.

Reminds me when I showed a house once to some people from California. There was an American flag displayed at the front porch and the husband muttered to his wife. "Hmmph, Republicans". I remained silent, but I thought it odd that someone can take something so American and infer political persuasion.

Dissecting the exact phrasology of the OP, and extrapolating what they're all about is the sort of judgmentalism that Austin is NOT all about.

Steve

[llkltk]

Originally Posted by wehotex

I think that you'd be happier in San Antonio if you want a traditional "CAtholic vibe". My sister and her family are Very Catholic. They are not bigots, just very religious. They both are active in ACTS retreats. They have all the 3 kids in Catholic school, etc. San Antonio is VERY catholic. You will not get that vibe in Austin. You cannot possibly with all of the influx of folks that have come from all over. What's wrong with Dallas? That is a VERY conservative environment, although probably more Protestant than Catholic. Let Austin be weird, please.

Don't speak for the entire city. There are plenty of devout Catholics in Austin. Your comment about letting Austin be weird was silly.

Why is everyone in this town so afraid of religion?

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by llkltk

Why is everyone in this town so afraid of religion?

Some religious beliefs don't exactly blend well with the openness of Austin.
And for some, Austin is just not a good fit and that is not saying anything bad about either Austin or the person asking for information.

We should be helpful but not judgemental, nor critical of other's beliefs and/or lifestyles.

[austin-steve]

Some religious beliefs don't exactly blend well with the openness of Austin.

What exactly is the "openess" of Austin, if it's not accepting of those who choose to practice religion?

What exactly have "religious" people done lately to personally interfere with or impact the life of any Austinite? I don't go to church. Many of my friends do. It's never even a topic of discussion. I think llkltl has a legitimate questions - why the fear? How does it manifest, in real everyday lives?

Steve

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by llkltk

Don't speak for the entire city. There are plenty of devout Catholics in Austin. Your comment about letting Austin be weird was silly.

Why is everyone in this town so afraid of religion?

It is NOT silly. I am simply stating a fact that SA is indeed very Catholic oriented. When Hillary Clinton came to politick in SA for Prez, the Archbishop scolded St mary's Univ for not letting him know about it. Had he known, he sayd that he would have banned her from going to the Catholic University. You would NOT see such a drama played out in austin, i guarantee you. the ppl are more live and let live, although it is STILL in the middle of red texas and more conservative than it is portrayed to be. Those ppl would feel VERY much at home in SA.