Denton LGBT friendly? (Dallas, Austin, Carrollton: how much, homes, job market)

[BellaChick]

My partner and I are a lesbian couple considering relocating to Denton, TX from MN (for a job). We have never lived in the south and are wary of the stereotypes about TX. Denton seems to be a cool place to live (based on postings on this forum and other reviews). Can anyone shed any light on what it would be like to live there as a lesbian couple. I recently met someone who lived there and said the racism was pretty bad. We would really like to live somewhere that is open-minded and accepting. Denton sounds like it might be an exception for a Texas town. Is this so? Also, some people have said the town is a bit run down. Is that accurate? What is the overall feel of the place? Also, I know it's hard to generalize (although I do think some generalizations are accurate....like people in MN really are friendly for the most part), what are people in Denton like in general...are they friendly in stores and restaurants, etc?

[momof2dfw]

Denton is kind of unique in it's own little way. First off, if your jobs are not in Denton or close by I would look elsewhere. Commuting from Denton to Dallas is doable and thousands have done it for decades but the traffic is HORRIBLE! Denton has grown by leaps and bounds and some of it is not even recognizable to me now. The loop used to be NOTHING but now it is jam packed w/ developments and crowded.

As for the residents of Denton you have several different subgroups (I lived there off and on when I went to school there at TWU and UNT).

1. The "locals". These are going to be the old timers. Not many of them left but they are still there. These will be the few that MIGHT be somewhat racist or just "in their own world" when it comes to others. These are the people that even look at "straights" from Dallas or Dallas suburbs strange and consider us "outsiders". Whenever I'd write a check at a store there and they would ask for a "local address" it was always entertaining....... my address and bank were IN CARROLLTON! Just a few miles south on 35 but to these oldtimers that was "out of the area". These people you just smile politely and go on your way.

2. Newbie's. These are the new families and people that have moved into the area from outside the area or state or even country. They are just as new to Denton and the area as you.

3. In betweeners. These are not the old "old timers" and they are not new to the area. They may have moved there or just stayed there for the eccentric lifestyle it can be if one gets "into it". I had an instructor that filled in one semester I was at UNT that was gay and he and his partner lived there in Denton running a successful business and were not "old timers". There is a whole "inside scene" there that is more this "in between" group.

4. College Students. And this is even several different groups.
A. UNT students. They have a lot of commuters and then the people that live on campus or vicinity. Your going to see a huge influx of foreign students that attend this school and live in Denton. The typical college party crowds. Your average students and everything and I mean EVERYTHING in between. Even in the 80's the students that went here that were gay/lesbian they were VERY OPEN about it. No one harrased them even when they were doing plenty of PDA. People overall are pretty open and accepting in Denton.
B. TWU students. Again, a lot of commuters. This school has more female students but it does accept males into the nursing programs and grad school. TWU is an AWESOME school. They have their own golf course as well and a great gymnastics team. Joke when I went there was that it was full of lesbians. It wasn't but it was not uncommon to know some either and this was in the early 80's. If they were they did not hide it then either. No one bothered them.

It really is a differnt kind of town/city compared to other cities around here. It does have that "live and let live" vibe as your going to see all walks of life here. I would not let it stop me at all from moving here. As for the "run down"......... maybe in some of the older areas but they have done some sprucing up of the downtown and square area. There are some BEAUTIFUL old victorian homes in the downtown area. It has aslo suffered from the sprawl movement of Dallas and has tons of your average cookie cutter tract home developments.

[artsyguy]

Denton is extremely weird and I wouldn't suggest living there ,however, visit first and see if people treat you kindly, test out the atmosphere yourself. It does look run down and unappealing in some of the old areas around the university. The traffic is awful and congested. Traditional Christianity unfortunately is a big thing there.

There is plenty of retail, libraries, and some interesting bars, coffee bars, and nightlife there. There is a gay bar and a few gay friendly bars from what I have heard.

If you want a real gay area try Oaklawn district in Dallas.

[reslifehd]

Denton as a city itself is a city in the bible belt and tends to be more conservative politically; however, because there are two state universities in the town the culture tends to be comparable to Austin, Texas but on a smaller scale. I'm a mid-twenties gay guy, I work at one of the universities and I'm completely out. I've not ever felt unsafe in the city, and I think there is somewhat of an eclectic feel to it once you get away from the shopping centers (mainly the area surrounding the two universities in the northern part of the city). The town has it's mix of very conservative churches, buit there is also a church that is welcoming, not overtly a gay church, rather it's a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-generational church and the leadership knows I'm gay and I've felt totally accepted. I enjoy living far enough away from the hussle and bussle of Dallas, but still close enough to enjoy the big city amenities.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by BellaChick

My partner and I are a lesbian couple considering relocating to Denton, TX from MN (for a job). We have never lived in the south and are wary of the stereotypes about TX. Denton seems to be a cool place to live (based on postings on this forum and other reviews). Can anyone shed any light on what it would be like to live there as a lesbian couple. I recently met someone who lived there and said the racism was pretty bad. We would really like to live somewhere that is open-minded and accepting. Denton sounds like it might be an exception for a Texas town. Is this so? Also, some people have said the town is a bit run down. Is that accurate? What is the overall feel of the place? Also, I know it's hard to generalize (although I do think some generalizations are accurate....like people in MN really are friendly for the most part), what are people in Denton like in general...are they friendly in stores and restaurants, etc?

Denton is very friendly and a college town, but not as liberal as many college towns as it is more than just that.

Raciam exists everywhere, certainly Denton is no exception,this does not mean you will not be accepted..There was a time, maybe 10 or 15 years ago you would have had more problems, but today, with the huge growth Denton and the surrounding commuinities are facing many people are younger, thus more open..Anyone who hasn't lived there in the past 10 years probably doesn't realize how much it has changed.

Yes, there are some areas in Dallas that are 100% gay friendly, they are also much more expensive living.

Will you be working in Dallas or somewhere else? This makes a difference. The commute to Dallas would be a bit tough but if you are working somewhere else in No Texas Denton would probably be a good choice.

Nita

[BellaChick]

Thanks for all of your responses. I think Denton sounds okay. At least people aren't openly homophobic by the sounds of things. We will have to down and check it out...2 more questions...is Denton walkable? The downtown looks nice online (but so do most places!) Also, my partner is in direct care (works with developmentally disabled). How has the recession affected the job market down there?

[getmeoutofhere]

Originally Posted by BellaChick

Thanks for all of your responses. I think Denton sounds okay. At least people aren't openly homophobic by the sounds of things. We will have to down and check it out...2 more questions...is Denton walkable? The downtown looks nice online (but so do most places!) Also, my partner is in direct care (works with developmentally disabled). How has the recession affected the job market down there?

As others have said, it's very important to know where you will be working. Denton is not convenient to Dallas.

Do you have any idea where you might be working?

As far as walkable, probably more bikeable. Not a ton of place in Texas are truly walkable, due in no small part to the heat in the summer.

[BellaChick]

The job I'm considering is in Denton, not Dallas. So are you saying that the downtown area isn't even walkable? What about the Main St? Even a little stretch would be better than nothing. Where I am now (in MN) is nothing but big box stores and there are literally no people on the streets ever! Could also be weather-related, though :-)

[artsyguy]

The Square in the down town area is cool and walkable.

Originally Posted by BellaChick

The job I'm considering is in Denton, not Dallas. So are you saying that the downtown area isn't even walkable? What about the Main St? Even a little stretch would be better than nothing. Where I am now (in MN) is nothing but big box stores and there are literally no people on the streets ever! Could also be weather-related, though :-)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by BellaChick

The job I'm considering is in Denton, not Dallas. So are you saying that the downtown area isn't even walkable? What about the Main St? Even a little stretch would be better than nothing. Where I am now (in MN) is nothing but big box stores and there are literally no people on the streets ever! Could also be weather-related, though :-)

you can find walkable areas, the problem, Denton is pretty spread out, but you can walk near one of the campuses..

Nita