Texas Good For a California Teen?

[Westerner92]

I can't really comment on Houston, but as someone who's from the same graduating class as you, I can tell you that most people our age love Austin. It has a great music scene by my standards, considering that 8 of my top 10 favorite bands have been in town at some point during this school year. The outdoors scene, though not anywhere near that of Northern California, is pretty good, and the street food is cheap and great.

Central Austin can be pretty expensive by Texas standards, so you might look farther out to begin with. Everyone that I've talked to that went to Austin Community College has said that it's a great school, and many of the professors there also teach at UT. From ACC, it shouldn't be too hard to get into UT.

And as far an Asian population, there is a decent community, again nothing that you'd be used to, but UT is about 20% Asian, and some northern suburbs have similar numbers. I've had some great Asian food here, so hopefully there's something that compares to what you're used to.

I agree with an above poster. If you take the leap and move to Texas, approach it as an adventure. I have a few friends from the Bay Area, and though they've had to face a lot of adjustments, they seem to love it here.

[joqua]

I can HIGHLY recommend UT San Antonio and the city itself as a great alternative to the other three major metro areas in Texas. Certainly easier to find student housing - as well as being cheaper to live than Austin by a long shot!

[doctorjef]

I think a lot of this depends on what the OP means to do in Texas, which he didn't make clear. Work? Go to college? I'd have to disagree BTW that it's easy to get into UT-Austin from Austin Community College. ACC is a good resource, but the academic admission requirements for UT are fairly stringent and even years ago it was the sole state university in Texas that did not automatically admit Texas residents on academic probation if the prospective student was unable to meet normal admission standards. The other matter, of course, is establishing Texas residence so that in-state tuition applies. Texas state universities historically were cheap for state residents, esp. in terms of basic tuition; I've no idea how much those costs have risen now (a lot, I'm sure).

[TX75007]

Norcal is quite conservative. Outside of the major metro areas, CA is much like Texas.

I'd look at Dallas and then Austin.

There are a lot more JCs in the DFW area.

On approach would be to find a room to rent here with some kids your age and background, then move.

Find a job in retail or food service, then make more contacts.

Then go back to school.

[hoffdano]

Although I agree that Austin is probably the best choice for a recent high school grad, another choice could be Fort Worth. It is mid-size, has an up and coming social climate, and solid growth. It is has some elements of a college town (TCU). It is probably weakest in its Asian community. TCU is not an engineering or science school so its enrollment reflects that.

Houston does have a significant Asian population. And I think it is fair to describe it as Texas' version of Los Angeles. No Hollywood for sure. Houston has pro football though!

[eastontracks]

one poster said austin is sacramentos 2nd cousin. i wouldn't agree to that. maybe they both are scenic in their own ways, but sacramento lacks a lot of nightlife and found it very boring as compared to austin. sacramento reminds me of a tranquil town that could be in Colorado. i dont find it diverse either as to austin it's, diverse, thriving and an exciting environment. i haven't been north of san fran, but anything outside LA, san diego, or SF are pretty average, and not liberal.

even though austin doesn't have the scenery or beaches as san diego, i'd give it the vibe.i do think austin is a good bet. inner dallas and houston too you'll enjoy as well.

[doctorjef]

Although I haven't lived in Fort Worth for years, I think those who have grown up there or at least gone to high school there typically love the place and think it's a lot of fun. If you move there at a later point, I think (my experience) you can easily get used to the place but that it is rather boring. However, it's tranquil and easy to deal with in comparison with Dallas. Dallas OTOH has loads of night life and entertainment. I must say, Fort Worth isn't really a place that I would suggest for a post-high schooler who had never lived there before.

I have two graduate degrees from TCU and can say that the faculty there are tremendously supportive IME, there is generous financial aid (I had a partial scholarship just for being "older than average", which at the time I think was 23). One shouldn't be entirely dismissive of the sciences at TCU -- they offer a number of PhD programs in various sciences.

As to junior colleges in Fort Worth, TCJC - Tarrant Co Junior College has several modern campuses around Fort Worth and its suburbs.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by doctorjef

Although I haven't lived in Fort Worth for years, I think those who have grown up there or at least gone to high school there typically love the place and think it's a lot of fun. If you move there at a later point, I think (my experience) you can easily get used to the place but that it is rather boring. However, it's tranquil and easy to deal with in comparison with Dallas. Dallas OTOH has loads of night life and entertainment. I must say, Fort Worth isn't really a place that I would suggest for a post-high schooler who had never lived there before.

I have two graduate degrees from TCU and can say that the faculty there are tremendously supportive IME, there is generous financial aid (I had a partial scholarship just for being "older than average", which at the time I think was 23). One shouldn't be entirely dismissive of the sciences at TCU -- they offer a number of PhD programs in various sciences.

As to junior colleges in Fort Worth, TCJC - Tarrant Co Junior College has several modern campuses around Fort Worth and its suburbs.

Downtown Fort Worth is rather lively now. There are many upscale and even a bit hip places to go now. The drastically improved TCU football team has energized TCU and the surrounding area is "feeling it."

I didn't mean to discredit TCU's science programs. But compared to a UT or TAMU, it doesn't attract significant numbers of Asian students.

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by hoffdano

Downtown Fort Worth is rather lively now. There are many upscale and even a bit hip places to go now. The drastically improved TCU football team has energized TCU and the surrounding area is "feeling it."

I didn't mean to discredit TCU's science programs. But compared to a UT or TAMU, it doesn't attract significant numbers of Asian students.

What do you mean by now?

Its been that way the past 12 years or longer.

DT Funkytown has always been a hopping place.

[hoffdano]

Originally Posted by Metro Matt

What do you mean by now?

Its been that way the past 12 years or longer.

DT Funkytown has always been a hopping place.

I mean compared the time period (whenever that was) Doctorjef referenced.

In my experience, DT FW is livelier now than it was ten years ago.