San Antonio, DFW, or Houston for a young, socially conservative family? (Dallas: homes, university)

[GoneNative]

We're a young couples--in our 20s--and don't yet have kids. But we plan on having several--yes, several--and we're also looking for a larger metro area that would fit us best. Most of all, I'm hoping to find a generally socially conservative--and economically conservative, too, although that issue set is less important--area. I'm hoping for a generally church-going, extremely family-friendly kind of area. More "traditional mid-American" and, perhaps, a less cosmopolitan. Although I am hoping for a sophisticated flair, which most Texas cities provide, as far as I know. We plan on living in the suburbs, and so we prefer a city with nicer suburbs. Here are a few other considerations:

* We're rather outdoorsy, and would appreciate access to hiking spots and other outdoors ammenities.

* I'm not much into glitz and glamour, so I'd prefer an area/city that is a little more laid-back. More friendly, maybe, and less materialism, if I can put it like that.

* I'm Catholic, and I"m hoping for a city with a large, young, robust, dynamic, and especially orthodox diocese and population.

* I'm also hoping for a more academic city (though probably not Austin).

Thanks.

[happycrow]

GoneNative,

I don't know how you go anti-cosmopolitan, yet sophisticated; that's a bit of a trick. Strong Catholic communities, however, exist in all three cities, and finding strong dioceses will not be difficult at all.

San Antonio's college scene is right up your alley, and might be a good community tie-in. I know people *from* Houston, but I've not been in the community down there for a bit. It's probably the most cosmop-- no, it's DEFINITELY the most cosmopolitan of the three. DFW or SA would probably be better fits for you.

[HtownLove]

Getting sophisticated burbs would leave dfw as the only option.

You are not going to get Midwest values in any burb in SA and the only burbs that are sophisticated in Houston are also very cosmopolitan (although still conservative)

Texas conservative is more fiscal than social in the big cities. Its the far burbs and smaller Towns that are country social conservatives.

Anyway closest to the weird mix you are looking for would be dfw

[Cowboys fan in Houston]

Originally Posted by GoneNative

We're a young couples--in our 20s--and don't yet have kids. But we plan on having several--yes, several--and we're also looking for a larger metro area that would fit us best. Most of all, I'm hoping to find a generally socially conservative--and economically conservative, too, although that issue set is less important--area. I'm hoping for a generally church-going, extremely family-friendly kind of area. More "traditional mid-American" and, perhaps, a less cosmopolitan. Although I am hoping for a sophisticated flair, which most Texas cities provide, as far as I know. We plan on living in the suburbs, and so we prefer a city with nicer suburbs. Here are a few other considerations:

* We're rather outdoorsy, and would appreciate access to hiking spots and other outdoors ammenities.

* I'm not much into glitz and glamour, so I'd prefer an area/city that is a little more laid-back. More friendly, maybe, and less materialism, if I can put it like that.

* I'm Catholic, and I"m hoping for a city with a large, young, robust, dynamic, and especially orthodox diocese and population.

* I'm also hoping for a more academic city (though probably not Austin).

Thanks.

First off, welcome to Texas. Where are you moving from?

You might want to reconsider a suburb of Austin. Williamson County is pretty conservative and you can find Middle America values while still being close to outdoor activities. Austin itself is very liberal, but not really the burbs.

Given your second point (about the glitz and materialism), take Dallas and the inner ring suburbs of Dallas off your list. I live on the Dallas side and love it, but Im a liberal obsessed with diversity and good food that doesnt care about conservative values or laid-backness. I dont see you loving Houston either. However, the Fort Worth side of the Metroplex as well as the suburbs of San Antonio might work well for you. There are some suburbs on the North and West side of Fort Worth and the North side of San Antonio that would probably work well. Outdoor activities are going to be better in San Antonio than Fort Worth. The Fort Worth side of the Metroplex is a lot more conservative than the Dallas side (suburbs included). Another good rule of thumb is that all the major urban areas in Texas are liberal, the inner ring burbs are moderate, the suburbs as a whole are conservative, and the exurbs and rural areas are hardcore conservative.

All the places you are looking at have large Catholic communities. I wouldnt worry there.

None of the cities you are looking at are particularly acedemic. Houston has Rice which is a highly regarded University and DFW has UT Dallas, TCU, and SMU but they are all very expensive.

Hope that help!

[thenewtexan]

Originally Posted by GoneNative

We're a young couples--in our 20s--and don't yet have kids. But we plan on having several--yes, several--and we're also looking for a larger metro area that would fit us best. Most of all, I'm hoping to find a generally socially conservative--and economically conservative, too, although that issue set is less important--area. I'm hoping for a generally church-going, extremely family-friendly kind of area. More "traditional mid-American" and, perhaps, a less cosmopolitan. Although I am hoping for a sophisticated flair, which most Texas cities provide, as far as I know. We plan on living in the suburbs, and so we prefer a city with nicer suburbs. Here are a few other considerations:

* We're rather outdoorsy, and would appreciate access to hiking spots and other outdoors ammenities.
Austin is the best for this. Since you don't want Austin, San Antonio would be the next best.
* I'm not much into glitz and glamour, so I'd prefer an area/city that is a little more laid-back. More friendly, maybe, and less materialism, if I can put it like that. Definitely eliminate DFW, San Antonio is the most laid back, followed by Houston.

* I'm Catholic, and I"m hoping for a city with a large, young, robust, dynamic, and especially orthodox diocese and population. San Antonio's Hispanic population would be the most Catholic, and SA is definitely the least cosmopolitan out of the three.

* I'm also hoping for a more academic city (though probably not Austin). Without Austin, toss up between Houston and DFW.

Thanks.

Answers in bold. As far as finding the fine line between "traditional mid-American values" mixed with a "sophisticated flair", I'm at a loss. The only burb that pops in my head is Denton in northern DFW.

[R1070]

Move to Oak Lawn or Deep Ellum in Dallas or Montrose in Houston.

[ChristieP]

Of you want conservative, you need to look at Tarrant County. It was the only major metro area in the state to stay Republican in the 2012 presidential election. The northeast Tarrant suburbs are some of the state's most conservative areas.

[ReppingDFW]

I agree with all who say Fort Worth/Tarrant County. It's the only county containing a major Texas city that went Republican in 2012. Tarrant County is mostly Southern Baptist, though and I have no idea about the Catholic community there.

[ChristieP]

There are several good Catholic Churches in NE Tarrant. I'm not catholic, but I have several friends who are and they love their church homes! I would not say this area is primarily Soithern Baptist at all. There are many different denominations here and they all get along well.

[BigDGeek]

I'd check out San Antonio.