College Station-TX (Houston, Austin, Denton: fit in, unemployment, school)

[tstone]

Originally Posted by ChristieP

If you want to look at another college town in Texas, perhaps Waco? (Baylor University) or Nacogdoches? (Stephen F. Austin) or San Angelo? (Angelo State) or Lubbock? (Texas Tech) All of these have more job opportunities and more family activities.

I don't think this is good advice at all to this particular poster.

I can't speak for San Angelo, but do you seriously think these dry, Baptist towns are going to be more open minded and tolerant than College Station?

Waco, home of that expensive private Baptist school?!?

Segregated Nacogdoches and SFA?

Lubbock with one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in TX due to ''abstinence education?"

Yeah right!!!!

Now San Marcos on the other hand... I definitely got some stories outta there! I won't divulge, but being close to Austin was why.

[vantexan]

College Station also has one of the hottest climates in Texas with high humidity. Mild winters however. I live in Lubbock and really can't recommend it. Also extremely conservative and Texas Tech dominates everything. It does have good amenities but also a very high crime rate. More than anything else it is extremely dull scenery wise. Biggest cotton growing area in the country and there's just not much scenery nearby. Best bet IMO is Kerrville or Fredericksburg for great retirement in Texas.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by ebloomsie

I'm not sure what corner of campus tstone was sticking to, but it wasn't all of town.

I'm sure it wasn't all of town. But it was there in good amounts. It always has to do with where you come from, where you're at in your new environment, and what lines of work you're in. Mine was just one opinion, coming out of Houston since age 2. I don't doubt it can be a great place to raise kids and a family, generally south of Rock Prairie Rd. Absolutely great public schools.

Climate in CS is basically Southeast Texas.

[Alatex]

Now San Marcos on the other hand... I definitely got some stories outta there! I won't divulge, but being close to Austin was why.

Please do divulge at least a bit. I'm planning to move to San Marcos in the not-too-distant future, and am interested in anything and everything I can find out about it. I've visited the area for a couple weeks, but that's it.

[jabbit]

Originally Posted by tstone

I don't think this is good advice at all to this particular poster.

I can't speak for San Angelo, but do you seriously think these dry, Baptist towns are going to be more open minded and tolerant than College Station?

Waco, home of that expensive private Baptist school?!?

Segregated Nacogdoches and SFA?

Lubbock with one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in TX due to ''abstinence education?"

Yeah right!!!!

Now San Marcos on the other hand... I definitely got some stories outta there! I won't divulge, but being close to Austin was why.

san marcos and denton are the only college towns in texas that are interesting in my opinion.

[aggie2005]

Speaking from a minority point of view (Hispanic....although some in Texas might not consider that a minority anymore) I am kind of offended at what a couple of the posters on here said. Likely, jabbit has not lived in B/CS. I have lived in seven places now (7 cities 3 states, my dad was in the military for awhile in my youth) and I will say that College Station was by far my favorite place.

I always found Bryan/College Station and A&M welcoming and loved every moment of living there and going to school at A&M. I do realize it might not be as fun for those not in there 20s however.

College Station is growing rapidly....new homes going up especially in the south and all kinds of retail and restaurants going up and also things such as high rise apartments and lofts. I am very active and that is another great thing about CS. There are over 50 parks in college station, great walking trails and bike paths, etc. so that made it nice for me.

After I have children I hope to be able to return to College Station because of every place I have been, it is by far the best place to raise children. Good luck with your move (if you do) and feel free to ask more if you have any questions. I would say to try and visit anyplace before making the decision to go.

[rstrstx]

San Marcos is a good town if you want a smaller-sized college town and still be close to a big city (two actually) and the hills if you need to get away. Can't complain about a lack of shopping there.

As for College Station, I did time there for 3 years and, coming from Austin, I originally did not like it that much. The whole A&M culture was slightly intimidating at first, like being in an extended version of Triumph of the Will (was Leni an Aggie by chance?) It eventually grew on me and I got to the point where I liked A&M and CS, though I confess I still spent most weekends out of town - Houston and Austin were just funner in your 20s. Most of the posters have it right, that whole rabidly crazed A&M tradition thing is pretty much just a dog and pony show; most people there are pretty normal and many are well educated contrary to the stereotype.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by Alatex

Please do divulge at least a bit. I'm planning to move to San Marcos in the not-too-distant future, and am interested in anything and everything I can find out about it. I've visited the area for a couple weeks, but that's it.

It's just a party town is all. Bars shut down early so college students and 30-somethings alike go back to someone's house for more beer and some green. A lot of that from the past is a blur to be honest.

I've also never seen as much drunk driving in a small town as I have in San Marcos.

[Hammerjim]

BCS-Aggieland is truly unique!!
I have lived in the Bryan- College Station area for 17 years. I graduated here in 1994 from A&M and love it. As a person who spent 12 years prior travelling the world in the USAF I can honestly say this is a great place to throw down roots. The area is conservitive, but very diverse. We have a lot of room for folks from all walks of life. Being of a different culture or ethnicity doesn't matter too much here. Tons of new shopping and eateries abound. I would estimate the population of the two cites to about 130-140,000. Student population is about 40,000. Being in South Central Texas we have 4 seasons, Hot, Hotter, Not-so-Hot and Winter. Summers can get to 100, but ussually stay in the 90's. I have been here when we hit 15 degrees one winter.

As far as Aggieland being fascist, that title is used by people who either have met some discontent here or are basicaly unfriendly. Imagine a town populated with educated, conservitive, diverse and friendly people. Did I mention the Aggies rock here..

[jabbit]

Originally Posted by Hammerjim

As far as Aggieland being fascist, that title is used by people who either have met some discontent here or are basicaly unfriendly.

when compared to other areas or traditions in texas. its fascist!

its okay though. some people like fascism.