I want to start a new life in Texas, help me! (Dallas: buy, schools)

[TexasHorseLady]

Georgetown is great (but, living and working as a real estate agent here, I'm not familiar with the "Keep Georgetown Normal" slogan above). Not too conservative, not too liberal. There's a thriving homeschooling community, as well. If you choose to live east of IH35, the soil is great for growing a large garden. Georgetown Airport is right here in town. And the community is growing, always good for a new business. It's supposed to be on of the best places for entrepreneurs, as well.

But it's not in Northern Texas.

[arrow_keys]

For whatever reason, a Cold Stone Creamery in the Temple Mall went out of business about a year ago.

[noplacelikeWA]

We moved to TX in April of 2006, spending most of our time in San Antonio & Austin. We have traveled all over TX from Amarillo to Brownsville, El Paso to Houston and the one observation I can say is that an icrecream shop that is not a MAJOR franchise will have a very difficult time surviving period! We have noted more closed down icrecream store fronts than any other type of business. We know this because we are often in search of good icecream. The reason I believe is because people are indoors too much with the A/C cranked so they have little interest or desire to go out for icecream. The drive-up establishments such as DQ and Sonic seem to fair the best, with Cold Stone Creamery, Marble Slab and Baskin Robbins pulling in the rest of the icrecream lovers. If you set-up shop in a high tourist foot traffic area you might make it but I doubt it.

We have a lot in common with you in that we homeschool, moved to TX according to the Lord's will and my DH is in aviation as well. I was also self emlployed for several years as a small business consulting specialist. If you haven't read it yet, in addition to much prayer, I reccommend you read the E-Myth just to be sure you are really ready for self employment.

[NOTAM]

dang. that means the closest one to me is in Round Rock or Georgetown i think..........ARGH!!!

Originally Posted by arrow_keys

For whatever reason, a Cold Stone Creamery in the Temple Mall went out of business about a year ago.

[Stufrogg]

GTT1234,

In the humid areas of the state it is sweltering during the summer. Here in Georgetown, we must crank our AC's all day and all night long from mid April to Mid October. The winter's are mild. We are in triple digits all this week around 100, and we haven't even officially had our first day of summer yet.

In Abilene, it may and will hit triple digits at times during the summer, but believe me, it is much more tolerable than the Austin area. Here (in central Texas), during the summer, you will sweat just getting in your car. However, in Abilene for instance, although the temperature may be the same or hotter, you will not sweat. The dry air makes the heat feel more tolerable.

As far as mosquitoes go, the Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown area has little to no mosquitoes, because of the huge bat colonies that feast on them. I got bit by more mosquitoes in one year in Lubbock than 8 years in Austin area.

In Abilene you may get some blowing dust, here or there, during the spring months, but it is not near as bad as the high plains (Lubbock area). You will not encounter an all out dust storm-blackout-mud rain-storm in Abilene like you would in Lubbock, but you will get some nice breezes that will feel good during the hot months. You will still need have an A/C though!

The winters in Abilene are colder than central Texas, but in my opinion, it is fun to experience 4 seasons. For instance, we had 90 degree day in February this year. I get enouqh of those in July, I don't want one in February. You won't get that in Abilene.

I don't really know much about those other counties, but I hope that helps.

If you want to open up an ice cream shop, then by God, open up an ice cream shop!! Don't listen to the critics.

I know an awesome independent old fashion ice cream shop in Galveston, TX called La Kings. It beats any major franchise. You walk in and if feels like you are walking back in time. They give you a 50 cent piece, for your change. They have wooden floors, marble countertops, a candy shop, and the employees wear the little hats and white suits. You can still get a shake out of a tall glass with whip cream and a cherry.

If you have a niche, you can do it!!!

I hope that helps.

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by GTT1234

I plan to stay away from West Texas mainly because of the soil quality (I want to plant a large garden), wind, and a little bit colder winters.

One of the first things I learned in ecology was that the early American pioneers as they moved west mistakenly believed the soil in the wooded areas of America were richer in nutrients than out on the grassy expanses of the Great Plains. What they soon learned was that most of the nutrients were tied up in the leaves and limbs of the trees. I was once told that, if you can get water to it, you can grow anything on the High Plains of Texas and I tend to believe it. The problem for some plants of course is keeping a good supply of water to it and a shorter growing season. And, since you mentioned it, the spring and fall winds sometimes would drive us all to drink if they could find a bar in very conservative west Texas.

In all honesty, if you have doubts about living in west Texas, you may not ever get to a point of even having a chance to like it. However, us old fellers out here who have eaten a lot of dirt and lost a lot of baseball caps to a lot of dustdevils would always welcome another God-fearing family to west Texas.

Good luck in your decision.

[Stufrogg]

High plains retired,

well said about west texas. During allergy season in Austin, I long for a dust storm. I can breathe better in a dust storm and prefer it to cedar fever any day!

I also prefer a Texas Tech Red Raider over a Texas Longhorn anyday!!

[High_Plains_Retired]

Originally Posted by Stufrogg

High plains retired,

well said about west texas. During allergy season in Austin, I long for a dust storm. I can breathe better in a dust storm and prefer it to cedar fever any day!

I also prefer a Texas Tech Red Raider over a Texas Longhorn anyday!!

Yes, my allergies always flare up when I go back to Albuquerque from west Texas. I'm not sure what it is that is over there but I've always thought is was the juniper and cypress.

Although not my old alma mater, but I certainly had friends at Tech. However, I shall refrain from taking sides between Tech and UT as I also had family members who went to the later.

[Steel Man]

I was stationed at Dyess AFB from 1974-1977. During that time, I remember hot summers (less humid than San Antonio), and colder winters. We had one dust storm and one good ice storm (5") during that time. Went back there last December and the city has definitely grown. You might also check San Angelo that is 90 miles to the South.

[mpsouth]

Originally Posted by Stufrogg

I also prefer a Texas Tech Red Raider over a Texas Longhorn anyday!!

Stufrogg.......I was enjoying reading your posts up until this one. You had to go and bring that up didn't you?


GTT1234.......When you open your parlor, make it a Blue Bell Ice Cream parlor. Man, how I miss Blue Bell.