Tyler, TX - Too conservative for my family? (Houston, Dallas: transfer, neighborhoods)

[love roses]

If you're private like you say you are, then you really won't have any issues. If someone asks you about Church, then just say you're agnostic. I don't think that many people will ask anyway. I've lived nearly my entire life in Texas and have yet to hear very many people at all ask me what Church I go to unless we happen to be discussing Church. Yes, Tyler is a traditionally very Christian town, but it does have its share of alternative religions and as far as I know, it always has. I don't live in Tyler, but my Grandma does and my Grandpa (before he died) But I've been going there nearly every summer since I was about 7 yrs. old. And they don't live in town, they live in South Tyler, pretty far out in the country close to Mineola and Lindale as well. And in her own words, it doesn't matter what anyone does in their own home as long as they don't attack one of me or my own. And I'm sure that could go for anyone in the whole state native or transplant. And from the sound of it, I don't think TexasReb meant anything mean towards you, I think he was probably referring to someone else. I also feel like I shouldn't have to apologize for the way Texans believe, but I will also respect what someone else who is a prospective resident believes. And we can do that without fighting and nitpicking each other.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by love roses

And from the sound of it, I don't think TexasReb meant anything mean towards you, I think he was probably referring to someone else. I also feel like I shouldn't have to apologize for the way Texans believe, but I will also respect what someone else who is a prospective resident believes. And we can do that without fighting and nitpicking each other.

Thank you Love Roses! You are correct and I wasn't really referring to any individual in particular. And I am sorry if I came across unduly harsh. But I do get irritated when a certain type feel the need to apologize for Texas and those others who move in and seem to constantly find fault even though they don't mind our milk and honey! That was all, and I meant to offence to anybody individually, although I don't apologize for expressing my feelings otherwise!

Anyway, time to get to work! Y'all all have a good one!

[destin04]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

Thank you Love Roses! You are correct and I wasn't really referring to any individual in particular. And I am sorry if I came across unduly harsh. But I do get irritated when a certain type feel the need to apologize for Texas and those others who move in and seem to constantly find fault even though they don't mind our milk and honey! That was all, and I meant to offence to anybody individually, although I don't apologize for expressing my feelings otherwise!

Anyway, time to get to work! Y'all all have a good one!

Believe it or not...I consider myself a conservative Christian in my beliefs...but I've never believed in putting my beliefs on someone else. Likewise I don't think you should try to put your beliefs on me. That's all I mean. I don't want to offend anyone either. I just believe that we need to be welcoming. I don't want to go away from here with enemies...just friends.

[JamesAbilene]

Yes, just avoid conversations. I am a social liberal who goes to a conservative Christian church. No one really bugs me about changing me even though my church members know of my liberal views and Democrat/liberal friends know of my conservative church. Most people believe in live and let live--unless you pressure them to change.

[AuroraSylver]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

Thank you Love Roses! You are correct and I wasn't really referring to any individual in particular. And I am sorry if I came across unduly harsh. But I do get irritated when a certain type feel the need to apologize for Texas and those others who move in and seem to constantly find fault even though they don't mind our milk and honey! That was all, and I meant to offence to anybody individually, although I don't apologize for expressing my feelings otherwise!

Anyway, time to get to work! Y'all all have a good one!

I'm sorry if I come across as defensive. As it stands, I'm the only one in this thread asking about whether my family will feel welcome in Tyler, so I guess it was natural for me to assume that folks in the thread were responding to me and not just ranting out loud about a certain type of person who feels Texans should change their ways. It bears repeating--I'm not that type of person.

There are certain things, like bigotry, intolerance,and hatred, that I bet we can agree are wrong no matter where you live. But conservatism isn't wrong. Christianity certainly isn't wrong. I wasn't suggesting they were. I was just trying to get a sense of what the community surrounding Tyler would be like for me and my family--my children especially.

I guess we'll put it down to me feeling skittish and nervous about a potential move away from a place I've lived since birth; and Texas folks being tired of feeling they need to defend their way of life.

Truce?

[love roses]

truce! (I understand, I've been a transplant myself in another state)

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by AuroraSylver

I'm sorry if I come across as defensive. As it stands, I'm the only one in this thread asking about whether my family will feel welcome in Tyler, so I guess it was natural for me to assume that folks in the thread were responding to me and not just ranting out loud about a certain type of person who feels Texans should change their ways. It bears repeating--I'm not that type of person.

There are certain things, like bigotry, intolerance,and hatred, that I bet we can agree are wrong no matter where you live. But conservatism isn't wrong. Christianity certainly isn't wrong. I wasn't suggesting they were. I was just trying to get a sense of what the community surrounding Tyler would be like for me and my family--my children especially.

I guess we'll put it down to me feeling skittish and nervous about a potential move away from a place I've lived since birth; and Texas folks being tired of feeling they need to defend their way of life.

Truce?

Truce! And I hope you will like Texas!

[Just Lookin]

Originally Posted by GayleTX

If you move to that area, you might want to look for a home out in the woods (and there are many beautiful homes in the deep woods)....... and not give out your address to anyone! Tyler folks don't take very well to people who think the way you think. And it's hard to avoid the topic of religion in Tyler.....much of the social life there is based on church activities (Green Acres Baptist Church is a strong force there and has been for many years).

Does the potential boss there know your husband already.... know him well enough to be aware of his religios practices? That might be a real issue if he doesn't know already. Depending upon what kind of business your husband is in - many companies expect their employees to attend church, join the Loin's Club, socialize and network with the 'right people' for business and/or political purposes.

You know? I believe in God but if I don't go to church, whos business is it. I get a little sick of hearing this. I move to a place that makes me do what they think I should do. That doesn't happen in America. Be free, let live. Most people are good people. God is watching all of us so who on this earth has the right to watch me. Get real. Gees

[caterrell]

Ok, here's the honest deal. I am not a religious person, and have lived in Tyler for 28 years and never faced any kind of persecution. I can not believe the idiots that have found your post, and wrote such horrible things. In whitehouse ISD your children might be asked to go to church. I should know I graduated in 1998. But as far as your day to day goes, everyone in Tyler as a general rule is too concerned trying to keep up with the "Jonses" themselves that often they just really don't care. Now your family might get some strange looks if you decided to walk around in Wiccan wear, or something, but I think that's just because it's such an extreme. As an agnostic, the only people you are going to have to dodge will be the little old lady welcoming committee. Tyler is a town that is very concerned with it's image...well at least that's the way everyone has acted for as long as I can remember. Noone cares what you're doing as long as they can consider themselves better than you. When you get here and see your first rose queen you will realize that not much in this town revolves around what you look and act like so much as how much money you and your family have. That being said. Go out make some friends, etc etc etc, and nothing else matters. Anyone, anywhere that's not going to be your friend because of your beliefs was never your friend to begin with. Welcome to Tyler, we need more progressive minded family's here. I believe that by the time my children are grown Tyler will begin to have a more Austin vibe to it. People like things to stay the same and "wholesome" and all that crap, but what they don't talk about is the rich family whose son killed his mother for the money, the gay car dealer, the brother of a well known grocery family that was found with said car dealer in an electrical closet...etc etc etc. Because it destorts what the old money in Tyler wants to see. It will pass, and is a great place to raise kids, and the suburban school districts are great. There will be cliques and there will be hateful people. But that's kind of part of growing up around here. You either fit in or you don't. I'm a better person for not fitting in, and I would like to think that my children will be too. Good luck to you! I hope you will see just exactly how pleasant it can be, when you just tell people to mind their own business. The art fairs are great. There is an art show about 45 minutes away every year in Edom too. Great farms to buy fresh produce from, and anything you could possibly imagine can be found the weekend before the first monday every month in Canton. Anything else you might need to know go ahead and email me at caterrell@gmail.com. Best wishes!

[ATXIronHorse]

You'll be fine, just keep an open mind and don't try and convert everyone to liberalism/agnosticism. if you don't do anything to alienate yourself, you'll find yourself being invited to barbecues and softball games in no time. If you're sucked into a religion/politics discussion just nod and be nice. There's other things to talk about.