Perception of Lubbock (College Station, Plains: houses, high school, university)

[Texas Plains]

I just wanted to see what nonlocals thought of Lubbock. Lubbock seems to have many misconceptions among nonlocals- even those within Texas. I have heard people say Lubbock was an oil/ranching town in the middle of the desert, whereas it's a college/agriculture town on the plains. I would like to hear everyone's opinions and questions about Lubbock, even if you have never been there. I think this would help alieviate many of the misperceptions and bad rap Lubbock has been getting lately. All comments will be apperciated greatly!

[Diamond Dee]

Lubbock was and still is the city to go to for more restrurants the Mall and other things to do and see.For those of us who lived in nearby counties it was Lubbock to see the Doctor or specialists and it was Lubbock for the Mall etc.So my personal perception of Lubbock was and still is a major hub of Business,College,Airport,entertainment.restrurants .

[awecelot]

I love Lubbock. Sure, there's little in the way of scenery, but it's a city with all the conveniences you need and few of the big-city problems. The weather is also quite nice (I prefer dry climates over humid ones).

It doesn't hurt that I've had several family members go to Tech, including one who played football there.

[jeffari-al-texani]

It's flat...

Back when I was deciding which University to attend, I had narrowed my choices down to TAMU and Tech...On the day I visited Lubbock, a huge dust storm blew in...that made it really easy for me to pick College Station!

[case44]

Originally Posted by Texas Plains

I just wanted to see what nonlocals thought of Lubbock. Lubbock seems to have many misconceptions among nonlocals- even those within Texas. I have heard people say Lubbock was an oil/ranching town in the middle of the desert, whereas it's a college/agriculture town on the plains. I would like to hear everyone's opinions and questions about Lubbock, even if you have never been there. I think this would help alieviate many of the misperceptions and bad rap Lubbock has been getting lately. All comments will be apperciated greatly!

I just hope you won't disappear, but rather come back and share some of your thoughts with us.

Yes, there have been many misconceptions being made about the Hub City, and I've spent many a month telling newcomers to give it a try, and telling others that there are positives about that place. It's not such a bad place. And with every new person that moves there is a chance to give the city some new light.

Lubbock is not tumbleweeds and desert. It is semi-arid, but it's not terribly humid. There are dust storms from time to time, but it's not that frequent like folks like to think. What it has today is a vibrant spirit and newborn vision for the future. Its visitor guide is about to be upgraded within the next month. Former Texas Tech men's basketball coach Bob Knight has been giving the city a huge endorsement in the time he's lived there. If he likes it that much, then you will, too. I don't live there now, but I wouldn't mind living out there if the right opportunity came. It's growing up and becoming a larger city, now that the population has eclipsed 200,000. With that comes an easier chance for the city to draw larger companies and restaurateurs that previously didn't consider this place for their business. Now they can. All this, four wineries, windmills, sunsets, Buddy Holly, and more. What more could you want?

It is going to one day reach enough people and tourists that it will no longer be a "nowhere" town. Stay tuned. You'll find out.

[Texas Plains]

My post didn't really suggest where I was from, but I was born and raised in Lubbock. As I have traveled and talked with other people, one of the most frequent remarks I have gotten is "You don't look or sound like you're from Texas." (I still don't know if I should take that as a complement.) I guess I'm supposed to be wearing a cowboy hat saying "Howdy Y'all!" When I've told people that I'm from Lubbock, it's been confused with names like Lovett and Luckenbach. I thought it was pretty sad that a tiny town in the Hill Country was more well known than a city of 200K. The only way people can relate to Lubbock is if you tell them it's where Bob Knight last coached.

As far as my impressions of Lubbock, here they are:
It is not the most interesting or exciting city in the world, but it has been a great place to live. Texas Tech is the center of Lubbock's activity, and honestly, Lubbock would be nothing without it. Lubbock seems newer and less run-down compared to most cities its size, but it kind of has a problem with the "cookie-cutter houses", "clone homes" or whatever you want to call them. It has a decent vibe and cultural scene, but it can leave an impression of being a suburb without a city. The people here are very friendly and accepting, which in my opinion is Lubbock's greatest aspect. They're conservative for the most part, and they're not the backwards, non-progressive type either. The weather is very unpredictable and changeable, but it doesn't take long to get used to it. Lubbock's only major downfall is that it is remote- about 5 hours to DFW. I like living other places, but no other place feels like home.

[johnrex62]

I have only visited Lubbock once, back in the mid 90's and was amazed to find they lock up the airport at 6pm. I did little more than spend 6 hours in a locked airport, go to work, and spend one night in a motel....but I did not find much else to do that evening.

[case44]

Originally Posted by johnrex62

I have only visited Lubbock once, back in the mid 90's and was amazed to find they lock up the airport at 6pm. I did little more than spend 6 hours in a locked airport, go to work, and spend one night in a motel....but I did not find much else to do that evening.

Strange. Sorry you went through that. That's an international airport, not a municipal one. I'm sure things are a little different now. They're served by only three airlines, but 6 pm seems awfully early.

[case44]

Originally Posted by Texas Plains

When I've told people that I'm from Lubbock, it's been confused with names like Lovett and Luckenbach. I thought it was pretty sad that a tiny town in the Hill Country was more well known than a city of 200K. The only way people can relate to Lubbock is if you tell them it's where Bob Knight last coached.

Those people apparently didn't do their homework. Maybe they've never heard of anyone named Buddy Holly. Or Mac Davis. Or Natalie Maines. Or Bob Wills. Or Waylon Jennings. Or Joe Ely. They've all got ties to Lubbock and the city has plentiful rock-n-roll roots. And that's a pretty impressive list, mostly in the country music field.

In a few years, after the city grows up more, I seriously think Ryan Seacrest and the folks at American Idol should pay this place a visit. And, no, I'm not joking.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by Texas Plains

I just wanted to see what nonlocals thought of Lubbock. Lubbock seems to have many misconceptions among nonlocals- even those within Texas.

I'll repeat what was written in another post:

From what I've read in the news, seen in TV documentaries, and heard from TTU transients, here is a list of what many kids do in Lubbock:

Go to church.
Get GW's brand of abstinence-only education
Go to church.
Have a C-section & paternity test before taking driver's ed
Go to church.
Call the girlfriend to tell her that he's p***in' razor blades.
Go to church.

So if the kids are doing this before they graduate high school, it makes me wonder how the adults truly are. The perception I get is that, in beliefs and mannerisms, they are similar to Bobby Boucher and his mother in the movie The Waterboy, only situated in a medium sized city w/ semi-arid climate, and speaking with slightly different-funny accents.