Children and relocation from Northeast to Texas? (Dallas, Plano: fit in, transplants)

[njmomto2]

Just wondering, is there any chance my children would be picked on in school for having a north east accent? Wondering if they will be accepted and fit in? Are there a lot of people with non-Texas accents or is this rare? I've never met anyone here in NJ that had a southern accent.

Just wondering? Any thoughts?

[deschain]

Well, to be honest, we love to pick on "yankee" accents, just as much as they love to pick on us when we go up there. (My dh went to Boston and Buffalo and everyone pointed out his accent) --- But, it is mostly good natured kidding. I wouldn't really be too worried about people actually being hateful about it.

Also, depending on where you are moving to, the accent will be quite different. Some places have much, much more pronounced drawls than others, even within relatively close areas.

[kidicarus89]

About the accent, there are a lot of people in Texas who don't seem (at least to me) to have that Texas drawl. Of course we might sometimes slip into it, but it really depends where you grew up in your youth.

Nah, they probably won't make fun of his northeastern accent much.

[bostoner]

It depends on what part of Texas you move to. Is his accent pronounced? I have a friend from NJ with a pronounced accent. We don't make fun of her, but man, it's grating to listen to sometimes. I guess that's how some Texas accents sound to people up north. Anyway, it's a small thing to worry about, I think, an accent, don't you? considering he'll probably lose it over time.

[Tarrytown]

We always make our yankee friend be the designated driver

[FarNorthDallas]

If you move to one of the newer suburbs like Frisco, McKinney, Allen - all north of Dallas, you will find LOTS and LOTS of people there from other places, so a yankee accent shouldn't be that big a deal.

[GayleTX]

FND......agreed! A man I know who sells homes in the new subdivisons in McKinney refers to his office as the UN......people from all over the world and certainly all over the US come thru the doors there every day looking for a home and moving in. Lots of accents, lots of cultures, lots of religions. His wife teaches elementary there and has students from many states in her room. Not a genuine Texas accent to be found in that part of town...other than the saleman and the teacher.

[MurphyPl1]

Not so much. It'll be more of a curiousity thing for the kiddos. And as much terms as accent. Sneakers versus tennis shoes versus court shoes. Rubber band versus elastic (just had that conversation tonight). Foo foo versus frou frou. (OK some of these come up during girls night out that involve a few adult beverages.)

[joan12]

If you live in Dallas and especially the Norh suburbs like Plano, Frisco, Carrollton, McKinney everyone there is a transplant from other parts of the US. I lived in Plano for 10 years, worked at Frito Lay headquarters for 10 years. From my own experience, the local Texans are friendlier than the transplants. All my friends were native Texans. I moved back North 4 years ago and still keep in touch with ny Texan friends. They are the best!!!

J

[joan12]

Hey,

I think it's great for your children to learn a new culture. I would be surprised if your children were picked on for their northeast accent. The culture is so diverse and I believe that children there embrace different cultures and backgrounds.

During my 10 years there, I very rarely heard the phrase "yankee". If it was used, it was in a kindly, loving manner. Friendships develop and they feel comfortable calling you a yankee. But, you can be from parts of Oklahoma and be called a yankee. I think if you teach your children that yankee is not a negativity it will be okay.

At first and for awhile, you will have a difficult time deciphering the southern accent and some of them talk very fast and furious. You'll be surprised on how fast some of them will talk especially on the phone.

But, I love them all!! I live in the Northeast now and miss Texas.

J