West Texas Questions... (Dallas, El Paso, Lubbock: live in, restaurants, assessment)

[mackinac81]

Hello Texas Forum!

I've only been driving from Dallas to Louisiana, so I've never really visited Texas (maybe I will this spring), but I had a few questions about West Texas...

1. Where does it begin, in terms of climate and culture? Is it anywhere west of Dallas, or would you put the starting point further west, like Abilene?

2. What's it like out there? How do people live? Is west texas culturally very different from east texas? Is it poorer than east texas?

Just curious
Mackinac

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

Hello Texas Forum!

I've only been driving from Dallas to Louisiana, so I've never really visited Texas (maybe I will this spring), but I had a few questions about West Texas...

1. Where does it begin, in terms of climate and culture? Is it anywhere west of Dallas, or would you put the starting point further west, like Abilene?

2. What's it like out there? How do people live? Is west texas culturally very different from east texas? Is it poorer than east texas?

Just curious
Mackinac

1. I (as a native West Texan) consider Abilene to be the very far eastern edge of West Texas.

2. People live in West Texas just like they do any other part of Texas. Larger West Texas cities such as El Paso, Midland, Lubbock and Abilene are every bit as modern as Dallas, and have basically the same amenities, though you'll find fewer different types of restaurants and entertainment.


Poorer than East Texas? No! There is a lot of money in West Texas.

[TexasReb]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

1. I (as a native West Texan) consider Abilene to be the very far eastern edge of West Texas.

2. People live in West Texas just like they do any other part of Texas. Larger West Texas cities such as El Paso, Midland, Lubbock and Abilene are every bit as modern as Dallas, and have basically the same amenities, though you'll find fewer different types of restaurants and entertainment.


Poorer than East Texas? No! There is a lot of money in West Texas.

I very much agree with your assessment of where West Texas begins. Curiously though (and I think this has come up before), wouldn't you put El Paso in a different classification in terms of being West Texas? I mean, certainly it is West Texas, but quite a bit different than Abilene, Lubbock, Odessa, etc...?

[Canine*Castle]

To me, east Texas is just too too in their southern culture. West Texas is not and the people there are some of the friendliest you'll meet in Texas.

West Texas is drier. East Texas is terribly humid. East Texas is prettier though, for the most part.

[Diamond Dee]

I agree with statements made here I belive abilene and brady,tx are the eastern part of west texas and the monhans,midland and odessa are the western part of texas ,fort stockton toward El Paso have to be classified as extreme west texas or something else.I also belive Amarillo and the panhandle can be considered west texas because its usally a drier climate their as opposed to east texas.any way thats my take on it.as far as culture theirs not a big change it may be more conservative than youre bigger eastern neighbors.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by TexasReb

I very much agree with your assessment of where West Texas begins. Curiously though (and I think this has come up before), wouldn't you put El Paso in a different classification in terms of being West Texas? I mean, certainly it is West Texas, but quite a bit different than Abilene, Lubbock, Odessa, etc...?

El Paso does very definitely have its own culture due to being a border city....ditto Del Rio, etc.

I guess I see it in a different light, because I grew up so close to the border that I feel comfortable with the culture.

[NOTAM]

East Texas being prettier? well, i would say it depends on what someone's taste is. I, personally, think that West Texas is...but then again, I find beauty in the wide open spaces,open range, semi-desert landscape, caprock etc.........I lived in Georgia where there were lots of pine trees, felt very claustrophobic and didn't think it was very pretty.

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

To me, east Texas is just too too in their southern culture. West Texas is not and the people there are some of the friendliest you'll meet in Texas.

West Texas is drier. East Texas is terribly humid. East Texas is prettier though, for the most part.

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by bellestaroftexas

East Texas being prettier? well, i would say it depends on what someone's taste is. I, personally, think that West Texas is...but then again, I find beauty in the wide open spaces,open range, semi-desert landscape, caprock etc.........I lived in Georgia where there were lots of pine trees, felt very claustrophobic and didn't think it was very pretty.

Actually, you've made a very good point. Some parts of west Texas are prettier, but other parts are just plain barren and no matter how I've tried, I can't find beauty in some of the areas "way out there." I don't like that claustrophobic feeling either and like long-range views, but I also like rolling landscapes of which is found in central Texas. It's greener here too. Thinking of the barren land of parts of west Texas, I'd still go with east Texas if I had to choose.

[NOTAM]

i guess that's why i love where i am here in central Texas, kinda best of both worlds...wide open spaces but hilly, with trees, and green at times...but still have that semi-desert look in some areas, lots of rock, prickly pear etc........

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

Actually, you've made a very good point. Some parts of west Texas are prettier, but other parts are just plain barren and no matter how I've tried, I can't find beauty in some of the areas "way out there." I don't like that claustrophobic feeling either and like long-range views, but I also like rolling landscapes of which is found in central Texas. It's greener here too. Thinking of the barren land of parts of west Texas, I'd still go with east Texas if I had to choose.

[Scraper Enthusiast]

In my opinion, Abilene is in North Central Texas, or perhaps just Central Texas.

"West Texas", in my opinion, doesn't start until you get to about Big Spring or Midland.

El Paso is far west Texas.