Looking for Small Town Blue State Area of Texas (Houston: buying, bankrupt)

[tstone]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

http://images.newsmax.com/misc/2008_Election_Map.jpg

Your best bet would be to look for small towns under the blue squares at least two counties from the Mexican border.

I think this would be known as "inner suburbs" of the large cities, which are usually pretty red.

A more accurate map would show shades of red, purple and blue. None of Texas would truly be blue, and the counties that leaned towards Obama would be purple. The small towns would definitely be red, though. I would personally avoid these areas just like I'd avoid extremely blue areas of the country.

BTW many in district 22 think the guy was a slimeball. The Houston suburbs tend to go red for financial reasons above all else. No one seems to be protesting the XXX DVD store, bath-house, erotic boutique, or the head shops on the edge of my 'Delaysian' burb, avg income near $100k.

[EasilyAmused]

Originally Posted by tstone

BTW many in district 22 think the guy was a slimeball. The Houston suburbs tend to go red for financial reasons above all else. No one seems to be protesting the XXX DVD store, bath-house, erotic boutique, or the head shops on the edge of my 'Delaysian' burb, avg income near $100k.

Doh! Because once you start making the money, you realize you don't wanna share!

But yes, small town and blue doesn't fit ANYWHERE in the South. And it's not necessary for religious reasons either. They might not make 100k a year, but they work hard and want to be able to leave the farm behind, without the death tax taking it away.

PS-They may be country, but they know all about the 150 dollar hit per cow they are going to have to pay with that crazy Cow Fart tax the blues are trying to push through. They also understand they can't afford to feed their chickens for the prices they are getting for them. The HOURS I've listened to this stuff. < major eye roll>

[ahzzie]

Originally Posted by WaldenGuys

We've been all over Texas via Internet searching for a place to buy our next house. We are a Blue State, moderate to liberal, male couple looking for a place to retire. Ideally, we would like to find a Eureka Springs or Wimberley type town somewhere in the piney woods of East Texas. Any suggestions? Thanks so much.

Using the word "blue" to describe any small town in Texas is against the law. Seriously though if you want to be in a blue environment you will have to live in one of the major cities. That's just the way it is.

[WaldenGuys]

A big THANKS to all the posts. I realized after posting that rather than "blue", I should have probably used "libertarian". As was pointed out, blue does not equate with open-minded and/or live and let live. For the most part I was referencing my blue life-experiences in Aspen, Sedona, Boulder, Asheville and Santa Fe. All small towns to small cities I've lived in or vacationed in through the years.

As for Texas, I worked on contract in Houston years ago. I'm familiar with Montrose. I lived in the Museum District not too far from Montrose and Westheimer. The club and night life never interested me, but there was a good feel in Houston I have to admit. Now that I'm in my 50s, and have decided to retire early to do other things, I really want to live in a small town where I can volunteer at the local library or elder care or humane society, and have good friends in the local community. Right now, thanks in part to your suggestions, we are concentrating in Georgetown, Smithville, Bastrop, Salado, Mt. Vernon and a few Hill Country towns.

Thanks again for taking the time to post.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by WaldenGuys

A big THANKS to all the posts. I realized after posting that rather than "blue", I should have probably used "libertarian". As was pointed out, blue does not equate with open-minded and/or live and let live. For the most part I was referencing my blue life-experiences in Aspen, Sedona, Boulder, Asheville and Santa Fe. All small towns to small cities I've lived in or vacationed in through the years.

As for Texas, I worked on contract in Houston years ago. I'm familiar with Montrose. I lived in the Museum District not too far from Montrose and Westheimer. The club and night life never interested me, but there was a good feel in Houston I have to admit. Now that I'm in my 50s, and have decided to retire early to do other things, I really want to live in a small town where I can volunteer at the local library or elder care or humane society, and have good friends in the local community. Right now, thanks in part to your suggestions, we are concentrating in Georgetown, Smithville, Bastrop, Salado, Mt. Vernon and a few Hill Country towns.

Thanks again for taking the time to post.

It sounds like you are describing Kerrville or maybe Fredericksburg. There are some biggish little towns in the hillcountry that may fit the bill, you know, hippy hollows full of "John Wayne Hippies"

[ETexan]

I about died laughing when I read your post. Hoss, the piney woods is Klan country. Google, Vidor, and Klan to see what I mean.

[cinnamon_toast]

We live in a small town in the Hill Country. I don't subscribe to any one political party but describe myself as progressive with libertarian leanings. We have had no trouble finding like-minded people. Be assured, they do exist! We are very happy here. PM me if you want more info.

[jtur88]

Aha. You want Falfurrias. Brooks County holds the current record in the USA as the county that has voted for the Democratic candidate in the most consecutive presidential elections. As punishment, it is being bulldozed and destroyed by a raised multilane highway through the town with underpasses.

http://royceeddington.com/?p=1332

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by WaldenGuys

We've been all over Texas via Internet searching for a place to buy our next house. We are a Blue State, moderate to liberal, male couple looking for a place to retire. Ideally, we would like to find a Eureka Springs or Wimberley type town somewhere in the piney woods of East Texas. Any suggestions? Thanks so much.

Just out of curiosity, what is the point behind a Liberal moving to a solid Conservative state like Texas? Where is DoctorJef when you need him? He could explain all the joys of supporting Democrats/Liberals and finally moving out of Texas! That guy is always carrying on how great it was to finally move despite being a Native Texan. It wouldn't take long doing a search to find a list longer than the width of Texas full of Liberal/Democrats complaining about living in Texas.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by jimboburnsy

It sounds like you are describing Kerrville or maybe Fredericksburg. There are some biggish little towns in the hillcountry that may fit the bill, you know, hippy hollows full of "John Wayne Hippies"

You should check out "Comfort, Tex". They have a lot of antique stores, artisans in that community.