which town in east texas would be better for me (Dallas: house, landscaping)

[swamp nurse]

I am looking at relocating to east texas for my job. I am a professional. I am a middle aged gay caucasian male; conservative, tolerant, redneck and Christian but have been know to dabble in Celtic and Cajun folk practices, especialy natural healing. My pastimes include hunting, hiking, gardening, quilting, cooking and I do enjoy coffee shops and books. I lead a quiet country life and generaly find I am well recieved by others, blend in to mainstream but maintain a little uniqueness. I like spending my time working, attending church and pursuing my pastimes and hobbies and maybe take a few classes and roadtrips. I do like though to meet and mingle with folk sometimes.

My question that arises is what town would I find suitable for me? I am looking at Tyler, Bonham, Paris, Longview, Sherman, Lufkin, Palastine but am open to reviewing suggestions. I do not like major cites so Dallas is out of the question but I would consider Shreveport or Texarkana.

Any suggestions?

[Poltracker]

I would go to Tyler. Tyler has nice coffee shops, at least one of the big book stores and a thriving gay population if you want friends. I know there is a pretty good group in the natural healing scene as my aunt participates in it (she actually lives in Longview area). Tyler also has some very good gardening and quilting groups. As for hunting/hiking, there is plenty of state land you can hunt on or leasable land nearby, most hunting is for deer or wild boar/feral pigs. There are also some very good fishing lakes nearby )mostly north) and a new one being built not too far a drive south of town. Tyler is also not too far from Dallas if you get a hankering to attend a concert, go to a museum, or some other unavailable entertainment.

[swamp nurse]

Thank you for the information. Tyler I hear is really nice; big town with the small town atmosphere. I have also heard Waxahachie and possibly Nocadoches or Longview. Tyler sounds great and I can already smell the roses plus they say there are good lakes close. Feral pigs and boars sounds exciting. Thanks.

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

Swamp nurse, Tyler is still a good choice for you inspite of the JT stabbing. This is one terrible event, pray for the families involved.

[Poltracker]

Originally Posted by swamp nurse

Thank you for the information. Tyler I hear is really nice; big town with the small town atmosphere. I have also heard Waxahachie and possibly Nocadoches or Longview. Tyler sounds great and I can already smell the roses plus they say there are good lakes close. Feral pigs and boars sounds exciting. Thanks.

Longview isn't too bad, but Nacogdoches is smaller and more depressed area than I think you would enjoy. Can't comment on Waxahachie.

[swamp nurse]

Prayers sent.

Tyler does have an appeal and I plan a trip soon to scope out housing. I hear the roses are nice. Can anyone mention any coffee shops or cafes off hand that might be good. I like regular home cooking like pork chops and catfish but any Italian or German or Mexican places sound good too and especially BBQ places. As for a bookstore is is a Hasting's or Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million or Mardel's or Family Christian Stores? How about any Acadamey Sports or Target any good shopping districts or malls? The zoo anythng to see? museums? farm supply or gardening stores to check out?

I thank everyone for the input. If my transfer does not go through to Bonham VAMC I will look at either ETMC or UTMC in Tyler.

[Poltracker]

Let's see... I'm not familiar with all the best little eateries in Tyler and I'm not sure if there is a German place, but there is certainly good examples of the rest of your list. I have eaten at very good Mexican, Italian and Seafood places when I visit my friends there. I'm always good when I can find a Jason's Deli (also by the mall). There is a B&N over by the mall as well as Academy, Target, etc. As for zoo's and really sophisticated museums, Dallas isn't that far away. Tyler has other good things to offer. They do have good theatre groups and a selection of music.

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

Tyler, Texas - Attractions & Things To Do

Sounds like you are going to Bonham.

For lot of information you asked about.

The Rose Fesitval Oct 16-18 but roses are prettier in the Spring

New small musem is Gallery Main Street 110 W. Erwin trying to restore downtown the above link for the rest of the musems and much good information

We have two or three Starbucks and Brady's Coffee House in the Azalea District and a new one just opening downtown on "The Square"

Home cooking is just an opinion of course: Fullers for Breakfast or lunch - it's been here at least 60 years, some people like Loggins been here forever, my favorite is Sweet Sues on the West Loop
BBQ I like Bodacious best, others are good too

Hasting's and Barnes & Nobles two large Christian Stores - Lifeway in Broadway Crossing just moved there and The Schrol on Fifth and the East Loop which is 10-20% off with good selections

Acadamey Sports far South Tyler on Broadway near Gander Mountain.
Target S. Broadway

The Zoo is really clean and nice, again for our size town, attendance is about 400,000 a year, people come from Dallas, and school children from as far as Oklahoma.

Heavy shopping from Downtown to Loop 49 about 7 miles and all along the South Loop

The UT-Tyler Cowan Performing Arts Center with about 38,000 annual attendance

Farm Supply: Al Horaney;s Inc. - West Loop - two more on "The Loop" can't think of the name not in the yellow pages under Farm Supply

Gardening? Not a gardener but gee with all the lush landscaping in Tyler? But no huge garden center, but almost every large food store, Lowes, Home Depo and others, don't forget four or five nurseries and a large tree farm on I20 near Canton.

Oh, there is a good selection of non-franchise eateries, One called The Eatery in Berfield Center, also The Egg and I, breakfast and lunch it's new upscale in Bergfield Center near the Azalea District, just opened Burger House with lot's more than burgers really like and not greasy, Currents - French & Med., Little Italy really good inexspensive Italian, Bernard Mediterranean, Bruno Pizza, Buck's Pizza, Caffe Tazza upscale, large selection, Chez Bazan French Bakering and Cafe,China Cafe and China Express, chains?, Clear Springs Texas Seafood, Tyler and Austin, Coyote Sam's Bar and Grill, steaks Sea Food,Don Juan, Mexican DT, El Charro, Fat Cats Lousiana Kitchen, Cajun, Hidden Gate, The Honey Tree, Jucy's Hamburgers small chain but good, Smashburger soon to be built like Fuddruckers, LLang's Chinese upscale, Mario's Italian and Club, Dakotas, steaks, upscale,Tyler and Dallas, Newks Express Cafe, small chain delie, really good, Posados Cafe, The Potpourri House, Sam's Deli and Grill, Shogun of Japan,yes small chain, Sonoma Grille, large selection Italian plus, Traditions Cafeteria, really good large selection upscale, talbe cloth, piano player. Tai food on The Square, yes I went thru the phone book, trying to omit the chains, and going from experience.

Bonham? really now. lol

[solytaire]

Originally Posted by Mark-Tyler is Special

[url="http://www.visittyler.com/attractions.php"]

Farm Supply: Al Horaney;s Inc. - West Loop - two more on "The Loop" can't think of the name not in the yellow pages under Farm Supply

Im guessing you mean Atwoods and McCoys? maybe? IDK

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

Yep, those two we have, also is some gee, just heard the name today, some farm and tractor supply chain?