Gay couple with kids thinking about moving to Austin... BIG QUESTIONS! (Houston: place to live, suburban)

[scm53]

Originally Posted by janejanejanejanejane

I would not go into the burbs really. It's not that they are bad, but I think you would find more judgement there.

Which is kinda judgmental in itself ...

Like I said earlier most Austinites - including us suburban philistines - are astonishingly live and let live. (Until you wear a Reagan Bush '84 tee shirt to Bouldin Creek Coffee house - as I have. Then, all hades breaks loose.). But no one will notice a gay family - and if they do, they will almost certainly care less.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by scm53

Which is kinda judgmental in itself ...

Like I said earlier most Austinites - including us suburban philistines - are astonishingly live and let live. (Until you wear a Reagan Bush '84 tee shirt to Bouldin Creek Coffee house - as I have. Then, all hades breaks loose.). But no one will notice a gay family - and if they do, they will almost certainly care less.

Bingo.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Zepheyr

Yes that's exactly what I was thinking. I'd assume they were just two heterosexual dads taking their kids out as a group.

It would not even enter my mind to wonder what their sexual preferences were. Why would I give a damn?

[love roses]

I live in Williamson county and see gay couples quite often out here, even in Round Rock/Hutto. People won't treat you like pariahs. We even have a male couple with a daughter in my neighborhood and people treat them just the same as anyone else.

[centralaustinite]

I bet that the OP will never even come back to this thread! Just trying to stir the pot.

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by gayinaustin

Hello,

Sooooo the idea of moving to Austin has crossed our minds. When I picture anything to do with Texas I think of a very conservative and Republican state. However, after doing some research I have seen it is not necessarily that way. So your input, advice and honesty would be greatly appreciate.

We are a gay couple from Southern California. My husband and I have been together for many years and have three children. We are thinking about moving to Austin as we have heard from a few people that it's a fantastic place to live. How do you feel we would be received? Is there a big gay scene? Are there many gay families? What is the overall consensus of legalizing gay marriage in Texas?

Any and all honest input would be greatly appreciated.

I am going to ask you the same thing I ask everyone who has a vague idea that they might want to move here. What compelling reasons do you have for leaving the place you're at and why Austin --- not just "hearing" from a few people how "fantastic" it is here. Austin has changed dramatically in the last couple of years. It is far from being the promised land that legend makes it out to be. Why do you want to leave and what do you expect to find?

What kind of "big gay scene" are you seeking? I'm having a hard time imagining what you are looking for base on your long term relationship and family status. I'm assuming you're not talking about nightlife (which frankly all our gay friends who visit deem "boring" here.) Are you talking about gay-centric neighborhoods? Gay family groups and events?

I'll also address the elephant in the room, although some have touched on it. Many of the family friendly, more affordable areas with good schools are in the Wilco burbs. Overall, Williamson County is significantly more politically and socially conservative than Travis County. There are welcoming and open minded people in all places, but the likelihood you'll find an abundance of those decrease the further out you go.

Do not even consider moving here until you have visited and spent some time here. Specifically in the summer. Get a feel for what it's like to live in this heat and not have a beach. Observe how you are treated when you are out and about with your family. Most importantly, do not move here without job offers in hand. While we are in growth mode and our economy did not take the kind of hit most did in recent years, almost 200 people a day are drinking the "I hear Austin is fantastic and I'm moving there - yeehaw" Kool Aid. We are home to a huge world class university that cranks out thousands of graduates that don't want to move. Competition for jobs is stiff. Also, real estate and rentals are pricey and competitive. You need to map out a serious plan for your family's sake.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by A-Tex

Overall, Williamson County is significantly more politically and socially conservative than Travis County. There are welcoming and open minded people in all places, but the likelihood you'll find an abundance of those decrease the further out you go.

I'm interested in what you are basing this on. Personal experience? Experiences of close acquaintances? Or just an assumption?

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by scm53

I'm interested in what you are basing this on. Personal experience? Experiences of close acquaintances? Or just an assumption?

All of the above.

[scm53]

Originally Posted by A-Tex

All of the above.

You have personal negative experience with the acceptance of gay families in Williamson county, and a comparison to Travis county?

The plural of anecdote isn't data.

[A-Tex]

Originally Posted by scm53

You have personal negative experience with the acceptance of gay families in Williamson county, and a comparison to Travis county?

The plural of anecdote isn't data.

Yes. And more than one.