Texas? Yeehaw!! Forum

[LLB2JD]

I am from Ohio. Planning on attending law school this fall. I'm pretty politically liberal. In fact I am pretty supportive of socialism. Anyway I'm picking law school first on where the school is located, and then on rank, tuition, and so on. I have applied to a half dozed schools in California, a natural fit for me, the liberal. But I've also applied to University of Houston. I'm interested in their IP program, I like the low cost of living, and hear their economy is growing, all good stuff. Problem is, I'm scared of hillbillies.

I would appreciate any insight anyone has about Texas, Houston in particular (whats life like, I doubt I'll be able to scrape together enough cash to visit myself), percentage of hillbillies per 1000 people, and whether you think a very liberal minded guy like me could survive in Texas/Houston.

Thanks!

This literally made me

[jdbarr06]

Preface: I live in Austin, TX.

I went to the laundromat on MLK Jr Day to do the one load filled with two months of laundry. A jolly fellow struck up a conversation in the form of yelling at me. He told me that he wanted some white holidays. I asked him about President's Day and Columbus Day. He failed to respond to me but continued on and said how if there was a parade for white people he'd be all about marching in it. He stopped to breathe, and I guess think up some more fun remarks. After a while, he comes out with his laundromat philosophy. He begins talking about how white people come to the laundromat during the day and the Mexicans come at night, so he always tries to come during the day. He'd figured this laundromat out, but MLK Jr Day brought all the Mexicans in because they had the day off. I found it humorous that so many white people come in the afternoon during the week because it hints they do not have jobs. He concluded our "conversation" with, "All white. Just the way I like it." My girlfriend thought he meant his clothes. He was referring to the people in the laundromat.

Welcome to Texas

funny story.

[12thman2011]

I happen to be from rural Texas, am 180 degrees on the opposite side of the political spectrum as you, carry a gun, and I would just pity you for your ignorant beliefs. Having said that Houston is my least favorite city in Texas. It has a dirty feel and the law school is seriously in the ghetto. (you'd probably have more people agree with you politically there than in other parts of town though)

[sojasoph]

Preface: I live in Austin, TX.

I went to the laundromat on MLK Jr Day to do the one load filled with two months of laundry. A jolly fellow struck up a conversation in the form of yelling at me. He told me that he wanted some white holidays. I asked him about President's Day and Columbus Day. He failed to respond to me but continued on and said how if there was a parade for white people he'd be all about marching in it. He stopped to breathe, and I guess think up some more fun remarks. After a while, he comes out with his laundromat philosophy. He begins talking about how white people come to the laundromat during the day and the Mexicans come at night, so he always tries to come during the day. He'd figured this laundromat out, but MLK Jr Day brought all the Mexicans in because they had the day off. I found it humorous that so many white people come in the afternoon during the week because it hints they do not have jobs. He concluded our "conversation" with, "All white. Just the way I like it." My girlfriend thought he meant his clothes. He was referring to the people in the laundromat.

Welcome to Texas

funny story.

< Blackie in Texas. This is by far the exception.

[Mce252]

Preface: I live in Austin, TX.

I went to the laundromat on MLK Jr Day to do the one load filled with two months of laundry. A jolly fellow struck up a conversation in the form of yelling at me. He told me that he wanted some white holidays. I asked him about President's Day and Columbus Day. He failed to respond to me but continued on and said how if there was a parade for white people he'd be all about marching in it. He stopped to breathe, and I guess think up some more fun remarks. After a while, he comes out with his laundromat philosophy. He begins talking about how white people come to the laundromat during the day and the Mexicans come at night, so he always tries to come during the day. He'd figured this laundromat out, but MLK Jr Day brought all the Mexicans in because they had the day off. I found it humorous that so many white people come in the afternoon during the week because it hints they do not have jobs. He concluded our "conversation" with, "All white. Just the way I like it." My girlfriend thought he meant his clothes. He was referring to the people in the laundromat.

Welcome to Texas

funny story.

< Blackie in Texas. This is by far the exception.

Thank you.

[ihp12]

Thanks for the feedback! Sorry for my ignorance, but thats why I'm asking! Also, sorry fr not knowing the PC term "redneck". I guess I am just worried about having some drunken guy in a bar exercise his second amendment right on me during an argument about how awesome Sarah Palin is.

Still, thanks for calming my fears. I will look into UT but it is kind of a stretch.

Where ever you end up, you're probably gonna have problems if you make a habit of making sweeping generalizations about a group of people you've never interacted with or an area you have never visited. There's a term for this kind of behavior - its called "prejudice". You would probably do well to go to a school in Texas so that you could have that bubble you've been living in burst.

For the record, the University of Houston is the second most diverse school in the nation. This is largely a reflection of Houston itself, which is a diverse and international city.

As far as the Hillbillie vs. Redneck debate, the correct answer is to use neither. Labeling people is a bad idea.

[dr123]

Wtf, has this dude been living in a hippie commune his whole life or something? There are conservative country folk in every state. yes even california. Also, I doubt the conservative country folk that I'm positive you had to have interacted with in ohio are the same as those in texas

[Crazzzybudha]

Dont mess with texas. Cowboys pickup trucks with the confederate flag painted on the back. All of these things I associate with texas. And for good reason, texans, in my limited experience have been promoting this kind of imagry. They seem quite proud of it. Is it ridiculous to ask what the attitude really is, what it is like to actually live there. I would hope not.

To answer the seemingly repeated question, yup im from ohio, yup I know conservatives, in fact I have a bunch of good friends who are conservatives, one who ran a campaign for a congressman who I dispise.

But lets be clear, and most conaervatives would agree, sarah palin sucks. The whole attitude that brand of conservativism has sucks. People seem fine asking about the quality of life on a campus, well if I am driving past a koran burning, that is going to lower my quality of life. The one poster mentioned the guy at the landrymat. I know that guy, he lives in ohio to. My question then is, do more of him live in texas? Ive dealt with him in ohio, am I going to have to deal woth him everyday in texas? The image of texas, as portrayes in the media and semingly promoted by texas seems to suggest yes. The answers on this fprum, from friends from texas, and on other more helpful forums seem to be he lives outside the cities so I neednt worry.

I had little fun and perhaps framed the question in an offensive way. I swallowed my pride and appologized. The question is still legitamate as it pertains to a very real quality of life issue.

Feel free to flame all you want.

[Stringer Bell]

A couple of thoughts on some of the points made ITT

1. Campus security is fine. There isn't any abnormal crime UH students are subjected to related to the school's location. Most students will either live on campus, which is relatively safe, or another part of town. Schools like USC and Chicago are in sketchy areas as well.
2. I haven't spent any real time at the Law Center, but have heard the facilities aren't very nice. Of course, I'm of the opinion that the aesthetics of a school aren't that big of a deal and that it would be better if schools spent less money on that aspect if it meant lower tuition.
3. Bad weather is relative. Obviously a climate like San Diego would be ideal, but I prefer humidity over freezing temperatures easily. I know a decent number of folks that moved to Houston from the midwest that like not having the insanely cold weather and have no desire to move back.
4. I've never really noticed people in bars and stuff in Houston being fatter than they are in other cities. That fattest city designation is largely because there are so many restaurants and everything is so spread out.
5. OP sound like a tool.

[diane23]

Not sure why OP is generating so much hate. Texans get butthurt, for sure, but at the same time, that shows you that Texans do take care of Texans.

Lived in Houston for the last 10 years, went to UH for undergrad, grew up on the East Coast. There are more "hillbillies", gas guzzling vehicles, and fat people in Houston. Undeniable. I have seen a few trucks with the confederate flag, but I'm sure there are those dipshits everywhere.

One thing that should be noted is that there are a ton of black people at UH and in the areas surrounding UH. This might not be the most PR thing to note but it is what it is. Every black person I met that attended UH was cool and I'm (Facebook) friends with a few, but in the 3 1/2 years I was at UH, 2 friends/acquaintances were mugged by black dudes while walking to get donuts / to his car late at night. Just don't be stupid and nothing should happen.

Campus security is not fine by any means. I'm honestly not sure where Stringer Bell is coming from. Every few weeks in UG, I got an email telling me about an on-campus mugging. I always thought it was disturbing considering how many people know to go to class and go home ASAP. No one lingers on that campus and the place is pretty empty by 7 PM or so. If I go to UH, I'll go to class and go home. Live off campus. Nobody likes living on USC campus or in Hyde Park either.

I took the LSAT at the law center and it is okay. It isn't as shitty as everyone makes it out to be. I think it is fine, really. I talked to a few 1L's and they are all impressed with the education they are getting. I'd rather have a good education than nice amenities. Ideally, one could have both, but this isn't the case for me (and maybe you).

Good things about Houston:

If you are gay or super liberal, Montrose was the hot spot and now the Heights is the new hot spot. Pretty artsy, weird, hipster, whatever. I think because of zoning laws, however, you might be a few streets away from the ghetto. If you want the nice places, live in River Oaks. Maybe a 15 min. commute, and you have your Whole Foods, HEB Central Market (wannabe Whole Foods), etc. Regardless of what your thing is, COL in Houston is pretty cheap. Dirt cheap compared to NYC or Boston, and the traffic isn't shit like in LA.

Whether this is a good or bad thing: you'll probably get fat. It is too hot/ghetto to walk 9 months out of the year. There's a ton of good food in Houston too and it is all bad stuff. Fried southern comfort food, barbecue, Tex Mex...it is really great here and once you start eating that stuff, it is hard to go back to eating salads. I have weird genes and literally cannot put on any weight no matter what I eat but I do feel gross when I haven't eaten vegetables/fruit in 72 hours.

Houston really isn't for everybody. Especially UH. But I think if you came down here, stayed for a year or two, you'd def. really enjoy it. I love Houston now.

[12thman2011]

I tend to agree with everything that Diane said. She's right on about the campus and Houston in general.

BTW I usually don't notice until it has been at least 4 days that I haven't eaten fruits or vegetables, but I don't usually do anything to rectify it either.

[Stringer Bell]

Campus security is not fine by any means. I'm honestly not sure where Stringer Bell is coming from. Every few weeks in UG, I got an email telling me about an on-campus mugging. I always thought it was disturbing considering how many people know to go to class and go home ASAP. No one lingers on that campus and the place is pretty empty by 7 PM or so. If I go to UH, I'll go to class and go home. Live off campus. Nobody likes living on USC campus or in Hyde Park either.

When I said "fine", I meant in relation to large enrollment universities located in major cities. Here are some numbers to compare. UH doesn't seem extraordinarily dangerous relative to these schools. USC did pretty well in 2009, but the two preceding years look worse. UCLA's statistics are worse (look at burglaries and sex offenses). USC looked better in 2009, but the two years prior were pretty comparable.

UH - http://ope.ed.gov/security/InstDetails. ... 333820504d

UCLA - http://ope.ed.gov/security/InstDetails. ... 303420504d

USC - http://ope.ed.gov/security/InstDetails. ... 343620504d

The key is "on campus" though. If you head to Timmy Chan's at 10 o'clock at night it's a different story.

[12thman2011]

I'll put it this way. If I was going to wonder around near campus at night I'd be packing for sure.

[awahoya]

Preface: I live in Austin, TX.

I went to the laundromat on MLK Jr Day to do the one load filled with two months of laundry. A jolly fellow struck up a conversation in the form of yelling at me. He told me that he wanted some white holidays. I asked him about President's Day and Columbus Day. He failed to respond to me but continued on and said how if there was a parade for white people he'd be all about marching in it. He stopped to breathe, and I guess think up some more fun remarks. After a while, he comes out with his laundromat philosophy. He begins talking about how white people come to the laundromat during the day and the Mexicans come at night, so he always tries to come during the day. He'd figured this laundromat out, but MLK Jr Day brought all the Mexicans in because they had the day off. I found it humorous that so many white people come in the afternoon during the week because it hints they do not have jobs. He concluded our "conversation" with, "All white. Just the way I like it." My girlfriend thought he meant his clothes. He was referring to the people in the laundromat.

Welcome to Texas

funny story.

< Blackie in Texas. This is by far the exception.

Thank you.

+1. Born and raised in Austin- my whole high school marched in the MLK day parade every year...

There are crazy people E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E...I went to school in DC, was walking to meet up with some friends on the national mall and an old dude kept saying "Hey, cracker!" as I walked past...didn't lead me to any conclusions about the city itself, really- just one crazy guy.

@Winteriscoming- sorry you had to experience that in Austin, and I love your username (re-reading the series now).

Edit: oh, and to OP- Achilles has the best overall description of Houston so far-- a city that I would've been a lot more critical of if one of my best friends hadn't moved there and shown me many of the places that make it something other than a huge, hot, sticky, gas-guzzling metropolis

[francisConn]

Don't go to Texas. It won't have anything to do with your liberal views when you get hit in the face. It will be because you sound like a condescending, arrogant prick.

[francisConn]

I tend to agree with everything that Diane said. She's right on about the campus and Houston in general.

BTW I usually don't notice until it has been at least 4 days that I haven't eaten fruits or vegetables, but I don't usually do anything to rectify it either.

+1 on both counts

[lisjjen]

This is something I've been wondering about too. Not that I would ever throw out gross pejoratives like "hillbillies." I grew up in Idaho, 'nuf said. I was more interested in the vibe of TX cities.

The reason UT is so appealing to me is, if I do well, I can go anywhere in the country that I want to. If not, I can probably scrounge up something in the state... if I want to. The verdict is still out if "scrounging something up in the state" would be an OK future or not.

Edited to add: One thing I'd be interested in knowing. I know Texas is known to be conservative. But are those who are in your face with it? I like the concept that I keep my politics to myself and you keep yours to yourself.

[dkb17xzx]

Don't go to Texas. It won't have anything to do with your liberal views when you get hit in the face. It will be because you sound like a condescending, arrogant prick.

^^This will exactly be your fate. Austin is liberal central, and Houston elected a lesbian mayor last year - the first for any major city.

[francisConn]

This is something I've been wondering about too. Not that I would ever throw out gross pejoratives like "hillbillies." I grew up in Idaho, 'nuf said. I was more interested in the vibe of TX cities.

The reason UT is so appealing to me is, if I do well, I can go anywhere in the country that I want to. If not, I can probably scrounge up something in the state... if I want to. The verdict is still out if "scrounging something up in the state" would be an OK future or not.

Edited to add: One thing I'd be interested in knowing. I know Texas is known to be conservative. But are those who are in your face with it? I like the concept that I keep my politics to myself and you keep yours to yourself.

TLSers will tell you bolded is untrue or at least arguable.

As to your question, conservatives certainly dominate statewide races, but most people I encounter are polite about politics. Of course, there are going to be the obnoxious outliers like anywhere else. But keep in mind that the urban areas in Texas (H-town, Dallas, Austin, SA) all vote blue. Chances are you'd be working in one of those places. Texas has a population of 25+ million people. I think we're the fifth largest economy in the world. It's not your grandfather's Texas.

I grew up in a conservative part of Houston and now I live in liberal Austin. FWIW, my narrow experience is that liberals here are more vocal and in your face about politics than were the conservatives back in my part of Houston.

[lisjjen]

TLSers will tell you bolded is untrue or at least arguable.

Let me rephrase that. If I graduate in the top half of my class, my dad's best friend is a senior partner at a multinational firm in L.A. If I graduate in the top quarter of my class, that same law firm has a branch in New York and D.C.

Also, if I graduate from the top half of my class, I have pretty strong ties throughout the state of Idaho. When I say anywhere, I mean mostly NY, L.A. or Boise so long as I'm in the top quarter.

Is that more like it, or am I still off?

[francisConn]

TLSers will tell you bolded is untrue or at least arguable.

Let me rephrase that. If I graduate in the top half of my class, my dad's best friend is a senior partner at a multinational firm in L.A. If I graduate in the top quarter of my class, that same law firm has a branch in New York and D.C.

Also, if I graduate from the top half of my class, I have pretty strong ties throughout the state of Idaho. When I say anywhere, I mean mostly NY, L.A. or Boise so long as I'm in the top quarter.

Is that more like it, or am I still off?

I wouldn't know, I was merely parroting what I read on here.

I myself have plenty of faith in the reach of UT Law, esp. if you do really well and have solid connections.

[angie979]

Preface: I live in Austin, TX.

I went to the laundromat on MLK Jr Day to do the one load filled with two months of laundry. A jolly fellow struck up a conversation in the form of yelling at me. He told me that he wanted some white holidays. I asked him about President's Day and Columbus Day. He failed to respond to me but continued on and said how if there was a parade for white people he'd be all about marching in it. He stopped to breathe, and I guess think up some more fun remarks. After a while, he comes out with his laundromat philosophy. He begins talking about how white people come to the laundromat during the day and the Mexicans come at night, so he always tries to come during the day. He'd figured this laundromat out, but MLK Jr Day brought all the Mexicans in because they had the day off. I found it humorous that so many white people come in the afternoon during the week because it hints they do not have jobs. He concluded our "conversation" with, "All white. Just the way I like it." My girlfriend thought he meant his clothes. He was referring to the people in the laundromat.

Welcome to Texas

There are ignorant racist people all over the country. If you come to Houston, the majority here is hispanic. You are making Houston out to be a racist city. Here are the stats:

Hispanic - 959,683 (42.4%)
White alone - 639,304 (28.3%)
Black alone - 502,199 (22.2%)
Asian alone - 131,787 (5.8%)
Two or more races - 17,635 (0.8%)
American alone - 3,478 (0.2%)
Other race alone - 5,016 (0.2%)
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone - 1,816 (0.08%)


Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Houston-T ... z1HmbcFxuG

[awilson11]

The OP is terrible at spelling. And California ultra-liberals display exactly the sort of behavior that he worries about with Texas conservatives. It's not a left/right issue. Read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_True_Believer. It has to do with the psychology of the people who get seriously devoted to issues like that.

[privatemf]

I am from Ohio. Planning on attending law school this fall. I'm pretty politically liberal. In fact I am pretty supportive of socialism. Anyway I'm picking law school first on where the school is located, and then on rank, tuition, and so on. I have applied to a half dozed schools in California, a natural fit for me, the liberal. But I've also applied to University of Houston. I'm interested in their IP program, I like the low cost of living, and hear their economy is growing, all good stuff. Problem is, I'm scared of hillbillies.

I would appreciate any insight anyone has about Texas, Houston in particular (whats life like, I doubt I'll be able to scrape together enough cash to visit myself), percentage of hillbillies per 1000 people, and whether you think a very liberal minded guy like me could survive in Texas/Houston.

Thanks!

You really got Houston twisted. I am from the Houston and that is the biggest insult I have seen for a while. Maybe you should stop trying to sterotpye and just go and learn. I have traveled the world and when you come to a place with notions you always get your feelings hurt. Houston is a big city and big in every way.

[privatemf]

ohio is just as conservative as texas, it's a red state that got bush reelected and its filled with rednecks esp northwest ohio,

Am I the only one that fins this "R" word offensive?