Welcome to Texas
“That’s right, you’re not from Texas. But Texas wants you anyway.” -Lyle Lovett
I’ve made some scary geographical transitions in my life. Boston to Upstate New York, as a third generation Red Sox fan, was a big deal. After living in New York for eight years moving to New Jersey was seriously frowned upon. And then came the move the Texas. When you tell people in the Northeast that you’re going to Rice, you get some interesting reactions.
“Rice…..where is that?”
“Oh you must like country music!”
“Texas? Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“If you start saying y’all we can’t hang out anymore.”
I’ll say right off the bat that you will start saying “y’all.” It’s shorter, it’s gender neutral, and it’s a smooth and soothing vowel sound. You probably won’t say “all y’all” unless you’re really dedicated to cultural immersion. Rice is in Houston. One of the most diverse cities in the country, the 4th largest (and about to overtake Chicago since it’s also one of the fastest growing cities), 45 minutes from the beach, 4 hours from New Orleans, and ranked by various organizations #1 Destination City, Best City for Young Entrepeneurs, Best City in America (yeah that’s right), America’s Coolest Cities to Live, Most Racially/Ethnically Diverse Large Metro Area, and probably most importantly for you #3 Top Cities for Job-Seeking College Grads. There are even more top rankings HERE. So just whip that out next time someone questions Houston.
I do listen to country. Always have always will. And I go to Rodeo every year, but in Texas I’ve also gone to see Avicii, Tritonal, LCD Soundsystem, Sleigh Bells, and bailed on a Macklemore concert. In other words, there’s a lot more to Texas than meets the eye, and the 4 years I’ve been here, I’ve fallen in love with it. So let’s talk Texas.
Texans love Texas.
One of the greatest things about this state is that everyone here really wants to be here. It makes people happy to be where they want to be, which makes people friendly, which makes other people happy to be here. It’s an extremely non-vicious cycle.
Everything is Bigger in Texas
One of the most arresting things about Texas is the size. Especially if you come from a state that isn’t Texas, California, or Alaska. It’s both freeing and confining. It’s incredibly freeing to get out on the open road and drive through miles and miles of Texas, with the big blue sky overhead and an endless vista on every side. At the same time, you can drive for more than 12 hours and still be in Texas. When I’m at home if I drive for 12 hours, not only will I drive through New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine, but I can make it a solid 6 hours into Canada. I could probably drive to see a polar bear in the time it takes to get to the Western border of Texas. So because of the size, not everything in Texas is accessible by car, but within a 5 hour radius you can get to Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, the Gulf of Mexico, Six Flags, Schlitterbahn and multiple National and State Parks and Wildlife Preserves.
What Texans Love to Tell You
As I said before, Texans love Texas. There are certain fun facts about Texas you will hear many times. They are actually pretty cool, so at least try and act impressed and surprised when your Texan friends tell you, and say things like, “wow, Texas could be its own country,” it’ll make them very happy. Do not make jokes about the Alamo.
- Texas is the only state that can fly the state flag at the same height as the American flag because Texas is the only state that the U.S. recognizes as a former country.
- “Six Flags” is actually “Six Flags Over Texas,” and stands for the flags of the six nations that have governed Texas: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the United States of America, and the Confederate States of America. The original park is in Arlington, Texas.
- Bluebonnets are the most loved flower ever. When they bloom on Texas highways hundreds of people pull over to take pictures amongst them. It is illegal to cut down a bluebonnet. This resulted in a prank wherein some Aggies from Texas A&M University planted maroon bluebonnets around a very important tower at the University of Texas at Austin. When they bloomed in Aggie colors, UT was unable to cut them down and had to endure the shame.
- Texas History is a required class in all Texas schools, in the same way that schools in the rest of the country require U.S. History. (Texans take U.S. History as well).
- Don’t Mess With Texas.
Foods That Will Change Your Life
Breakfast Tacos
Kolaches
Deep Fried Oreos, Cheesecake, Latte, Snickers, Twinkies, Fruity Pebbles, PB & J, Ice Cream, and BUTTER (for real)
Fried Pickles
Buc-ees
Between every major city in Texas, just at a point where you’re getting tired of gently swaying grass, cows, odd looking antique stores, and the other people in the car, an oasis will rise on the horizon: Buc-ee’s. It’s a reliable gas station. It’s a grocery store. It has the cleanest, most well-maintained bathrooms in the world. It has a souvenir section that sells necessary items such as raw-hide coozies, Texas shaped waffle irons, rhinestone iPhone cases, cowboy boot salt and pepper shakers, and literally anything else you can think of with the lonestar on it. It has a wall of jerky with more flavors than there are longhorns in Texas. It has a deli and a kitchen that makes full meals. It has fresh candied pecans and magical snacks called “Beaver Nuggets.” It has ice. It is the most ridiculous place you will ever go to.
In Conclusion
I could continue. There are unlimited things to tell you about the awesomeness that is Texas. Like the fact that until 2011 there was a life-sized replica of the Terra Cotta warriors in Katy, Texas, or that Two-Stepping is the easiest dance move ever, or that Blue Bell is the Ben & Jerry’s of Texas. But you get the idea. Texas is a one of a kind place, and everyone here wants you to love it like they do and will be your guide and guru to help you adjust to your new home. There’s a lot to explore and a lot to love in the Lone Star State.
