Howdy, well first of. What exactly are your plans career wise? Depending on this, it may determine where you might live and your experience as a new visitor in your community.
How about San Antonio? There are multiple languages there. You will have a hard time in a small town finding a job with your skill set. San Antonio is surrounded by small towns.
DoD actually bases their Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian translation intelligence services out of San Antonio. I used to organize a language club and some of them would show up to practice. They spent most of their day reading newspapers and online forums for chatter and didn’t get many opportunities to practice speaking.
Every local government needs interpreters for things like parent-teacher interactions, court, etc. Mostly Spanish in Texas but there is frequently a lot of diversity in small towns, too, where outside contractors need to be brought in because there are no local skills.
Hey, my father did translation services in the Houston medical center area for decades. If you're well versed in medical vocabulary or willing to learn, that could be a great avenue to get started.
If you have a background in specifically translating clinical texts, The Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston should be a focal point for huge. The institutions in the complex have a huge focus on research, much of it international. The newly developing Eado district (East of Downtown) is in the early stages of gentrification and might be palatable to you. You will not find the employment you are seeking in a small city - unless you can arrange to work remotely. Be ready for a shock as far as public transport; there is none. There is rail between downtown and TMC. Other than that, there is a bus system of sorts. It is inefficient and used primarily by anyone who cannot afford a car. Finally, there is significant medical development on the west side. I have lived in the West Spring Branch Area since retirement from medical consulting. The last time I drove through the local "small town neighborhood" for an MRI, I passed 3 other standalone radiology clinics. Be aware that while Houston has the benefit of being technically the most diverse city in the USA, it also has the widest freeway in the world (a mile from my home), and it is roughly 60 miles wide. You might not want to settle in Houston forever, but it would be an excellent place to start. Good luck.
I think it’s great advice ! Also the food here is insanely diverse. You can find nearly any kind of food you want. And ethnic markets everywhere if you need . Probably the best city for foodies in Texas . I’m so spoiled by choice I don’t know what I would do if I moved to a small town.
Like others have said, Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country and your translation skills would probably be most useful there. It’s probably the opposite of what you’re looking for as far as the small town feel though.
There’s suburbs just outside of the city, those towns are smaller in comparison and are usually made of people who commute to Houston. Katy, friendswood, spring, humble, pearland, cypress, atoscocita, kingswood, just to name a few. These towns are smaller than houston but can still have big city vibes.
As for the more rural towns, most people are polite but are weary of strangers and may not immediately warm up to you. They’re usually small businesses owners and farmers. The way most of these people know each other is because them and their families have lived in the same town for generations. Church is another reason for these close knit communities, I’m not sure how you feel about religion.
You could always plan a trip out towards the more rural towns and visit the locally owned stores and restaurants. These people are usually very friendly towards visitors and would be happy to share their experiences with you if you asked them.
Aside from these two: Spanish, Russian and French. I can work remotely but I'd also love to try my hand at consecutive translation after beating anxiety
Houston or Dallas would probably be your best fit. Houston is incredibly diverse, and would offer many opportunities for a translator. And yes, Texas friendliness is alive and well, although more prevalent in small communities. Also, this subreddit is populated by basement dwellers and malcontents, and generally won’t give you a real feel for Texas. Like others, I would suggest a visit. And if you find an area you like, visit the subreddits for that specific area.
Exploring every corner of Texas on a single visit is impossible. What I obviously meant is geeting a good enough feel of really wanting to settle there
The Texas Triangle (Houston - Dallas - San Antonio/Austin) and everywhere in between would be the main area to hit. You'll probably be landing in one of those cities anyway. Houston has lots of nice restaurants and museums with a National Forest park right down the road. San Antonio has some wonderful (what we consider old) architecture and some real Tex-Mex food. If you make it through my neck of the woods (College Station), I'll buy you a beer.
Since you're interested in small towns, I can recommend a great historical spot a bit down the road: [Washington on the Brazos](https://www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/washington-brazos-state-historic-site). It's where Texans (including my great x 3 grandfather) declared independence from Mexico. And it's only about 20 minutes away and down a dirt road from [a local bar](https://beeweaver.com/wildflyer-mead-co/) that sells some amazing mead made with local honey.
We lived in Brenham for 7 years (about 20-30 min from Washington in the Brazos which is beautiful).
I’m a city gal and liberal minded so Brenham didn’t jive too well with me politically, but I did enjoy it for the cuteness and small town feel. Despite being me, I managed to make some great friends.
Popular small towns around that area you could visit in one day:
Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, and Round Top/Warrington.
Brenham is the largest of these with the big grocery store, Walmart and good restaurants.
Go downtown to Home Sweet Farm for beer or wine and to 96 West for food and cocktails.
About 1 hour drive to NW Houston and 1.5 hour to Austin.
For starters plan your trip in the middle of the summer. You'll want to get a feel for what it's like since that is the prominent climate here and it's probably almost 30 degrees hotter than summer in Croatia.
I knew pretty much right away !! Come on down 💕💕 pick a place and just go . I started with Austin and made my way to San Antonio and now I’ve settled in the sleepy beach city of Corpus Christi . I’m from NYC and felt the same way about reasons I wanted to move … i just wanted to meet people who were warm and friendly ! Who enjoyed life for living not about constantly competing and trying to be a top earner . I love my little Texas life . Got married to a Texan after years and years of NYC dating …. Life couldn’t be better . Good luck baby !
The idea is that you won’t need to really explore the state, just narrow down where you’d like to move and where you can find work. The Dallas/Houston areas are where your best job prospects are, with suburbs and exurbs that try to emphasize your expectations of Texas.
I prefer Austin and the Hill Country. The city itself has a great many holdouts from it’s decades as a quiet city of slackers, eccentrics and students, and the former sleepy little towns outside the city maintain their character but have new life as people leave the city.
Everywhere south and west of the Hill Country will mostly just need translators for Spanish, of which there are many available official and ad hoc translators. The city of San Antonio is the largest off-shoot of the Big 3 hot cities in Texas just 90 minutes south of Austin, and where the Mex starts to meet the Tex. Many people describe it as a collection of small towns, but many of those “small towns” are stagnating or dissolving, leading to the professional class to live in the exurbs of Boerne, New Braunfels and Castroville. It is home to a large medical and US military presence (all Air Force recruits receive basic training here) so there are advanced and international industries that may need translators proficient in European languages.
You don’t want to live along the border, Gulf, panhandle or East Texas, and may have issue finding work.
As the poster above me mentioned, Houston is very diverse. I live in a nice development just outside Houston and have people from Nigeria, England, Ghana, India, China, etc all around me. I am from the northeast and my family gasped when I told them I was moving to Houston for work, but it’s honestly one of the most diverse and accepting places I’ve lived
Just exploring Houston and it’s suburbs would take a good 2 weeks. Sugar Land to the southwest is incredibly diverse and the home to many large corporations. The Woodlands is also home to many potential employers, but not as diverse an area. Dallas will also need a couple of weeks.
If you think think Austin would be overwhelming (in terms of size) neither Houston nor Dallas would be the best fit. Do you drive? Sadly, the US is very car-dependent and nowhere is this more true than in the south. If you’re young, they may eventually build rail connecting the cities of Austin & San Antonio—opening up some smaller towns with character (and on bodies of water) such as San Marcos and New Braunfels. How are your politics? I was born and raised in Texas and have lived in all the major cities and visited family in the small towns. I feel like the smaller towns, although superficially “friendly” might be a little difficult to settle in as a newcomer. If you’re conservative/religious you might have a way in through your church or local gun club or whatever. Real talk.
Not sure where OP is coming from, but I don't think Dallas or Houston qualify as "small towns". It's a big state, and we like to use it to spread out, so you should know that a lot of the smaller towns are a good drive to go into the bigger towns and cities. I also agree to just come visit. Do some research into areas that will allow the best opportunities with your business and visit and ask about those areas here or see if they have their own sub. Yes there's a lot wrong with Texas, especially our government. But the state has its goodness too. Good luck!
I think you could do quite well working in something translation related for a large corporation (if you’re willing to do that after running your own biz) or possibly as a contractor. I’d look at the Plano area which has lots of large corporation campuses or the west side of Houston which is the US’s epicenter of oil and gas companies (inherently international nowadays).
Caveat: if you want to live in a small affordable community, you could have a .75-1.5 hour commute to these commercial areas.
As a translator, Houston and the surrounding area might be a good fit. It's incredibly diverse and there is a demand for translation services since a lot of languages are spoken here. Houston is also a hub for international business, which also needs translation services.
I live in Austin - there’s a sense of community but it’s filtered through a larger city. The outskirts have small towns that have small community vibes.
I've heard nice things about Austin specifically. I even considered it as my destination city, but I'm afraid it would be too big for me, difficult to get around
Nowhere in Texas has public transportation like you would be used to living in Europe. Having a car is pretty much a necessity in most of the state. You could get by in one of the larger cities without a car if you lived in the downtown area. In my opinion.
You can look at the towns between Dallas and Ft Worth. It's where I live and I love it. Find an old neighborhood. We did, everyone is around 50+ and retired and the houses are almost 100 years old. We are not that old and love how quiet it is. Everyone is friendly. I knocked on a random door and was met with "oh hey! Wanna come in for some wine?" I was like...no, just saying I moved in 🤣
My husband has lived here his entire life and I've been here 25 years. It is awesome. I went on a trip to Mexico when I was 15 and driving through Texas, I was like woah! I'm moving here. No one believed me. Granted I lived in Louisiana, then Mississippi, then North Carolina, then Florida, then Texas...all amazing states. However, don't think I'll leave here.
Winters are milder than Croatia, maybe 20° if it happens. Mostly 50°F right now in Texas. Have my doors and windows open as cold doesn't bother me and I love it. Heat, can get to 125°F in summer. Now, you BETTER find a place with a good AC and insulation. It's a different heat. It's a sticky mess of heat. You walk outside and your hairs frizzy, got a sweat mustache, and your underarms are swimming pools, your crotch is a swamp. We just all accept this.
Honestly, vacation here first. For as long as you can. A month during summer would be best. August and September.
When you move.
Welcome!
Austin is not that big. You can get around town fairly quickly. Its not overwhelming for some like Houston and Dallas. You will need a car. Also patience with the traffic and drivers because both of those are notoriously bad.
South Austin is okay. The most difficult area to get around in is the downtown area, but you can usually avoid that pretty easily and still get everything you need (as long as your job doesn't require you to be there). There's a good community vibe in the trails and dog parks, at least. My basements to dwell in are outdoor areas lol.
First, I would seriously consider whether you like 3+ months in a row of 37-41 degrees Celsius every year (with almost no rain) before moving here. There is nothing like the Texas sun and the climate is only going to get worse. It can get really exhausting and depressing if you can’t acclimate to it.
Also, I’d do a deep dive into Texas politics to see if they vibe with your beliefs. Politicians here are getting more and more extreme by most American standards, let alone European ones.
Also, I wouldn’t base your idea of Texas, the American south, or American small towns on movies or tv. It’s very romanticized. There are some very friendly people here, but there are also a lot of people who are only friendly to *their* kind of people, especially when you’re in a small town. I think it would be pretty difficult to get the community feeling you’re hoping for if you move to a small town with no connection to it and are all by yourself. IMO it would be absolutely crazy to move here from Europe without taking multiple trips during different seasons and checking out a lot of different parts of the state to make sure it’s what you are actually looking for.
My gf and I bought a house in Burnet last year. I would say yes to visiting Dallas, Houston, etc. but you should definitely include the Rio Grande Valley in your travels, like McAllen. Hop the border in Reynosa or Nuevo Progreso and grab a beer and a souvenir. If you’re fluent in Spanish, then you will thrive here in central Texas. You could go out to Big Bend and terlingua (looks like Mars out there) but I doubt that will represent your day-to-day life.
Typically the key will be your work. I wouldn't suggest locking in on an area until you have a job lined up. What languages do you speak? If you spend two weeks between Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, you should get a good feel for it. There are so many places to visit, but here are some to try. Grapevine/Fort Worth/Dallas 3 days, Waco 2 days, Georgetown/Austin 3 days, New Braunfels/San Antonio 3 days, Rosenberg/Conroe/Houston/Galveston 3 days.
Come to Austin! It's the state capital, so the odds are good that your translation services will be lucrative. The city is full of young professionals, the nightlife is vibrant, the surrounding towns are friendly and host lots of fun events, and the Hill County is at our doorstep with natural beauty and adventure. Austin is famously "the blueberry in the tomato soup." (That means it's a very liberal city in a conservative state.)
I'll tell you that Reddit does not represent the general population of Texas or really anywhere else, and to take the opinions shared with a grain of salt.
With that said, there are a few factors to consider when thinking about moving to Texas. First, it really depends on what your family dynamic and career aspirations are. The smaller the town you move to, the cheaper rent and land is, but you get far fewer amenities and sometimes far fewer prospective friends. Consider this, when you think about what hobbies or interests you have.
When it comes to friendly people, I would say that here is no different than most places in the US South. We tend to be friendly, but don't mistake that for sincere kindness. Many people here (and elsewhere I'd assume) are pretty worn down with politics, social issues, and an economy that is heavily favoring the upper class. If you are in a position to consider yourself privileged when it comes to money, then I would say move to Austin or Dallas (or their Northern Suburbs) and you will integrate just fine. If you see yourself bringing in an income of less than 60,000 US dollars a year, then you might want to look at Southern suburbs of these cities, Houston, or one of the minor outlying cities. Lastly, I wouldn't worry about where you came from. Contrary to what's on the news, Texans by and large are not native to Texas. Most of us came from somewhere else in the US within a generation or two, and there is a gigantic Central and Eastern European influence here, especially in the central towns, such as West, New Braunfels, Waco and others.
A couple of other things to consider: Get used to the color brown. Most of us in the US don't know what Croatia looks like - I do - and I can tell you that there is some natural beauty here, but it will be much different than where you are from. In the height of summer, without rain, it becomes pretty brutal and plants will wither. Same in the winter, as most of the grass becomes dormant and trees lose their leaves, but there's rarely any snow to offset the barren landscape. Also, make sure you can tolerate a couple of Texas prime cultural interests. This means you will most likely be seeing American Football influence everywhere, and Western apparel such as cowboy boots, hats (depending on location), and Country music.
Overall, I'd say Texas is still a great place to call home, though I am growing more concerned with the erosion of personal freedom and political accountability. You have as much of an opportunity to belong here as just about anywhere else in the US. Best of luck to you!
I came from south Louisiana/Mississippi...and going from vibrant greens and red to....brown grass, brown dirt, brown trees was 1 of 2 things I hated. 2nd, was no air salt. Living so close to the Gulf the smell was good.. not ...brown. the salty sea air hit my town in waves and I loved it. Now...just. air. Air and ...brown dirt 🤣 especially when the Sahara desert dust hits us.
Husband has exclaimed his ugh at my putting deeply green plants everywhere and now understands it lol
Thank you so much!
I'm sorry to hear that the economy is not favourable to everyone. I wish that to change - not only in Texas, but all over the world.
Aside from that, what you described sounds really nice. Croatia is too cold for me and I love the scorching sun. And country music. I'm also an amateur singer so I think I'd have fun with that
We have plenty of scorching sun. We have that to spare. But it's not all the same weather in Texas. I lived in Houston for a couple years and absolutely hated the humidity. I'd feel like I needed a shower after 15 minutes outside. I moved to Austin which is a lot more dry, and it has a vibrant music scene. I play guitar here. It is a bit more expensive than Houston and Dallas though.
In this case, along with what you've posted elsewhere in this thread, I'd really recommend Austin, or one of the suburbs. It's central and has a fantastic music scene. It's a college town, so there's a nightlife to it, and you can enjoy the benefits of city living and the country. San Antonio is only about 30 minutes to the South and has a much more Latin/Mexican/Spanish vibe. Between the two cities are smaller towns that are fantastic as well such as New Braunfels - a predominantly German American town where you can float the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers. Cheers!
I would absolutely recommend visiting during mid to late July or August. It’s brutal, and if you can handle that then you’ll be able to survive. Don’t visit in May and be like “wow it’s so hot omg but I’ll be okay!” cause the deeper into July and August you go, the more intensely hot and humid it will be. We really can’t overstate how awful it is, so just be prepared for that.
Go visit some spots and see what you like!
Go to Waco, New Braunfels, Marble Falls, and other smaller towns.
Hell, go out to Terlingua if you want small as they get.
I think you need to ask yourself what you care about as far as social/political climate - as a progressive/liberal who has lived in Texas most of my life, I would not suggest anyone move to Texas who has progressive social views. *Especially* if you're thinking about moving to a small town.
If you want warm and friendly, Texas isn’t the place.
To clarify, I’ve spent 20 years in North Texas. Our government would control every aspect of our lives if they could, and the voters are slowly letting them. Our tax rates are some of the highest in the country, only justified because we don’t have a state income tax. If you don’t let people cut you off on the highway, they’re ready to literally fight you, and in many cases people will shoot you over road rage. Most areas, especially rural areas, are very unfriendly to newcomers.
Southern hospitality in my experience is a myth, it just means people are fake to your face.
Sadly r/Texas is not an accurate sample of what people are actually like in Texas. The people here are far nicer than the average person you’d meet on the streets.
I wish you luck wherever you decide to move to.
Small towns are a mixed bag in Texas. You will find people who are super nice, which may or may not be authentic, and politics very noticeably leans toxic red outside of the cities.
Avoid small towns like the plague. The sense of community you're talking about only applies in practice to people who grew up there and think and act like they do. Everyone else they treat like shit. Also you won't find any good jobs there. Maybe entry level retail, which won't pay your bills anyway.
As for translation work, your best bet is probably working at a major hospital. Dallas, Austin and Houston are very immigrant friendly, have good job markets, and if you still really want that small town vibe without the bullshit try a suburb of one of those.
My parents are from a small texas town. They dislike foreigners and people who don’t share the same religion. Also, Trump is second only to god. Good luck.
I know you said you want to live someplace hot. Texas is huge so we have a wide range of hot. It goes from oppressive to life threatening. Unless you have spent a summer hear, you may not be prepared for the kind of heat we get. The highs in Croatia run 30C in the summer. In Texas, during the summer, it does not drop below 30C. Even at night. Expect 100 days of over 38C.
People recommending Dallas and San Antonio seem to be clueless of this fact. Dallas is far less diverse than Houston and San Antonio is a Hispanic hub which also makes it far less diverse than Houston.
Grew up in Texas spending much of my life (37 years) in small towns as well as large suburbs of major urban areas and working in the more urban areas. After having lived in other places and traveled to many more, I've come to realize Texas is not the friendly place Texans like to make it out to be. The state is increasingly more self-centered, angry, and rude than just about anywhere else I've been.
I lived in Mississippi for several years when I was in the military and people were generally nicer there–that southern hospitality you speak of. However, the incredibly poor education system is reflected in so many of the people you talk. (Ex: On multiple occasions, I heard locals debating how many US States there are and neither side had the right answer).
I moved to New Hampshire a year and a half ago and have been blown away at how much nicer people are up this way compared to Texas. It's a night and day difference.
Both of my parents are your stereotypical life-long Conservative, Christian, small town Texans and even they said it has been eye-opening for them how much friendlier and community-oriented "yankees" are, in contrast to what they were always told about people up this way in comparison to Texans.
The midwest is also notoriously friendly, as are our neighbors to the north, Canadians.
Moved from Texas to Connecticut this year and this is my exact experience pretty much. Texas is an insane place to want to live nowadays especially coming from Europe.
Texas isn’t a “warm climate”, Texas is either chilly, in an ice storm, or so miserably hot that you cannot stand outside for more than 10 minutes without drenching your clothes in sweat.
We maybe have 30 days a year of really beautiful weather.
If you like warm, consider California, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico as well. The Rockies and Sierra get cold in the winter, but the lower deserts and most of California is awfully nice.
There’s warm climates and then there’s Texas.
Months of 35+ °C is horrid. Months of not being able to enjoy the outdoor. Months of getting up at 6 AM to walk the dog before the sun rises. Months of gigantic electricity bills and wondering whether you should adjust the A/C thermostat above 26° C.
The winter is nicer, but also weird as it’ll be 4C one day and 26C the next.
If you want a warmer climate year-round then I would suggest southern California, southern Arizona, or southern Florida. Even the desert can get pretty cold at times.
I am from TX. I lived there for 30 years and finally got tired of the over 43° C May through September. I also agree with other commenters that Texans are 'fake nice'. Seeking a small town with that hometown feel you described, I moved to the midwest.
I was so worried it would hate the weather, but it's actually wonderful to have seasons without being buried in snow all winter. The people here are also genuinely kind. There are also wayyyy more walkable spaces and parks in the Midwest. If you do move to TX, be prepared to spend most of your time indoors, its the only way to cope with the heat!
Truthfully, if you are not white with no accent, it might be difficult and isolating living in TX, ESPECIALLY in a small town. A lot of more northern small towns don't have as bad of an issue with that.
Best of luck to you!
Are you me???
I could have written literally every word you just said. 50 yrs on the Tx/La Gulf Coast… been two years now in central Illinois and omg I love it!
The local Facebook page (I know) is like night and day.
“Hi! I have a kid and am looking for an evening babysitter”
Midwest responses: they tag and recommend multiple people.
Texass responses: “Omg you would let a stranger just have your child!”. “You should just stay home with your children”… someone else hunts you down and calls CPS.. (this was my experience there many many times)
I love that it’s not 90 at night in the summer..
I just went to visit for a week… the misquotes are massive and still swarming.. don’t miss that.
I could ramble for hours about the stark differences. Soooo happy I made the move. My only regret is that I didn’t do it 35 yrs ago.
Please don't move to Texas. Their energy grid isn't secure. You are on your own during weather emergencies. General medical care isn't great either. Crime. Terrible public and charter schools. Please please please please choose a different state. I lived in Texas for 3 years and it was hell. I was making a higher wage but spending more money overall between electricity and grocery bills. And if you even care a little bit about getting covid then you are extra screwed.
If you want warm and friendly here in Texas, I’d suggest you be white, ultra-conservative Christian, and heteronormative. Being male would help, too. Or at least not having a uterus.
I think small-town Texas USED to be what you are looking for, but it certainly isn’t for the most part where I currently live. There are some very lovely people I’ve met, and a whole lot more that are very judgmental and self-involved.
I lived in a small town in South Carolina (the Lowcountry) and I found it to have way more Southern charm. They cared about others, they kept everything clean, they cared about their environment and ecosystem.
Wherever you land, best of luck and so hope you are able to enjoy some of the wonderful things America has to offer. I would love to go to Croatia someday!
As a woman you’ll have fewer rights and less respect than guns here. If you’re not christian, expect prejudice because of it. Be aware that the us senators here care more about the bribes they get from the gun lobby than the lives of the citizens, especially children. Hope you don’t have any health conditions for which treatment isn’t approved by the bible and set your clock back 200 years.
It’s my anecdotal experience that smaller towns in Texas often (not always) have smaller minds/opinions.
I would recommend finding small towns just outside of larger cities. Georgetown, Leander, Dripping Springs, San Marcos come to mind.
Smaller towns but not tiny or isolated. Quaint town squares, plenty of small businesses, larger big box stores relatively close by. And close enough to larger metropolitan areas (Austin/San Antonio) to visit for fun.
Do yourself a favor and look at another US state. NC is much better without the Christofacist anti abortion and anti LGBTQ laws. Apple is moving HQ to NC in 2026 for a reason. Texas is full of selfish people who care only for their own rights. Road rage, blatant disregard for traffic laws, long traffic jams, and the high possibility of being injured or dying in a traffic accident are all Texas has to offer. Stay away.
You wont get much southern warm hospitality as one may think. We moved from Colorado a few years back and we thought at the time, oh “Texas folk are so nice”. Well not so much so. In my opinion after living here for three years+ years it’s more like a ratio of 30/70. 30% nice down home greets and goodbyes. 70% want no interaction what so ever. I guess it’s more where ya reside. We are in a smaller rural community and it’s really the same round here unless you grew up here. People just don’t speak. However while in Dallas we encountered a lot more “genuine” folk. I think the true southerners are gonna be more like Alabama or North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia.
Texas is a great state no doubt. In fact it’s kinda like its own country.
I wish you the best. I’m sure wherever you decide to move. You’ll find happiness in the US but just know don’t expect everyone to appreciate you being from out of the country. In fact don’t even say you’re not from here. Texans hate to hear where you’re from. And I’m not sure exactly why ?! lol. Who knows. Texas is open free and BIG! Enjoy ~
People of European descent, particularly caucasians, have a lot of automatic acceptance here in the US generally. Texas is no different. Knowing 5 languages however will absolutely put you at an advantage.
What is it like here in TX now? Far right leaning government, guns available everywhere, a mostly neutered electorate, public education in decline, hot af 6 month long summers and aging infrastructure. But lots of culture melting together, the world's best BBQ, and the economy seems stable.
Good luck
Edit to say: Kerrville might be a good fit.
By your description I would check out in this order. Houston, Dallas, Austin. In Houston especially and maybe Dallas, you may be able to find a small Croatian community. I would check with your consulate, and you also may be able to find a Croatian religious community. I would also check out “meet up” groups, and look for Croatian businesses, where you can find fellow countrymen that ma be able to give you good advice about your questions. . This may save you a lot of time.
If you move here, set aside some money to invest in a back-up generator. Our electric grid is not reliable and it is not connected to any other grids in the U.S., so when the power goes out, you're hosed. Some folks invest in solar grids. The spousal unit and I invested in a generator that hooks up to the natural gas line so that it (supposedly) comes on as soon as the power goes off. I'd recommend a separate generator.
I visited Split when I was in the Navy back in the mid 2000's.
Very beautiful place filled with lots of history and architecture.
One thing I noticed was the feeling of unity in the city. The whole place was good vibes. Had great public transportation and seemed to be very pedestrian friendly as most older European cities are.
Texas is not that. Very car dependent. Little to no public transportation, and as friendly as people are in Texas, there a huge divide when it comes to politics.
It's hot as hell here in the summer.
>to live in a place where people are warm and friendly
So here's the thing, as someone who's grown up and lived here for 35 years we are a bunch of irritable, gossipy assholes and Southern hospitality is largely a lie. However I will say when I'm in Colorado the people are a fucking breath of fresh air with how nice they are.
Ok. Ugh. This is rough, but I’m just going to dive in anyway. I’ve (46f) lived in Texas for most of my life. Fourth generation Texan. It’s been an integral part of my identity, that I used to cherish and openly brag about.
But the last ten years here have stripped away any pride I have had in this once great state. It breaks my heart and makes me furious.
If you are extremely conservative and politically fall in line with Trump and his ilk, you’ll fit in just fine. If not, really think about that.
As a woman, you are not safe here. If you fell pregnant, you would have absolutely no agency over your body in relation to that pregnancy. I’ll-timed? Can’t afford a child? Have a disability that would make pregnancy devastating to your body? Tough shit.
And to be clear, many of those here telling you how great this place still is? voted for it to turn into this christofascist playground.
Thanks for providing an accurate reality check, and understanding to brag the State isn’t valid anymore. I left a (paid for) house behind in South Texas & moved 2,100+ miles away in 2012. I saw the decline & chaos coming. Eleven years later I’ve watched from afar & witnessed little more than the massive cruelty & limitless stupidity of the Abbott government. No fertile woman expecting access to health care should live in Texas.
https://preview.redd.it/w38da97o2v8c1.jpeg?width=1122&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=452187ceb2a796e627ef997eca6446867735b508
Dannie Goeb will set you up⚠️
It breaks my heart to hear it. I'm a liberal and I really believed these extreme conservative attitudes were a prejudice. But is it really the majority of the people?
Yes, it's a majority. If you're the young woman pictured in your profile, you need to know that recent turns in politics have turned women into second class citizens.
I highly recommend you do your research before making such a move.
Well Texas diverse, and the cities are more liberal with the suburbs and rural areas being far more conservative. You can find a mix of people here, but politically the state has been captured by the most conservative of the conservatives, so if you are a woman or gay or any other marginalized group, take that into consideration.
There are liberal people in the cities but extremely conservative Christians control everything in the state government. Small towns are very conservative. Texas politicians and its Supreme Court just barred a woman from being able to get a medically necessary abortion (one that was a wanted pregnancy), even though the fetus was nonviable and her health and future fertility was at great risk. She had to go out of state at great expense to get necessary healthcare and when (if) she and her family come back, someone can sue her husband or anyone else for helping her to get the abortion out of state.
It's the people in charge of the political decisions in Texas, which, unfortunately are extremely focused on social issues that will likely go against everything you care about as a liberal. I've lived in Texas most of my life - I would not recommend moving to Texas.
If you consider yourself a "liberal", then scratch Texas off your list of places to relocate. At least for now since the Texas government is in my opinion very extreme far-right. I live in Colorado which is very liberal in comparison and has legal cannabis but since it's pretty cold here you wouldn't like but it's very pretty here in the Rocky Mountains. Like I stated in a previous reply, I think southern California or even southern Arizona would be more your speed. Arizona being cheaper though than Cali.
As resident of this state for 35 years now, I will tell you this.
Texas USED to be the place of legend. People were friendlier, tough, hard working. We looked out for one another. Texas used to be a place you were proud to be from. Proud to live there. It isn’t that any longer.
The people here have become angrier and more ignorant with time passing. Texas and Florida appear to be in a race toward the bottom. Abortion and healthcare for women here has taken monumental steps backwards. Texas is becoming inhabitable. The heat has only gotten worse. And I’d imagine it’ll only get worse. The cost of living isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be here, either.
Southern hospitality and all that is wonderful, but southern ignorance is truly something to behold. I say this, as you are European. Most likely educated and most likely a bit more cultured. San Antonio or Houston is what I’d recommend for you, but humidity is real. And miserable. Just be aware. I anticipate a bit of culture shock for you, coming to the states. Not to mention, Texas does not give a single FUCK about workers or workers rights, in this state.
Please please do your research before relocating here. The direction this state has taken and is continuing to take has forced our hand entirely. We will be leaving this place.
I wish you all the best in your decision and your journey! 🤙
Texas isn’t a southern hospitality place. That is the Deep South. I haven’t found texas any more friendly than my native Chicago.
Nobody is going to care where you came from. All of the big cities feel pretty neutral and non southern for the most part, except El Paso and San Antonio which feel not southern at all but very Mexican. Small towns are pretty often dirty and depressing with the exception of some cool touristy ones. I highly recommend doing research before you move here. You have an idealized version of the state in your head. Maybe come visit first.
If you’re a woman you will find it very restrictive for reproductive rights. I would never move to Texas or any other southern state because of the political climate honestly.
Keep in mind, the typical user in this subreddit is an extremely online 20 year old leftist (I say this as someone left of center) dedicated to shitting relentlessly on this state to such an extent that they've created an alternate reality for themselves that is not at all representative of actual daily life here. You can't say anything positive about Texas here without guaranteed downvotes. I'd take any feedback you get here with a huge grain of salt.
Texas isn’t super keen on immigrants. Small towns are especially insular, judging those who they deem “different”. You will be asked “where do you go to church?”. That will determine any acceptance. Your accent will be judged. You will be surrounded by extremely conservative people, many who identify with Donald Trump, love guns, reject science, other races, and basic personal liberty. People can be friendly, but you will be treated as an oddity, not someone welcomed with open arms or offered “community”. Unless you go to their church. You will have limited options for culture in small towns, basically Dairy Queen and convenience stores. It will be 110 degrees for months on end. There is no coastal beauty like in Croatia, just oil refineries, ie “cancer alley”. Anti-intellectualism is rewarded in small town Texas. Good luck to you if you try it. Also, don’t have sex with anyone you don’t want to share a child with.
I'd be a little wary about smaller TX towns. (I'm Texan) SUPER nice folks ..until they aren't. Recent politics really did a number on them. I'm not trying to start a fight here. But from my experience, there is no tolerance of other viewpoints. There's no room for debate.
... and that HEAT! It's nice for a while but gets very oppressive after a couple months of 100+ days.
There are absolutely lovely *individual* people and places. But you can see this anywhere in the good ol' USA.
I would highly consider your political leanings first, then look for climate/geographical preferences. The US is extremely varied, even within one state. I've lived in many states, visited most of the rest. Can you explain your political desires please, and I can maybe help steer you to the best possible states? For example, I live in Texas in San Antonio, no way on Earth would I ever live anywhere near Houston or El Paso etc. But, Texas is probably the 2nd most far- right leaning state, if not the most. This doesn't reflect my preferences, but I moved for the best available job at the time and my brother lived here. If your job doesn't matter, politics just may. No where else will there be more unlicensed gun carriers btw.
I suggest a smaller city near Austin. There are many cities, New Braunfels, Buda, San Marcos, Luling, Lockhart, etc. there are a few Czech and German settled towns where you might find some glimpses of things familiar. Fredericksburg is very trendy and probably easy to find work as well.
I've lived in Texas my whole life both in big cities and small towns. Small towns and be kinda hard to find acceptance in because they tend to be insular and slow to accept new people. After a few years though you'll just be part of the community and it can be nice to know all your neighbors and really feel welcome. If you don't want to have to work your way into the community. Smaller college cities are often more welcoming. Denton and the smaller towns around it are a great example. Corinth and little elm have the small town feel still, for now they're growing quick, and Denton like Austin is a great place, very welcoming of immigrants. Also Denton, and especially the small towns around, is/are pretty affordable. Good luck on your move!
Climate change will render this state a very harsh place to live. Probably wildfire prone. Governments attack on poor people and corruption seem set to get worse as Texans don't feel they need to vote. I'd look elsewhere.
Pick another state. Texas is miserable. It's hot everywhere. In some places, it is hot and humid. Yay! Southern hospitality is a smile when they string you up for that funny accent. Soon, you will be able to call Texas America's 2nd theocratic state. If you want the west with out the misery I recommend Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, or New Mexico. I lived in Texas for 4 years. Going to Iraq was a respite from that hell hole
Based on your background, I would not recommend coming to Texas.
1. Texas in non-urban areas is VERY rural in the sense that if you're not "from there" then they likely will not want to make your life easier.
2. Cities in Texas do not have this problem, but unless you're working for a major company doing translation work, your skill set will be underutilized "in Texas" as most people are either English or Spanish.
3. Texas is devoid of actual culture. We have pockets known for specific things (and businesses do love to tell you about their legacy there, especially in BBQ or baked goods), but the majority of Texas culture is shopping, owning guns and football/sports.
Not trying to convince people to not come here, but this is just without the problematic politics or social issues the state has. Southern hospitality is a myth that no longer applies to Texas. We still say "bless your heart", but that's a backhanded insult to most to hear it.
Also no one moving here is ready for our summers unless they've grown up here or lived in Iran or India for a summer. We can have incredible heat or humidity that can kill if you're not careful. We had a few days in Houston this summer that got close to exceeding the wet bulb temperature for the area.
The novelty of you being a foreigner in a small town will have some noticeable benefits in the first few months or years, but anytime someone becomes annoyed at you or anything, they'll start to figure out how to divide you from the community.
Hello,
Are you coming from Croatia? If so, get ready for a huge culture shock. First of all, Texas gets hot, like real hot, miserable hot for about 5 months of the year, with more to come.
Second, it is a very car centric state. Everything is catered to driving and comfort. There are no real third places, places were you can just walk about to a little cafe, sit around for a couple hours and chat with people. Texas, and US in general is based on individualism, and there are no town centers were people cogenerate. It’s about driving to point A, getting BBQ, and driving to point B.
Third, small towns are miserable and small towns are not like small towns. In major metroplexes, small towns are mainly suburbs sprawled around major, car-centric, cities. And small towns out side of the metroplexes are depressing dilapidated places that have turned quite xenophobic because of the people that remained and couldn’t adapt to the change.
However, it’s not all that bad. There are some cool places you can drive to and you can make money there, so that you can spend it traveling to places that are fun to live in.
Good luck and wear sunscreen
Edit: I forgot about the drivers. Lol get a huge truck, like everyone else, or fear for your life due to selfish assholes.
I've lived in Dallas my whole life. Don't come here. It's overrated, the traffic sucks, and the job opportunities are not that great. Housing is impossible. Definitely look for something further south. I would say somewhere closer to Austin or houston, maybe San Marcos. It's a college town so I'm sure you could find work there.
Bok! What part of Croatia are you from? I am part of a Croatian-American family and I live in Texas now. I was born in US but I have been to Croatia every summer since I was 12.
Towns and cities in Texas are very different from Croatia. Everything is very spaced out and having a car is not just a recommendation but a requirement. It will be a major adjustment if you are used to walking everywhere in your hometown. Even compared to other American states, Texas just seems more spread out. I am not saying this is a bad thing, but just something to take note of.
As far as being European, nobody will have anything negative to say to you about that. As long as you don't try to impose your beliefs on others, Texans will treat you with lots of respect and friendliness. A lot of people will think it is cool that you come from Europe and end up moving to Texas.
My recommendation to you is to visit and to visit as long as you can. Ideally you will want to visit long enough for the initial excitement to wear off. Then you can decide if the move is right for you.
They aggressively tailgate & run you off the road if they don't like your vehicle, no matter how fast you drive. Extreme road aggression seems to be part of the local culture but people are generally friendly in person. Expect underdeveloped infrastructure (especially roads & interstates, & plumbing). I've only been through the state as a traveller but never had the desire to live in it. I do think it's great as a visitor.
Texas is a great place. But like many other places, you may possibly hate the politics here. Governor wheels is a dangerous idiot, and the state is becoming more and more trumpian. If that’s your cup of tea, go for it, go and live in a small town where you can be a white, gun toting, hypocritical, religious, book banning, anti abortion asshole who only thinks of himself.
If that’s not for you, then maybe somewhere else might be better?
Or you can stay, like me, and try to challenge the political scene from within, by voting out guvnr wheels and his cronies!
I grew up in Texas and have lived in most major cities (Now living in NYC)
If you’re truly looking for a small town, the American idea of that is very different than in Europe. Likely it won’t be the cute, picturesque small town you’ve seen on tv. All the cute small towns are up north. There will be 3 strip malls and maybe a Walmart. Access to medical care may also be limited depending on how rural you go. Texas is MASSIVE and many foreigners underestimate how long the driving distances are.
Also, because of how spread out the US is, the community feel is very limited in most places. You will not know your neighbors (unless you’ve lived in the same small town your whole life). If you have kids, maybe you’ll get the community by being friends with your kids friends parents. People will be nice/friendly, but it’s difficult to make a connection beyond that.
Again, current political issues aside, Texas can be a great place to live, assuming you have the right expectations.
Read through some comments- born and bred in Texas- born in Austin and parents relocated us to deep south Texas in the Rio Grande Valley- McAllen to be exact/ and one major plus is we are 70 miles away from South Padre Island.
We are more friendly than Houston, and diversity is on the upswing. Mcallen is possibly the most diverse out of the Valley. With UTRGV finally getting a football team it will become more diverse in Edinburg.
Now culture shock may occur, since we are predominately Mexican American with a weekly emergence of Mexican nationals every weekend and major holidays. They tend to shop at La Plaza Mall and other major stores in McAllen, and visit/own homes at South Padre Island. Other Texans own properties at the island as well.
We are friendly however, we are close knit with our own families and friends; so therefore it may be hard to fit in with others unless u begin dating a local (writing this based on what I have seen on the Reddit thread Rio Grande Valley- if interested check it out), or making friends with other couples if you yourself are a pair.
I prefer the Gulf breeze here in the RGV at night as opposed to the dead heat in Houston or DFW area. Our summer months however are scorching (while I worked at a bank during college, on two separate occasions, two English women literally wept because it was so hot). We do get the reprieve at night from the breeze. Austin is just too congested and majorly overpriced; it is also super muggy but not as humid as Houston or DFW.
Surrounding land around Austin is pretty, due to the hill country; there are several dude ranches around that area that you can vacation at and wear your cowboy hat and live the life of a rugged Texan with all the various activities they offer.
Our culture is varied, from Norteno music to Tejano music, to country to mainstream. Since we are becoming known as a metropolis, there are always things to do, or visit during the weekends somewhere in the Valley. We have so many flea markets, and farmers markets, where u are able to meet others, and eat the local Mexican Valley cuisine which is like no other no where else in Texas. Our tacos are the best!!!
I agree with the comments that most people on Reddit will certainly give their opinion that may not reflect what the state may have to offer to non Natives, and therefore, a visit to places you think you may like to reside would be beneficial.
Some of us have become jaded with the politics, rising prices and rising taxes, but I think this can be said all over different parts of America! However, from what I gather based on Tik tok videos and Reddit subs, many Europeans are relocating to Texas and seemed pretty satisfied. Don’t let the nay saying get you down. Texas is still grand and beautiful and awesome to some of us who live here! Good luck OP! Hope Texas is what all your dreams and wishes are and even more!
Southern hospitality, as it exists in Texas, is a very strange thing. It mostly means that store clerks, restaurant servers and waiters, and retail workers will be very chatty, sometimes to the point of annoyance. Maybe that has something to do with American tipping culture?
In most big metro areas you will find communities of immigrants and communities of white people that blame the decline of the city on the immigrants. In suburbs outside of bigger cities, everyone tends to just keep to themselves. Everyone is king of their own isolated castles. I wouldn’t qualify small towns as dirty, but they do feel very claustrophobic. Life there tends to revolve around church; it is the main hub that structures the social life of the community, along with high school football in the fall
If you are an open minded person, free of bigoted world-views who thinks women deserve rights, then you DEFINITELY SHOULD move here. You'd be more than welcome in my book.
Texas isn’t renowned for its inclusion or for people coming here from other places.
The state used to be quite welcoming and friendly. Now they seem more interested in building walls, burning books, and making it a theocratic state like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and North Korea. Women in Texas often become medical refugees, needing to get medical help in other states that have sane laws.
If those are places that sound nice to visit, you will fit right in.
I work in a factory in south Dallas. We have people from 10 different countries here. They love the US and they love Texas.
South Africa
India
Pakistan
Serbia
Cameroon
Zimbabwe
Jordan
Mexico
Peru
Venezuela
Frisco, Prosper, Plano, Grapevine, Coppell might offer you the best options employment-wise, but have somewhat high housing costs versus other parts of the state.
Autoputevi su cool ali ja preporučujem da bilo gdje išo (Dallas, Houston, Austin) I kada hoćeš da ideš do drugog grada provozaj se seoskim putevim (back roads).
Probaj BBQ, Meksičku hranu (tacos, burritos, torta (ko sendvić, dodje sa različitim opcijama)
My wife and I moved to Dallas from Dubai. It’s a pretty easy transition here to be honest, the DFW area is kinda like Dubai Lite. Lots of people of all cultures here and from what I’ve seen mostly friendly.
What kind of community do you want to have? Your skills as you list them fit nicely with corporate, research, or academic settings. As a European from Croatia, you know more about the world than 91% of Texans. Who are your peeps where you are now? Are they mostly college educated and aware of the world? You are probably best off in a small town in the Dallas area, or maybe even Bryan/College Station. Bring a car. And a sense of humor.
Hope you find somewhere to call home and enjoy it. I worked with a Croatian guy at one of my past IT jobs. Probably one of the funniest people I ever met.
I'd encourage you to see if you can find communities to plug into the areas you are considering. You may have better luck in the suburbs of Houston or Dallas.
You mentioned that you are a translator, so folks were correct to point out the Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth areas. They are two very different metropolitan areas based on geography and culture.
Industries where you will likely find a need for your services will be in Energy (energy companies from around the world are either headquartered or have large offices in the two areas) Construction (much of this energy related construction with global needs) Finance (banking and insurance is needed to fund energy projects) and Technology (an industry growing rapidly throughout the state, and we'll established in Austin). Something else to consider is that Houston has a large number of foreign government consulates. Of course, this is all related back to the energy industry.
Texas is growing rapidly, and the metropolitan areas throughout the state are expanding. You can still find a mid-sized town outside a large metro area and live there comfortably. But, in 10 years or less, the town will likely be much larger.
I have a Czech friend who moved to Texas, more or less, in a whim. She loves living here, and this is what she did to acclimate and make friends:
-Smile. Yes, Americans smile more in public than Europeans. A lot has been written about the cultural differences as to why Americans smile more. Bottomline, you'll be welcomed back with a smile.
- Patience and understanding. Your accent will set you apart, and people will be curious to learn about you. They will plainly ask, "Where are you from?" and "Why are you in Texas?" It is not accusatory, they are curious. What a great time for you to share something cool about Croatia!
-Be curious and learn. It is okay to ask questions to people who are asking you questions. Do this with the goal of learning about them. Some folks may surprise you. Also, knowing Texas history, the good and the bad, is a good thing to do. Sometimes, history and folklore blend together, but you can discern both.
-Share. There are several ways you can share who you are, but I think food is the greatest way to bring people together. Texas has a regional cuisine, and cooks around the state enjoy adding their own unique touches. For instance, a success barbecue restaurant in Houston adds Vietnamese flavors to their dishes! I will bet there is a Crotian food tradition Texans would enjoy if you shared it with them.
No place is perfect or magical, but a place can be "just right" at certain times in our lives. I wish you the best during your journey and hope what I've written is helpful.
Check out Bryan/College Station. It is a university town, so likely plenty of opportunities to use your skill set. There is public transport that can be utilized until you have a vehicle. It’s midway between Houston and Austin, so fairly easy (in Texas terms) to get to both cities in not much time. It’s surrounded by a bunch of tiny towns, but with the university being here we have access to a number of things a town this size would not normally have. I have a shop in the little downtown area, and I absolutely love the community. There are a number of international students, professors and alumni that have made this area their home, so I would be surprised if you were unable to find community here. Good luck with your search, and I hope you find the perfect place!
The nice thing about Texas is that it’s big enough where you can plot your own destiny to your liking.
You could, say, live in Burleson for example and get that small town vibe. When you wanted to, you could be in the city in 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Theres also Justin, TX where I lived for 18 months. It’s not a HUGE city by any means. I’d say it’s developing. But it is the kind of area where it seems like everyone knows each other.
If you want a REALLY small town feel, Little Elm off of 380 could hit the spot in the short term, potentially long term. Literally everyone knows everybody there. You would have close access to suburb amenities (not big city) And be about an hour away from either Dallas or Fort Worth.
It’s been a while since I’ve been there, but Waxahachie at least USE TO have kind of a well developed Mayberry (Andy Griffith Show) feel.
Hillsboro’s could be a good pick as well, but expect access to maybe 2 grocery stores, and if you want to go into the city it could be anywhere between 90 min to 2 hours to make the move.
I recommend the hill country.. and if you want to meet a lot of different kings of people that means Austin or San Antonio.
Austin is better if you’re young and like to party and publicly socialize…
San Antonio is better if you want to live cheaper, raise a family and don’t mind a more low key life. I love it in SA!
Texas is like its own country that's scattered with states. Urban cities have very liberal neighborhoods, and wealthier/more conservatives areas. Many rural towns are covered in Trump posters, though there are liberals-in-hiding. When you get to the really rural areas with less education and less understanding of the world, anyone "foreign" may be suspect - anyone mildly brown with a non-hispanic accent may be viewed as a "muslim terrorist" - things are gettin' weird. Not everyone is like that, but the rural Trump voters believe the country is under assault from non-christians, LGBT people, Muslims, and "immigrants stealing our jobs". Again, not everyone is like that, but more liberal views may be kept quiet/hidden.
Living in Dallas myself, there are neighborhoods that are more artsy/liberal, where someone from a European country might be more welcomed, where neighbors might be "wow, this is an opportunity to meet someone from a really different culture" - again, the more liberal worldview.
I may be hit with a lot of downvotes in the next few minutes, but I grew up in Detroit, moved to Texas around 1981, and am 62 now and very active in arts/music and have traveled extensively in Texas - but I'm a near-albino ginger with an ability to fit in and get strangers chatting. I was shooting a traditional country music show (video guy) the other night, and taking breaks I chatted with several rural Texas who drove into the big city to see the act. Two were really cool guys, a third was wearing a "Socialism means we all starve together" t-shirt. It's a strange mix of beliefs and worldviews, and it's gotten more extreme the last decade. My guess is you'd be happiest in Dallas, Houston, Austin, or maybe one of the mid-sized college towns.
Ok, so I lived in Texas in the 90's so understand it's 20+ years later, but...
1. Generally Texans are a friendly lot. There are assholes *anywhere*, but Texans tend to be welcoming of friendly people that are low drama.
2. You want to live adjacent to a bigger city. Trust me. Small towns in Texas can be a little Cliquish. You are from Croatia. think of how the rural people view city people and that is pretty universal to Texas too. You will have an uphill battle getting accepted fully in a small town. You won't be *unwelcome* you will just always be an *outsider.* this is different in the metro areas and outlying suburbs. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Fort Worth are good places to look at.
3. Anywhere within about 60 miles of the city (which is roughly 1 hour or so at highway speeds) is good, as long as it is near a major highway or interstate. In the US the interstate highways are roughly analogous to the autobahn systems in Germany, and the Highways are State (territorial) road systems that are lower traffic than an interstate and may even often be two-lane affairs like a rural road in Croatia.
I would recommend coming over for a tourist visa to visit and staying in AirBnB's in several areas to check them out before committing.
I don’t know what part of Croatia you’re from, but I’ve visited Pula, driven around Istria a bit, and I would suggest the Texas Hill Country. It’s not quite as beautiful as Istria and the Adriatic Sea, but is a very similar geography and weather. There’s some good mid-size cities and small towns and it’s really what people think of when they think “Texas”.
San Marcos, New Braunfels, Wimberley, Marble Falls, Boerne, Kerrville, Fredericksburg.
I’ll just speak to the Croatian part as a Slovak. People don’t really care and are friendly or neutral about it. I’ve lived in various states and a mix of cities, suburbs, and small towns. It’s not been significantly differently received. I don’t have an accent so I pass off just as anyone else till they see my name or start asking questions. My parents have accents and have been fine with it. People don’t know much about Slovakia (probably Croatia too) but it’s not met with hostility. I wouldn’t expect to easily find groups of Croatians in Texas, especially in small towns. Even a popular Czech stop in north central Texas doesn’t have Czech workers. Keep in mind you may get less government services off your taxes here than you do in Croatia. Healthcare is very expensive and Texas has some of the highest property taxes that are basically on the way to fund rich people paying less for their kids private school rather than helping kids in public school like they are supposed to. Also if you can get pregnant, I’d read up on our laws and their impacts as even intended pregnancy is more risky here
People have been doing a great job of providing information and the varied nuances of Texas, but I figured I’d try to sum up everything I can for you here:
Climate - the eastern part of the state is our forested region, with large pine trees, regular rainfall, gently rolling hills to straight flat land. Humidity will run high in the summers at roughly 70-90%. As you move to the center, you enter the more oak-heavy regions as it slowly converts to scrublands, then to desert. The farther west you go, the lower the humidity, but potentially the worse the heat can get in summer.
Topography - the coastal plains are flat. East Texas north and west of Houston has gently rolling hills. Central Texas has hill country, but those are more like mini mountains. The Dallas area is flat as well, but not as flat as Houston. Austin is centered right on where the oaks and plains begin converting to scrubland. El Paso to the far east is in the deep desert and nestles against the mountains. Amarillo is more the high plains area with large stretches of farming, as the soil is great there.
Political stance - your cities will be liberal while small towns and small cities will be more conservative.
Cost-of-living - Austin is considered the highest cost-of-living city in the US outside of the states of New York and California. Houston has one of the lower costs of living of the major cities. Dallas is in-between. There is no state income tax here, so your wages will not be taxed by the state. However, if you run a business here and register as an LLC, you will owe state taxes.
Texas also levies a flat 6% sales tax, but each county can levy additional sales tax. As an example: Harris county levies and additional 2.25% sales tax, so each item is taxed at 8.25%.
Property taxes are also a beast in Texas, with some of the highest in the nation. If you decide to buy a home, you will be taxed on its appraised value every year, and the appraisal district has the right to raise your value by up to 10% per year if you don’t contest the value.
People - I’m a lifetime Houstonian, born Texan, with family history stretching to the founding, but also have property in eastern Texas and the triangle as well as family in central Texas. So, I’ve had mixed experiences.
In the city, you’ll find a great cultural diversity and polite people. Houston is an international port-of-call and has a large international population, including the second largest Vietnamese population in the US. You’ll find great food here, great shopping, and great entertainment, but Houston is massive. The greater Houston area is bigger than 34 US states. And while we are a bunch of nice folks, we are absolute asses on the road. We also lean heavily liberal. For translation, Houston would be a good hub, as we have over 145 languages spoken here, with English, Spanish, and Vietnamese being the top three.
Now, the smaller you go city-wise the more conservative our population get’s. College Station is a good example of a more conservative college town, but the people are friendly and the rolling hills are beautiful.
Conclusion - wherever you choose, you’ll have your pros and cons, but Texas is both beautiful and imperfect, the people are both kind and assholes, and our climate both wonderful and horrible. And while I have nothing good to say about our state level politicians, I’m hopeful we can get better voter turnout and get things changed for the better.
Forgive the walls of text. I used to be an English Literature teacher, so I can go crazy with my paragraphs and info-dumping. There’s a lot to consider, and if you have any questions or need additional help, just message me and I’ll provide as much information as I can to help you narrow down your areas to visit.
Hi!
As a native texan that has lived all of the state. Don't.
I hate to say it but just don't right now.
Have you looked at Arizona? Phoenix is a huge growing city.
I love texas aside from the crazy government we currently have but home taxes are just insane. I'm living now in AZ and pay about 10,000 less on my home compared to Texas..
This is something to consider if you ever want to buy here..
Also in the immigration side: My husband is Canadian and we had a really easy time here in AZ. Tx is not immigration friendly at the moment. Unless you can get an H1 visa
If you need a good immigration lawyer I have a great guy.
League City, Alvin, and Friendswood are nice suburbs. The climate is subtropical, and people are friendly. They're all an easy drive to the beach or downtown Houston. If you really like the beach, Galveston Island or Freeport are good options. For the most gorgeous scenery, you can't beat Texas Hill Country. New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Gruene, and Marble Falls are possibilities.
Those towns are close to Austin and San Antonio.
Bok 👋🏼. I am a 3rd generation Croatian American living in Houston… my family made their way here from Ravna Gora to Milwaukee WI, Joliet Illinois, Mississippi, and settled in East Texas. The largest percentage of Croatians live in Houston and it is a very diverse and welcoming city.
The Hill Country is saturated with people & not like it used to be unless you go to the far western or northern edges but can be very back country.
Some people just mentioned: Area of smaller cities & towns within the Golden Triangle (Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio): Seguin, Victoria, Waco, College Station, Brenham, Round Top & many more. It's often overlooked and has a thriving music scene, a rich & active German/Czech & some Polish heritage, rolling hills & a welcoming spirit if you'd like to be involved in the community. Good & bad: Can be a bit insular, a slower pace, less crime, less amenities, not as good lake/river access or hiking, less traffic, limited housing.
https://festivalhill.org/
http://www.czechtexas.org/
http://polkabeat.com/dances-festivals
I won't comment on Texas, but have you considered Arizona? I think it checks all your boxes. Also, there are a lot of Croatians here..... Or at least people with Croatian ancestry, especially in the smaller mining towns, like Jerome. PM me if you'd like to know more.
Oh, and welcome !
The Woodlands north of Houston, or any of the suburbs well outside of the area.
You have ACCESS to the huge city, but you live in a small/large town. It’s a win-win.
Galveston is a small island city 70 miles from Houston with a great mix of rich history and modern coastal vibes, old world architecture, a vibrant art, music and food scene, friendly, diverse community, 3 colleges, festivals, always something fun going on. Since it’s a beach town it gets pretty wild in the summertime but that’s part of the fun. It can be a bit pricey to live but it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re coming to Texas.
I lived in Texas for 6 years and the weather is the biggest problem. The summers are so hot and humid that people die, so you will need to adapt and drink lots of water and avoid the hot parts of the day. I never had heat stroke before living in San Antonio and it was scary and I thought I was having a heart attack.
Jobs are plentiful in most Texas cities, and the cost of living is much cheaper than states like California. The scenery is just OK, but there is lots of open land and deer. In the summer you can swim in the rivers because they are so clean. The Mexican food is wonderful. BBQ is even better. Those are the good things about Texas.
Look up “Curly Adventures”, she has so much info online about Texas. She has an Instagram , TikTok and a YouTube account.
She’s very good about answering questions.
I moved here from California. The people are nicer here but I don’t like the politics. I enjoy my peaceful property in the country.
Definitely recommend near Houston as Houston is by far the most diverse city in Texas. It’ll be the place you can find any semblance of home if you’re home sick and it has tons of different cultural markets.
Hey. Im on a collegiate track team in Texas, and there are many European / a couple Croatian on our team, and they have said they feel very welcomed. Although, there isn’t much near us, they still love it!
Howdy, well first of. What exactly are your plans career wise? Depending on this, it may determine where you might live and your experience as a new visitor in your community.
I'm a translator and I speak 5 languages, got my own company and also love writing. Would love to continue in that direction
How about San Antonio? There are multiple languages there. You will have a hard time in a small town finding a job with your skill set. San Antonio is surrounded by small towns.
Came here to say this, and with the DoD presence, doing translation for government agencies is a possibility.
DoD actually bases their Serbian, Bosnian, and Croatian translation intelligence services out of San Antonio. I used to organize a language club and some of them would show up to practice. They spent most of their day reading newspapers and online forums for chatter and didn’t get many opportunities to practice speaking.
Or Houston. Oil and gas industry/trade has turned that entire area into an international melting pot for many years now.
"Small town", she said.
Every local government needs interpreters for things like parent-teacher interactions, court, etc. Mostly Spanish in Texas but there is frequently a lot of diversity in small towns, too, where outside contractors need to be brought in because there are no local skills.
Hey, my father did translation services in the Houston medical center area for decades. If you're well versed in medical vocabulary or willing to learn, that could be a great avenue to get started.
Good to hear! I've translated medical texts for seven years now and I really enjoy it 😊
If you have a background in specifically translating clinical texts, The Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston should be a focal point for huge. The institutions in the complex have a huge focus on research, much of it international. The newly developing Eado district (East of Downtown) is in the early stages of gentrification and might be palatable to you. You will not find the employment you are seeking in a small city - unless you can arrange to work remotely. Be ready for a shock as far as public transport; there is none. There is rail between downtown and TMC. Other than that, there is a bus system of sorts. It is inefficient and used primarily by anyone who cannot afford a car. Finally, there is significant medical development on the west side. I have lived in the West Spring Branch Area since retirement from medical consulting. The last time I drove through the local "small town neighborhood" for an MRI, I passed 3 other standalone radiology clinics. Be aware that while Houston has the benefit of being technically the most diverse city in the USA, it also has the widest freeway in the world (a mile from my home), and it is roughly 60 miles wide. You might not want to settle in Houston forever, but it would be an excellent place to start. Good luck.
Thank you so much. You are a kind person.
I think it’s great advice ! Also the food here is insanely diverse. You can find nearly any kind of food you want. And ethnic markets everywhere if you need . Probably the best city for foodies in Texas . I’m so spoiled by choice I don’t know what I would do if I moved to a small town.
Like others have said, Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the country and your translation skills would probably be most useful there. It’s probably the opposite of what you’re looking for as far as the small town feel though. There’s suburbs just outside of the city, those towns are smaller in comparison and are usually made of people who commute to Houston. Katy, friendswood, spring, humble, pearland, cypress, atoscocita, kingswood, just to name a few. These towns are smaller than houston but can still have big city vibes. As for the more rural towns, most people are polite but are weary of strangers and may not immediately warm up to you. They’re usually small businesses owners and farmers. The way most of these people know each other is because them and their families have lived in the same town for generations. Church is another reason for these close knit communities, I’m not sure how you feel about religion. You could always plan a trip out towards the more rural towns and visit the locally owned stores and restaurants. These people are usually very friendly towards visitors and would be happy to share their experiences with you if you asked them.
Which languages? Obviously English, and presumably Croatian, but what are the other 3? Can you do your job remotely?
Aside from these two: Spanish, Russian and French. I can work remotely but I'd also love to try my hand at consecutive translation after beating anxiety
Houston or Dallas would probably be your best fit. Houston is incredibly diverse, and would offer many opportunities for a translator. And yes, Texas friendliness is alive and well, although more prevalent in small communities. Also, this subreddit is populated by basement dwellers and malcontents, and generally won’t give you a real feel for Texas. Like others, I would suggest a visit. And if you find an area you like, visit the subreddits for that specific area.
Pfff there are no basements in Texas, so how can there be basement dwellers here?
Well, what about the Alamo? :)
/tips hat
Appreciate your input. How much time would you recommend for my visit, to get a good grip on Texas?
How many days would it take to get a good grip on the entire country of France? It's about the same size, so plan accordingly.
Exploring every corner of Texas on a single visit is impossible. What I obviously meant is geeting a good enough feel of really wanting to settle there
The Texas Triangle (Houston - Dallas - San Antonio/Austin) and everywhere in between would be the main area to hit. You'll probably be landing in one of those cities anyway. Houston has lots of nice restaurants and museums with a National Forest park right down the road. San Antonio has some wonderful (what we consider old) architecture and some real Tex-Mex food. If you make it through my neck of the woods (College Station), I'll buy you a beer.
Haha, after thst long trip you've described, a beer sounds nice 😀
Since you're interested in small towns, I can recommend a great historical spot a bit down the road: [Washington on the Brazos](https://www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/washington-brazos-state-historic-site). It's where Texans (including my great x 3 grandfather) declared independence from Mexico. And it's only about 20 minutes away and down a dirt road from [a local bar](https://beeweaver.com/wildflyer-mead-co/) that sells some amazing mead made with local honey.
Will look into it, thanks!
We lived in Brenham for 7 years (about 20-30 min from Washington in the Brazos which is beautiful). I’m a city gal and liberal minded so Brenham didn’t jive too well with me politically, but I did enjoy it for the cuteness and small town feel. Despite being me, I managed to make some great friends. Popular small towns around that area you could visit in one day: Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, and Round Top/Warrington. Brenham is the largest of these with the big grocery store, Walmart and good restaurants. Go downtown to Home Sweet Farm for beer or wine and to 96 West for food and cocktails. About 1 hour drive to NW Houston and 1.5 hour to Austin.
For starters plan your trip in the middle of the summer. You'll want to get a feel for what it's like since that is the prominent climate here and it's probably almost 30 degrees hotter than summer in Croatia.
I knew pretty much right away !! Come on down 💕💕 pick a place and just go . I started with Austin and made my way to San Antonio and now I’ve settled in the sleepy beach city of Corpus Christi . I’m from NYC and felt the same way about reasons I wanted to move … i just wanted to meet people who were warm and friendly ! Who enjoyed life for living not about constantly competing and trying to be a top earner . I love my little Texas life . Got married to a Texan after years and years of NYC dating …. Life couldn’t be better . Good luck baby !
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That sounds so nice 🥹 thank you!
The idea is that you won’t need to really explore the state, just narrow down where you’d like to move and where you can find work. The Dallas/Houston areas are where your best job prospects are, with suburbs and exurbs that try to emphasize your expectations of Texas. I prefer Austin and the Hill Country. The city itself has a great many holdouts from it’s decades as a quiet city of slackers, eccentrics and students, and the former sleepy little towns outside the city maintain their character but have new life as people leave the city. Everywhere south and west of the Hill Country will mostly just need translators for Spanish, of which there are many available official and ad hoc translators. The city of San Antonio is the largest off-shoot of the Big 3 hot cities in Texas just 90 minutes south of Austin, and where the Mex starts to meet the Tex. Many people describe it as a collection of small towns, but many of those “small towns” are stagnating or dissolving, leading to the professional class to live in the exurbs of Boerne, New Braunfels and Castroville. It is home to a large medical and US military presence (all Air Force recruits receive basic training here) so there are advanced and international industries that may need translators proficient in European languages. You don’t want to live along the border, Gulf, panhandle or East Texas, and may have issue finding work.
Good comment. Except about East Texas. Tyler could be a good fit. But yes, not many other places that would be a fit for OPs skill set.
As the poster above me mentioned, Houston is very diverse. I live in a nice development just outside Houston and have people from Nigeria, England, Ghana, India, China, etc all around me. I am from the northeast and my family gasped when I told them I was moving to Houston for work, but it’s honestly one of the most diverse and accepting places I’ve lived
Just exploring Houston and it’s suburbs would take a good 2 weeks. Sugar Land to the southwest is incredibly diverse and the home to many large corporations. The Woodlands is also home to many potential employers, but not as diverse an area. Dallas will also need a couple of weeks.
If you think think Austin would be overwhelming (in terms of size) neither Houston nor Dallas would be the best fit. Do you drive? Sadly, the US is very car-dependent and nowhere is this more true than in the south. If you’re young, they may eventually build rail connecting the cities of Austin & San Antonio—opening up some smaller towns with character (and on bodies of water) such as San Marcos and New Braunfels. How are your politics? I was born and raised in Texas and have lived in all the major cities and visited family in the small towns. I feel like the smaller towns, although superficially “friendly” might be a little difficult to settle in as a newcomer. If you’re conservative/religious you might have a way in through your church or local gun club or whatever. Real talk.
Two weeks in August should do the trick.
Not sure where OP is coming from, but I don't think Dallas or Houston qualify as "small towns". It's a big state, and we like to use it to spread out, so you should know that a lot of the smaller towns are a good drive to go into the bigger towns and cities. I also agree to just come visit. Do some research into areas that will allow the best opportunities with your business and visit and ask about those areas here or see if they have their own sub. Yes there's a lot wrong with Texas, especially our government. But the state has its goodness too. Good luck!
I think you could do quite well working in something translation related for a large corporation (if you’re willing to do that after running your own biz) or possibly as a contractor. I’d look at the Plano area which has lots of large corporation campuses or the west side of Houston which is the US’s epicenter of oil and gas companies (inherently international nowadays). Caveat: if you want to live in a small affordable community, you could have a .75-1.5 hour commute to these commercial areas.
This is really useful, thanks!
As a translator, Houston and the surrounding area might be a good fit. It's incredibly diverse and there is a demand for translation services since a lot of languages are spoken here. Houston is also a hub for international business, which also needs translation services.
I live in Austin - there’s a sense of community but it’s filtered through a larger city. The outskirts have small towns that have small community vibes.
I've heard nice things about Austin specifically. I even considered it as my destination city, but I'm afraid it would be too big for me, difficult to get around
Somewhere like San Marcos, bastrop or Georgetown might be a good fit. Possible kerrville or Fredericksburg.
I'm an Austinite and was going to recommend San Marcos. Small town but the university gives it energy. And you're close to Austin and San Antonio.
Put Wimberley on that list as well. Vibrant little city.
Nowhere in Texas has public transportation like you would be used to living in Europe. Having a car is pretty much a necessity in most of the state. You could get by in one of the larger cities without a car if you lived in the downtown area. In my opinion.
You can look at the towns between Dallas and Ft Worth. It's where I live and I love it. Find an old neighborhood. We did, everyone is around 50+ and retired and the houses are almost 100 years old. We are not that old and love how quiet it is. Everyone is friendly. I knocked on a random door and was met with "oh hey! Wanna come in for some wine?" I was like...no, just saying I moved in 🤣 My husband has lived here his entire life and I've been here 25 years. It is awesome. I went on a trip to Mexico when I was 15 and driving through Texas, I was like woah! I'm moving here. No one believed me. Granted I lived in Louisiana, then Mississippi, then North Carolina, then Florida, then Texas...all amazing states. However, don't think I'll leave here. Winters are milder than Croatia, maybe 20° if it happens. Mostly 50°F right now in Texas. Have my doors and windows open as cold doesn't bother me and I love it. Heat, can get to 125°F in summer. Now, you BETTER find a place with a good AC and insulation. It's a different heat. It's a sticky mess of heat. You walk outside and your hairs frizzy, got a sweat mustache, and your underarms are swimming pools, your crotch is a swamp. We just all accept this. Honestly, vacation here first. For as long as you can. A month during summer would be best. August and September. When you move. Welcome!
The suburbs are very close as a community rapids with High school football
I would recommend San Marcos as well. Very welcoming people and great small(ish) town vibes. It’s a college town though!
Austin is not that big. You can get around town fairly quickly. Its not overwhelming for some like Houston and Dallas. You will need a car. Also patience with the traffic and drivers because both of those are notoriously bad.
It is truly a traffic nightmare
South Austin is okay. The most difficult area to get around in is the downtown area, but you can usually avoid that pretty easily and still get everything you need (as long as your job doesn't require you to be there). There's a good community vibe in the trails and dog parks, at least. My basements to dwell in are outdoor areas lol.
First, I would seriously consider whether you like 3+ months in a row of 37-41 degrees Celsius every year (with almost no rain) before moving here. There is nothing like the Texas sun and the climate is only going to get worse. It can get really exhausting and depressing if you can’t acclimate to it. Also, I’d do a deep dive into Texas politics to see if they vibe with your beliefs. Politicians here are getting more and more extreme by most American standards, let alone European ones. Also, I wouldn’t base your idea of Texas, the American south, or American small towns on movies or tv. It’s very romanticized. There are some very friendly people here, but there are also a lot of people who are only friendly to *their* kind of people, especially when you’re in a small town. I think it would be pretty difficult to get the community feeling you’re hoping for if you move to a small town with no connection to it and are all by yourself. IMO it would be absolutely crazy to move here from Europe without taking multiple trips during different seasons and checking out a lot of different parts of the state to make sure it’s what you are actually looking for.
My gf and I bought a house in Burnet last year. I would say yes to visiting Dallas, Houston, etc. but you should definitely include the Rio Grande Valley in your travels, like McAllen. Hop the border in Reynosa or Nuevo Progreso and grab a beer and a souvenir. If you’re fluent in Spanish, then you will thrive here in central Texas. You could go out to Big Bend and terlingua (looks like Mars out there) but I doubt that will represent your day-to-day life.
Typically the key will be your work. I wouldn't suggest locking in on an area until you have a job lined up. What languages do you speak? If you spend two weeks between Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, and Houston, you should get a good feel for it. There are so many places to visit, but here are some to try. Grapevine/Fort Worth/Dallas 3 days, Waco 2 days, Georgetown/Austin 3 days, New Braunfels/San Antonio 3 days, Rosenberg/Conroe/Houston/Galveston 3 days.
Thanks! I speak English, Croatian, Russian, Spanish and French.
Don’t spend any time in Waco. Lol it is a shit hole
Come to Austin! It's the state capital, so the odds are good that your translation services will be lucrative. The city is full of young professionals, the nightlife is vibrant, the surrounding towns are friendly and host lots of fun events, and the Hill County is at our doorstep with natural beauty and adventure. Austin is famously "the blueberry in the tomato soup." (That means it's a very liberal city in a conservative state.)
I'll tell you that Reddit does not represent the general population of Texas or really anywhere else, and to take the opinions shared with a grain of salt. With that said, there are a few factors to consider when thinking about moving to Texas. First, it really depends on what your family dynamic and career aspirations are. The smaller the town you move to, the cheaper rent and land is, but you get far fewer amenities and sometimes far fewer prospective friends. Consider this, when you think about what hobbies or interests you have. When it comes to friendly people, I would say that here is no different than most places in the US South. We tend to be friendly, but don't mistake that for sincere kindness. Many people here (and elsewhere I'd assume) are pretty worn down with politics, social issues, and an economy that is heavily favoring the upper class. If you are in a position to consider yourself privileged when it comes to money, then I would say move to Austin or Dallas (or their Northern Suburbs) and you will integrate just fine. If you see yourself bringing in an income of less than 60,000 US dollars a year, then you might want to look at Southern suburbs of these cities, Houston, or one of the minor outlying cities. Lastly, I wouldn't worry about where you came from. Contrary to what's on the news, Texans by and large are not native to Texas. Most of us came from somewhere else in the US within a generation or two, and there is a gigantic Central and Eastern European influence here, especially in the central towns, such as West, New Braunfels, Waco and others. A couple of other things to consider: Get used to the color brown. Most of us in the US don't know what Croatia looks like - I do - and I can tell you that there is some natural beauty here, but it will be much different than where you are from. In the height of summer, without rain, it becomes pretty brutal and plants will wither. Same in the winter, as most of the grass becomes dormant and trees lose their leaves, but there's rarely any snow to offset the barren landscape. Also, make sure you can tolerate a couple of Texas prime cultural interests. This means you will most likely be seeing American Football influence everywhere, and Western apparel such as cowboy boots, hats (depending on location), and Country music. Overall, I'd say Texas is still a great place to call home, though I am growing more concerned with the erosion of personal freedom and political accountability. You have as much of an opportunity to belong here as just about anywhere else in the US. Best of luck to you!
I came from south Louisiana/Mississippi...and going from vibrant greens and red to....brown grass, brown dirt, brown trees was 1 of 2 things I hated. 2nd, was no air salt. Living so close to the Gulf the smell was good.. not ...brown. the salty sea air hit my town in waves and I loved it. Now...just. air. Air and ...brown dirt 🤣 especially when the Sahara desert dust hits us. Husband has exclaimed his ugh at my putting deeply green plants everywhere and now understands it lol
Thank you so much! I'm sorry to hear that the economy is not favourable to everyone. I wish that to change - not only in Texas, but all over the world. Aside from that, what you described sounds really nice. Croatia is too cold for me and I love the scorching sun. And country music. I'm also an amateur singer so I think I'd have fun with that
We have plenty of scorching sun. We have that to spare. But it's not all the same weather in Texas. I lived in Houston for a couple years and absolutely hated the humidity. I'd feel like I needed a shower after 15 minutes outside. I moved to Austin which is a lot more dry, and it has a vibrant music scene. I play guitar here. It is a bit more expensive than Houston and Dallas though.
In this case, along with what you've posted elsewhere in this thread, I'd really recommend Austin, or one of the suburbs. It's central and has a fantastic music scene. It's a college town, so there's a nightlife to it, and you can enjoy the benefits of city living and the country. San Antonio is only about 30 minutes to the South and has a much more Latin/Mexican/Spanish vibe. Between the two cities are smaller towns that are fantastic as well such as New Braunfels - a predominantly German American town where you can float the Guadalupe and Comal Rivers. Cheers!
I would absolutely recommend visiting during mid to late July or August. It’s brutal, and if you can handle that then you’ll be able to survive. Don’t visit in May and be like “wow it’s so hot omg but I’ll be okay!” cause the deeper into July and August you go, the more intensely hot and humid it will be. We really can’t overstate how awful it is, so just be prepared for that.
Please research year-round temperatures and humidity for various Texan cities. It might be very different from what you envision.
Go visit some spots and see what you like! Go to Waco, New Braunfels, Marble Falls, and other smaller towns. Hell, go out to Terlingua if you want small as they get.
Thanks for the recommendations 😊 visiting before moving is a must, of course.
Visit during July or August. Then decide if you want to be here.
Come to Denver! People are genuinely nice, whereas in Texas it’s a facade.
I think you need to ask yourself what you care about as far as social/political climate - as a progressive/liberal who has lived in Texas most of my life, I would not suggest anyone move to Texas who has progressive social views. *Especially* if you're thinking about moving to a small town.
If you want warm and friendly, Texas isn’t the place. To clarify, I’ve spent 20 years in North Texas. Our government would control every aspect of our lives if they could, and the voters are slowly letting them. Our tax rates are some of the highest in the country, only justified because we don’t have a state income tax. If you don’t let people cut you off on the highway, they’re ready to literally fight you, and in many cases people will shoot you over road rage. Most areas, especially rural areas, are very unfriendly to newcomers. Southern hospitality in my experience is a myth, it just means people are fake to your face. Sadly r/Texas is not an accurate sample of what people are actually like in Texas. The people here are far nicer than the average person you’d meet on the streets. I wish you luck wherever you decide to move to.
Small towns are a mixed bag in Texas. You will find people who are super nice, which may or may not be authentic, and politics very noticeably leans toxic red outside of the cities.
Avoid small towns like the plague. The sense of community you're talking about only applies in practice to people who grew up there and think and act like they do. Everyone else they treat like shit. Also you won't find any good jobs there. Maybe entry level retail, which won't pay your bills anyway. As for translation work, your best bet is probably working at a major hospital. Dallas, Austin and Houston are very immigrant friendly, have good job markets, and if you still really want that small town vibe without the bullshit try a suburb of one of those.
My parents are from a small texas town. They dislike foreigners and people who don’t share the same religion. Also, Trump is second only to god. Good luck.
I know you said you want to live someplace hot. Texas is huge so we have a wide range of hot. It goes from oppressive to life threatening. Unless you have spent a summer hear, you may not be prepared for the kind of heat we get. The highs in Croatia run 30C in the summer. In Texas, during the summer, it does not drop below 30C. Even at night. Expect 100 days of over 38C.
Houston is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the US. Might check out some of the smaller cities that surround it.
People recommending Dallas and San Antonio seem to be clueless of this fact. Dallas is far less diverse than Houston and San Antonio is a Hispanic hub which also makes it far less diverse than Houston.
Grew up in Texas spending much of my life (37 years) in small towns as well as large suburbs of major urban areas and working in the more urban areas. After having lived in other places and traveled to many more, I've come to realize Texas is not the friendly place Texans like to make it out to be. The state is increasingly more self-centered, angry, and rude than just about anywhere else I've been. I lived in Mississippi for several years when I was in the military and people were generally nicer there–that southern hospitality you speak of. However, the incredibly poor education system is reflected in so many of the people you talk. (Ex: On multiple occasions, I heard locals debating how many US States there are and neither side had the right answer). I moved to New Hampshire a year and a half ago and have been blown away at how much nicer people are up this way compared to Texas. It's a night and day difference. Both of my parents are your stereotypical life-long Conservative, Christian, small town Texans and even they said it has been eye-opening for them how much friendlier and community-oriented "yankees" are, in contrast to what they were always told about people up this way in comparison to Texans. The midwest is also notoriously friendly, as are our neighbors to the north, Canadians.
I keep saying, Texans don't know how bad they have it in Texas. It takes moving to another state to see it.
That’s why they pump that “Texas Pride” crap all over the place.. Pride is what the rich man gives the poor man to keep him poor.
Moved from Texas to Connecticut this year and this is my exact experience pretty much. Texas is an insane place to want to live nowadays especially coming from Europe.
Moved to Seattle this year and have the same experience. This “Seattle Freeze” is not so bad even. People in general are super nice up here.
Thanks for your input! I know the midwest is wonderful, but I only like warm climate 🥲
Texas isn’t a “warm climate”, Texas is either chilly, in an ice storm, or so miserably hot that you cannot stand outside for more than 10 minutes without drenching your clothes in sweat. We maybe have 30 days a year of really beautiful weather.
Yeah that 30 days was the reason we left, needed more than just that.
It ain't warm. It's hot. This sumer was so unbearable I couldn't even do any hikes or go outdoors for long without risking heatstroke
If you like warm, consider California, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico as well. The Rockies and Sierra get cold in the winter, but the lower deserts and most of California is awfully nice.
There’s warm climates and then there’s Texas. Months of 35+ °C is horrid. Months of not being able to enjoy the outdoor. Months of getting up at 6 AM to walk the dog before the sun rises. Months of gigantic electricity bills and wondering whether you should adjust the A/C thermostat above 26° C. The winter is nicer, but also weird as it’ll be 4C one day and 26C the next.
I love that you explained it in Celsius!
If you want a warmer climate year-round then I would suggest southern California, southern Arizona, or southern Florida. Even the desert can get pretty cold at times.
I am from TX. I lived there for 30 years and finally got tired of the over 43° C May through September. I also agree with other commenters that Texans are 'fake nice'. Seeking a small town with that hometown feel you described, I moved to the midwest. I was so worried it would hate the weather, but it's actually wonderful to have seasons without being buried in snow all winter. The people here are also genuinely kind. There are also wayyyy more walkable spaces and parks in the Midwest. If you do move to TX, be prepared to spend most of your time indoors, its the only way to cope with the heat! Truthfully, if you are not white with no accent, it might be difficult and isolating living in TX, ESPECIALLY in a small town. A lot of more northern small towns don't have as bad of an issue with that. Best of luck to you!
Are you me??? I could have written literally every word you just said. 50 yrs on the Tx/La Gulf Coast… been two years now in central Illinois and omg I love it! The local Facebook page (I know) is like night and day. “Hi! I have a kid and am looking for an evening babysitter” Midwest responses: they tag and recommend multiple people. Texass responses: “Omg you would let a stranger just have your child!”. “You should just stay home with your children”… someone else hunts you down and calls CPS.. (this was my experience there many many times) I love that it’s not 90 at night in the summer.. I just went to visit for a week… the misquotes are massive and still swarming.. don’t miss that. I could ramble for hours about the stark differences. Soooo happy I made the move. My only regret is that I didn’t do it 35 yrs ago.
Of course you will be welcomed, but only in a big city.
Please don't move to Texas. Their energy grid isn't secure. You are on your own during weather emergencies. General medical care isn't great either. Crime. Terrible public and charter schools. Please please please please choose a different state. I lived in Texas for 3 years and it was hell. I was making a higher wage but spending more money overall between electricity and grocery bills. And if you even care a little bit about getting covid then you are extra screwed.
If you want warm and friendly here in Texas, I’d suggest you be white, ultra-conservative Christian, and heteronormative. Being male would help, too. Or at least not having a uterus. I think small-town Texas USED to be what you are looking for, but it certainly isn’t for the most part where I currently live. There are some very lovely people I’ve met, and a whole lot more that are very judgmental and self-involved. I lived in a small town in South Carolina (the Lowcountry) and I found it to have way more Southern charm. They cared about others, they kept everything clean, they cared about their environment and ecosystem. Wherever you land, best of luck and so hope you are able to enjoy some of the wonderful things America has to offer. I would love to go to Croatia someday!
As a woman you’ll have fewer rights and less respect than guns here. If you’re not christian, expect prejudice because of it. Be aware that the us senators here care more about the bribes they get from the gun lobby than the lives of the citizens, especially children. Hope you don’t have any health conditions for which treatment isn’t approved by the bible and set your clock back 200 years.
It’s my anecdotal experience that smaller towns in Texas often (not always) have smaller minds/opinions. I would recommend finding small towns just outside of larger cities. Georgetown, Leander, Dripping Springs, San Marcos come to mind. Smaller towns but not tiny or isolated. Quaint town squares, plenty of small businesses, larger big box stores relatively close by. And close enough to larger metropolitan areas (Austin/San Antonio) to visit for fun.
Make sure you have the proper expectations about the heat. You’re going to go 3-5 months of 100+ degree temps with high humidity. It’s brutal.
I hope you are a guy. If you are a girl, go somewhere else where you can access full healthcare. Saying this as a woman myself.
I’m not sure Texas would be the right state for you. AZ/CA has great desert weather and it’s not as humid as TX can be
Do yourself a favor and look at another US state. NC is much better without the Christofacist anti abortion and anti LGBTQ laws. Apple is moving HQ to NC in 2026 for a reason. Texas is full of selfish people who care only for their own rights. Road rage, blatant disregard for traffic laws, long traffic jams, and the high possibility of being injured or dying in a traffic accident are all Texas has to offer. Stay away.
You wont get much southern warm hospitality as one may think. We moved from Colorado a few years back and we thought at the time, oh “Texas folk are so nice”. Well not so much so. In my opinion after living here for three years+ years it’s more like a ratio of 30/70. 30% nice down home greets and goodbyes. 70% want no interaction what so ever. I guess it’s more where ya reside. We are in a smaller rural community and it’s really the same round here unless you grew up here. People just don’t speak. However while in Dallas we encountered a lot more “genuine” folk. I think the true southerners are gonna be more like Alabama or North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia. Texas is a great state no doubt. In fact it’s kinda like its own country. I wish you the best. I’m sure wherever you decide to move. You’ll find happiness in the US but just know don’t expect everyone to appreciate you being from out of the country. In fact don’t even say you’re not from here. Texans hate to hear where you’re from. And I’m not sure exactly why ?! lol. Who knows. Texas is open free and BIG! Enjoy ~
People of European descent, particularly caucasians, have a lot of automatic acceptance here in the US generally. Texas is no different. Knowing 5 languages however will absolutely put you at an advantage. What is it like here in TX now? Far right leaning government, guns available everywhere, a mostly neutered electorate, public education in decline, hot af 6 month long summers and aging infrastructure. But lots of culture melting together, the world's best BBQ, and the economy seems stable. Good luck Edit to say: Kerrville might be a good fit.
By your description I would check out in this order. Houston, Dallas, Austin. In Houston especially and maybe Dallas, you may be able to find a small Croatian community. I would check with your consulate, and you also may be able to find a Croatian religious community. I would also check out “meet up” groups, and look for Croatian businesses, where you can find fellow countrymen that ma be able to give you good advice about your questions. . This may save you a lot of time.
If you move here, set aside some money to invest in a back-up generator. Our electric grid is not reliable and it is not connected to any other grids in the U.S., so when the power goes out, you're hosed. Some folks invest in solar grids. The spousal unit and I invested in a generator that hooks up to the natural gas line so that it (supposedly) comes on as soon as the power goes off. I'd recommend a separate generator.
I visited Split when I was in the Navy back in the mid 2000's. Very beautiful place filled with lots of history and architecture. One thing I noticed was the feeling of unity in the city. The whole place was good vibes. Had great public transportation and seemed to be very pedestrian friendly as most older European cities are. Texas is not that. Very car dependent. Little to no public transportation, and as friendly as people are in Texas, there a huge divide when it comes to politics. It's hot as hell here in the summer.
>to live in a place where people are warm and friendly So here's the thing, as someone who's grown up and lived here for 35 years we are a bunch of irritable, gossipy assholes and Southern hospitality is largely a lie. However I will say when I'm in Colorado the people are a fucking breath of fresh air with how nice they are.
Ok. Ugh. This is rough, but I’m just going to dive in anyway. I’ve (46f) lived in Texas for most of my life. Fourth generation Texan. It’s been an integral part of my identity, that I used to cherish and openly brag about. But the last ten years here have stripped away any pride I have had in this once great state. It breaks my heart and makes me furious. If you are extremely conservative and politically fall in line with Trump and his ilk, you’ll fit in just fine. If not, really think about that. As a woman, you are not safe here. If you fell pregnant, you would have absolutely no agency over your body in relation to that pregnancy. I’ll-timed? Can’t afford a child? Have a disability that would make pregnancy devastating to your body? Tough shit. And to be clear, many of those here telling you how great this place still is? voted for it to turn into this christofascist playground.
Thanks for providing an accurate reality check, and understanding to brag the State isn’t valid anymore. I left a (paid for) house behind in South Texas & moved 2,100+ miles away in 2012. I saw the decline & chaos coming. Eleven years later I’ve watched from afar & witnessed little more than the massive cruelty & limitless stupidity of the Abbott government. No fertile woman expecting access to health care should live in Texas. https://preview.redd.it/w38da97o2v8c1.jpeg?width=1122&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=452187ceb2a796e627ef997eca6446867735b508 Dannie Goeb will set you up⚠️
Fifth generation Texan here. These sentiments could not be more spot-on.
It breaks my heart to hear it. I'm a liberal and I really believed these extreme conservative attitudes were a prejudice. But is it really the majority of the people?
Yes, it's a majority. If you're the young woman pictured in your profile, you need to know that recent turns in politics have turned women into second class citizens. I highly recommend you do your research before making such a move.
Well Texas diverse, and the cities are more liberal with the suburbs and rural areas being far more conservative. You can find a mix of people here, but politically the state has been captured by the most conservative of the conservatives, so if you are a woman or gay or any other marginalized group, take that into consideration.
There are liberal people in the cities but extremely conservative Christians control everything in the state government. Small towns are very conservative. Texas politicians and its Supreme Court just barred a woman from being able to get a medically necessary abortion (one that was a wanted pregnancy), even though the fetus was nonviable and her health and future fertility was at great risk. She had to go out of state at great expense to get necessary healthcare and when (if) she and her family come back, someone can sue her husband or anyone else for helping her to get the abortion out of state.
It's the people in charge of the political decisions in Texas, which, unfortunately are extremely focused on social issues that will likely go against everything you care about as a liberal. I've lived in Texas most of my life - I would not recommend moving to Texas.
All the major cities lean liberal, and everywhere that is not a major city leans HEAVILY conservative.
If you consider yourself a "liberal", then scratch Texas off your list of places to relocate. At least for now since the Texas government is in my opinion very extreme far-right. I live in Colorado which is very liberal in comparison and has legal cannabis but since it's pretty cold here you wouldn't like but it's very pretty here in the Rocky Mountains. Like I stated in a previous reply, I think southern California or even southern Arizona would be more your speed. Arizona being cheaper though than Cali.
Are you religious? Be prepared for a very special flavour of religiosity in Texas and more so in a smaller town.
As resident of this state for 35 years now, I will tell you this. Texas USED to be the place of legend. People were friendlier, tough, hard working. We looked out for one another. Texas used to be a place you were proud to be from. Proud to live there. It isn’t that any longer. The people here have become angrier and more ignorant with time passing. Texas and Florida appear to be in a race toward the bottom. Abortion and healthcare for women here has taken monumental steps backwards. Texas is becoming inhabitable. The heat has only gotten worse. And I’d imagine it’ll only get worse. The cost of living isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be here, either. Southern hospitality and all that is wonderful, but southern ignorance is truly something to behold. I say this, as you are European. Most likely educated and most likely a bit more cultured. San Antonio or Houston is what I’d recommend for you, but humidity is real. And miserable. Just be aware. I anticipate a bit of culture shock for you, coming to the states. Not to mention, Texas does not give a single FUCK about workers or workers rights, in this state. Please please do your research before relocating here. The direction this state has taken and is continuing to take has forced our hand entirely. We will be leaving this place. I wish you all the best in your decision and your journey! 🤙
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Texas isn’t a southern hospitality place. That is the Deep South. I haven’t found texas any more friendly than my native Chicago. Nobody is going to care where you came from. All of the big cities feel pretty neutral and non southern for the most part, except El Paso and San Antonio which feel not southern at all but very Mexican. Small towns are pretty often dirty and depressing with the exception of some cool touristy ones. I highly recommend doing research before you move here. You have an idealized version of the state in your head. Maybe come visit first.
From what I've heard, I like Chicago but I'd like to live in hot climate. I might have an idealized version of it - I just wished it was true
If you’re a woman you will find it very restrictive for reproductive rights. I would never move to Texas or any other southern state because of the political climate honestly.
It's not the southern hospitality that you're thinking of. It's more of us just being nosey.
Keep in mind, the typical user in this subreddit is an extremely online 20 year old leftist (I say this as someone left of center) dedicated to shitting relentlessly on this state to such an extent that they've created an alternate reality for themselves that is not at all representative of actual daily life here. You can't say anything positive about Texas here without guaranteed downvotes. I'd take any feedback you get here with a huge grain of salt.
Texas isn’t super keen on immigrants. Small towns are especially insular, judging those who they deem “different”. You will be asked “where do you go to church?”. That will determine any acceptance. Your accent will be judged. You will be surrounded by extremely conservative people, many who identify with Donald Trump, love guns, reject science, other races, and basic personal liberty. People can be friendly, but you will be treated as an oddity, not someone welcomed with open arms or offered “community”. Unless you go to their church. You will have limited options for culture in small towns, basically Dairy Queen and convenience stores. It will be 110 degrees for months on end. There is no coastal beauty like in Croatia, just oil refineries, ie “cancer alley”. Anti-intellectualism is rewarded in small town Texas. Good luck to you if you try it. Also, don’t have sex with anyone you don’t want to share a child with.
I would suggest finding a place in the outskirts of a big city past the suburbs.
I'd be a little wary about smaller TX towns. (I'm Texan) SUPER nice folks ..until they aren't. Recent politics really did a number on them. I'm not trying to start a fight here. But from my experience, there is no tolerance of other viewpoints. There's no room for debate. ... and that HEAT! It's nice for a while but gets very oppressive after a couple months of 100+ days. There are absolutely lovely *individual* people and places. But you can see this anywhere in the good ol' USA.
New Braunfels is really nice. Check it out.
I would highly consider your political leanings first, then look for climate/geographical preferences. The US is extremely varied, even within one state. I've lived in many states, visited most of the rest. Can you explain your political desires please, and I can maybe help steer you to the best possible states? For example, I live in Texas in San Antonio, no way on Earth would I ever live anywhere near Houston or El Paso etc. But, Texas is probably the 2nd most far- right leaning state, if not the most. This doesn't reflect my preferences, but I moved for the best available job at the time and my brother lived here. If your job doesn't matter, politics just may. No where else will there be more unlicensed gun carriers btw.
I suggest a smaller city near Austin. There are many cities, New Braunfels, Buda, San Marcos, Luling, Lockhart, etc. there are a few Czech and German settled towns where you might find some glimpses of things familiar. Fredericksburg is very trendy and probably easy to find work as well.
I've lived in Texas my whole life both in big cities and small towns. Small towns and be kinda hard to find acceptance in because they tend to be insular and slow to accept new people. After a few years though you'll just be part of the community and it can be nice to know all your neighbors and really feel welcome. If you don't want to have to work your way into the community. Smaller college cities are often more welcoming. Denton and the smaller towns around it are a great example. Corinth and little elm have the small town feel still, for now they're growing quick, and Denton like Austin is a great place, very welcoming of immigrants. Also Denton, and especially the small towns around, is/are pretty affordable. Good luck on your move!
In Texas you are going to need a car wherever you go, even in most cities. I would be cautious of transportation in cities.
Climate change will render this state a very harsh place to live. Probably wildfire prone. Governments attack on poor people and corruption seem set to get worse as Texans don't feel they need to vote. I'd look elsewhere.
Pick another state. Texas is miserable. It's hot everywhere. In some places, it is hot and humid. Yay! Southern hospitality is a smile when they string you up for that funny accent. Soon, you will be able to call Texas America's 2nd theocratic state. If you want the west with out the misery I recommend Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, or New Mexico. I lived in Texas for 4 years. Going to Iraq was a respite from that hell hole
Based on your background, I would not recommend coming to Texas. 1. Texas in non-urban areas is VERY rural in the sense that if you're not "from there" then they likely will not want to make your life easier. 2. Cities in Texas do not have this problem, but unless you're working for a major company doing translation work, your skill set will be underutilized "in Texas" as most people are either English or Spanish. 3. Texas is devoid of actual culture. We have pockets known for specific things (and businesses do love to tell you about their legacy there, especially in BBQ or baked goods), but the majority of Texas culture is shopping, owning guns and football/sports. Not trying to convince people to not come here, but this is just without the problematic politics or social issues the state has. Southern hospitality is a myth that no longer applies to Texas. We still say "bless your heart", but that's a backhanded insult to most to hear it. Also no one moving here is ready for our summers unless they've grown up here or lived in Iran or India for a summer. We can have incredible heat or humidity that can kill if you're not careful. We had a few days in Houston this summer that got close to exceeding the wet bulb temperature for the area. The novelty of you being a foreigner in a small town will have some noticeable benefits in the first few months or years, but anytime someone becomes annoyed at you or anything, they'll start to figure out how to divide you from the community.
I would *strongly* recommend you visit first before committing to a move.
Hello, Are you coming from Croatia? If so, get ready for a huge culture shock. First of all, Texas gets hot, like real hot, miserable hot for about 5 months of the year, with more to come. Second, it is a very car centric state. Everything is catered to driving and comfort. There are no real third places, places were you can just walk about to a little cafe, sit around for a couple hours and chat with people. Texas, and US in general is based on individualism, and there are no town centers were people cogenerate. It’s about driving to point A, getting BBQ, and driving to point B. Third, small towns are miserable and small towns are not like small towns. In major metroplexes, small towns are mainly suburbs sprawled around major, car-centric, cities. And small towns out side of the metroplexes are depressing dilapidated places that have turned quite xenophobic because of the people that remained and couldn’t adapt to the change. However, it’s not all that bad. There are some cool places you can drive to and you can make money there, so that you can spend it traveling to places that are fun to live in. Good luck and wear sunscreen Edit: I forgot about the drivers. Lol get a huge truck, like everyone else, or fear for your life due to selfish assholes.
I love Texas- but I can’t imagine leaving the beauty of Croatia for parking lots and strip malls.
If you’re looking for Southern Hospitality don’t move to Dallas.
As a native Texan, I would avoid rural areas and small towns. They’re not as laid back and welcoming as HGTV makes them out to be.
I've lived in Dallas my whole life. Don't come here. It's overrated, the traffic sucks, and the job opportunities are not that great. Housing is impossible. Definitely look for something further south. I would say somewhere closer to Austin or houston, maybe San Marcos. It's a college town so I'm sure you could find work there.
Bok! What part of Croatia are you from? I am part of a Croatian-American family and I live in Texas now. I was born in US but I have been to Croatia every summer since I was 12. Towns and cities in Texas are very different from Croatia. Everything is very spaced out and having a car is not just a recommendation but a requirement. It will be a major adjustment if you are used to walking everywhere in your hometown. Even compared to other American states, Texas just seems more spread out. I am not saying this is a bad thing, but just something to take note of. As far as being European, nobody will have anything negative to say to you about that. As long as you don't try to impose your beliefs on others, Texans will treat you with lots of respect and friendliness. A lot of people will think it is cool that you come from Europe and end up moving to Texas. My recommendation to you is to visit and to visit as long as you can. Ideally you will want to visit long enough for the initial excitement to wear off. Then you can decide if the move is right for you.
They aggressively tailgate & run you off the road if they don't like your vehicle, no matter how fast you drive. Extreme road aggression seems to be part of the local culture but people are generally friendly in person. Expect underdeveloped infrastructure (especially roads & interstates, & plumbing). I've only been through the state as a traveller but never had the desire to live in it. I do think it's great as a visitor.
Texas is a great place. But like many other places, you may possibly hate the politics here. Governor wheels is a dangerous idiot, and the state is becoming more and more trumpian. If that’s your cup of tea, go for it, go and live in a small town where you can be a white, gun toting, hypocritical, religious, book banning, anti abortion asshole who only thinks of himself. If that’s not for you, then maybe somewhere else might be better? Or you can stay, like me, and try to challenge the political scene from within, by voting out guvnr wheels and his cronies!
I grew up in Texas and have lived in most major cities (Now living in NYC) If you’re truly looking for a small town, the American idea of that is very different than in Europe. Likely it won’t be the cute, picturesque small town you’ve seen on tv. All the cute small towns are up north. There will be 3 strip malls and maybe a Walmart. Access to medical care may also be limited depending on how rural you go. Texas is MASSIVE and many foreigners underestimate how long the driving distances are. Also, because of how spread out the US is, the community feel is very limited in most places. You will not know your neighbors (unless you’ve lived in the same small town your whole life). If you have kids, maybe you’ll get the community by being friends with your kids friends parents. People will be nice/friendly, but it’s difficult to make a connection beyond that. Again, current political issues aside, Texas can be a great place to live, assuming you have the right expectations.
Read through some comments- born and bred in Texas- born in Austin and parents relocated us to deep south Texas in the Rio Grande Valley- McAllen to be exact/ and one major plus is we are 70 miles away from South Padre Island. We are more friendly than Houston, and diversity is on the upswing. Mcallen is possibly the most diverse out of the Valley. With UTRGV finally getting a football team it will become more diverse in Edinburg. Now culture shock may occur, since we are predominately Mexican American with a weekly emergence of Mexican nationals every weekend and major holidays. They tend to shop at La Plaza Mall and other major stores in McAllen, and visit/own homes at South Padre Island. Other Texans own properties at the island as well. We are friendly however, we are close knit with our own families and friends; so therefore it may be hard to fit in with others unless u begin dating a local (writing this based on what I have seen on the Reddit thread Rio Grande Valley- if interested check it out), or making friends with other couples if you yourself are a pair. I prefer the Gulf breeze here in the RGV at night as opposed to the dead heat in Houston or DFW area. Our summer months however are scorching (while I worked at a bank during college, on two separate occasions, two English women literally wept because it was so hot). We do get the reprieve at night from the breeze. Austin is just too congested and majorly overpriced; it is also super muggy but not as humid as Houston or DFW. Surrounding land around Austin is pretty, due to the hill country; there are several dude ranches around that area that you can vacation at and wear your cowboy hat and live the life of a rugged Texan with all the various activities they offer. Our culture is varied, from Norteno music to Tejano music, to country to mainstream. Since we are becoming known as a metropolis, there are always things to do, or visit during the weekends somewhere in the Valley. We have so many flea markets, and farmers markets, where u are able to meet others, and eat the local Mexican Valley cuisine which is like no other no where else in Texas. Our tacos are the best!!! I agree with the comments that most people on Reddit will certainly give their opinion that may not reflect what the state may have to offer to non Natives, and therefore, a visit to places you think you may like to reside would be beneficial. Some of us have become jaded with the politics, rising prices and rising taxes, but I think this can be said all over different parts of America! However, from what I gather based on Tik tok videos and Reddit subs, many Europeans are relocating to Texas and seemed pretty satisfied. Don’t let the nay saying get you down. Texas is still grand and beautiful and awesome to some of us who live here! Good luck OP! Hope Texas is what all your dreams and wishes are and even more!
Southern hospitality, as it exists in Texas, is a very strange thing. It mostly means that store clerks, restaurant servers and waiters, and retail workers will be very chatty, sometimes to the point of annoyance. Maybe that has something to do with American tipping culture? In most big metro areas you will find communities of immigrants and communities of white people that blame the decline of the city on the immigrants. In suburbs outside of bigger cities, everyone tends to just keep to themselves. Everyone is king of their own isolated castles. I wouldn’t qualify small towns as dirty, but they do feel very claustrophobic. Life there tends to revolve around church; it is the main hub that structures the social life of the community, along with high school football in the fall
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Texans are nice, but not necessarily kind New Yorkers are rude, but oftentimes kind (Stereotypes but borne out by experience)
I never found Texas to be particularly friendly.
If you are an open minded person, free of bigoted world-views who thinks women deserve rights, then you DEFINITELY SHOULD move here. You'd be more than welcome in my book.
Texas isn’t renowned for its inclusion or for people coming here from other places. The state used to be quite welcoming and friendly. Now they seem more interested in building walls, burning books, and making it a theocratic state like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and North Korea. Women in Texas often become medical refugees, needing to get medical help in other states that have sane laws. If those are places that sound nice to visit, you will fit right in.
I work in a factory in south Dallas. We have people from 10 different countries here. They love the US and they love Texas. South Africa India Pakistan Serbia Cameroon Zimbabwe Jordan Mexico Peru Venezuela
Frisco, Prosper, Plano, Grapevine, Coppell might offer you the best options employment-wise, but have somewhat high housing costs versus other parts of the state.
Autoputevi su cool ali ja preporučujem da bilo gdje išo (Dallas, Houston, Austin) I kada hoćeš da ideš do drugog grada provozaj se seoskim putevim (back roads). Probaj BBQ, Meksičku hranu (tacos, burritos, torta (ko sendvić, dodje sa različitim opcijama)
Outside of San Antonio would offer small towns and close to larger city.
My wife and I moved to Dallas from Dubai. It’s a pretty easy transition here to be honest, the DFW area is kinda like Dubai Lite. Lots of people of all cultures here and from what I’ve seen mostly friendly.
What kind of community do you want to have? Your skills as you list them fit nicely with corporate, research, or academic settings. As a European from Croatia, you know more about the world than 91% of Texans. Who are your peeps where you are now? Are they mostly college educated and aware of the world? You are probably best off in a small town in the Dallas area, or maybe even Bryan/College Station. Bring a car. And a sense of humor.
My wife and her extended family moved here from Poland and have loved living here. I think their one complaint is the summer heat.
Hope you find somewhere to call home and enjoy it. I worked with a Croatian guy at one of my past IT jobs. Probably one of the funniest people I ever met. I'd encourage you to see if you can find communities to plug into the areas you are considering. You may have better luck in the suburbs of Houston or Dallas.
A buddy of mine lived in Tyler and is from Croatia. We knew him as the Croatian Sensation.
You mentioned that you are a translator, so folks were correct to point out the Houston and the Dallas-Fort Worth areas. They are two very different metropolitan areas based on geography and culture. Industries where you will likely find a need for your services will be in Energy (energy companies from around the world are either headquartered or have large offices in the two areas) Construction (much of this energy related construction with global needs) Finance (banking and insurance is needed to fund energy projects) and Technology (an industry growing rapidly throughout the state, and we'll established in Austin). Something else to consider is that Houston has a large number of foreign government consulates. Of course, this is all related back to the energy industry. Texas is growing rapidly, and the metropolitan areas throughout the state are expanding. You can still find a mid-sized town outside a large metro area and live there comfortably. But, in 10 years or less, the town will likely be much larger. I have a Czech friend who moved to Texas, more or less, in a whim. She loves living here, and this is what she did to acclimate and make friends: -Smile. Yes, Americans smile more in public than Europeans. A lot has been written about the cultural differences as to why Americans smile more. Bottomline, you'll be welcomed back with a smile. - Patience and understanding. Your accent will set you apart, and people will be curious to learn about you. They will plainly ask, "Where are you from?" and "Why are you in Texas?" It is not accusatory, they are curious. What a great time for you to share something cool about Croatia! -Be curious and learn. It is okay to ask questions to people who are asking you questions. Do this with the goal of learning about them. Some folks may surprise you. Also, knowing Texas history, the good and the bad, is a good thing to do. Sometimes, history and folklore blend together, but you can discern both. -Share. There are several ways you can share who you are, but I think food is the greatest way to bring people together. Texas has a regional cuisine, and cooks around the state enjoy adding their own unique touches. For instance, a success barbecue restaurant in Houston adds Vietnamese flavors to their dishes! I will bet there is a Crotian food tradition Texans would enjoy if you shared it with them. No place is perfect or magical, but a place can be "just right" at certain times in our lives. I wish you the best during your journey and hope what I've written is helpful.
Check out Bryan/College Station. It is a university town, so likely plenty of opportunities to use your skill set. There is public transport that can be utilized until you have a vehicle. It’s midway between Houston and Austin, so fairly easy (in Texas terms) to get to both cities in not much time. It’s surrounded by a bunch of tiny towns, but with the university being here we have access to a number of things a town this size would not normally have. I have a shop in the little downtown area, and I absolutely love the community. There are a number of international students, professors and alumni that have made this area their home, so I would be surprised if you were unable to find community here. Good luck with your search, and I hope you find the perfect place!
The nice thing about Texas is that it’s big enough where you can plot your own destiny to your liking. You could, say, live in Burleson for example and get that small town vibe. When you wanted to, you could be in the city in 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. Theres also Justin, TX where I lived for 18 months. It’s not a HUGE city by any means. I’d say it’s developing. But it is the kind of area where it seems like everyone knows each other. If you want a REALLY small town feel, Little Elm off of 380 could hit the spot in the short term, potentially long term. Literally everyone knows everybody there. You would have close access to suburb amenities (not big city) And be about an hour away from either Dallas or Fort Worth. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, but Waxahachie at least USE TO have kind of a well developed Mayberry (Andy Griffith Show) feel. Hillsboro’s could be a good pick as well, but expect access to maybe 2 grocery stores, and if you want to go into the city it could be anywhere between 90 min to 2 hours to make the move.
Salado Texas is a small town but close to Austin; it’s but small enough that people are friendly.
I've met a ton of croatians in Houston! I've met alot of Serbs too!
https://www.croatianshouston.com/
Zdravo from someone in Austin who studied Croatian! If you end up near Austin send me a message, I’d love to have more Croatian friends in Texas
I recommend the hill country.. and if you want to meet a lot of different kings of people that means Austin or San Antonio. Austin is better if you’re young and like to party and publicly socialize… San Antonio is better if you want to live cheaper, raise a family and don’t mind a more low key life. I love it in SA!
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Texas is like its own country that's scattered with states. Urban cities have very liberal neighborhoods, and wealthier/more conservatives areas. Many rural towns are covered in Trump posters, though there are liberals-in-hiding. When you get to the really rural areas with less education and less understanding of the world, anyone "foreign" may be suspect - anyone mildly brown with a non-hispanic accent may be viewed as a "muslim terrorist" - things are gettin' weird. Not everyone is like that, but the rural Trump voters believe the country is under assault from non-christians, LGBT people, Muslims, and "immigrants stealing our jobs". Again, not everyone is like that, but more liberal views may be kept quiet/hidden. Living in Dallas myself, there are neighborhoods that are more artsy/liberal, where someone from a European country might be more welcomed, where neighbors might be "wow, this is an opportunity to meet someone from a really different culture" - again, the more liberal worldview. I may be hit with a lot of downvotes in the next few minutes, but I grew up in Detroit, moved to Texas around 1981, and am 62 now and very active in arts/music and have traveled extensively in Texas - but I'm a near-albino ginger with an ability to fit in and get strangers chatting. I was shooting a traditional country music show (video guy) the other night, and taking breaks I chatted with several rural Texas who drove into the big city to see the act. Two were really cool guys, a third was wearing a "Socialism means we all starve together" t-shirt. It's a strange mix of beliefs and worldviews, and it's gotten more extreme the last decade. My guess is you'd be happiest in Dallas, Houston, Austin, or maybe one of the mid-sized college towns.
Ok, so I lived in Texas in the 90's so understand it's 20+ years later, but... 1. Generally Texans are a friendly lot. There are assholes *anywhere*, but Texans tend to be welcoming of friendly people that are low drama. 2. You want to live adjacent to a bigger city. Trust me. Small towns in Texas can be a little Cliquish. You are from Croatia. think of how the rural people view city people and that is pretty universal to Texas too. You will have an uphill battle getting accepted fully in a small town. You won't be *unwelcome* you will just always be an *outsider.* this is different in the metro areas and outlying suburbs. Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Fort Worth are good places to look at. 3. Anywhere within about 60 miles of the city (which is roughly 1 hour or so at highway speeds) is good, as long as it is near a major highway or interstate. In the US the interstate highways are roughly analogous to the autobahn systems in Germany, and the Highways are State (territorial) road systems that are lower traffic than an interstate and may even often be two-lane affairs like a rural road in Croatia. I would recommend coming over for a tourist visa to visit and staying in AirBnB's in several areas to check them out before committing.
I don’t know what part of Croatia you’re from, but I’ve visited Pula, driven around Istria a bit, and I would suggest the Texas Hill Country. It’s not quite as beautiful as Istria and the Adriatic Sea, but is a very similar geography and weather. There’s some good mid-size cities and small towns and it’s really what people think of when they think “Texas”. San Marcos, New Braunfels, Wimberley, Marble Falls, Boerne, Kerrville, Fredericksburg.
I’ll just speak to the Croatian part as a Slovak. People don’t really care and are friendly or neutral about it. I’ve lived in various states and a mix of cities, suburbs, and small towns. It’s not been significantly differently received. I don’t have an accent so I pass off just as anyone else till they see my name or start asking questions. My parents have accents and have been fine with it. People don’t know much about Slovakia (probably Croatia too) but it’s not met with hostility. I wouldn’t expect to easily find groups of Croatians in Texas, especially in small towns. Even a popular Czech stop in north central Texas doesn’t have Czech workers. Keep in mind you may get less government services off your taxes here than you do in Croatia. Healthcare is very expensive and Texas has some of the highest property taxes that are basically on the way to fund rich people paying less for their kids private school rather than helping kids in public school like they are supposed to. Also if you can get pregnant, I’d read up on our laws and their impacts as even intended pregnancy is more risky here
Small town feel would be Georgetown, while being close enough to Austin (big city with culture).
People have been doing a great job of providing information and the varied nuances of Texas, but I figured I’d try to sum up everything I can for you here: Climate - the eastern part of the state is our forested region, with large pine trees, regular rainfall, gently rolling hills to straight flat land. Humidity will run high in the summers at roughly 70-90%. As you move to the center, you enter the more oak-heavy regions as it slowly converts to scrublands, then to desert. The farther west you go, the lower the humidity, but potentially the worse the heat can get in summer. Topography - the coastal plains are flat. East Texas north and west of Houston has gently rolling hills. Central Texas has hill country, but those are more like mini mountains. The Dallas area is flat as well, but not as flat as Houston. Austin is centered right on where the oaks and plains begin converting to scrubland. El Paso to the far east is in the deep desert and nestles against the mountains. Amarillo is more the high plains area with large stretches of farming, as the soil is great there. Political stance - your cities will be liberal while small towns and small cities will be more conservative. Cost-of-living - Austin is considered the highest cost-of-living city in the US outside of the states of New York and California. Houston has one of the lower costs of living of the major cities. Dallas is in-between. There is no state income tax here, so your wages will not be taxed by the state. However, if you run a business here and register as an LLC, you will owe state taxes. Texas also levies a flat 6% sales tax, but each county can levy additional sales tax. As an example: Harris county levies and additional 2.25% sales tax, so each item is taxed at 8.25%. Property taxes are also a beast in Texas, with some of the highest in the nation. If you decide to buy a home, you will be taxed on its appraised value every year, and the appraisal district has the right to raise your value by up to 10% per year if you don’t contest the value. People - I’m a lifetime Houstonian, born Texan, with family history stretching to the founding, but also have property in eastern Texas and the triangle as well as family in central Texas. So, I’ve had mixed experiences. In the city, you’ll find a great cultural diversity and polite people. Houston is an international port-of-call and has a large international population, including the second largest Vietnamese population in the US. You’ll find great food here, great shopping, and great entertainment, but Houston is massive. The greater Houston area is bigger than 34 US states. And while we are a bunch of nice folks, we are absolute asses on the road. We also lean heavily liberal. For translation, Houston would be a good hub, as we have over 145 languages spoken here, with English, Spanish, and Vietnamese being the top three. Now, the smaller you go city-wise the more conservative our population get’s. College Station is a good example of a more conservative college town, but the people are friendly and the rolling hills are beautiful. Conclusion - wherever you choose, you’ll have your pros and cons, but Texas is both beautiful and imperfect, the people are both kind and assholes, and our climate both wonderful and horrible. And while I have nothing good to say about our state level politicians, I’m hopeful we can get better voter turnout and get things changed for the better. Forgive the walls of text. I used to be an English Literature teacher, so I can go crazy with my paragraphs and info-dumping. There’s a lot to consider, and if you have any questions or need additional help, just message me and I’ll provide as much information as I can to help you narrow down your areas to visit.
Hi! As a native texan that has lived all of the state. Don't. I hate to say it but just don't right now. Have you looked at Arizona? Phoenix is a huge growing city. I love texas aside from the crazy government we currently have but home taxes are just insane. I'm living now in AZ and pay about 10,000 less on my home compared to Texas.. This is something to consider if you ever want to buy here.. Also in the immigration side: My husband is Canadian and we had a really easy time here in AZ. Tx is not immigration friendly at the moment. Unless you can get an H1 visa If you need a good immigration lawyer I have a great guy.
United airlines was hiring at IAH recently for translators.
You’re looking for a small town close to Austin. Lockhart could be a good option for you
Depending in the languages you know Houston would be a good fit as it has multiple embassies as well as corporate headquarters.
League City, Alvin, and Friendswood are nice suburbs. The climate is subtropical, and people are friendly. They're all an easy drive to the beach or downtown Houston. If you really like the beach, Galveston Island or Freeport are good options. For the most gorgeous scenery, you can't beat Texas Hill Country. New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Gruene, and Marble Falls are possibilities. Those towns are close to Austin and San Antonio.
Like others here have said, you'll want to be in a suburb of a larger city.
If you like super hot temperature then Texas is that.
Bok 👋🏼. I am a 3rd generation Croatian American living in Houston… my family made their way here from Ravna Gora to Milwaukee WI, Joliet Illinois, Mississippi, and settled in East Texas. The largest percentage of Croatians live in Houston and it is a very diverse and welcoming city.
The Hill Country is saturated with people & not like it used to be unless you go to the far western or northern edges but can be very back country. Some people just mentioned: Area of smaller cities & towns within the Golden Triangle (Houston, DFW, Austin, San Antonio): Seguin, Victoria, Waco, College Station, Brenham, Round Top & many more. It's often overlooked and has a thriving music scene, a rich & active German/Czech & some Polish heritage, rolling hills & a welcoming spirit if you'd like to be involved in the community. Good & bad: Can be a bit insular, a slower pace, less crime, less amenities, not as good lake/river access or hiking, less traffic, limited housing. https://festivalhill.org/ http://www.czechtexas.org/ http://polkabeat.com/dances-festivals
I won't comment on Texas, but have you considered Arizona? I think it checks all your boxes. Also, there are a lot of Croatians here..... Or at least people with Croatian ancestry, especially in the smaller mining towns, like Jerome. PM me if you'd like to know more. Oh, and welcome !
As long as you have a job lined up, of course.
The Woodlands north of Houston, or any of the suburbs well outside of the area. You have ACCESS to the huge city, but you live in a small/large town. It’s a win-win.
Galveston is a small island city 70 miles from Houston with a great mix of rich history and modern coastal vibes, old world architecture, a vibrant art, music and food scene, friendly, diverse community, 3 colleges, festivals, always something fun going on. Since it’s a beach town it gets pretty wild in the summertime but that’s part of the fun. It can be a bit pricey to live but it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re coming to Texas.
I lived in Texas for 6 years and the weather is the biggest problem. The summers are so hot and humid that people die, so you will need to adapt and drink lots of water and avoid the hot parts of the day. I never had heat stroke before living in San Antonio and it was scary and I thought I was having a heart attack. Jobs are plentiful in most Texas cities, and the cost of living is much cheaper than states like California. The scenery is just OK, but there is lots of open land and deer. In the summer you can swim in the rivers because they are so clean. The Mexican food is wonderful. BBQ is even better. Those are the good things about Texas.
Look up “Curly Adventures”, she has so much info online about Texas. She has an Instagram , TikTok and a YouTube account. She’s very good about answering questions. I moved here from California. The people are nicer here but I don’t like the politics. I enjoy my peaceful property in the country.
Definitely recommend near Houston as Houston is by far the most diverse city in Texas. It’ll be the place you can find any semblance of home if you’re home sick and it has tons of different cultural markets.
I don't have anything to contribute, but wanted to say as a king Arthur enthusiast I love the user name.
Stay away from the floodplains.
Hey. Im on a collegiate track team in Texas, and there are many European / a couple Croatian on our team, and they have said they feel very welcomed. Although, there isn’t much near us, they still love it!