60-day returns • free shipping on USA orders $129+
Texas Homeschool
- This topic has 20 replies, 16 voices, and was last updated 6 years, 10 months ago by
.
- Posts
I am moving to Texas and would like to know where would be the best place to homeschool? I am considering Austin, Houston and Dallas. I am looking for a conservative community, Christian believers, homeschool families, homeschool support group and it woulld be perfect if I found a CM coop. Of these three areas, which do you recommend?
You’d find most if not all your requirements in/around Victoria, but it’s no where near the size of those three cities.
Blessings on your move,
Becca<><
DeWitt County TX homeschooler
Well, I don’t know where you’re moving from, but really none of those cities could be considered conservative or Christian. They would, however, be homeschooler-friendly because there are numerous resources and community venues such as museums, parks, homeschool co-ops and support groups, excellent libraries, and more. Of course, in communities such as those, there are going to be literally HUNDREDS of churches, so church “shopping” could become very tiring.
We used to live in Dallas, and although it was nice to have access to the museums, aquariums, botanical gardens, Fair Park, etc., Dallas is anything but conservative and Christian. The atmosphere of the city and surrounding areas is very cosmopolitan and materialistic. There is much emphasis placed on brands, shopping, and huge homes. Of course, you will be able to find a small community where I’m sure you’ll fit in and find Christian fellowship; but it may be difficult. And, if traffic isn’t your thing, I wouldn’t suggest either Dallas or Houston as being a good fit for you. We lived in Dallas and hated it. My homeschooling sister-in-law and her family live in Dallas and love it.
I, personally, would recommend West Texas (Amarillo/Lubbock/anywhere in between or around). I’m pretty partial though, as this is where we live and where dh and I both grew up. Things are a lot slower up here, most towns are small, farming communities, and you never have to worry about traffic. Although they exist, things like liberalism and open homosexuality are much more rare here than in the more metropolitan areas. As a bonus, real estate here is much less expensive than Austin, Houston, or Dallas!
From a life-long Texan,
Lindsey
I hear what the others are saying. But we do live in the Austin area, a smaller town just north of Austin, actually, and really love our community. There is a huge homeschooling community here that is quite diverse. Diverse in that it is not all Christian, and also diverse in racial makeup. CHEACT is based in Austin (Christian Home Education Association of Central Texas) as well as many homeschool groups – both Christian and secular. There is a Christian Minority Homeschool group if that is important to you, as well as a Charlotte Mason group. The Charlotte Mason group, though, is a moms’ group that meets once a month, and not a co-op. While we do have access to the museums and such in Austin, I find I don’t go there very often. We do intend to hit the Texas museum this year, though, as well as the Alamo in San Antonio, while we study some Texas history. 🙂 We manage to keep our life at our own pace and very much enjoy the homeschool community here. Just thought I’d give a slightly different perspective. 🙂 I’d be happy to try to answer any specific questions about our community here.
Melissa
@Melissa, I hope I didn’t come across as anti-Austin! Of the three cities mentioned, Austin would be the one I would choose if I had to pick one. Some good friends of ours just moved to Lampasas. I probably should have stated that I find Austin has more of a small-town feel to it than the bigger metroplexes, and I prefer visiting there much more than Houston or Dallas. Austin also doesn’t have the traffic problems of the other two…unless something has changed since I was last there. Sorry if I came across as criticizing your area! It was not meant that way! I’m just a small-town, country girl. Big cities are NOT for me!
Hugs,
Lindsey
Oh, no, LindseyD. No offense taken. I came back to add that I grew up in Houston, and that probably colors my perspective. While my husband was in the military we always said we’d go back to TX – anywhere but Houston. Nothing against Houston, we just didn’t want to go back there. Traffic is a bear, for one thing. But you should hear folks talk about traffic in Austin. Ha! We’d always hoped for this part of Texas. But mostly its about being where God has called you to be. 🙂
We live north of Dallas in a town called Allen. There are many major cities in this area; Pano, McKinney, Frisco, etc. We have many options for homeschoolers and there are a handful CM groups. My family is pretty far on the conservative side, so I’m not sure that I see any area of the US as conservative; however, we have a string church family and find many of Christian opens for homeschooling. My husband is not fond of Houston at all, as he lived there for part of his childhood (but that’s just me person). We have family around Austin, but they aren’t practicing Christians, so they wouldn’t be any help. I’m sorry I can’t be of any more help.
We lived in West Texas for 3 years, but in a pretty small out of the way town – I don’t recommend it (we called it the Armpit of Texas)! Perhaps one of the bigger cities would have worked better but the military puts us where it wants to. One thing to consider about Houston (and Dallas as well) is that it’s super humid up there. Gross humid. Austin is not as much. Some people might not care about that but I sure did.
(that’s my sweaty face) I do agree that the traffic is awful in Houston (and San Antonio), and I’m guessing Dallas as well. But each of the bigger cities has smaller cities outside of it which would be really nice. You can live in a smaller town but go into the Big City when you need something special or to hit the opera or NASA or what have you. I live, literally, in the middle of DFW. Although I don’t consider myself a “city” girl, I’m content. Through the years, we’ve found all the things you mentioned in this area. PM me if you decide to move here. I might be able to pass on some helpful info. Have fun in this new chapter of life!
How about Fredericksburg? They have the Ambleside School there where you can take classes and get great Charlotte Mason support! Not to mention the beautiful hill country, lots of arts activities and antiques, etc…Close to Austin but definitely not the city. I think most Texans would choose the Hill Country to live in if they could. Hope you enjoy Texas – it is one of the best places in the nation to homeschool!
You may want to look into Abilene. We just moved from there. While I did not get involved in the homeschooling community there (we were only there for just under two years), I can tell you the people are extremely friendly, there are TONS of churches, and there are a whole lot of homeschoolers! We just moved back to Alaska (“just” as in we just got here yesterday!), and while we are not huge fans of the heat, the terrain or the bugs in that part of Texas, I very much miss my friends and the overall atmosphere!
WOW! Keep the discussion going, I’m finding this all super helpful!!!!
Corie, why are you moving to Alaska??? It snowed, literally, this morning, 9/29. Earliest I can ever remeber!!!!
We are are not sure at all which place in Texas to go to. Our good friends moved to Austin last month.
We want a place that we can go to the movie theater and McDonalds and see other families. We don’t want to have to expose our children to alternative lifestyles, while at the grocery store.
I am not sure if we can get around Austin without seeing bright and bold lifestyles? Would Steiner Ranch be a good place?
As far as Houston goes, we are thinking about Katy or The Woodlands?
I realize this is an older post, but I just thought I’d share that I’ve lived in Texas all my life as well, and while the inner city of Austin is definitely anything but conservative Christian – it is an island in an ocean of conservatism and Christianity. The Hill Country is beautiful and there are many homeschoolers and resources available, and all the museums have homeschool days when you receive discounted or free pricing.
I live in the Georgetown/Round Rock area and our church Celebration has made homeschooling wonderful because there is a close knit community, so the kids have a variety of friendships with kids who both homeschool, attend public schools, or private. Also, because of the job options and the better living here people are moving here from all over, so while traffic is terrible, we are bursting with cultures from all over the world – giving us opportunities to interact with many different types of people and learn from them – which I love!
Fredericksburg is also beautiful and has a blossoming homeschool community, but Ambleside has closed in the last year unfortunately. Fredericksburg is also more populated with older folks. I personally recommend the areas just North of Austin – Cedar Park, Round Rock, Georgetown, Leander, Liberty Hill or Burnet or Marble Falls are beautiful and a lot of country but not too far from options.
I agree with Lindsey that there is a ton of materialism in Dallas, but I would say that most people are still very conservative in their value system. They are mostly church-goers and at least professing Christians. The problem is that the Dallas lifestyle just doesn’t support a lot of family time or time for service, really. It is go, go, go and you have to actively resist the pressure to keep up with the Joneses constantly. At least, that was our experience. We moved to Oklahoma – where there are a lot of the benefits of Texas without all the pressure! But if you want to be in Texas, I would look at the Hill Country – it has a strong Christian/Homeschooling community, tons of history, scenery is beautiful and smaller towns. You could live within an hour of Austin or San Antonio but still get the feel of small town, conservative values. Just my two cents! Hope you find what you are looking for!
(that’s my sweaty face) I do agree that the traffic is awful in Houston (and San Antonio), and I’m guessing Dallas as well. But each of the bigger cities has smaller cities outside of it which would be really nice. You can live in a smaller town but go into the Big City when you need something special or to hit the opera or NASA or what have you. 
- The topic ‘Texas Homeschool’ is closed to new replies.