We have lived all around (California, Missouri, New Mexico, Nebraska, DFW, etc), and West Texas is by far the best place we have lived. It is NOT the prettiest place we have lived in, but the people here in the Lubbock area are amazing. The little school I teach at is wonderul. Growing as a result, but it’s still a great place to raise kids.
We have our fair share of problems—nothing is perfect, but this is a place where being conservative is the norm. When I first starting working here after being away for many years, a co-worker was telling me about somebody I didn’t know. She said, “Well, she’s liberal. But other than that, she is really great.” After living is St. Louis, this made my day.
We have a 30-40 percent Hispanic population, but largely not the new immigrant/migrant type. Most have been here for generations and are just as conservative and country as the their neighbors. Most of my Hispanic students don’t even speak any Spanish. I grew up in Texas, so having Hispanic neighbors, friends, and co-workers is normal and fine to me but I feel the need to explain because I know some people feel differently than I do.
I am sure there are plenty of great places to move, but I do get pretty excited talking about our area because we love it so darn much. Like I said, not California gorgeous, but the people are a treasure!