June 20, 2011

Texas

Texas is proud to be the largest state in the continental United States.  It boasts wide open spaces and legendary big skies with sweeping vistas.  It has big football stadiums and big trucks.  However, while this may be the most common perception of Texas, it really isn’t an accurate portrayal of the many distinctly different regions throughout this immense state.

The Texas Hill Country is a region that is covered with trees, hills, streams, lakes and rivers….it is nothing like what many people think of when they picture Texas.  The Hill Country terrain makes for a day-trippers paradise.  Countless scenic tours pass through beautiful landscapes and quaint old Texas towns, each with  some of the best barbeque you will ever taste.

The region is home to the State Capitol in Austin and the Alamo in San Antonio.  These two unique cities form two bookends for a unique, diverse, and rapidly growing corridor.  Austin features industries such as high tech, government, and higher education, while San Antonio focuses on tourism, military, and medical industries.  Austin’s young and educated population favor the hip slogan “Keep Austin Weird”, while San Antonio is an international city with world class hotels and Texas’ top tourist attractions.  

Midway between these two unique cities lie two historic Texas towns:  New Braunfels and San Marcos.    Each is the respective county seat and each has a population of over 50,000 and growing quickly.   Both communities also have reputations much bigger than the typical city of their size.

San Marcos  boasts international notoriety due to its massive outlet malls that were ranked by ABC’s “The View” as the “Third Best Place in the World to Shop”.  The two malls form Texas’ #3 tourist attraction generating over ten million visits and a half billion dollars in sales annually.  San Marcos also is home to Texas State University and over 26,000 students.

New Braunfels is a tourism mecca in its own right.  It features the world’s top rated waterpark according to the Travel Channel, as well as two wildly popular rivers and water recreation activities.

However, what sets  these communities apart isn’t just their famous tourist attractions.  These cities are both rooted in Texas history and culture dating back hundreds of years.    The area has remained a crossroads for generations of travelers whether on the Camino Real in the 1600’s or traveling along IH-35 today.

The heartbeat of the region is located right in the heart of the corridor geographically.  Gruene, Texas, featuring Texas’ oldest dancehall. You couldn’t find a more Texan town than Gruene.   Gruene’s slogan is “Gently Resisting Change”.  That’s a honorable goal, but a tall order for a town that attracts countless tourists from throughout Texas and beyond all wanting just a taste of its unique charm to bring back home with them.  This town is as special as they come in Texas and is a must see for any visitor to the region.

The Texas Hill Country has many more communities to cherish.  From recreational activities in Canyon Lake, shopping in Wimberley, to  industry in Seguin, this region has it all…..The only thing missing is YOU!

If you would like further information about relocating to Texas or investing in this growing and diverse economy, Red Mansions Realty is here for you. Please contact Ted Omohundro at (830) 708-7710.

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