Potentially moving to College Station

[techguy85]

Just wanted to stop in and say hello as there is a possibility that I will be moving to Texas to take a job at TAMU in the next month or two.
I've already reached out to a Texas native that used to live in my home state of Ohio but thought I would ask a few questions of the group.
First a little bit about me. I'm ~30-ish and have been carrying a handgun since I was old enough to get a CHL. I have had to draw my gun a few times but thank God have never had to shoot anyone. I am a firm believer in the RKBA but didn't come by that viewpoint in a good way.
I am legally blind which makes me a somewhat non-standard gun guy but I became a gun guy only after having been targeted for violent crimes a few times. I came to gun ownership via a local police officer that told me after the second time he had responded to something happening to me that I should get a concealed carry license and start carrying a gun.
Onto my questions:
What is the local situation in College Station like-- is it a good place to live, are there really bad areas to avoid, what are local attitudes about gun ownership? What is law enforcement like out that way?
Also interested in general cost of living information. Any tips about TAMU would be appreciated as well.
I'm active in my state's fight to restore self-defense and RKBA and if I do end up in TX will plan to be active there as well.

[minytrker]

I lived in College Station from around 08-14 before selling my house there and moving to my other place an hour away in the country permanently. Not being a college student (in late 30's) and being married living in a college town isnt that great IMO unless your just a diehard aggie and like maroon, lol. I really liked CS during the summer BUT didnt like it during the school year at all. WIth 50,000+ college kids and apartments crammed in everywhere traffic gets worse and worse each year. The first few weeks of the fall semester dont plan on going anywhere because everywhere is nothing but groups of college kids. You will find tons of subdivisions of rental houses full of college kids (not ideal for family) and streets lined with cars. The pay isnt great and the cost of living is going up, the real estate market is crazy there. I sold my house in 2 days (cash) and several friends sold their houses in 1-2 days for over asking price because of multiple buyers competing.
The cops are bad for typical college kid items like: dark tint, tinted tail lights, loud exhaust, loud stereo, speeding.etc. If you're older like me and dont drive like a 20 year you will probably never get pulled over.
Most of College Station is pretty nice, there a few bad areas in older part of Bryan. There are tons of "college student" apartments, duplexes, and subdivisions to avoid IMO unless your into that scene.
All that being said and sounding negative it's not a bad place just not somewhere I want to raise my kids. We still go to CS almost every week for something and for Dr's etc since is still is the closest big city for us.
If you have questions feel free to post them or PM me.

[The Annoyed Man]

I don't want to sound insensitive to your eyesight issues, but are you able to see well enough to pass the range qualification for your Texas LTC? If not, you might want to consider converting the Ohio license you already have into a non-resident license, which will be valid for most things here (the notable exception being the federal gun free safety zone act). Just a thought....

[techguy85]

I don't want to sound insensitive to your eyesight issues, but are you able to see well enough to pass the range qualification for your Texas LTC? If not, you might want to consider converting the Ohio license you already have into a non-resident license, which will be valid for most things here (the notable exception being the federal gun free safety zone act). Just a thought....

The only issue I think I might have is with the furthest distance. I shouldn't have any issues making good hits in the first 3 and 7 yard segments. In fact, I should be able to hit all of the requirements in those first two. From a practical standpoint I guess the only way to know is to come down and take a class. I have 2 other licenses that would be valid in Texas for the time being so I would have some time to deal with that eventuality.

[techguy85]

I appreciate the other replies as well-- I currently work for another large University but don't live super close to campus so don't have to deal with much of the kinds of stuff that come with student housing being around and such. Does College Station not have areas that are away from the party scene? I'll need to remain relatively close by since I don't drive so will need to rely on public transit. (either that or my wife will have to do a lot of driving around which I'm sure she'll be thrilled with).

[The Annoyed Man]

I appreciate the other replies as well-- I currently work for another large University but don't live super close to campus so don't have to deal with much of the kinds of stuff that come with student housing being around and such. Does College Station not have areas that are away from the party scene? I'll need to remain relatively close by since I don't drive so will need to rely on public transit. (either that or my wife will have to do a lot of driving around which I'm sure she'll be thrilled with).

The town of Bryan shares a common city limit with College Station. I haven't been back since I went to school there in the 1970s, but back then I recall Bryan being the larger of the two towns. That no longer appears to be the case, if Google maps is to be believed.

[J.R.@A&M]

I lived there 22 years, off and on, and I still work there (I now commute). Pretty much agree with the previous observations. I consider it a nice community to raise a family in provided you live far enough from the campus (in College Station, that means SOUTH) and can avoid the speeding, texting college students on the roads.

The University as a work environment has the normal advantages and disadvantages, the latter being chiefly that it is a big bureacracy.

[SewTexas]

You'll probably want to find a carpool situation. Which probably won't be too difficult.
Texas isn't exactly known for being mass transit friendly. We tend to vote "no" on anything that says "we're going to take your money".

[techguy85]

You'll probably want to find a carpool situation. Which probably won't be too difficult.
Texas isn't exactly known for being mass transit friendly. We tend to vote "no" on anything that says "we're going to take your money".

I vote that way here too but it just doesn't ever seem to go my way :-) I figured I could just find someone that lives close by and offer some money in exchange for rides if worse came to worse.

[warnmar10]

... I'm ~30-ish and have been carrying a handgun since I was old enough to get a CHL. I have had to draw my gun a few times but thank God have never had to shoot anyone. ...

How would you define "a few times"?

[techguy85]

... I'm ~30-ish and have been carrying a handgun since I was old enough to get a CHL. I have had to draw my gun a few times but thank God have never had to shoot anyone. ...

How would you define "a few times"?

Once in response to 2 fake "gas workers" who proceeded to try a home invasion when I opened the door (yes, I know, I should have called the gas company first).
Once when a crackhead came in my kitchen when someone that lived with me left the door unlocked to go get the mail.
And once when an anti-gunner tried to take my (concealed) handgun from me when I accidentally brushed past too close in a grocery store and he felt it under my sweater.

[Jusme]

... I'm ~30-ish and have been carrying a handgun since I was old enough to get a CHL. I have had to draw my gun a few times but thank God have never had to shoot anyone. ...

How would you define "a few times"?

Once in response to 2 fake "gas workers" who proceeded to try a home invasion when I opened the door (yes, I know, I should have called the gas company first).
Once when a crackhead came in my kitchen when someone that lived with me left the door unlocked to go get the mail.
And once when an anti-gunner tried to take my (concealed) handgun from me when I accidentally brushed past too close in a grocery store and he felt it under my sweater.

Yeah I don't live in or near College Station, but I can bet it is much more friendly than where you currently reside. I can't imagine someone trying to disarm a concealed carrier, but I do know that it would probably not end well for them. Come on down, you will definitely be able to find a better environment for yourself. Good Luck.

[Ryan]

Once in response to 2 fake "gas workers" who proceeded to try a home invasion when I opened the door (yes, I know, I should have called the gas company first).

Once when a crackhead came in my kitchen when someone that lived with me left the door unlocked to go get the mail.

And once when an anti-gunner tried to take my (concealed) handgun from me when I accidentally brushed past too close in a grocery store and he felt it under my sweater.

Was he trying to get shot? Because that's how you get shot! I would say this is unbelievable, except that I know how dumb the general population is. And then add on to that, "Anti-Gunner"

The stupidity is strong with this one.