Texas Hill Country: The Unwritten Rules (Insider Guide)

So, you're thinking about moving to the Texas Hill Country, or maybe you just got here. First of all, welcome. Secondly, there are some unwritten rules and facts that you might find interesting. If you don't know these, you'll definitely stand out immediately. And if you do start to learn them, you'll blend in like you've been here for a while. So, follow me cuz some of these will definitely surprise you. Every week, I share what life is really like here in the Texas Hill Country. Things you just won't find in some relocation guide somewhere. I'm Ryan Rendon with Four Premier Properties and I've been helping people buy and sell real estate throughout the Texas Hill Country for years and I myself grew up here. So whether you're curious in buying, selling, or just knowing about our lifestyle, consider this your insidider look. Let's go ahead and jump in to number one. If you're not from here, you might not know how to pronounce this county. Any guesses? Wait, I noticed if you're pronouncing it as bear, you're actually correct. Most people mispronounce it as Beck's R County. It's bear, but not the same goes for Bernie. It's Bernie, not Bourne. Now, for number two, let's talk about the tourist. Yes, the crowds can get frustrating, especially in Fredericksburg on a Saturday or along the Guadalupe River in July. But here's the deal. Tourism pumps billions of dollars into the Texas Hill Country every year. That's why our restaurants, shops, and festivals thrive. So, go ahead and grumble in traffic. But remember, tourists help a lot to keep the lights on here. And speaking of standing out, nothing marks you new faster than right next to New Bronals, you'll see signs for green. And don't say groo, it's green, like the color. Get it right and you've earned your third insider badge. Names truly do matter here, but so does what you support. Going into number four is supporting local. The Hill Country runs deep, extremely deep, on its small businesses. I'm talking about family-owned barbecue joints, small mom and pop wineries, and those small little quaint German bakery shops. Buying local isn't just shopping. It's a way of keeping the community alive. Now, if you're here for the rivers, you definitely want to pay attention to this one. Number five is the river weekends. Are you thinking that tubing the Gualupe or the Freo might be fun? Yes, but you definitely need to know what you're getting yourself into. On summer weekends, it can feel like a floating traffic jam. Unless you're okay being a human bumper car, pick a weekday or go early. And while we're breaking stereotypes, let's go ahead and clear this one up. Number six is the cowboy look. So, Hollywood says that Texans wear boots and hats everywhere. The truth, most of us locals actually keep it pretty casual. I'm talking fishing shirts, shorts, tennis shoes, and a ball cap. I would say for the most part your starch pants, your boots are going to show up at your weddings, your rodeos, at church, those honky talks. But going to the grocery store at HB, most people aren't going to be wearing your boots and pants just because it's just too darn hot out here. Now, for the next one, you'll hear folks around here say that they're fifth generation or born and raised. And I tell you what, they're definitely proud of it. But don't let that intimidate you. Think of them as guardians of the land and traditions, not gatekeepers trying to push you out. They actually help keep the Texas identity, not gatekeep. Now, a lot of the Texas Hill Country is private land. You see a fence, that's not just decoration. Trespassing laws here are strict. Respect property lines or you might meet a sheriff before you meet your new neighbor. But when you're on the road, here's how you show that you belong. [Music] Waving is practically law here. So, when you're driving on these old county roads, a lot of times you'll be passing somebody and you're going to notice that they lift a finger or two fingers or just straight up wave at you. If you don't do that back, you're going to be standing out immediately. Friendliness isn't optional. It's the glue that holds small town life together. And that's why most people love living here, the sense of community. And don't forget about the events. In towns like Fredericksburg and Kurville, parade season is serious business. People set their chairs out days before. Move them. And that's like cutting in line in Thanksgiving. Trust me. Just don't move them. Another thing to talk about when someone invites you to the Green Hall or somewhere like Lukebach, don't just call it a bar. It's a dance hall, an institution. Dance halls is where Texas country music lives. Show respect and you'll fit right on in. Now going to number 12 which is driving etiquette. So here honking basically says I am not from here. Same with tailgating a rancher hauling cattle. Patience on the road is part of the culture. Rush and you'll only make enemies. Now let's talk about traffic circles. So there's actually not too many towns throughout our region that have these. I believe Kerville has one. Bernie probably has one. I think Bandaraa does it well, but they're not really considered roundabouts. Locals have strong opinions about which lane to use. General rule, outside lane is for exiting. Do it wrong and you'll earn that outside label very quickly. Going on to number 14 on today's list, and that is back road courtesy. So, out here on narrow two-lane roads, you'll often find people that will pull over on the side of the road just to let traffic pass by them. And it really is a small courtesy, but it keeps traffic flowing and it shows all the folks in the area that you actually care. It really is just a small courtesy, but it keeps traffic flowing and it shows that you get it. So, that's your insider guide to Hill Country living. Some unwritten rules that you should know about. This is where I want to hear from you. What did I miss? Drop it down in the comments below. I would love to hear your version of the unwritten rules for our area. And as always, make sure you hit the subscribe button, but also that little bell so you can get notified anytime I put out video just like this one. And hey, if you're thinking about buying or selling in 3 days or 3 years, I would love to be a realtor of choice. All my contact information is down in the description. Thanks for watching and welcome to the Texas Hill Country. And make sure you watch this next video. I think you're really going to like it. We'll see you in the next