Southwestern University - Local Atmosphere

College Prowler Take

SU students can be divided into two categories: the ones who revel in Georgetown’s small town-ness, and those that dislike it and flee to Austin at every chance they get. The majority of students fall into the latter of the two groups. Georgetown isn’t a very college-friendly place—it is mostly a retirement community filled with bed and breakfasts and antique shops. However, lots of students enjoy the cozy, sleepy atmosphere—especially the students who grew up in places similar to Georgetown. Living in Georgetown and attending SU can sometimes feel like it’s straight out of the 1950s, except for the gigantic Wal-Mart looming over the town (the source of late-night excitement for many SU students). There is one popular SU hangout in Georgetown called Blue Hole, where you can swim most months out of the year.

Georgetown is definitely not an exciting place to live when you’re a roving 20-something-year-old. Paired with SU’s tiny campus and student body, it’s the recipe for boredom. Just be thankful that Austin is a short (well, 30-minute) drive down I-35. Austin is an amazing city with lots of things for college kids to do, so if you don’t mind the trek, living in Georgetown isn’t terrible. For those looking for an even calmer atmosphere than what Georgetown provides, a short drive in the opposite direction of Austin leads to open farm land and star-studded sky—an excellent place for those who like to star gaze.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Georgetown is boring. Well no,... Georgetown is boring. Well no, it’s cute. Quaint. The Square has some really cute stores and shops and such, but everything closes at 10 or 11 p.m., (except Burger King and Wal-Mart). Austin, however, with UT, of course, is full of entertainment. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The atmosphere is very homey, very... The atmosphere is very homey, very small town-ish. There are bunch of old antique stores and quaint little restaurants downtown to see, and then there is always Austin to visit. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The surrounding town is very small... The surrounding town is very small but cute. I really enjoy the historic town square that is in walking distance from the school because it has cute little antique shops, and it makes me feel all warm inside. There is also a lake nearby called the Blue Hole; I haven’t been there yet, but I hear it is a fun place to be. Other than that, there really isn’t a whole lot to do in Georgetown. Most people drive the 30 minutes to Austin. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

Georgetown is extremely... Georgetown is extremely conservative and unwelcoming to most students from our campus. Somehow, they assume all Southwestern students are liberal, gay, and rich (which is completely inaccurate—well, except maybe the rich part). I would personally stay away from the Wal-Mart. Definitely bike through San Gabriel Park, and stop on the Square to visit the farmer’s market. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Anonymous says:

The town is good for eatin’, but... The town is good for eatin’, but for fun, you must go to Austin. 12345 Local Atmosphere Report

Facts

Did You Know?

5 Fun Facts about Georgetown:
• Georgetown was named for wealthy landowner George Washington Glasscock.
• Lawyer Dan Moody and his famous 1923 trial to remove the KKK from positions of power in Georgetown took place in the Georgetown courthouse.
• Georgetown is the “Red Poppy Capital of Texas.”
• Georgetown is located on the historic Chisholm Trail.
• Austin is named among the country’s five “intellectual capitals,” according to an Austin Chamber of Commerce publication. Southwestern is one of the seven institutions of higher education in the greater Austin area.

Local Slang:
Coke – Any soda. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Sprite or a Dr. Pepper, we’re still going to call it a Coke.
Fixin’ – As in, “I’m just fixin’ to do it.”
G-town – Abbreviation for “Georgetown.” Used by students, but not by natives.
WilCo – Abbreviation for “Williamson County,” in which SU is located. Most often used in conjunction with police as in, “I was at this tight party with some hot Tri-Delts, but then the WilCo Police busted in!”
Y’all – Contraction of “you” and “all.” Y’all can be singular or plural.

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