They bike, shop at the farmers’ market, play music, write, paint, draw, and live together under the same roof rather than getting married and parenting as people usually do in Nacogdoches, where they choose to live. Daniel Baugh, Santiago Escobedo, Kimberly Foli and Krysta Robertson may live in tiny and traditional East Texas, these young people aged 22 to 24 define themselves as hipsters. And, against all odds, they thrive in Nacogdoches.



It’s true “they aren’t many places to show one’s art”, regrets Santiago, an arts student at Stephen F. Austin (SFA) university. But “if you take into consideration the conservative atmosphere of the area, Nacogdoches is pretty open”, nuances Kim, who’s the assistant editor of The Daily Sentinel, the local daily newspaper. Indeed, “I’ve just found a new place to display local artists’ work”, announces Daniel, also an arts student and president of the university Art Alliance. “Some week-ends, Nacogdoches is a ghost city. But at the moment, there’s a lot going on, adds Kim. This week-end, we have an exhibit opening, a music show and a dinner party at the community farm”.

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“Compared to Lufkin where I grew up [just 20 miles away], Nacogdoches is much nicer and more educated, confirms Krysta, who became a tattoo artist in this 33,000 inhabitants city where the main employer is SFA university. Here, people hesitate less to get out of the regular path. In my hometown, most of my friends are married with children. Personally, I could move in with my boyfriend. But not have kids yet!”

Family for the four roommates, it’s the one they founded together opening the doors of their big house to “all nice people in town”. (…)

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Even if they’re involved in their community, most of the roommates do not participate in the country’s political life. Only Kim is planning to vote on Nov. 6th. “Democrat, because each vote counts”. But she thinks “it’s not really their fault if young people do not vote. There’s little information available. And in these changing times, people sometimes have the impression the right candidates aren’t the ones running”.

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