I'll give another SMU story:

Freshman year, I was 18, had broken up with my boyfriend here. We both came from money but we would do low key things, like go to the inn at glen echo, go to shows, go out to clyde's, etc. It was what I was used to.

A sophmore at SMU asked me out for a date, and I said yes. Well, he picked me up in a chauffeured SUV (and these were in the days before Uber, so you had to arrange that shit) and takes me to Nobu, where he promptly drops $500 on our meal.

Over the course of the amazing dinner, he kept bringing up Uncle Albie. I had no idea who he was, and he kept mentioning going to Monaco to see him. I kind of thought, "that's weird, I dont give a shit about you uncle, but okay, another Monaco story." (Yes, i was young and an idiot, never had been to the south of france or monaco before)

Anyway, we went on a few more dates and it fizzled out. A couple weeks later he went to Monaco for spring break, posting pictures with "Albie". I believe Uncle Albie got married that summer- anyway, I saw his face in the papers- and immediately recognized him and the Crown Prince Albert of Monaco. Utterly ludicrous.

Anonymous wrote:Ah, the SMU stories...I knew a guy who had a fancy suv, and he got bored with it, so he had the family drive down from his home in the Midwest with an antique jaguar e-type to swap out with it. A frat got several private jets lined up so the whole frat could go on a ski trip together. Then again, there were the kids with famous last names (as in fortune 500 companies) who didn't have cars and wore ratty clothes.

Sorry -- meant to say the family chauffeur drove the car down

Ah, the SMU stories...I knew a guy who had a fancy suv, and he got bored with it, so he had the family drive down from his home in the Midwest with an antique jaguar e-type to swap out with it. A frat got several private jets lined up so the whole frat could go on a ski trip together. Then again, there were the kids with famous last names (as in fortune 500 companies) who didn't have cars and wore ratty clothes.

OP - Check online Property Tax Records to find out the assessed value of homes of your friends.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to one of the Texas schools you mention and can tell you, there's a huge, wide range of wealth. Yes, there are many billionaires and multimillionaires in the state (and in the South); however, there is also a huge phenomenon of what I've heard called the "$200,000 millionaires." Meaning, people who make around $200K, probably a little more, and live like they're really wealthy. For example, growing up, our neighbor's house was worth about $500K (probably worth about $1.2M now), but he owned three Ferraris. Perhaps he bought a much cheaper house than he could afford, but seeing this kind of thing was pretty common.

I went to both high school and college with a bunch of "$200k" types. They usually tend to graduate from one of the "top" public schools (Memorial in Houston, Highland Park in Dallas, Alamo Heights in San Antonio and Westlake in Austin). Their parents paid < $600k for their homes back in the day and used the money they saved paying for private school on fancy cars, perhaps even a BMW or C-Class Mercedes for the kids, designer purses, etc. Many have second homes and country club memberships. These people live it up like they're rich, but they're not in the East Coast sense of the world.

Most of the sorority/fraternity clan comes from this type. However, there are the true, truly, truly wealthy types at these schools. It's usually new/newish money (oil money from grandparents', possibly even great grand-parents', generation or sooner). Meaning families with hundreds of millions or even billions. They make up the minority, but you'll definitely run into them if you're in the Greek crowd. I dated a guy in college who had his own plane (didn't share it with his parents, literally, his own plane). They're a different breed from East Coast wealthy- usually more materialistic but also more fun.

Then there is Old South wealth in places PP mentioned like New Orleans or Charleston. Definitely not on the same level of wealth as the Texas Big Rich money or East Coast old money.

I love this. I have so many stories about dating a dude and then finding out he has an awkwardly large amount of money. It's ludicrous. And none of my east coast pals understand. Must be a Texas private university thing.

For example, my boyfriend was often broke as hell. He lived in an amazing house that he shard with a friend, and drove a range rover, and did tons of blow. But quite often his credit cards would get declined when he went out to eat and I would end up paying, much to his chagrin. He would always pay me back, but it was really awkward (because in Texas, it's standard for the guy to always pay) and kind of emasculating for him. I always just figured he was kind of broke and he told me this whole story about how it was a really old range and I just assumed that his family wasn't wealthy and he lucked into a nice place to stay (maybe his roommate was wealthy and bought the house and let him live rent free? I never asked, but wondered) and he had somehow gotten a range.

ANyway, one day I was bored and decided to google stalk him, and looked his name up.

Welp, he was named after his grandfather, who is a billionaire and owns one of the most expensive (plane/yacht/home- I'm not specifying because I dont want this googleable by the DCUM sleuths) in the world.

It was such a weird feeling. And such an "only at Texas private school" thing. Of course, most of his money was squandered on blow, but it's just funny. Even the people you think are broke turn out to be loaded.

SMU takes the cake, but TCU isn't far behind.

Baylor and Rice are also fairly wealthy schools, but not located in Dallas therefore not as desirable.

Anonymous wrote:I went to one of the Texas schools you mention and can tell you, there's a huge, wide range of wealth. Yes, there are many billionaires and multimillionaires in the state (and in the South); however, there is also a huge phenomenon of what I've heard called the "$200,000 millionaires." Meaning, people who make around $200K, probably a little more, and live like they're really wealthy. For example, growing up, our neighbor's house was worth about $500K (probably worth about $1.2M now), but he owned three Ferraris. Perhaps he bought a much cheaper house than he could afford, but seeing this kind of thing was pretty common.

I went to both high school and college with a bunch of "$200k" types. They usually tend to graduate from one of the "top" public schools (Memorial in Houston, Highland Park in Dallas, Alamo Heights in San Antonio and Westlake in Austin). Their parents paid < $600k for their homes back in the day and used the money they saved paying for private school on fancy cars, perhaps even a BMW or C-Class Mercedes for the kids, designer purses, etc. Many have second homes and country club memberships. These people live it up like they're rich, but they're not in the East Coast sense of the world.

Most of the sorority/fraternity clan comes from this type. However, there are the true, truly, truly wealthy types at these schools. It's usually new/newish money (oil money from grandparents', possibly even great grand-parents', generation or sooner). Meaning families with hundreds of millions or even billions. They make up the minority, but you'll definitely run into them if you're in the Greek crowd. I dated a guy in college who had his own plane (didn't share it with his parents, literally, his own plane). They're a different breed from East Coast wealthy- usually more materialistic but also more fun.

Then there is Old South wealth in places PP mentioned like New Orleans or Charleston. Definitely not on the same level of wealth as the Texas Big Rich money or East Coast old money.

I love this. I have so many stories about dating a dude and then finding out he has an awkwardly large amount of money. It's ludicrous. And none of my east coast pals understand. Must be a Texas private university thing.

For example, my boyfriend was often broke as hell. He lived in an amazing house that he shard with a friend, and drove a range rover, and did tons of blow. But quite often his credit cards would get declined when he went out to eat and I would end up paying, much to his chagrin. He would always pay me back, but it was really awkward (because in Texas, it's standard for the guy to always pay) and kind of emasculating for him. I always just figured he was kind of broke and he told me this whole story about how it was a really old range and I just assumed that his family wasn't wealthy and he lucked into a nice place to stay (maybe his roommate was wealthy and bought the house and let him live rent free? I never asked, but wondered) and he had somehow gotten a range.

ANyway, one day I was bored and decided to google stalk him, and looked his name up.

Welp, he was named after his grandfather, who is a billionaire and owns one of the most expensive (plane/yacht/home- I'm not specifying because I dont want this googleable by the DCUM sleuths) in the world.

It was such a weird feeling. And such an "only at Texas private school" thing. Of course, most of his money was squandered on blow, but it's just funny. Even the people you think are broke turn out to be loaded.

Anonymous wrote:Interesting thread.

I live in Plano, and I wish so much there was a DFW Urban Moms and Dads

Interesting thread.

I went to one of the Texas schools you mention and can tell you, there's a huge, wide range of wealth. Yes, there are many billionaires and multimillionaires in the state (and in the South); however, there is also a huge phenomenon of what I've heard called the "$200,000 millionaires." Meaning, people who make around $200K, probably a little more, and live like they're really wealthy. For example, growing up, our neighbor's house was worth about $500K (probably worth about $1.2M now), but he owned three Ferraris. Perhaps he bought a much cheaper house than he could afford, but seeing this kind of thing was pretty common.

I went to both high school and college with a bunch of "$200k" types. They usually tend to graduate from one of the "top" public schools (Memorial in Houston, Highland Park in Dallas, Alamo Heights in San Antonio and Westlake in Austin). Their parents paid < $600k for their homes back in the day and used the money they saved paying for private school on fancy cars, perhaps even a BMW or C-Class Mercedes for the kids, designer purses, etc. Many have second homes and country club memberships. These people live it up like they're rich, but they're not in the East Coast sense of the world.

Most of the sorority/fraternity clan comes from this type. However, there are the true, truly, truly wealthy types at these schools. It's usually new/newish money (oil money from grandparents', possibly even great grand-parents', generation or sooner). Meaning families with hundreds of millions or even billions. They make up the minority, but you'll definitely run into them if you're in the Greek crowd. I dated a guy in college who had his own plane (didn't share it with his parents, literally, his own plane). They're a different breed from East Coast wealthy- usually more materialistic but also more fun.

Then there is Old South wealth in places PP mentioned like New Orleans or Charleston. Definitely not on the same level of wealth as the Texas Big Rich money or East Coast old money.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to SMU!

Actually, you'd be surprised. I went to a private prep school $30,000 a year, here in DC. And I can tell you that I saw way more wealth at SMU. And by wealth, I mean anywhere from millions to tens of millions to hundreds to billions.

I mean, I couldnt even count on three hand the number of kids I knew with private jets. It was so common.

Our RA's had to order us that no one was allowed to leave their entire wardrobe behind at the end of the year, as apparently it was somewhat regular for girls to do this and buy all new clothes for the next season. (Crazy, right?)

Girls used birkin bags to carry their books around.

As for cars- you name it, someone had it. Lambos, maseratis, ferraris, and of course your standard range rovers, bmws, mercedes.

I remember two girls got passes from school my freshman year so they could attend Paris fashion week and all the major shows. They posted pics of them on their jet, school books laid out.

Yachts were not uncommon, as was attending yacht week.

I knew a girl who flew my friend out to Coachella- she decided last minute, rented a jet (She didnt own her own- how gauche, right?) and bought everyone tickets.

So yeah. Now this was not every student, this was the upper echelon.

Which meant that the midline was still multiple designer bags, a really nice car, and European vacations.

Also, Dorothy Wang was in my year (though she transferred out). So that should give you some perspective of what was happening.

Dorothy Wang- the chick from Rich kids of Beverly Hills? What was she like?

My cousin went to SMU, she is from a relatively wealthy family. My great uncle is a big lawyer in Dallas (or was...in his 80's now.) Lives in Highland Park, spends his vacation in Russia hunting bears. She transferred to Baylor because one of her sorority sisters did something mean because she couldn't afford the $$$$$ shoes they were wearing to some stupid party.

Yeah, unfortunately I saw a lot of stuff like that. Everyone is really label conscious. You can get away with not having everything, but it's like another world. A world where everyone has Chanel bags and if you dont you are considered a poor Absolutely nuts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to SMU!

Actually, you'd be surprised. I went to a private prep school $30,000 a year, here in DC. And I can tell you that I saw way more wealth at SMU. And by wealth, I mean anywhere from millions to tens of millions to hundreds to billions.

I mean, I couldnt even count on three hand the number of kids I knew with private jets. It was so common.

Our RA's had to order us that no one was allowed to leave their entire wardrobe behind at the end of the year, as apparently it was somewhat regular for girls to do this and buy all new clothes for the next season. (Crazy, right?)

Girls used birkin bags to carry their books around.

As for cars- you name it, someone had it. Lambos, maseratis, ferraris, and of course your standard range rovers, bmws, mercedes.

I remember two girls got passes from school my freshman year so they could attend Paris fashion week and all the major shows. They posted pics of them on their jet, school books laid out.

Yachts were not uncommon, as was attending yacht week.

I knew a girl who flew my friend out to Coachella- she decided last minute, rented a jet (She didnt own her own- how gauche, right?) and bought everyone tickets.

So yeah. Now this was not every student, this was the upper echelon.

Which meant that the midline was still multiple designer bags, a really nice car, and European vacations.

Also, Dorothy Wang was in my year (though she transferred out). So that should give you some perspective of what was happening.

Dorothy Wang- the chick from Rich kids of Beverly Hills? What was she like?

Yep. Exactly like she is on the show. Can be fun but generally was rather annoying and very ostentatious. SMU may be in Texas but it is still a southern school and giving outright values for what you paid and going on about it is generally frowned upon. She definitely let everyone know her her daddy was. From the two episodes I've seen of that show, she hasn't changed a bit.

She also didnt make it into a sorority, despite rushing, which is why she transferred out. Kind of funny when you think about how proud she is of her money and fashion savvy.

That should just show you how insane the sorority competition is there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to SMU!

Actually, you'd be surprised. I went to a private prep school $30,000 a year, here in DC. And I can tell you that I saw way more wealth at SMU. And by wealth, I mean anywhere from millions to tens of millions to hundreds to billions.

I mean, I couldnt even count on three hand the number of kids I knew with private jets. It was so common.

Our RA's had to order us that no one was allowed to leave their entire wardrobe behind at the end of the year, as apparently it was somewhat regular for girls to do this and buy all new clothes for the next season. (Crazy, right?)

Girls used birkin bags to carry their books around.

As for cars- you name it, someone had it. Lambos, maseratis, ferraris, and of course your standard range rovers, bmws, mercedes.

I remember two girls got passes from school my freshman year so they could attend Paris fashion week and all the major shows. They posted pics of them on their jet, school books laid out.

Yachts were not uncommon, as was attending yacht week.

I knew a girl who flew my friend out to Coachella- she decided last minute, rented a jet (She didnt own her own- how gauche, right?) and bought everyone tickets.

So yeah. Now this was not every student, this was the upper echelon.

Which meant that the midline was still multiple designer bags, a really nice car, and European vacations.

Also, Dorothy Wang was in my year (though she transferred out). So that should give you some perspective of what was happening.

Dorothy Wang- the chick from Rich kids of Beverly Hills? What was she like?

My cousin went to SMU, she is from a relatively wealthy family. My great uncle is a big lawyer in Dallas (or was...in his 80's now.) Lives in Highland Park, spends his vacation in Russia hunting bears. She transferred to Baylor because one of her sorority sisters did something mean because she couldn't afford the $$$$$ shoes they were wearing to some stupid party.

Anonymous wrote:There is a big distinction between Texas wealth vs old money wealth in charleston, Nola, etc.

And even more important in Charleston is your ancestry. You could be poor and a member of the St. Cecelia Society, and the millionaires couldn't get in to save their lives.

Changing now - now that the i-bankers have turned Charleston into a resort. As evidenced by that stupid "Southern Charm" show. Thomas Ravenel is the only one of those morons who is old Charleston. And most of old Charleston has disavowed him for doing the show.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I live in Dallas, and I can promise you that there are a shitload of extremely wealthy individuals here.

I miss Dallas! It's so much more glamorous than DC wealth.

OP, if you want to see a glimpse into Dallas wealth, watch the old, original version of Dallas (from the 90s). Should give you an idea of what you are dealing with.

If anything, it has only gotten more ostentatious and wealthy since then.

Eh, that's ok. The rest of the population finds the super wealthy Highland Park/Park Cities people obnoxious.

They spend $40,000 on an alligator skin purse and then hire an illegal nanny so they can pay her under minimum wage. Why celebrate that?

Anonymous wrote:I went to SMU!

Actually, you'd be surprised. I went to a private prep school $30,000 a year, here in DC. And I can tell you that I saw way more wealth at SMU. And by wealth, I mean anywhere from millions to tens of millions to hundreds to billions.

I mean, I couldnt even count on three hand the number of kids I knew with private jets. It was so common.

Our RA's had to order us that no one was allowed to leave their entire wardrobe behind at the end of the year, as apparently it was somewhat regular for girls to do this and buy all new clothes for the next season. (Crazy, right?)

Girls used birkin bags to carry their books around.

As for cars- you name it, someone had it. Lambos, maseratis, ferraris, and of course your standard range rovers, bmws, mercedes.

I remember two girls got passes from school my freshman year so they could attend Paris fashion week and all the major shows. They posted pics of them on their jet, school books laid out.

Yachts were not uncommon, as was attending yacht week.

I knew a girl who flew my friend out to Coachella- she decided last minute, rented a jet (She didnt own her own- how gauche, right?) and bought everyone tickets.

So yeah. Now this was not every student, this was the upper echelon.

Which meant that the midline was still multiple designer bags, a really nice car, and European vacations.

Also, Dorothy Wang was in my year (though she transferred out). So that should give you some perspective of what was happening.

Dorothy Wang- the chick from Rich kids of Beverly Hills? What was she like?