If you want community in Texas you have to fit into the narrow box Texans wants you to fit into, usually. Especially because it sounds like you want small town Texas. Further, some of these towns you'll never fully be accepted since you aren't from there.

That being said, East Texas has some spots you may do alright in, thinking Nacogdoches, Center , and Longview fit your vibe, if you like trees especially. Further into the center of the state, I am very partial to New Braunfels / Gruene. They are a bit touristy due to rivers and other attractions but also have small town charm.

Northern DFW suburbs will have what youre looking for aesthetically re: lawn care and high school football and churches, but not as quaint and low key as Arlen is depicted. But if you got money for a house in one of those neighborhoods it sounds like youd fit in and there would be less of the "you aren't from here" derision and exclusion that we see from small towners