Gee.
I wonder why no one has recommended this place???
More than a million people call it home.
/sarc
I have been in Texas over 30 years, since moving here from Michigan, where I was born, grew up, and went to college. I would as soon stay in Texas the rest of my life.
As to Houston vs. Dallas, I now live in the Houston area, but spent abvout 8 years in the vicinity of the DFW Metroplex. My preference is Houston, but DFW is a fine place to live, too. It’s about six of one vs. half-a-dozen of the other. If you are into boating choose Houston.
Property values are generally a push, too. However, Houston *may* have an edge — if you have a steady job already lined up. Why? Because JSC, in SE Houston is set to lay off about 10,000 people — mostly engineers and professionals — thanks to the cancellation of the Shuttle and Constellation programs. That means houses in the Clear Lake area will be cheap, as many will relocate. OTOH, if you plan to come down and look around for a job, you will soon be competing with 10,000 rocket scientists. Hungry rocket scientists. YMMV.
10 years ago we moved from the San Francisco Bay Area to Arlington, TX. Within 3 months I knew more people in my neighborhood than I did in 10 years in the Bay Area. I am retired, my wife retired last year and we set down and talked about, “ok, what now?” We decided to stay here because we couldn’t come up with someplace that we would rather live. The cost of living is such that we do pretty good on our retirement income plus it was easy to put down roots and make friends. All in all we really like it here.
Did I mention that the TX Constitution prohibits a state income tax and that we reserve the right to split into 5 states at the slightest provocation?
I would move to the San Antonio area.
If you have to move to Houston, look at The Woodlands.
If you have to move to Texas, check around Grapevine and Lewisville.
I’ve been told the people in Houston think they’re Southerners, while the folks in Dallas call themselves Westerners. Maybe that says something.
President Sam Houston’s last words say it all, “Texas. Texas, Margaret.”
President Sam Houston’s last words say it all, “Texas. Texas, Margaret.”
Well, to be fair, here in East Texas we saw snow this year before Chicago did (by one day).
I live in Houston, which is the 4th largest city in the U.S., after Chicago. One thing you might like about Houston is its proximity to other places. Galveston and other beach cities are a short drive away. you can even hop over to New Orleans if you're of a mind.
Texas is a huge-ass state, and Dallas is a long way off. It's 4 or more hours between the two cities. Neither city is particularly like Chicago. Austin is one of the most liberal cities in the state.
3. The economic climate in Texas is better than much of the country, but still not great.
You will find differing opinions but I would never live in or near Austin, or San Antonio. I have found Dallas/Fort Worth to be much more to my liking, and actually a little east of Dallas. The weather is little better as well.
I’ve visited Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin. Houston is too humid. As a lifelong Redskin fan, Dallas was out of the question although I did enjoy playing the second gunman from the grassy knoll. I went to basic training in San Antonio but there are some nice areas there. Austin was my favorite. The music and party scene is great. There is a mini-Silicon Valley there and the women are beautiful.
I moved to TX 26 years ago from Washington State. Lived on the Pudget Sound so couldn’t have asked for a better view of mountains and water. Couldn’t offord the cost of living there compared to TX. So I just go back to visit family a couple times a year.
The TX unemployment is about 10%. My husband will be let go for the 2nd time the end of this month so he will be looking for work again.
I never lived in Houston but have been there quite a bit and there is no way I could live there with humidity.
I live in the Dallas area and depending on what your looking for there is always something to do. House prices are affordable depending on what area your looking at.
I know alot of people that live in Austin and absolutely love it there.
One more thing, I have found in general mexicans in San Antonio do not like whites and will let you know it.
Decent value for your $250K house, decent schools, really good Chicago-style pizza if you know where to look, tons of golf...the Spring will do ya (although that leaves you in Dem, Dumb and Blind Harris County). Or Lake Conroe -- box those two and throw a dart. Probably hit The Woodlands.
2. DFW metro is decent. You might look as far as Tyler (east) to Weatherford (west) and Frisco (north) to Burleson (south). Weather is a lot less muggy than Houston. You get more trees and greenery in the east; more hills as you go south towards the hill country region.
3. Economic stability is strong in Texas. TX never saw the housing boom in full effect like FL, CA, and AZ. Dairy farmers are hurting now, natural gas is coming down from a big boom on the Barnett Shale. I hear about folks getting new jobs and homes are selling.
4. To help make your decision, visit a number of places - spend a week or two visiting the different cities and regions. You might find that you like one of the smaller towns in Texas....some of the best kept secrets in America.
ping
If you choose the DFW area then McKinney/Plano/Frisco/Allen are great places to live and raise a family. Stay away from Garland and Mesquite. Ausin is a great place to live if you are single. San Antonio is getting too crowded and the traffic can be a nightmare because of all the new development and road construction. It’s also unbearably hot in July-Sept. The Hill Country is a great place to visit. Lots of wineries, river rafting, etc. You are more than welcome to come here to live. Just don’t bring any liberal friends and/or family.
Think Frisco. Or Forney.
A smaller town right outside of Dallas, its a country-suburban atmosphere without big city worries.
They even have a pretty good web forum where you could learn more.
http://www.twentypeacefulminutes.com/forums/index.php
Scrolldown past the shoutbox. Pretty busy for such a small town.