Should I move to TX (Instead of AZ??)

[1stFreedom]

I'm thinking about packing up from NY and moving out to Texas. But before I consider moving out there, I want to make sure I'm not moving to another Kalifornia or New York.

What is the political climate like? Is it conservative? Republican?

What are the philosophical undertones of the population? Conservative? Liberal?

How about the faith of the population? Is there a large Catholic [faituful] population?

How are the gun laws? Open carry?

Income tax? Corporate Tax?

Is the State homeschool friendly?

How organized are Freepers out there?

What is the best place to find employment for IT workers?

What is the best place to move to avoid allergies?

Is the state moving towards the left?

Is it as dry as Arizona?

[Diddle E. Squat]

Hey, nothing wrong with sharing what your perceptions and experiences were.

But you forgot to finish up the criticism with the hand-washing "Bless their hearts"...

;^)

[CurlyDave]

You should move someplace where you have a JOB OFFER.

[Concentrate]

Sounds about right to me. Truth is, most folks don't make any real friends after about the age of 25. So if they move, they blame it on the location.

[Torie]

The biggest downside of living in Dallas is that you might acquire a Dallas accent, and start to sound like Ross Perot. JMO.

[Walkingfeather]

LOL.... I actually kind of sensed this friendly appearence driven demeanor... but under that there are some scary family dynamics going on... just my expierience... NOT everyone.... but more than anyother place I lived...

[katana]

I've lived in both places and there are many things I liked about both, but for comparison sake this is a point by point summary:

Climate: Arizona - very hot summers (110 plus "dry heat", but when it's that hot it's just plain f***ing hot! Wonderful in the winter. Moderate temperatures can be had in the summer with a few hours drive into the mountains, and skiing in the winter in the same places
Texas: Hot summers (100 plus much of the season) and high humidity, especially along the coast. Winters are mostly mild and nice but ice storms are not uncommon in January and February.
Climate Advantage: Arizona

Politics: Both are relatively conservative but moving, I believe, in opposite directions. Arizona is moving leftward as more and more refugees move in from California. There are places in the deserts and mountains that are rock rib Republican but, overall it's no longer the same state that produced Barry Goldwater
Texas is becoming a bastion of Republican conservatism. Austin is far more liberal than the rest of the State but still nothing compared with the northeast.
Politics Advantage: Texas.

Employment: This may or may not be important for you, but in my limited experience it is a lot easier to find employment in Texas. Arizona doesn't have the industrial and urban bases and is not the transport or travel hub that Texas is.
Employment Advantage: Texas

Intangibles:
Scenic beauty: Arizona hands down
Friendliness and Hospitality: Texas without a doubt

I'd suggest you spend a few weeks in the parts of both states you're considering moving to. Summer would be a good time to compare since in both that is the time of year which you will probably find hardest to take.

[FITZ]

As a lifelong Texan, the Mexicans have always been part of Texas and are part of the Texan culture.

Those who were always a part of Texas aren't those coming now from Mexico ---if you love Mexican culture --try Ciudad Juarez. New Mexicans and Tejanos aren't from Mexico but they have a Spanish influence. Massive immigration from Mexico is recent ---in the past 20 years or so.

[dpa5923]

Just a few though, right?

[Walkingfeather]

Actually Abilene.... and I know west texas isn't all of texas... But I found the culture similar from elpaso to Orange texas...Amarillo to Brownsville.

[Torie]

Me, I am headed to Arkansas

The Mexicans have found Arkansas Joe via Tyson Chicken. I would recommend Idaho for you Joe.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Some lake near Dallas (about 16 miles). Well to do area. It was horrible, one attached to his lower lip, one to the left upper eyebrow and one to the right cheek. Lots of screaming, thrashing about, then silence and twitching. The whole family reunion broke up. He was bending down to turn on a water valve. Never forget it.

[Ditter]

Thank God & Greyhound you're gone.

[Lanza]

LOL!

[FITZ]

What it is --some people look at someone who has lived in New Mexico or in Texas for many many generations and they assume they came from Mexico. It isn't smart to refer to all New Mexicans as "Mexicans" ---they will usually correct you immediately ---if they're Indian/Spanish mix ---they may never have lived south of the Rio Grande, they never immigrated, they aren't Mexican citizens and never really were except some ancestors may have been for about 25 years after they lost Spanish rule and before they got US rule. I would never call them Mexicans but I think it's strange so many do.

[cubreporter]

Texas is hot and humid. Has some great history and of course the Alamo which is right in the center of downtown. It's great though.

Arizona is hot and dry. Arizona has some excellent monuments and Red Rock country at Oak Creek Canyon and Grand Canyon. Lived in both places. Loved Arizona and have gone back for many years to visit friends. Texas had some of the nicest people we have ever known.

Toss up I would say. Can't you spend some time in both states before making a decision? It's an important decision but then again if you are adventurous you could always leave the one of your choice if you didn't like it and try the next one in a couple years. Right?

[HardStarboard]

I've spent a little time in Phoenix area. Can't stand Scottsdale. People there seem to judge you by how much gold trim you have on your Cadillac...Oh, you don't have a Cadillac...my, my!

Worked for a firm HQ'ed in Tempe. People were great and Tempe was great for good looking coeds.

Texas - just drove through it about 2 months ago. I like the Texans pride in their State and their town no matter how humble. everyone I met was cheerful and helpful. The whold State looked neat as a pin.

Avoid N.M. Pretty country but no pride in the folks - dirty towns, folks and.....windy!

[Magic Fingers]

"Why don't you just move to Prescott by the way, and be happy, if you can live anywhere, and cybercommute? The climate in Texas sucks. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

Yep - or Payson or Flagstaff? I moved to Phoenix 7 years ago (job-related) after living in the Houston area for about 40 years. Some great food and great people there, but the humidity (and my mold allergies) were insufferable.

Even though Phoenix has HOT summers (as does Houston, but not quite so), just the change from 80% humidity to 15% humidity was worth the move...not to mention virtually no mosquitos or roaches. For my tastes, three out of four seasons in Phoenix are already perfect - add a pool for the summer and that makes it four out of four. I love Texans, but Arizona is a beautiful state.

[computerjunkie]

Marfa.

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

I'll enjoy answering these. Being an orthodox Roman Catholic, past Republican Women's club president, long-time political activist, personal friend of G.W. (uh, yeah, right!) homeschool mama who grew up in the Ft. Worth area, and now lives in the Houston area, I will procede...

(with the clarification that all answers are relative to the country in general)

What is the political climate like? Is it conservative? Republican? A: very conservative Republican, overcoming past years of ignorant democrat voting.

What are the philosophical undertones of the population? Conservative? Liberal? A: see above

How about the faith of the population? Is there a large Catholic [faituful] population? A: not as large as I would like, but you can easily find very devout Roman Catholics most anywhere in the state, with Latin Masses available in all larger cities, including Ft. Worth and Houston. Just know your faith, and watch the Suburbs ;)

How are the gun laws? Open carry? A: concealed

Income tax? Corporate Tax? A: No state income tax (yet!) Lots of tax abatements available for corporations.

Is the State homeschool friendly? A: There are no state laws restricting homeschooling to speak of, just 5 subjects that must be taught. Since the school systems really stink, homeschooling is a necessity!

How organized are Freepers out there? A: Very organized. wish I could attend all the activities.

What is the best place to find employment for IT workers? A: ???

What is the best place to move to avoid allergies? A: depends on what you're allergic to and how bad your allergies are.

Is the state moving towards the left? A: as previous responses state, there's a big influx of "outsiders", so there's always a battle, but I watched Tarrant County (Ft. Worth area) political positions go about 90% Republican while still there in the late '90's.

Is it as dry as Arizona? A: No, unless you're in the Western part of the state.

So, if you're wanting to help keep the state conservative, grab your gun and come on down!

[Gamecock]

Hmmm, let me think, should you move to Texas....

>

Ahhhhhhhh.......

Naw, I'd stay right in New York....