Posted on 02/09/2010 1:10:32 PM PST by erod
Hi everyone, I was wondering if you could give a fellow conservative some advice on moving to Texas. I am currently living in Chicago, and I am fed up with the taxes, cold weather, Democratic culture and bad economy here. I am seriously considering a move to Texas, I am fairly young, 26, and I am almost done with my degree in marketing, although I currently posses a B.A. in journalism. I think Texas sounds really cool and I just wanted to get advice from fellow FReepers who have either made the move from other states to Texas or FReepers who currently live there.
Some of my questions are: 1. Do you like Texas better than your former state or why do you think Texas is second to none? 2. Out of the two cities there: Dallas and Houston, which one is the better one to live in? (Basically I want the city that least resembles Chicago, but is fun to live in and doesnt end up costing me an arm and a leg in rent and taxes) 3. Hows the economic climate in Texas? I know were in the midst of a recession but whats the unemployment rate etc.
Those are just some sample questions feel free to tell me about your move or whatever other advice you can give if you can. Thanks for responding to my thread, God Bless. -Eric
Don’t worry I’m a dyed in the wool conservative, no Chicago politics here. ;)
President Sam Houston’s last words say it all, “Texas. Texas, Margaret.”
Dude, what you said. I got a house inside the loop in Ho-town for the price of a parking spot in my native N. CA.
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).
My main problem with Perry, and it is a big one, is if he wins, he will run for Prez in 2012, adding one more well funded RINO for the conservative candidates(s) to overcome.
Mark my words.
I moved from New Orleans to Dallas...best move I ever made.
. Do you like Texas better than your former state or why do you think Texas is second to none?
I left New Orleans BEFORE Katrina and it was still a pile of steaming stool living there..but its a nice place to visit. In Texas the schools are better, economy, jobs, housing is cheaper, people are happier....and the sun shines brighter.
2. Out of the two cities there: Dallas and Houston, which one is the better one to live in?
Dallas has major sports teams and a ton of things to do...lots of places to eat. You are not going to find the old rustic city in big “D”...it’s a shimmering jewel of a city. Houston...really depends on where you live...
3. Hows the economic climate in Texas? I know were in the midst of a recession but whats the unemployment rate etc.
Texas has created more jobs during this recession than any other state by far. When I moved from New Orleans to Dallas, I got a $20k increase in pay but my living expenses went down. Property tax was the one bill that was dramatically higher...but the schools are much better so I figure my money is being better spent.
Since you are so young, you may want to check out Addison which is where all the young piss ants go to have fun. In my opinion, Dallas has more to offer than does Houston which is why I picked it...however....I have a family with teens...a much different demographic than you.
I would avoid San Antonio unless you like traffic. It’s a beautiful city...you just can’t get anywhere any time soon.
My wife is from Lubbock...if you like dirt, you’ll love it there...
Katy, a burb of houston is pretty sweet...
But to me, there is no place like Dallas (Actually Plano, Frisco, Carrollton, Addison). Those are the burbs to the north. Plano has the highest income per capita in the nation.
Lastly....Cowboys, Mavericks, Rangers, Stars, and a soccer team that plays somewhere around here....lol.
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.
If he wins, he may be too busy to run an effective Presidential race. If he loses, he’ll have the time on his hands to start running early.
He and Palin are also friends so if she runs, he may take a back seat.
I learned to play at River Oaks in Houston when I was a kid but that’s because my aunt was on the board there. Haven’t played in years, but you can find private and municipal courses everywhere. I have TPC just out of my back door, and a Hank Haney just a few blocks up the street.....ever heard of Byron Nelson? ;-)
Ditto on having to see yer voting record, pardnah!
As far as Houston only having the Livestock Show, well, that just isn’t true. I’m a native from West Texas, but got to Houston as fast as I could - via Dallas. Houston was just coming off it’s boom town status (where lots of folk in your same situation had moved here from “up North”). In spite of the downturn in the economy, at the time, Houston came back stronger than ever...better diversified and, IMOH, better solutions to general living issues (road construction, crime, etc.) I’d take Houston over Dallas in a heartbeat. To me Houston exemplifies the true American dream...with hard work and determination anyone can make it here. I saw Dallas as more clannish.
Get your start in Houston, Austin or San Antonio (although SA is not doing as well as Houston, economically). You can’t go wrong. And besides that...our skies are blue and our people are friendly.
Good luck!
If he loses, it will MUCH harder for him to fundraise. Bush would not have been so formidable if he was handed his ass in his Texas gov re-election bid
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.
Oh....and I have to say that I love this state, but it has the most disgusting beaches in the free world. But hey, at least we DRILL THAT GULF!!!!
If he loses to the lamest of lame dems Shami or White, we have a lot bigger problems than fund-raising.
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.
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