I think I can help.
Ive been living in Texas for the past 10 years and wanted to share some insight.
Ive watched the states popularity grow like mad, somehow captivating folks on both sides of the aisle equally.
Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas | (Shutterstock/f11photo)
Plainly put, Texas wins people over.
Life is about choices and people arent born with roots.
Were allowed to discover, learn and move around.
Living in Texas | (Shutterstock/Joe Belanger)
Prior to living in Texas, I lived in New York City.
The Big Apple is known for being one of the most social cities in the country.
Thats New York baby, and its a beautiful thing (until it burns you out).
Living in Texas | (Shutterstock/Sean Pavone)
but that wasnt the case for me.
And before you ask yeah, Idoshower daily.
How wrong I was (thankfully!).
Pros & Cons of Living in Texas | (Shutterstock/Ryan Conine)
Meeting new people and being able to establish friendships hasnt felt like an impossible task while living in Texas.
Its been dare I say enjoyable?
Plus, those southern manners dont hurt.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park | Moving to Texas
#2.
Year-Round Sunshine
Who couldnt use a little more sunshine in their life?
Studies have proven, time and time again, that sunshine boosts moods.
(Shutterstock/Stephanie A Sellers)
Luckily, Texas shines (some pun intended) in that department.
Winters in Texas are mild, warm and sunny.
Snow is rare, which is probably the biggest reason so many people end up retiring in Texas.
Pros & Cons of Living in Texas | (shutterstock/Ryan Kite)
But as you might imagine, pleasant winters typically mean unbearably hot summers and its true.
Between the oppressive humidity and heat,Texas summers are brutal(Ill cover this in depth shortly).
But truth be told, Id happily sacrifice 3 months of hot temperatures for 9 months of pure bliss.
Houston, Texas Skyline | Life in Texas (shutterstock/f11photo)
Spanning 268,596 square miles, Texas is the largest state in the contiguous US.
This means the climate changes drastically depending on where you live in Texas.
#3.
Austin Texas | Pros & Cons of Living in Texas (Shutterstock/Roschetzky Photography)
Thats right, Texas is one of onlynine US states without an income tax.
What does this mean for the average Joe?
Additionally, the absence of a state income tax makes Texas a more attractive place for large employers.
Moving to Texas | (Shutterstock/Trong Nguyen)
But even still, the maximum combined tax rate is 8.25%, which is very low.
#4.
I guess this is one of the biggest reasons so many millennials are moving to Texas as of late.
The states excellent job growth is attributed to generous economic policies that appeal to large businesses.
If helpful, heres a roundup of the top industries in Texas:
#5.
Frankly put, my earnings go a lot further in Texas than any other state Ive lived in.
Houses are affordable, land is still cheap and you dont need to work two jobs to get by.
Better still, salaries in Texas are getting more competitive thanks to the influx of new tech companies.
However, as it stands, your dollar will go a lot further after moving to Texas.
Im convinced that the reason everything is bigger in Texas is because people have more money to spend.
#6.
Many cities in the state are heavily influenced by the vibrant Latino communities that call Texas home.
Theres a rich mix of Mexican, Central American, and Caribbean influences.
These groups make up about 12%, 5%, and 1% of the states population respectively.
The diversity of Texas is reflected in its culture and cuisine.
Youll find some of the best Mexican food in the country while living in Texas.
I mean, Tex-Mex was invented here, people!
Need I say more?
Did you know that Texas is thesecond most diversestate in America?
Most people dont realize that before moving to Texas, but its true.
Texas rich culture is deeply impacted by Latino influences.
#7.
Like, who has time for that stuff?
Rose tinted glasses and all.
That baby is flying wild and free in every zip code in the state!
On homes, businesses and government buildings, you cant throw a stick without hitting a flagpole inadvertently.
People love living in Texas and they want you to know it.
All in all, being proud of your state is an important part of living in Texas.
Theres not a lot of room for complaints and whining.
State pride unites Texans and defines the states identity and culture.
#8.
On the flip side,Texas has lots of great places to retirefor folks on a fixed income.
Believe me, home ownership is a perk of living in Texas that simply cant be overstated.
#9.
It was an embarrassing mistake on my end because it shows how spoiled Ive become.
To the dear reader I say: touche.
The barbecue in Texas deserves a mention (and a deep round of applause).
You need not be an expert in much to know that Texas is the premier state for tantalizing BBQ.
Dressed in sweet sauces that span the gamut, this stuff islife changing.
Cons of Moving to Texas
#1.
Youll Need a Car While Living in Texas
Lets start with the obvious.
Living in Texas without a car is like joining a sailing race with a surfboard under your arm.
Its not going to work out very well.
Likewise, even daily errands (grocery shopping, etc.)
The city sprawl is real for those living in Texas, and the suburbs offer even less hope.
Heres some interesting facts about driving in Texas:
#2.
This is largely due to the states close proximity to the equator.
The humidity and heat can be overwhelming and downright shocking for those moving Texas unprepared.
This isnt your mamas summer weather (unless your mama lives in Texas, of course).
Most Texans stay inside their ACd homes and offices 24/7 during the summer months because the heat is intolerable.
For perspective, the hottest temperature on record clocked in at an impressive120F.
Its not uncommon for summer highs to exceed 100F and thunderstorms are all but guaranteed come spring.
Hurricanes are also quite common in Texas and cause property damage year after year.
My advice?Dont make plans that dont involve water during the hot summer days while living in Texas.
#3.
Texas housing market it nuts right now and doesnt show signs of slowing anytime soon.
But at the start of 2023 (six months later), the price has increased to $315,000.
Thats not an easy market to keep up with.
I mean, who knows if homes in Texas will be affordable 5-10 years from now?
#4.
Texas often ranks as one of theworst states in Americafor proper healthcare.
Let that sink in.
This is a huge caveat for people considering moving to Texas for retirement.
Keep this in mind if youre moving to Texas for retirement.
Existing health concerns may be more prone to neglect.
Plus, the probability of illnesses being un-diagnosed may increase while living in Texas.
#5.
Sky-High Property Taxes
Lets not sugarcoat it.
Texas has some of thehighest property taxesin the country.Ouch.
Property taxes are determined by several factors.
One of the highest rates in America.
Which really sucks for those living in Texas.
If helpful: Property taxes typically paid on an annual basis.
The exact due date will vary depending on the city, but its typically in the fall.
#6.
Like with any recently discovered place, locals arent too keen on transplants and treat newcomers with weariness.
The unexpected popularity of living in Texas comes with growing pains, to be sure.
Some locals will give you the cold shoulder and blame you for the uptick in traffic and housing prices.
But lets get real, this mentality/thinking is prevalent in many growing cities across the country.
Just know that Texas is not immune to the infamous tug-of-war between lifelong locals and newcomers.
New ideas, policies, political preferences, food sensitives, avocado toast toppings and dog size preferences.
#7.
Texas is one of thebuggiest statesin America!
The most common suspect is the infamous cockroach, which can be a major nuisance for homeowners.
As such, youll need to budget annual pest control into your budget before moving to Texas.
#8.
Ive had several coworkers mention that they didnt start getting allergies until moving to Texas.
I find that peculiar, but Im guessing theyre telling the truth.
Regardless, I guarantee that every household has allergy medicine and nasal sprays.
Were popping antihistamines like candy over here.
There are many different causes for allergies while living in Texas.
Chief among them are pollen, mold, dust, and animal dander.
Expect to hear a cacophony of sneezing, congestion and runny nose every spring, fall and summer season.
#9.
Neutral Things You Should Know Before Moving to Texas
#1.
Expect to see republican-themed apparel and flags in every town, practically every storefront and every restaurant.
Those that sway with Republican policies will feel comfortable and welcomed while living in Texas.
Liberals will also be welcomed, but it may be harder to find your footing for a while.
However, its definitely possible and Texans are a kind bunch.
#2.
Gun Culture
As you probably know, Texas is a loud and proud gun carrying state.
Its not uncommon to see people openly carrying firearms while running errands.
Its not uncommon to get invited to gun ranges by friends and coworkers.
#3.
Football is a Way of Life
Texas has two religions: Religion and football.
Everyone and their dog roots for one team or another so you better be prepared.
These teams have tons of fans, and many Texans will fight to defend their honor.
The passion isnt reserved just for professional teams though.
Youll need to pick a favorite college team and maybe a high school team for good measure.
The exhilarating sports scene is alive and well in Texas, make no mistake about it.
It makes living in Texas very fun (especially during football season).
Visit one of the local sports bars and see what all the fuss is about.
Retiring in Texas FAQ
Moving to Texas seems to be on a lot of peoples minds lately.
Hard to blame them!
Friendly locals, affordable housing, access to nature and year-round sunshine.
If youre consideringretiring in Texas, youre not alone.
I hope you found this post helpful.
Hope you enjoyed this roundup of the honest pros and cons of living in Texas.
