Anyone here from Texas? I have a few questions for you Texans

[Arkitech]

My family and I are thinking of maybe making a move to the Texas area, the cold winters here and the price of housing are a big factor for wanting to leave. I would like to live in a well established surburban area with lots of trees and large yards. As far as housing goes, I could probably afford to buy a home up to the 300k range (although I would prefer to keep the cost under 200k).

Another factor for me would be to live within 30-60 minutes of a large metro area or city. I'm a part time real estate investor looking to go full time if I make the move, so being close to an area with lots of homes would be ideal for my business.

What are the temperatures like for Texas throughout the year?

What are some areas I should avoid? (crime, low income areas, racism, etc..)

Are basements common in Texas homes?

Where do you live in Texas?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

First of all you have to understand that Texas is a lot bigger than Illinois and communities differ greatly from place to place. It would help if you could narrow down what part of Texas you're lookin' at pardner.

 

[nakedfrog]

As far as I'm concerned, the only metro area I'd pick would be Austin.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
First of all you have to understand that Texas is a lot bigger than Illinois and communities differ greatly from place to place. It would help if you could narrow down what part of Texas you're lookin' at pardner.

I honestly don't know, I've never been to Texas before so I'm not too familiar with the state. I have family in the DFW area but I'm open to any nice location.

 

[CPA]

West side of Houston - Katy. Low crime, one of the best school districts in Texas, No. 1 High School Football team in the nation this year (USA Today), growing area, 25 - 30 minutes to downtown Houston (1 hour+ during rush hour until the highway widening is done), minutes from the Energy Corridor, home prices from $120K - $1M+. You can still find homes with acerage at decent prices.

 

[homercles337]

You'd be making one of the biggest mistakes of your life if you made that move...

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: homercles337
You'd be making one of the biggest mistakes of your life if you made that move...

Why is that?

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
First of all you have to understand that Texas is a lot bigger than Illinois and communities differ greatly from place to place. It would help if you could narrow down what part of Texas you're lookin' at pardner.

Yep. There is huge variance in the weather here. We are close to 92F right now. How's that grab ya? Anyway, I suggest San Marcos as one place that might meet your needs.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Temps range from too damn cold to too damn hot. Basements are few and far between. The big cities have the same pros and cons as big cities anywhere. Small towns differ wildly. In general, I'm pretty sure the 'Flat Earthers' originated in West Texas. I do kinda like Austin for a fairly big city though,

 

[xochi]

You might narrow down the cities based on things you like to do. Parks, Biking, Hunting, Operas, Symphonies, Live music, Fishing, Beaches rtc.

As others have said Texas is a huge State, and all of the major cities are quite different. The bigger cities are San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, McAllen and El Paso. Each one of these metro areas has large suburbs if you want more quite areas.

One thing is common, Texas is unforgivingly hot in the summer, so dont forget the sunscreen.

 

[lizardth]

Originally posted by: woodie1

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
First of all you have to understand that Texas is a lot bigger than Illinois and communities differ greatly from place to place. It would help if you could narrow down what part of Texas you're lookin' at pardner.

Yep. There is huge variance in the weather here. We are close to 92F right now. How's that grab ya? Anyway, I suggest San Marcos as one place that might meet your needs.

Who are you and how do you know san marcos? Actually, his suggestion isn't a bad one it is 30 min from south Austin and 45 min for NE San Antonio (reg. traffic not rush hour). There are a lot of new houses being built in the area, and the weather isn't bad at all. As for basements, tho, good luck finding one, I've lived in TX my whole life and only know of 1 person that had one.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
As far as I'm concerned, the only metro area I'd pick would be Austin.

That would fit the bill very well.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: CPA
West side of Houston - Katy. Low crime, one of the best school districts in Texas, No. 1 High School Football team in the nation this year (USA Today), growing area, 25 - 30 minutes to downtown Houston (1 hour+ during rush hour until the highway widening is done), minutes from the Energy Corridor, home prices from $120K - $1M+. You can still find homes with acerage at decent prices.

Sounds good, I'll add that area to my list. :thumbsup:

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: xochi

You might narrow down the cities based on things you like to do. Parks, Biking, Hunting, Operas, Symphonies, Live music, Fishing, Beaches rtc.

As others have said Texas is a huge State, and all of the major cities are quite different. The bigger cities are San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, McAllen and El Paso. Each one of these metro areas has large suburbs if you want more quite areas.

One thing is common, Texas is unforgivingly hot in the summer, so dont forget the sunscreen.

I guess with the weather being what it is in Texas I would expect to do lots of activities outdoors, I also have 2 small kids (1 year old girl and 2 year old boy) so family activities are high on my list. I'm also a "huge" music fan so I would like to take in the occasional show from time to time.

 

[Josh123]

I've lived in Texas all my life and really enjoyed living in Austin for two years. I also really like San Marcos and plan on heading down next month to float the river .

I live in west Texas now though, Snyder to be exact......small town living.

 

[xochi]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: xochi

You might narrow down the cities based on things you like to do. Parks, Biking, Hunting, Operas, Symphonies, Live music, Fishing, Beaches rtc.

As others have said Texas is a huge State, and all of the major cities are quite different. The bigger cities are San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, McAllen and El Paso. Each one of these metro areas has large suburbs if you want more quite areas.

One thing is common, Texas is unforgivingly hot in the summer, so dont forget the sunscreen.

I guess with the weather being what it is in Texas I would expect to do lots of activities outdoors, I also have 2 small kids (1 year old girl and 2 year old boy) so family activities are high on my list. I'm also a "huge" music fan so I would like to take in the occasional show from time to time.

I live in the MidCities between Dallas and Fort Worth. Schools are good, plenty of jobs, you can get plenty of house for $150-200K, every major music venue hits DFW, the live music scene is ok. lots of transplants from Chicago.

You really cant go wrong with Austin, San Antonio, DFW or Houston or one of its suburbs.

 

[Arkitech]

Originally posted by: xochi

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: xochi

You might narrow down the cities based on things you like to do. Parks, Biking, Hunting, Operas, Symphonies, Live music, Fishing, Beaches rtc.

As others have said Texas is a huge State, and all of the major cities are quite different. The bigger cities are San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, McAllen and El Paso. Each one of these metro areas has large suburbs if you want more quite areas.

One thing is common, Texas is unforgivingly hot in the summer, so dont forget the sunscreen.

I guess with the weather being what it is in Texas I would expect to do lots of activities outdoors, I also have 2 small kids (1 year old girl and 2 year old boy) so family activities are high on my list. I'm also a "huge" music fan so I would like to take in the occasional show from time to time.

I live in the MidCities between Dallas and Fort Worth. Schools are good, plenty of jobs, you can get plenty of house for $150-200K, every major music venue hits DFW, the live music scene is ok. lots of transplants from Chicago.

You really cant go wrong with Austin, San Antonio, DFW or Houston or one of its suburbs.

Cool, thanks man. This is really helpful, I can't wait to fly down there later this year.

 

[MattCo]

Originally posted by: Josh123
I've lived in Texas all my life and really enjoyed living in Austin for two years. I also really like San Marcos and plan on heading down next month to float the river .

I live in west Texas now though, Snyder to be exact......small town living.

From DFW here, I like it.

My wife's parents are from Lubbock, so I get tickets in your neck of the woods pretty regularly (currently owe Hermleigh a Defensive Driving course).

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: Josh123
I've lived in Texas all my life and really enjoyed living in Austin for two years. I also really like San Marcos and plan on heading down next month to float the river .

I live in west Texas now though, Snyder to be exact......small town living.

Isn't that near Lubbock? I used to live in Amarillo.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Arkitech

Originally posted by: xochi

You might narrow down the cities based on things you like to do. Parks, Biking, Hunting, Operas, Symphonies, Live music, Fishing, Beaches rtc.

As others have said Texas is a huge State, and all of the major cities are quite different. The bigger cities are San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Corpus Christi, McAllen and El Paso. Each one of these metro areas has large suburbs if you want more quite areas.

One thing is common, Texas is unforgivingly hot in the summer, so dont forget the sunscreen.

I guess with the weather being what it is in Texas I would expect to do lots of activities outdoors, I also have 2 small kids (1 year old girl and 2 year old boy) so family activities are high on my list. I'm also a "huge" music fan so I would like to take in the occasional show from time to time.

Austin is the live music capital of the world. I grew up in Dallas have lived in Austin the last month and a half, I would highly recommend both but if you like music and outdoorsy/family type stuff you should go to Austin.

Originally posted by: MagnusTheBrewer
Temps range from too damn cold to too damn hot. Basements are few and far between. The big cities have the same pros and cons as big cities anywhere. Small towns differ wildly. In general, I'm pretty sure the 'Flat Earthers' originated in West Texas. I do kinda like Austin for a fairly big city though,

You have obviously never lived in Texas.

 

[Josh123]

Originally posted by: judasmachine

Originally posted by: Josh123
I've lived in Texas all my life and really enjoyed living in Austin for two years. I also really like San Marcos and plan on heading down next month to float the river .

I live in west Texas now though, Snyder to be exact......small town living.

Isn't that near Lubbock? I used to live in Amarillo.

Yes sir, about an hour and 20 min. south east of Lubbock.

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

I live and work in San Marcos. It's nice if you like city life, as you are right inbetween Austin and San Antonio. Me, I miss the simple life in Ingleside.

Originally posted by: Josh123
I've lived in Texas all my life and really enjoyed living in Austin for two years. I also really like San Marcos and plan on heading down next month to float the river .

I live in west Texas now though, Snyder to be exact......small town living.

Sweet! San Marcos meet!

 

[Josh123]

Originally posted by: Fullmetal Chocobo
I live and work in San Marcos. It's nice if you like city life, as you are right inbetween Austin and San Antonio. Me, I miss the simple life in Ingleside.

Originally posted by: Josh123
I've lived in Texas all my life and really enjoyed living in Austin for two years. I also really like San Marcos and plan on heading down next month to float the river .

I live in west Texas now though, Snyder to be exact......small town living.

Sweet! San Marcos meet!

Ya, my bestfriend wants me to do the river raft race so I'll be wasted most of that weekend of April 26th.

 

[Throckmorton]

Texas suburbs are mostly horrible places. No trees, no character, because the suburbanization took place recently in this state. Austin suburbs are alright, but only west of I35. East of I35 is where the blackland prairie starts, so there's no topography, and no trees.

You can't beat the Austin urban neighborhoods though, which $300k will get you into.

 

[sonambulo]

Austin is a grand old time. Check it out.