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A Guide To Living In The Lone Star State

Table Of Contents

Introduction .......................................................................................... 4

Culture & People ................................................................................... 4

Texans ............................................................................................... 4
Racial Breakdown .............................................................................. 5
Tolerance ........................................................................................... 5
Religion & God ................................................................................... 6
Rodeo................................................................................................. 6
Football.............................................................................................. 6
Trucks ............................................................................................... 6
Guns.................................................................................................. 7
Accents .............................................................................................. 7
Drugs & Alcohol ................................................................................. 7
Capital Punishment ........................................................................... 8

Wild Animals ......................................................................................... 8

Bad Things About Living In Texas.......................................................... 9

Fire Ants ............................................................................................ 9
Allergies ............................................................................................. 9
Bad Beaches ...................................................................................... 9
High Property Taxes ........................................................................... 9

Weather & Climate ................................................................................ 9

Geography........................................................................................... 10

Texas Cities......................................................................................... 11
Home Prices ..................................................................................... 11

Texas Schools...................................................................................... 11

Texas Economy & Business Climate .................................................... 12

Jobs In Texas ................................................................................... 13

Welcome To Texas! .............................................................................. 13

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Introduction

Texas is booming. The Lone Star State has become one of the top
destinations in the country. It’s simple. People like jobs and freedom.
Texas has many jobs, and plenty of freedom. It’s no surprise that so
many people are moving here.

Texas is one of those places that some people love to hate. So, it can be
hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to our state. What
makes me qualified to write about Texas? Well, I grew up in two blue
states, but I’ve lived in Texas most of my adult life. I know a little bit
about the life and culture here. And, after reading this report, you will
too.

Culture & People

Texans

In general, Texans are a friendly, warm group of people. For the most
part, folks here are nice and happy. They are also fiercely independent.
They like to handle their business, without too much outside
interference.

Texans have historically prided themselves on their ability to create

wealth and opportunity out of nothing. This can-do attitude may seem
naïve to outsiders. Either way, it permeates the minds of many Texans.

Once you understand this independent streak, you’ll have a better

understanding of the state itself. It’s one reason why Texas spends less
than other states on public services like transportation and education.
Many Texans reject big government, high taxes, and bloated social
services. Whether you think that’s good or bad depends on your political
views. But so far, it seems to have worked out well for Texas.

Many Texans also have a deep sense of pride in their state. And even
non-native Texans may end up feeling the love. Texans are so proud of
their history that they teach a year of it to their public school kids. Some
might call that brainwashing, but maybe that’s the point.

If you travel outside the US, you’ll find that Texas is famous. Many
foreigners are familiar with it. That’s partly because when foreigners ask
a world-traveling Texan where they’re from, the Texan won’t say America.
They’ll say Texas.

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Racial Breakdown

Around 26 million people live here. So, what’s the racial breakdown of
the population? Well, most folks in Texas are either Anglo (white) or
Hispanic. The Hispanic population in Texas is mostly of Mexican descent.
The black and Asian populations are both slightly lower than national
averages. Here’s some racial stats for Texas as of 2012.

White - 45%
Hispanic - 38%
Black - 12%
Asian - 4%
Mixed Race - 2%
Native Americans - 1%

Men and women are split - about fifty-fifty.

Males - 49.7%
Females - 50.3%

Data Source: Census.gov

As you can see, there aren’t many Native Americans in Texas. That’s
because Texas is home to just three small Federally recognized tribes. At
one time, Texas was home to the most powerful Indian tribe in
America…the Comanche. The Comanche were famous for their guerilla
tactics, horsemanship, and prowess in battle. They were also known for
extreme cruelty, which led to atrocities on both sides. As a result, early
Texas settlers (Anglo and Mexican) were not very tolerant of Indians.
Most of the native Texas tribes were either wiped out or exiled to
Oklahoma.

Tolerance

Today things are different. Texans are generally friendly to out-of-staters

and foreigners. In 2012, the foreign-born population in Texas was
around 16 percent. Race relations here are good. Of course, there are
some racist people living in Texas, just like there are racist people living
all over the world. But Texas isn’t some foreign country. In many ways,
it’s culturally similar to the rest of the United States. So, like the rest of
the US…most people here are tolerant of others. You are unlikely to
experience any overt racism or bigotry in any of the big cities in Texas. If
you’re seriously worried about it, just pick a big city like Dallas or
Austin. Then, you’ll likely have no problems.

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Religion & God

Many people associate Texas and the South, with Christianity. It’s true
that Texans are a religious group of people, and Texas is a religious state.
You will find many Christian churches here. Certain cities like Dallas-
Fort Worth are known for being home to lots of Christian mega-churches.
But even though Christianity is the dominant religion here, not everyone
in Texas is a churchgoer. And since this is 2013, plenty of other religions
thrive in Texas as well.

Rodeo

Yes, there are cowboys, longhorns, and rodeos here. It is part of our
culture. Some colleges, like Texas Tech and Sul Ross State, even have
college-level rodeo teams. But, though rodeo is big in some rural areas,
most Texans live in cities. For them, rodeo is not a major part of life.
With that being said, you will find big annual rodeo events in almost
every major city in Texas. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, held
every March, is one famous example. Overall though, football is much
more important here than rodeo.

Football

Of course, American football is a national obsession. But Texans take it

to an extreme. Football is a way of life for many people here. Texans
follow their football teams with religious fervor. High school and college
football are number one. The NFL comes second. In Texas, you will find
stores like Wal-Mart or Walgreen’s selling local high school football fan
paraphernalia. Just like it was college or NFL gear. On Friday nights
during the fall, some places in Texas turn into ghost towns. That’s
because almost every single person is at the high school watching the
game.

Trucks

Texans love trucks and sport utility vehicles. It’s one of the first things
you’ll notice about living here. There are giant trucks everywhere. Texans
don’t seem to harbor much guilt about driving large vehicles. Of course,
in cities like Austin or Houston, you will see plenty of smaller cars. But
the stereotype here is true. Texans do love trucks. And it seems like the
bigger the truck…the better.

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Guns

Not everyone in Texas has a gun. But yes, Texas is a very pro-gun state.
Guns and hunting are still a big part of life here. Many Texans enjoy
target shooting, skeet shooting, and hunting. Both indoor and outdoor
shooting ranges are common. Some ranges even have Ladies Nights!

You don’t need a special permit to buy a gun here, like you do in some
states. You can buy rifles, pistols, and shotguns without a permit. There
are also fewer magazine restrictions. You are still subject to the normal
waiting periods and background checks. But Texas has many gun
shows. As of this writing, you can still get around waiting periods by
purchasing at those shows. The loophole means you can buy a gun the
same day, without the wait.

Texas is also a “shall-issue” state. That means it’s easy for ordinary
citizens to get a concealed handgun license (CHL). Your gun rights here
aren’t subject to the whims of local law enforcement. Once you get your
license, you are free to carry as many guns on you as you like. They just
have to be concealed. You cannot openly carry a handgun in Texas; this
isn’t the Wild West, or Arizona.

Accents

Not everyone in Texas has an accent. If you live in one of the bigger
cities, you won’t hear it much at all. If you do hear it, it’s usually from
Texans who grew up in rural areas or small towns. Many Texans who are
native to the Panhandle or East Texas do have an accent. Both count as
a “Texas accent” but they actually sound different. People from south
Texas and the border regions also have a distinct accent, usually
Mexican influenced. Some speak Spanglish, an English/Spanish hybrid.

People here do like to say, “Ya’ll.” This is the equivalent to “You all” on
the West Coast and “You guys” on the East. Texans also like to say
“Fixin’ to.” That translates to “I’m going to.” For example, “Hey ya’ll, I’m
fixin’ to move to Texas,” roughly translates to “Hey you guys, I’m going to
be moving to Texas.”

Drugs & Alcohol

Texas is strict when it comes to illegal drugs. It’s one of the harshest
states in the nation in this area. There are stiff penalties for illegal drug
use and sale. This isn’t Colorado or California. If you are looking for a
state that is lenient on drugs, well, Texas isn’t it. For example, state

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penalties for marijuana use in Texas are more severe than existing
Federal laws.

Texas also has a complicated, love/hate relationship with alcohol. Many

Texans love to drink. Usually while shooting their guns off into the air
and yelling “Yeehaw!” Beer, margaritas, and Mexican martinis are part of
the culture here. And there are drive-through liquor stores. Up until
recently, it was even legal for a passenger to have an open container of
alcohol inside a moving vehicle.

But Texas also has some very strange and old-fashioned liquor laws.
Alcohol sales are limited here. For example, liquor stores are closed on
Sundays. And, there are actually thirteen dry counties in Texas, where
the sale of alcohol is illegal. Don’t worry; the dry counties are small and
sparsely populated. You can drink in all the major cities. The Texas
Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC) is a state agency that’s widely
feared by bar owners and patrons alike. The TABC will aggressively
conduct sting operations using minors, trying to get bars and other
establishments to break the law by serving them liquor.

Capital Punishment

Texas likes to execute its murderers and violent offenders. In fact, Texas
is famous (some might say infamous) for leading the nation in capital
punishment. And, although most executed inmates are men, the justice
system here is truly blind. Texas recently executed its 500th death row
inmate…who happened to be a woman. Whatever you may think about
the death penalty, that’s just the way it is here. Texas is not really a good
place to be a violent criminal or murderer.

Wild Animals

Texas is home to many wild and exotic animals. Some animals living in
Texas – jaguarundis, mountain lions, ocelots, javelinas (a pig-like
animal), mule deer, wild hogs, rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, alligators, sea
turtles, sharks, armadillos, centipedes, scorpions, tarantulas, horned
toads, fire ants, and tigers.

Tigers? Yes, Texas has the highest people-to-tiger ratio on the planet! The
tigers here aren’t wild though. Private citizens in Texas own
approximately 4,000 captive tigers. This means there are more tigers in
captivity in Texas than the total number of wild tigers in all of India!

Number of tigers kept in Texas (estimated): 4,000

Number of tigers in India (WWF estimated): 1,400

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4 Bad Things About Living In Texas

There are some bad things about living here. Some might add heat &
humidity to this list, but we’ll cover those separately. Here are four
things new residents should watch out for.

1) Fire Ants

Count yourself lucky if you’ve never had to deal with these awful
creatures. Texas isn’t the only state with a fire ant problem. But if you’re
moving here, you will probably have to deal with them. Fire ants are
natives to South America. They landed in Alabama in the 1930s and
have spread across the country since then. Fire ants are very dangerous
to babies, old people, and small animals. They are no joke…be careful
and use caution when dealing with their mounds.

2) Allergies

Not all of Texas gets bad allergens. But certain areas, like Central Texas,
can be extremely challenging for people who suffer from allergies. Things
like Cedar Fever can lay people up for days. Unfortunately, allergies don’t
get better...they only get worse with time. Staying inside, neti pot, air
purifiers, and frequent showers can alleviate the suffering. Medication is
crucial.

3) Bad Beaches

Ok, the beaches here aren’t terrible. There are some pretty areas. But in
general, the beaches in Texas aren’t that nice. That’s especially true if
you come from a part of the world with gorgeous beaches, like California
or Australia. Even East Coast beaches are nicer than Texas. So yes,
prepare to be disappointed by Texas beaches.

4) High Property Taxes

The flip side of no state income tax is higher property taxes. If you own a
home in Texas, then you might be paying a lot of property tax. Property
tax rates vary wildly around the state, so do research before you buy
property here.

Weather & Climate

Texas is famous for hot weather. Some love it, others hate it. It really
depends on your individual tolerance for extreme heat. The heat here is a
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major downside to life in Texas, in my opinion. Air conditioning is not

optional here in the South. You must have A/C in your car, at work, and
at home.

But not all Texas heat is the same. Arid parts of the state get dry heat,
like a blast furnace. Other parts of Texas are green and subtropical,
especially parts of East Texas and the Gulf Coast. Those areas experience
extreme heat and extreme humidity, like a sauna. Summertime in Texas
is like wintertime in the North. You’ll stay inside a lot from June to
September because of the weather.

Spring and fall in Texas tend to be amazing. The weather is great during
these seasons. That’s the best time to live in or visit Texas. Winters in
Texas are mild. Parts of Texas do get some snow and ice in the winter.
When even a mild ice or snowstorm hits Dallas or Austin, the city can
shut down for days. People from the north will likely find this amusing.

Texas does have some natural disasters. The Panhandle and northern
parts of the state get tornados. The Gulf Coast, including Houston,
suffers hurricanes. And many parts of Texas are plagued by wildfire and
drought.

Geography

How big is Texas? It’s huge, the largest state in the lower 48. Only Alaska
is bigger. Texas is so vast that the regional differences are striking. For
example, El Paso is a desert city, part of the Great Southwest. Houston
sits on a bayou and is part of the South. Dallas and the Panhandle are
on the plains and have more in common with the Midwest. Austin and
San Antonio sit the edge of the rolling hills of Central Texas. And Corpus
Christi is a sub-tropical Gulf Coast town.

It’s hard to understand how big it really is, until you’ve been here and
driven through it. Especially if you’re used to living in places like the
East Coast or Europe. Consider these approximate driving times:

El Paso, TX to Orange, TX - 860 miles, 12 hours

North Texas Panhandle to Southern TX Tip - 888 miles, 13 hours

And just for fun, compare these:

El Paso, TX to Blythe, California - 577 miles, 8 hours

El Paso, TX to Dallas, TX - 635 miles, 9 hours

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You’ll have some long drives if you live in the countryside. It’s probably
no coincidence that two counties in Texas have the highest speed limit in
the nation, up to 85 miles per hour (MPH). The limit is 80 MPH in several
others counties. It’s 75 MPH across most of the rest of the state. Houston
and Dallas have lower limits. Believe me; high legal limits are very
helpful when making long-haul drives across Texas.

Texas Cities

So, where’s the best place to live in Texas? Should you pick a city or
small town? If you’re moving here, where to live is probably your most
pressing choice. Really, it comes down to your personal taste. Or in some
cases, where you found your job. But if you can, visit a few cities here to
get feel for them. That way you can find one that fits you.

In general, most new residents will probably feel more comfortable in one
of the larger metro areas. Most Texas cities are very diverse, with lots of
jobs, affordable real estate, and solid economic opportunity. Here’s a list
of the major metro areas in Texas. You can find out more about each city
at Moving To Texas: http://movingtotexas.net/texas-cities/

• Austin
• Dallas-Fort Worth
• El Paso
• Houston
• San Antonio

Home Prices

Of course, all real estate markets are local. Prices fluctuate from city to
city. Describing each market is beyond the scope of this report. But in
general, homes are more affordable in Texas. Texas is land-rich and laws
here encourage new construction. Lots of people are moving here. But
builders are free to try to keep up with demand. Some cities in Texas are
currently experiencing a real estate boom. In those cases, new residents
are moving in faster than new homes are being built. That helps drive up
prices, and home values have gone up in some of the more desirable
Texas cities. But in general, good-sized, high quality homes are still
within reach of middle-class folks.

Texas Schools

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How are the schools here? Texas does have many highly rated public
schools. As of this writing, it boasts the top rated public high school in
the nation, The School For The Gifted And Talented in DFW. And Texas
has several top-rated colleges and universities. Rice University, the
University of Texas, the University of Houston, and the University of
North Texas are just a few. Visit Moving To Texas for more in-depth
information on the schools in Texas. Or, you can learn more about home
schooling in the Lone Star State: http://movingtotexas.net/texas-
schools/

*Here’s an important note for parents who plan on living near the Mexican
border. Consider the fact that the drinking age in Mexico is eighteen.
Drinking laws in Mexico aren’t always strictly enforced. Kids under
eighteen can probably get alcohol there. So, if you have teenage
children…the border may be a little too much fun. Consider yourself
warned, and ask me how I know.

Texas Economy & Business Climate

Texas is a booming economic powerhouse. It leads the country in

creating new jobs, and it has low unemployment. Some people call it the
Texas Model. Others call it the Texas Miracle. Either way, Texas is doing
something right. It has one of the strongest economies in America.

Part of Texas’ success is unearned. Although it may not be the prettiest

state, it’s been geographically blessed. It has great deep-water ports at
Houston and Corpus Christi. Cattle and cotton thrive here. And Texas
sits at a crossroads between the US and Mexico, so it benefits from
international trade.

Of course, Texas is famous for oil and gas. Energy is big here. The state
has abundant oil and gas reserves. Houston is the energy capital of the
world. Dozens of energy firms are located in Texas. Operators at the
Barnett Shale and the Eagle Ford Shale already produce large quantities
of oil and liquid natural gas. And they both have massive potential
reserves. Unlike some other states, Texas knows how to manage its
natural resources properly. It allows drilling and fracking. So now, it’s
the 15th largest oil producer on the planet.

But part of the success is earned. Texas has a friendly business climate,
with smart, pro-growth policies. Low taxes, right-to-work laws, and
healthy attitudes towards business all contribute to economic growth.
Tort reform in Texas helped eliminate many frivolous lawsuits. And a low
cost of living helps attract workers and encourages new residents to
move here.

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And although energy is important here, Texas has a diverse economy

with serious staying power. Fifty-two Fortune 500 companies call Texas
home. Manufacturing, technology, tourism, financial services, and others
industries all add to state GDP and help round out the economy.

Texas continues to welcome existing businesses from out of state. And, it

encourages the creation of new businesses using different economic
incentives. Out-of-state businesses flock to Texas because they know
that when they come here, they’re free to expand and make money.
Without too much hassle from government officials. All of these things
add up, and that’s why so many people are coming here.

Jobs In Texas

What’s the job market like in Texas? How easy is it to find a job in there?
Texas leads the nation in job growth, so yes there are many jobs here.
From 2010 to 2012, almost half of all the new jobs created in the United
States were in Texas. Jobs are one of the main reasons people come to
Texas. And contrary to popular myth, not all of them were low wage jobs.
You can see for yourself. Visit our job search page if you need to find a
new job in Texas: http://movingtotexas.net/jobs-in-texas/

Welcome To Texas!

This wraps up our short guide. Hopefully, it’s given you some insight into
life here. The Lone Star State isn’t perfect. Like anywhere else, it has its
flaws. Overall, it’s a great place to live, work, and raise a family. It has a
lot to offer freedom-loving people. Whether you are looking for affordable
real estate, a good job, or a place to start your business, Texas has what
you are looking for. Feel free to contact us at info@movingtotexas.net if
you have any questions. Welcome to Texas!

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