moving to houston Texas..ur input pls.

[jakol]

For Texan out there..need some input....pls

I'm planning to move to Houston Texas were realstate, cost of living still cheap, my biggest concern though is the weather, never been to Texas but they said its pretty hot n humid there,planning to visit Texas in couple of months to see hows life there.

Im currenly living in orange calif were realstate has gone to the roof, im planning to use my equity to buy a new house in Texas and retire early.. im really tired of working..lol.

what do you think guys, nice idea maybe?

PS: Im still open to other US states were realty is not that bad..any recommendations?...thank you, have a nice day

[smearbrick1]

Tennessee is pretty cheap. I imagine so are places like Kansas, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Iowa. I really have no evidence to back that up. Compared to CA, I think any place would be cheaper.

[lordsmurf]

Houston is a shithole. It's hot and humid 24/7/365. The traffic sucks. Some of the areas are overrun by low class slime, typical of a big city.

Some of the outlying areas are okay, some not. Texas City, for example, would smell like burning oil. Somewhere like Spring, Katy or Humble you may find a bit nicer.

The area is also known as the conversative capital of the USA, so coming from California, you'd be entering an area saturated with people who likely do not share your political views.

The job market there also sucks. And with tons of Katrina evacuees moving there, good luck on it getting any better.

Not sure how housing is, either rates or availability.

On cheap places to live, I would concur with smearbrick, however some of that is also related to the unemployment rates in those areas. You can probably add Ohio to that list, maybe Indiana ... basically your geographically central continental states.

[Faustus]

Houston is a shithole. It's hot and humid 24/7/365. The traffic sucks. Some of the areas are overrun by low class slime, typical of a big city.

Some of the outlying areas are okay, some not. Texas City, for example, would smell like burning oil. Somewhere like Spring, Katy or Humble you may find a bit nicer.

The area is also known as the conversative capital of the USA, so coming from California, you'd be entering an area saturated with people who likely do not share your political views.

The job market there also sucks. And with tons of Katrina evacuees moving there, good luck on it getting any better.

Not sure how housing is, either rates or availability.

On cheap places to live, I would concur with smearbrick, however some of that is also related to the unemployment rates in those areas. You can probably add Ohio to that list, maybe Indiana ... basically your geographically central continental states.

Wow you nicely summed up what I came to this thread to say.

Dallas is better then houston. And non native texas seem to like Austin alot.

[lordsmurf]

Dallas is better then houston. And non native texas seem to like Austin alot.

Yeah, but the comparison to Dallas is like asking which fart smells better. If I had to sum up Dallas in one word, that word would be "confused". Everybody is always in a rush, but nobody knows why or where they're going. And I mean this in a philosphical sense too, not just road traffic. Between the city councils and mayors and programs of Dallas proper, as well as most of the outlying areas, you have a stagnant area that is behind the times in several key ways. If you're well-to-do, or enjoy a hum-drum business life, or have admitted defeat to a dead-end career, then this is the place to be.

Austin is a nice area. Aside from the issue of it being a political climate (state capital and all), then you would likely enjoy it's atmosphere. It's more relaxed than other parts of the state, and has a firm sense of direction in most areas. With the exception of sitting in a flood plain, San Antonio is similar.

[jakol]

thanks for the replies,
I didnt really know that Texas is that bad, moving to Texas is a bad idea after all

[lordsmurf]

I wouldn't say it's "bad" but just not an oasis or resort of any kind.

[SquirrelDip]

I wouldn't say it's "bad"

Houston is a shithole. It's hot and humid 24/7/365. The traffic sucks. Some of the areas are overrun by low class slime...

A "shithole" isn't bad???

[shelbyGT]

I'd go with Austin first, having close family and friends that live in Houston & Dallas & Austin, I'd go there first.


And Kansas/Nebraska/Missouri/Oklahoma are all quite cheap to live. Here in KC you can get a 3 bed, 2 bath 2 car garage house with a nice yard for around 150,000 that was built within the last 3 years (yeah, my sister was just in the market for a house).
I don't have to pay extra for parking at my apartment and all that jazz. Every time I visit my sister in Chicago I'm amazed at everything they have to pay for that I assume is free and/or cheap.

So... yeah... the midwest is cheap. (for the most part)

[lordsmurf]

I meant the state as a whole is not "bad". Houston is still a shithole.
But there's countless places elsewhere in the state.
Especially nice around some of the lakes: Travis, Tyler, Ray Hubbard, Worth, etc.

[SquirrelDip]

@lordsmurf - That's what I figured... But you have to see the humor in your two posts.

[lordsmurf]

:P

[anitract]

Well, I'm from Nebraska. Cost of living is quite low, and I'd imagine you could find a VERY nice place to settle down for much less than California.

Some of the mid-sized cities (24,000-40,000 pop.) are very nice. Winters can suck pretty hardcore, but unless you are living in Lincoln or Omaha, you don't have to deal with heavy traffic.

Oh, and living above the Ogallala Aquifer ensures us some of the best water anywhere in the US.

[VideoTechMan]

Houston sucks. And I can say that because I grew up there. Back in the days of old it was pretty decent in the area where I used to live (near the airport on the north side) but nowadays its filled with rogue folks and getting too crowded for me. And I hate living near big cities. And like LordSmurf mentioned the traffic sucks to high hell.

I finally left TX and went to Ohio to stay with my dad for two years before finally moving to Michigan in 2003, and I havent regretted it since. I like being a northerner. And when I make my visits to Houston, it makes me feel good that I moved out.

And, land is not cheap there....real estate is alot more expensive in Texas than other areas.

Not trying to discourage you, just giving you my opionion since I have lived in that city for many years. Good luck

VTM

[jakol]

thank you guys for ur opinions, made me think twice on moving, its true that cost of living on other states are low/tolerable but they said its priced for a reason, im not saying other states are no good but people do have different preference/priorities in life.
Used to live in New Jersey and didnt like the winter time, so i guess mid west is out of the question. Ive found southern california has the best weather :P warm,sunny and dry :P maybe ill stay put for a while.

thanks again

[bazooka]

Houston is also mosquitoville.

[JSB1]

Houston is also mosquitoville.

Try Baytown... just outside of Huston on the Gulf.

Baytown IS the armpit of America... hut, humid, huge bugs, buring gas stacks, where Raid is made.... did I mention humid?

JSB

[greymalkin]

wow..

i live just outside of Baytown and work in Houston..i guess my life really is terrible!

It is unreasonably hot most of the time i agree..traffic is bad and you have to become very aggressive to get where you want in houston. I contrast that with driving to beaumont which is about the same distance from me going east rather than west..the drive to beaumont is very very pleasant and it's not nearly as crowded.

I still kinda live out in the sticks and i like it that way. I'm sure urban sprawl will catch up to me soon however as the neighborhoods are popping up like crazy in my town now..


mosquitos - yes

stinky - yes (i went to georgia once and when i returned to houston i was overwhelmed with the gas/exhaust smell and it took me a while to get used to the unclean air again)

rude people - yes



you guys make me want to move too :P

[canadateck]

mosquitos - yes

stinky - yes (i went to georgia once and when i returned to houston i was overwhelmed with the gas/exhaust smell and it took me a while to get used to the unclean air again)

rude people - yes



you guys make me want to move too :P

You Missed one thing!

sense of humor - Yes.

[HRMaddie]

I live north of the D/FW Metroplex and I enjoy it here.

I'll agree Houston is a shithole. I used to have to travel for a prior job to Houston quite frequently and I hated every minute of it. There are lots of nice areas in Texas to live that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

My wife and I considered moving back Austin last year, but the housing market is overpriced, in my opinion. We both graduated from UT @Austin and loved living there, however, everyone else got the same idea. Now it is heavily congested and becoming over built. The traffic there is freaking awful.

Cities or towns I would consider in Texas: Ft Worth / Sherman / Amarillo

[greymalkin]

You Missed one thing!

sense of humor - Yes.

I'm afraid i missed it again! I'm not sure I understand this post.

[zzyzzx]

You could try Detroit. Housing is (in relative terms) reasonably priced there.

[zzyzzx]

Used to live in New Jersey and didnt like the winter time

When (and where) did you live in New Jersey? I grew up in Georgia, and my parents told me all about winter weather on Long Island. But then later when I move to Baltimore, I find the winter weather to be somewhat mild and really not much snow, and whe it does it doesn't last long. When I went to NYC and asked one of my uncles about the stories my parents told me he said that ever since sometime in the early 1980's the winters have been milder.

[JSB1]

You could try Detroit. Housing is (in relative terms) reasonably priced there.

If you don't mind the fine ppl of Detroit steeling the manhole covers and selling them for scrap metal!

I am not kidding... I remember reading this in the paper back in the mid 90's!

JSB

[ZAPPER]

It is funny how the grass is always greener on the other side. I Suffer the same problem. I was thinking Montana or Wyoming or someplace where I could go 100 miles before seeing another person.

[tmaxwell2435]

No one has mentioned San Antonio?????

Any thoughts?

[lordsmurf]

No one has mentioned San Antonio?????
Any thoughts?

I mentioned San Antonio. It's not too much different than Austin, although parts of it sit in a flood plain. There is also a huge hispanic population, so things tend to be a bit shifted towards that culture.

[adam]

I've lived in Dallas, Houston, Austin, and currently live in San Antonio. San Antonio is growing the fastest by far so real estate and rental rates are very cheap and homes appreciate really quick here. The traffic in SA isn't terrible but its probably going to get alot worse in the next few years with all the growth. Weather is typical Texas heat and humidity but milder than Houston but...when it rains it floods...every time. And I'm not talking about mild flooding, I mean everytime it rains someone dies. It does have a huge Hispanic population so pretty much all city sponsored events have to do with that culture. So for me, the food is great but I have a hard time getting into the music and events. Maybe its just me but San Antonio just feels nothing like Austin even though they aren't that far away. They just seem like polar opposite cities.

Austin is simply an awesome town. Its trendy but not obnoxious like parts of Houston (Westlake) or Dallas (Plano). Its music scene is great and there's always something going on every weekend. I really think its about one of the coolest cities in the world....but the housing costs are just ridiculous. For the amount I spent on my house in SA I couldn't even have afforded the lot in a similar neighborhood in Austin.

There's really only one way to describe Houston and Dallas...cement....lots and lots of cement. Though there are some really nice cities just outside of Houston that I wouldn't mind living in.

Word of warning if you have kids though....whichever city you move to in Texas you are going to have a hard time finding and/or getting into a quality school.

[tmaxwell2435]

Maybe its just me but San Antonio just feels nothing like Austin even though they aren't that far away. They just seem like polar opposite cities.

It's not just you. I agree with this statement 100%.

[enstg8er]

i grew up in the houston suburb of clear lake (nasa). travelled all over the state. i find myself in most agreement with adam. agree-

typical Texas heat and humidity

Austin is simply an awesome town.

Houston and Dallas...cement....lots and lots of cement.

you guys make me want to move too

dis-agree

you are going to have a hard time finding and/or getting into a quality school.

though expect to pay prime housing prices and corresponding property tax. most school systems are constant. hisd id notably poor. outside the city there are many highly rated schools- clear lake/creek. friendswood, pearland, missouri city, katy, woodlands....(yes, property is higher. some clear lake lots now hit 1,000,000)

You could try Detroit.

all large cities have their short-commings but detroit seems to have more than their share. even the people who live their try to get out. it may be the largest city to be losing population.

he drive to beaumont is very very pleasant and it's not nearly as crowded.

on the weekends it becomes a challenge. 80+ is the norm for speed. try and go less and you'll get blown off the road. and you will most surely see more than one victim pulled over by dps. to top it all off, you end up in beaumont
i-10 is mostly finished except the east end between beaumont and louisiana. the only way to enjoy that part is to watch the fear in the cars with plates from places like mississippi or kansas.

greymalkin- baytown has really come along nicely. what part are you from?

Baytown IS the armpit of America...

beaumont, orange, port arthur, vidor, lake charles.... rank far worse....