Are you thinking of relocating? Texas is the second-largest state, both by land area and population. So, there must be something attractive there, but is Texas a good place to live?
Texas is an all-around cultural hub with career opportunities and entertainment spots. However, some drawbacks exist, from traffic jams to low healthcare insurance rates.
Why Is Texas a Good Place to Live?
Texas can be a great place to live if you want to progress your career or retire. In addition, if you’re a foodie, enjoy the outdoors, or can’t handle cold weather, moving to Texas could be your dream come true!
Low Cost of Living
In Texas, you’ll be able to save money by cutting down on the cost of living. Places like Amarillo are particularly affordable.
Plus, the residents of Texas aren’t required to pay personal income tax. This leaves you with more money to spend on nice things like food, but more on that later!
Growing Economy and Job Market
Since the 80s, Texas has been a hot money-making spot, and it doesn’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. Big companies like Apple, Dell, and eBay are based in Austin, the state capital. Others like HPE are located in Houston and Plano.
However, if the tech industry isn’t your thing, you’ll find plenty of job opportunities in the steel, energy, tourism, and banking sectors.
Warm Cozy Winters
Frost bites, huge coats, and having to put on a thousand layers to stay warm can be very annoying. But you don’t have to worry about any of it in Texas!
Winters here are warm, with average highs and lows of 59°F and 36°F, respectively.
Good Schools and Universities
If you’re considering coming to Texas with your children, there’s great news for you. You’ll find top-notch schools in every neighborhood and prestigious universities in almost every city.
There’s the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Houston, and Texas A&M University, just to name a few.
Great Food for Everyone
Following the theme of “Everything is bigger in Texas”, the Texans go all-in with flavors and portion sizes. It’s a foodie’s paradise!
Although arguably not the healthiest food, it sure is the tastiest. From juicy BBQs to Tex Mex to vegetarian delicacies, there’s something to suit every taste and satisfy all cravings.
Endless Outdoor Activities
Since Texas is vast, you’ll never run out of outdoor locations to visit. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery while you hike or bike in Cedar Ridge Nature Preserve in Dallas.
You can try kayaking in Buffalo Bayou Park or surfing at Jamaica Beach in Houston in the hot summers.
If you happen to be near the south of Texas, we highly recommend visiting San Antonio Riverwalk for a boat ride, dining, or a shopping spree.
Diverse Culture
Due to the high influx in the Lone Star state, you’ll encounter folks from different cultural backgrounds. Even if English isn’t your first language, you’ll find your crowd if you speak Spanish, Vietnamese or Chinese.
What Are the Downsides of Living in Texas?
Don’t we all wish there was this one place in the world where it’s only sunshine and butterflies? Unfortunately, nothing’s perfect, and Texas is no exception.
To make an informed decision, you’ll need to know the disadvantages too. So, let’s take a closer look:
High Property Taxes
We know that the law in Texas doesn’t impose personal income tax on its residents, but it has to collect taxes from somewhere to cover services like public schools, libraries, and infrastructure.
The bulk of those taxes come from owned property. For example, the county in Texas with the highest property tax is Fort Bend County, at a rate of 2.23%.
Time-Wasting Traffic
Owning a car in Texas is a necessity that means dealing with bad traffic jams. Peak hours in the mornings and late afternoons can be particularly frustrating!
Extreme Weather Phenomena
Texas is notorious for natural disasters, and here’s a brief overview of what to expect:
| Natural disaster | Year of incident |
| North American Winter Storm | 2021 |
| North American Storm Complex | 2012 |
| Texas Flooding | 2007 |
| Hurricane Norma | 1981 |
Low Healthcare Insurance
Over 4 million Texans are left without medical insurance, and that’s 1.75 times worse than the national average. So, you might want to look for a job that will cover healthcare packages for your family first.
Hot and Humid Summers
The hottest months are July and August, with an average of 95°F highs and 73°F lows. To survive that heat, you must turn on the AC 24/7 at your home or office. That’s the cost of enjoying warm winters, though.
Bugs!
We all love nature, but unfortunately, insects are a part of that package, and Texas has an abundance of those.
There always seems to be a source spreading mosquitoes everywhere, from gardens to lakes. So you can’t spray your house and expect them not to come back the next day. To make matters more challenging, cockroaches and ants are a big nuisance, too.
Living in Texas FAQs
What part of Texas is the best to live in?
Depending on your needs and preferences, you can choose to live in urban or rural areas in the Lone Star State. Here are a few options to consider:
* Fort Worth
* Plano
* Austin
* Frisco
* Round Rock
* Irving
What are the highest-paying jobs in Texas?
In Texas, career opportunities are abundant, but medicine, tech, and engineering are the top-paying fields.
Is Texas a friendly place?
Generally speaking, the ambiance in Texas is laid back. The people are friendly, and it’s common to greet strangers on the street with the classic “howdy!” hat-tip.
Parents are big on teaching their youngsters basic courtesies and being respectful with others, and they often lead by example.
References
- Cost of living: bestplaces.net
- Average highs and lows: weatherspark.com
- Top-paying fields: businessinsider.com
Christian Linden is a seasoned writer and contributor at Texas View, specializing in topics that resonate with the Texan community. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Christian brings a wealth of knowledge in local politics, culture, and lifestyle. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Texas. When he's not writing, Christian enjoys spending weekends traveling across Texas with his family, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes.
