Moving to Texas? Read This!
Texas, nicknamed ‘Lone Star State,’ adopted the name when it became independent from Mexico. The name pays tribute to the Lone Star Flag. Texas is the second largest city in the U.S., about 1.65 times larger than California. It’s known for its legendary cowboy culture, diverse cities, impressive job growth, and energy boomtowns. There are many things to consider when moving to Texas, a state with a ‘go big or go home’ attitude. Read on to learn more.
1. Job Growth and Opportunities
Although there has been a recent slowdown in the oil and gas industry, which has led to recent slow growth and cutback, Texas remains a top forerunner for job growth. So, if you are a Texan-to-be, you can expect a larger paycheck whether you have experience in tech, business services, or the gas and oil industry, especially in metropolitan areas like Dallas, the bustling town. According to SBA’s ‘2020 Small Business Profile,’ 1.6 million net new jobs in 2019 were created by small businesses. The opportunities are endless.
2. Cost of Living
Texas’s cost of living isn’t as high as other areas. Whether you’re evaluating house prices from a realtor, utilities, or the cost of your weekly visit to the grocery store, it’s sustainable for the average worker. You will enjoy high living standards and be better positioned to maintain a comfortable lifestyle, helping your wages go further. If you own a car, you need to have insurance. According to the Texas Department of Insurance, Texas requires car owners to hold minimum liability insurance limits of $25,000 for property damage, $60,000 per accident, and $30,000 per person, respectively.
3. Low Taxes
If you dislike paying taxes, then Texas has got you! It is one of the few states without a state income tax. Relatively, the state’s sales taxes are low. Sometimes, counties and cities add their own sales tax to the state rate.
The highest taxes in Texas are the state’s property taxes. Tentatively, homes in the Lone Star State are affordable, so Texas has been attracting a lot of new residents. You will only have to save up for a short time to put a down payment on a home to make your Texas dream come true. That’s what happens when you have vast space to build.
4. All Year Round Fair Weather
Get ready for the heat! Depending on where you settle in Texas, you may face humidity, rising sea levels, and highs of up to 90s, especially in Houston — the thriving metropolitan near Galveston. If you live in regions with cold and long winters, you might want to consider moving to Texas due to its year-round warmer temperatures and mild Texas weather.
5. Crime Levels
While Texas’s crime rate is on the rise and worse than the national average, each state has safe cities. For example, Fair Oaks Ranch is the safest in Central Texas. Most crimes in Texas are drug-related offenses. When charged with a crime in Texas, the court arrests the accused and books a trial, after which the judge issues you with a bail bond amount to pay. There are three ways a person can be released from jail in Texas; according to How Bail Bonds Work, one can be released on ‘own recognizance, surety bail. and cash bail.
6. Vibes And Entertainment
With many cities to choose from in the Lone Star State, Austin has great entertainment. Whether looking for a family-friendly setup or switching to a thriving metroplex due to Texa’s warm weather, you will always find something to do, from outdoor to indoor activities. Barbecue is huge in Texas; it’s never been easier to find meat-free options in Texas for BBQ lovers.
Because of the state’s culture, you will always find live music scenes. Whether it’s country music, Tejano, hip hop bluegrass, or any genre of music, you will always find a live music scene. There are zooms, many museums, and nightclubs; no matter the activities you choose in Texas, you will have lots of fun and a great time.