Why is everyone moving to Texas? Seriously though, how many people you know have already moved to Texas? You’ve lost count, haven’t you?
The Lone Star State has a lot to offer to anyone who’s decided to move there: a booming economy, an expanding job market, affordable housing, low cost of living, a rich culture, a long history, fast-growing and diverse cities, delicious food, beautiful nature, and kind and friendly people.
So if you’ve ever wondered why Texas is so popular, then you should wonder no more. Here are the top 10 reasons to move to Texas – soon, really soon.
1. Great job opportunities
Why are people moving to Texas? The explanation can’t be any simpler: great job opportunities.
The state’s economy is the fourth-largest of any country subdivision in the world, just behind England, California, and the Kanto region in Japan. As of 2018, Texas had the second-highest gross state product (GSP) in the country: $1.8 trillion.
It’s easy to see how the economic growth in the Lone Star State has created thousands of job opportunities for Texans and everyone else who’s already moved there or is about to do so. The oil, gas, and mining industries have traditionally been the primary contributors to the state’s economy, but the IT sector has grown considerably in recent years.
The Texas job market is booming thanks to the fact that more and more companies are opening new locations in big metropolitan cities such as Houston, Dallas, and Austin. Along with California, Texas has the joint-highest number of Fortune 500 company headquarters in the country.
2. Affordable Texas homes
But why should you move to Texas? It’s pretty straightforward: the cost of living in the state is lower than the national average. But that’s not all.
One of the best reasons to move to Texas is that Texas homes are comparatively affordable. For example, when moving to Texas from California, most Californians will be surprised to find out that a house that would cost around $1 million in the Golden State could cost under $400,000 in the Lone Star State. Statistics show that 70.2% of the homes in Texas have a price of $247,000 or less.
In general, Texas proves to be a favorable state for renters too. The median rent rates are lower than the national averages: $731 for a studio (national average: $827), $844 for a one-bedroom apartment (national average: $947), and $1,049 for a two-bedroom apartment (national average: $1,175).
3. No income tax
Why moving to Texas is a good idea? Well, what about not paying an income tax after the move? Sounds nice, right?
The state of Texas is one of only seven U.S. states that don’t have an income tax, and naturally, Texans wouldn’t have it any other way. So, if you’ve had enough of paying high income taxes, then maybe it’s time to start thinking about moving to Texas in the near future.
If you’re moving to Texas from California – the state with one of the highest income taxes in the country, then those extra savings may amount to thousands of dollars a year. And that’s not a bad thing, is it?
Despite this encouraging fact, local sales taxes can be high because cities, town, and counties can add their own sales taxes to the state rate. Also, the property taxes in the state are rather high.
4. Top-notch higher education
If you wish to continue your education after graduating from high school, then moving to Texas is the right choice for you.
The second-largest state in the country boasts more than 200 colleges and universities. Two of the best universities in the United States can be found in Texas: The University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University. Education experts also include the University of Houston and Texas Tech University to the list of those widely recognized flagship universities in the state.
As far as private universities go, the Austin College, Rice University (one of the leading teaching and research universities of the country), Southern Methodist University, and Baylor University are worth a mention.
5. Warm weather and lots of sunshine
If you’ve become sick and tired of the cold weather and harsh winters of where you live now, then you just found one of the best reasons to move to Texas – its warm weather.
Yes, it’s true that Texas summers can become very hot with temperatures around high 90s °F, especially in August. But still, during the other nine months of the year, temperatures are mild, with lots of sunshine and very little to no snow.
Depending on exactly where you end up after moving to Texas, you’re likely to experience a dry heat or sticky humidity. Either way, don’t pack and move your snow shovel with you but get ready for high temperatures and plenty of sunshine.
6. Abundant outdoor attractions
One of the things to know before moving to Texas is that the state offers an outdoor-friendly lifestyle and will keep outdoor enthusiasts quite happy throughout the year.
The Lone Star State offers one of the most diverse ecosystems in the country – flat plains and deserts, mountains, canyons, wetlands and prairies, millions of acres of forests (East Texas), as well as a great number of state and national parks.
Southwest Texas is home to the Big Bend National Park, the Franklin Mountains State Park is the largest urban park in the U.S. (located in El Paso, TX), while the Palo Duro Canyon is the second-largest canyon in the country.
So, if you love the outdoors, then you’ll always have new places to explore after moving to Texas. And whichever ecosystem you prefer, the state can offer it for you.
7. Unique Texas BBQ and Tex-Mex
Is moving to Texas a good idea? If you love meat, it surely is.
Texas is HUGE but barbeque is even HUGER in the Lone Star State. Texans have spent years and years in perfecting their BBQ recipes and now all it takes is one delicious bite into some smoked brisket and one delightful sniff at barbeque sauce to turn you into a humongous fan of Texas cuisine.
Texas BBQ is just finger-licking good no matter where you get it within the state. However, that doesn’t mean that vegetarians should feel unwelcome – now it’s easier than ever before to find meat-free meals in the second-largest state in the country.
If you happen to be a food lover, then you should get ready to taste something truly unique – TEX-MEX. Tex-Mex cuisine is a super-tasty fusion between southern American meals and traditional Mexican dishes.
8. Wide variety of sports
Why move to Texas? If you love sports, then you’ll definitely know that you don’t really need any other good reasons to move to Texas.
Yes, football is the KING in the state, but you’ll be more than welcome to enjoy a wide variety of other sports as well.
The awesome news for a sports fan like you is that Texas has sports teams in all the Big Four professional leagues:
- National Football League (NFL): Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans,
- Major League Baseball (MLB): Texas Rangers and Houston Astros,
- National Basketball Association (NBA): San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks; and
- National Hockey League: Dallas Stars.
See also: How to prepare to move out of state
9. Texans’ southern hospitality
One of the most good-natured reasons to move to Texas is because you’ll feel welcome there as soon as you cross the state border.
Texans are known for their southern hospitality – the kindness and politeness to neighbors and even strangers that’s trademark characteristic in most southern states. After moving to Texas, you shouldn’t be surprised or even alarmed when you start getting greeted and smiled at by strangers in the streets.
Interestingly enough, the state’s name comes from the word taysha, meaning friends in the Caddo language – a critically endangered Native American language with only 25 speakers.
Despite their contagious friendliness, Texans are generally very proud of their state and may sometimes become rather touchy if they hear it criticized – a good thing to remember when you’re moving to Texas.
10. The Only-in-Texas experience of a lifetime
So, if you keep asking yourself, What’s it like to live in Texas?, then there’s only one good way to find out the answer to that question: move to Texas and see for yourself.
Without a doubt, it’s the truly unique state-specific things that make Texas such a great state to live in.
- The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (aka RodeoHouston or HLSR) is the largest livestock exhibitions and rodeo in the world. The city’s signature event is 20 days long and includes one of the richest professional rodeo events. In 2017, the attendance reached a new record: 2,611,176 people and 33,000 volunteers.
- The State Fair of Texas is an annual state fair held in Dallas. With several exceptions, the Dallas’ signature event has taken place every year since 1886. Lasting for 24 days and attracting more than 2 million visitors, the State Fair of Texas has been recognized as one of the best and most highly attended state fairs in America.
- Shiner Bock is the flagship beer of Spoetzl Brewery – the oldest independent brewery in Texas. The lightly hopped American-style dark lager has been brewed in Shiner, Texas, since 1913 – first as a seasonal beer, then as a year-round one since 1973.
Read also:
Top 11 reasons to move to Florida