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Introduction
Texas is booming.
Why?
Its simple.
Folks like jobs, land, and freedom.
And Texas has those in spades.
So, its no surprise that so many people, and businesses, are moving here.
It can be hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to Texas. But this guide
should help. After reading it, you should know a little more about life in the Lone
Star State.
Now let's get started.

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Culture & People

Texans
Texans are a friendly group. For the most part, folks here are nice and happy.
They are also fiercely independent.
They like to handle their business without outside interference. Texans pride
themselves on their ability to carve wealth and opportunity out of nothing.
This can-do attitude may seem nave to outsiders. Either way, it permeates the
minds of many Texans.
Once you understand the independent streak, youll better understand the state
itself. The thinking affects everything. For example, its 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 thats good or bad depends on your political views. But so far,
it seems to have worked out well for the state.
Many Texans also have a deep sense of pride. And even non-natives 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.
If you travel outside the US, youll find that Texas is famous. Many foreigners are
familiar with it. Thats partly because when foreigners ask a world-traveling
Texan where theyre from, the Texan wont say America.
Theyll say Texas.

Population & Race

The current population is approximately 26 million. It's the second most
populous state in the US.
So, whats the racial breakdown?
Well, the majority of Texans are Anglo (White) or Hispanic (Mexican descent). The
Black and Asian populations are both slightly lower than national averages.
Racial stats as of 2012:
White - 45%
Hispanic - 38%
Black - 12%
Asian - 4%
Mixed Race - 2%
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 Native American 1%
As you can see, there arent many Native Americans (Indians) in Texas. Despite
its size, Texas has only three tiny tribes.
Texas was once home to THE most powerful Indian tribe in North America; the
Comanche. The Comanche were famous for their guerrilla tactics, horsemanship,
and prowess in battle. They were also notorious for using extreme cruelty against
enemies; which led to escalating atrocities.
As a result, early Texas settlers adopted a zero tolerance policy towards Indians.
Most of the native Texas tribes were wiped out or exiled to Oklahoma.
These days, race relations are much better. Of course, there are some racist
people living here. Just like there are some racist people living all over the world.
Most Texans are tolerant of others. You are unlikely to experience any overt
racism or bigotry.
If youre seriously worried about it, just pick a big city like Dallas, Houston, or
Austin. Then, youll likely have no problems.

Religion & God

Many people associate Texas, and the American South, with Christianity.
Yes, the stereotype is partly true. Overall, Texans are a religious group of people,
and Texas is a religious state.
Christianity dominates. But, it has many different flavors. It ranges from the
Catholicism of the Mexican border to the mega-church Protestantism of DallasFort Worth. And every denomination in between.
But even though Christianity reigns supreme; plenty of other religions thrive in
Texas.
From Buddhism to Hinduism to Judaism to Islam, Believers in Texas can always
find the right place to congregate.

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 modern Texans are urban. For
them, rodeo is not a part of life.
With that said, you will find huge annual rodeo events in almost every major city
in Texas.
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The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, held every March, is one famous example.

Football
Of course, American football is a national obsession. But Texans take it to an
extreme. Football is a way of life for many here.
Texans follow their football teams with religious fervor.
Realize that high school and college football take top priority. The NFL comes
distant second.
How extreme is it? Well, in Texas, you'll find national chains like Wal-Mart or
Walgreens selling local high school football fan gear. Just like it was college or
NFL stuff.
And on Friday nights during the fall, many places in Texas turn into virtual ghost
towns.
Why?
Think Friday Night Lights; almost every single citizen will be at the local high
school, watching the game.

Trucks
This stereotype is true. Texans do love their trucks and SUV's. And it seems like
the bigger the truckthe better.
Indeed, its one of the first things youll likely notice here. Giant trucks
everywhere. And Texans dont seem to harbor much guilt about driving these
large, gas-guzzling vehicles.
Of course, in cities you'll also see plenty of smaller cars.
But the truck rules.
I've never been able to figure it out why.
Instead, I just bought a truck and went with it.
When in Rome...

Guns
Texas is clearly a very pro-gun state.
Firearms and hunting are 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!
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And you dont 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.
Texas does have normal waiting periods and background checks. But Texas also
has gun shows. And you can get around waiting periods by purchasing at shows.
In practice, it means you can attend a local gun show and buy a firearm same
day, without the un-constitutional wait.
Texas is also a shall-issue state. That means its easier for ordinary citizens to
get a concealed handgun license (CHL). Your gun rights here arent subject to the
whims of local law enforcement.
And 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.

Accents
Not everyone in Texas has an accent. If you live in one of the bigger cities, you
wont hear it much at all.
If you do hear it, its 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 like saying, Yall. This is the equivalent to "Everyone, you guys, you
all."
"Bless your heart" is another local favorite.
And Texans also say Fixin to. That translates to Im going to" or "Getting ready
to."
For example, Hey yall, Im fixin to move to Texas, roughly translates to Hello
everyone, Im going to be moving to Texas.

Drugs & Alcohol

Texas is strict when it comes to illegal drugs.
Really, its one of the harshest states in the nation in this area. There are stiff
penalties for illegal drug use and sale.
This isnt Amsterdam, Colorado, or California. If you are looking for a place that's
lenient on drugs, well, Texas isnt it.
For example, state penalties for marijuana use in Texas are more severe than
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existing Federal laws.

Texas also has a complicated, love/hate relationship with alcohol.
Many Texans love to drink. Shiner Bock, margaritas, and Mexican martinis are
part of the culture here. And there are actually 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 strange and old-fashioned liquor laws.
Alcohol sales are still limited. Liquor stores are CLOSED every Sundays. And,
there are actually thirteen dry counties in Texas whole counties where the sale
of alcohol is illegal!
Dont worry; those dry counties are small and sparsely populated. It's unlikely
you'll be moving there. You can drink in all the major cities.
Finally, beware the infamous Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The TABC is
a state agency thats widely feared by bar owners and patrons alike. This agency
conducts aggressive sting operations using kids, trying to get bars and other
establishments to break the law by serving minors.

Capital Punishment
Texas likes to execute murderers and violent offenders.
In fact, Texas is famous (some say infamous) for leading the nation in capital
punishment.
And, although most executed inmates are men, the justice system here is blind.
Texas recently executed its 500th death row inmatewho happened to be a
woman.
Whatever you think about the death penalty, thats just the way it is here.
Texas is not really a safe place to be a violent criminal, and some people think
that's a good thing.

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Animals
Texas is home to many wild and exotic animals:

jaguarondis
mountain lions
ocelots
javelinas (a pig-like animal)
mule deer
white tail deer
bison
wild hogs
rattlesnakes
cottonmouths
alligators
sea turtles
sharks
armadillos
centipedes
scorpions
tarantulas
horned toads
fire ants
tigers

Tigers?
Yes, Texas has the highest people-to-tiger ratio on the planet. Private citizens in
Texas own approximately 4,000 captive tigers.
That means there are more tigers in captivity in Texas than the total number of
wild tigers in all of India! Crazy, but true.
Number of tigers kept in Texas (estimated): 4,000
Number of tigers in India (WWF estimated): 1,400

movingtotexas.net

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 major downside to life, 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 know that Texas heat isn't all 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.
Just think of summertime in Texas like wintertime in the North. People stay
inside a lot. The months are just reversed; here indoors is preferable from June to
late September.
In contrast, spring and fall in Texas are amazing. Those are the best time to be in
Texas.
Winters in Texas are mild overall, though it does freeze. Parts of Texas get snow,
hail, and ice. North and west Texas are more accustomed to snow.
But when a mild ice or snowstorm hits Houston or Austin, those cities can shut
down for days. People from colder northern climates will likely find this amusing.
Texas also has natural disasters. The Panhandle and northern parts of Texas get
tornadoes. The Gulf Coast, including Houston, suffers hurricanes. And many
parts of Texas are plagued by wildfire and drought.
Honestly though, the sheer size of the state make it hard to classify the weather.
And it changes quickly and dramatically from day-to-day.
There's a saying here in Texas that's surprisingly accurate If you don't like the
weather, just wait ten minutes.

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Geography
How big is Texas?
Its huge. Only Alaska is bigger.
Texas is so vast that the regional differences are striking:
El Paso is a mountainous desert city, part of the Great Southwest.
Houston sits on a bayou and is part of the South.
Dallas, Fort Worth, and the Panhandle are of the plains and have much
in common with the Midwest.
Austin and San Antonio are bisected by rivers and perched on the edge
of rolling Central Texas hills.
Corpus Christi is a sub-tropical coastal town.
You get the idea.
But its hard to fathom how big it really is, until youve been here and driven
through it. Especially if youre used to living in smaller places like the East Coast,
or Europe.
Consider these driving times:
El Paso, Texas to Orange, Texas- 860 miles, 12 hours / East West
North Texas Panhandle to South Texas Tip - 888 miles, 13 hours / North South
And just for fun, compare these:
El Paso to Blythe, California - 577 miles, 8 hours
El Paso to Dallas - 635 miles, 9 hours
Basically, Texas is closer to California than it is to itself.
Youll have some long drives if you live in the Texas countryside.
Its probably no coincidence that two counties in Texas have the highest speed
limit in the nation.
How fast?
It's up to 85 miles per hour (MPH) in some places, 80 MPH in other areas. Mostly
though, its 75 MPH. Houston and Dallas have lower limits.
They say speed kills, but high speed limits are helpful when making long-haul
drives across Texas.
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Texas Real Estate

Cities
So, wheres the best place to live in Texas? Should you pick a city or small town?
If youre 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. Ultimately it comes down to your personal preference

Home Prices
Of course, all real estate markets are local. And 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. Builders are free
to try to keep up with demand. Some cities in Texas are currently experiencing a
real estate boom. In those places, 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.

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Texas Schools
How are the schools in Texas? Contrary to popular myth, the state has many
highly rated public schools.
As of this writing, Texas boasts the top rated public high school in the nation The School For The Gifted And Talented in Dallas.
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.

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Texas Economy & Business Climate

Texas is an 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, its
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.

Energy Boom
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 and dozens of energy firms are located
in Texas.
Operators at the Barnett Shale and the Eagle Ford Shale extract vast quantities
of oil and liquid natural gas. And both plays are barely tapped, they have massive
potential reserves.
Unlike some other states, Texas knows how to manage its natural resources
properly. It allows drilling and fracking.
As a result, its the 15th largest oil producer on the planet. And gaining

Earned Success
So as you can see, 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.
And although energy is important, 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.
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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, theyre free to expand and make money.
All of these things add up, and thats why so many people are coming here.

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Jobs In Texas
Whats 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.
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.
Don't take my word for it visit Working In Texas and find a great new job in the
Lone Star State.

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Welcome To Texas!
Texas isnt perfect. Like any place on this planet, it has flaws.
But overall, its a great place to live, run a business, or raise a family. Want
affordable real estate, a good job, or just a fresh start?
Texas has what you're looking for.
It's the natural choice for hard-working, freedom-loving people. And I think you'll
be proud to call it home.
So, this wraps up the guide. Hopefully, its given you some solid insight into life
in the Lone Star State.
Thanks for reading, and welcome to Texas!
Please contact me at info@movingtotexas.net if you have any questions!

Helpful Links
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