SHOULD WE MOVE TO TX FROM SoCal? (Austin, Arlington: to rent, big house)

[Taterhead]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Where the heck in Texas did you live, Taterhead? )

I said where I lived "Flower Mound" we had a house built there. Before that it was Arlington TX. for a year.

You can't be serious about the church thing, no kidding within seconds of talking to a new neighbor or any social gathering like a BBQ, this subject would always seem to work it's way into the conversation. I would sit there and think ok wait for it wait, wait for it "here it comes AGAIN" At first I thought these Texans are and odd bunch, I couldn't understand why they would care where or if I go to church or what college I went to for that matter. It soon became clear to me why? you are judged by your answer, it is very (suttle). I have never noticed that here in Phoenix or San Diego. Yes on occasion someone might say last week at church I did abc, but that is rare to hear in general around here.

Not all but some will even pass you by as a possible friend to be with if you don't go to church. I found it to be the same in Austin when I went there for my daughter -in- laws baby shower last year. Her guest didn't waste anytime digging for answers about who I am and what my beliefs are. I know this is how it will be when we move there too, so I'm ready for it. Many many many times this subject comes up, just listen next time your in a social gathering, you'll hear it.


On the other hand I myself personally wouldn't move back to San Diego but would move to Northern CA. up near the red woods if given a choice of any place to live. Wong was asking if he should move to TX. and as someone who has lived in both places my answer is NO!.

I will be moving there ONLY because of the grand babies and my grown children. I will get used to it and I know I'll make friends, I always do where ever I go, but like it, nah. But then again I hate Phoenix too, mostly because it's too hot, rock front yards and no family here.




Debbie

[DWong]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Where the heck in Texas did you live, Taterhead? I've never been asked that question out of the blue, have lived here for going on 60 years in several parts of the state, was a preacher's kid, for goodness' sake, and the only time I've been asked the question at all was when I happened to mention that I grew up a preacher's kid (in some context or other) and was asked which church, which is sort of like being asked what town I grew up in when I mention I grew up in East Texas. Otherwise, religion has never been a topic of casual social discussion in my experience.

I do thing, OP, that so many people are telling you not to move if you can afford not to not because they think that only people who can't afford California should move to Texas, but because they think YOU shouldn't move to Texas because you've clearly already prejudged it and because you are so enthused about where you are right now. There's a big difference there between saying California is better than Texas and saying California is better than Texas for you. (And, to be quite honest, I think Texas would be better off if you stayed in California, as well - we don't need anyone moving here that thinks we're not as good as where they came from, really, we don't.)

Ah... yes thanks for the feedback... well that's what's going on in CA and TX. However, the one's moving from here to there are working classs lower/middle. Believe me, a household making $75k a year here is sneaking by. Who is moving to TX... not anyone in my area. No for sale signs here. Yes I have prejudge it, but everyone is telling me the same thing... and this is TEXAnS telling me this. Here are 5 negatives about SoCAl:

1. Pricy, pricy... but you DO GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR

2. Traffic.. well if you live in the city.. you're going 70mph to work... if you live in the burbs.. you're going 35 and you should pray you don't have an accident on the way to work...

3. Jobs are few and far between. My wife when she moved here w/ several years teaching exp and graduate degrees took years to find a teaching job. For every good paying job here, expect hundreds of applications per job. My brother who works in HR in a school district said it is nearly impossible to land a job here... too many people want to come here, but we can only give so many jobs. If you got a Master's PhD, good luck... so does everyone else here....But he said we can be more selective... so you do get the best of the best....

4. Cost of fuel.... again, if you're in the city you don't feel the pinch.. right now we're at 3.89 for the cheap stuff...

5. NO ONE IS FROM CA anymore! Everyone really left and NO ONE is having kids bc it's too $$$. Only kids are immigrants kids now. There is NO CA pride b/c it's a transient area. Take my closest friends... NONE HAVE KIDS and NONE ARE native San Diegan's. Finding someone that was born and raised here is like finding a diamond. Unlike Texas, you have that "Don't mess w/ Texas" attitude which I love. Here no one cares.... bc they're from everywhere else. Heck LA doesn't even have a football team and they left... bc no one cared! If Dallas left to play in Las Vegas... it would never happen!

[DWong]

Originally Posted by Taterhead

I lived in SD all my life until 1990 where I then moved to Dallas Texas (Flower Mound). DON'T DO IT!!!!!! the only thing you will like is the people are mostly nice and friendly. The weather is really bad, very hot and muggy summers, rain and thunder and lighting like nobody's bussiness. I did love the cold winters though and sometimes we would get snow that lasted a day

People will work into a conversaion about where you go to church, what college you went to, with-in seconds of meeting you. It is their way of sizing you up to be friends with you or not. I had that happen over and over over again to me, I finally got used to it, but NEVER liked it. I did find my own nich of friends and was somewhat happy for the 6 years we lived there. The traffic is hell and the roads you'll drive on aren't nice like SD either, pot holes, hardly any street lights so you can see where to turn into your own neighborhood off the main drag. Lots of hanging wires in mid air (they for the most part don't bury them underground).

We will be moving back to Texas only because both my children live there, not by choice. We are getting to old to not live near family, so Texas is our final home till death do us part

Debbie

Thanks for the info! Good to know- I just want honest information and opinions of the area. I don't mind the visit, but living there... it's a totally different story....

[DWong]

Originally Posted by AustinGuy

I don't want to convince you to move to Austin since judging from your post you really wouldn't like it here. But one thing I don't understand is how you can claim to hate suburbs but love living in Southern California. If anyplace defines the idea of sprawl and suburbs, it would probably be the LA/OC/San Diego area.

I you look anywhere near central cities of SoCal there is no development or sprawl.. it's moved 75 miles away...

Well, fact is now that the downtown areas are the place to be. We did have sprawl in the 80's, but people look at it now and can't stand the commutes. The more desire able places in SoCal are within a 5 mile radius of downtown, the further away you go... the less people care. Less to do, less to see, cheaper big house... WHO CARES!

[Indigoblue]

I"m wondering if you have children? I've never been much of a city girl but I positively LOVE the suburbs as a mom of four little guys And I would never settle in an area where I would run the risk of my children not being able to live as college students and young adults because of high sale/rental prices. Suburbs and family are big draws for the parenthood years for many. Could that maybe be what your wife is craving? I could be totally off base of course I've moved once or twice a year every year of my life and lived in many different cities and countries. In my opinion home is where the people you love are and EVERY area of the world has wonderful things to offer and new things to discover.

[Indigoblue]

I suspect it's the families with children who care And not everyone enjoys living in the city. Even when I was single I preferred to be in the suburbs or out enjoying nature. Some of your posts come off sounding arrogant which may not be your intent. You seem to be very preoccupied with image and making the most money you and your wife possibly can. Perhaps the culture of SoCal lends itself to that? I imagine the cost of living lends a hand

Originally Posted by DWong

I you look anywhere near central cities of SoCal there is no development or sprawl.. it's moved 75 miles away...

Well, fact is now that the downtown areas are the place to be. We did have sprawl in the 80's, but people look at it now and can't stand the commutes. The more desire able places in SoCal are within a 5 mile radius of downtown, the further away you go... the less people care. Less to do, less to see, cheaper big house... WHO CARES!

[DWong]

Originally Posted by Indigoblue

I suspect it's the families with children who care And not everyone enjoys living in the city. Even when I was single I preferred to be in the suburbs or out enjoying nature. Some of your posts come off sounding arrogant which may not be your intent. You seem to be very preoccupied with image and making the most money you and your wife possibly can. Perhaps the culture of SoCal lends itself to that? I imagine the cost of living lends a hand

Very true... city life isn't for everyone... but is for me. I wouldn't want my kids being raised in a suburb not being exposed to everything (good and bad). In CA our nature is in the city (or close to the beach)... guess you have to be here to know it, but our cities are built on canyons, hills and coastline. Well the $$$ is to make ends meet here... believe me... my biggest point to my post is, if $$$ isn't a factor... is TX going to be a place I'd enjoy! And I've gotten this response to alot of Dallas posts, but why is it they are considered more Image conscious and more into big cars, houses, etc etc. I live in a modest home and have very modest cars. My entertainment expenses for my family and I are probably our biggest expense.

[cb71407]

Originally Posted by DWong

Very true... city life isn't for everyone... but is for me. I wouldn't want my kids being raised in a suburb not being exposed to everything (good and bad). In CA our nature is in the city (or close to the beach)... guess you have to be here to know it, but our cities are built on canyons, hills and coastline. Well the $$$ is to make ends meet here... believe me... my biggest point to my post is, if $$$ isn't a factor... is TX going to be a place I'd enjoy!

My husband and I moved from So Cal in August. He surfed since the age of 12 and was raised in San Diego. I would say the biggest thing he misses is the ocean and surfing. You are just not going to have that here in Austin, so if the ocean/beach is really important to you I would stay put. That being said, we are both active people and have found a lot to do in Austin. Running on the Town Lake/ Lady Bird Lake trail is a blast (or walking, biking, rowing in the Lake, etc.). Swimming in rivers and pools including crown jewel, spring fed Barton Springs Pool (nothing like it in SD). Hiking/biking on the Barton Creek Greenbelt trail. Many people enjoy Lake Travis for various water sports. If you want to be active here you will not be alone - there are many great outdoor activities and people outside doing them. But there is no Pacific Ocean. Austin and surrounding areas boast lakes, rivers, plenty of greenery, and the beautiful Texas Hill Country. But it's not San Diego. They are both great places and special in their own way-but they are different.

Originally Posted by DWong

Ah... yes thanks for the feedback... well that's what's going on in CA and TX. However, the one's moving from here to there are working classs lower/middle.

I would suggest that you not be so quick to generalize. I am a college professor, and my husband is an airline pilot. I would not consider us lower/working class. However, we are young, newly married, and at the beginning stages of our careers and buying a home in SD would have been difficult, particularly at the height of the market. We moved to TX for a great job opportunity and the opportunity to buy a home on some acreage and have been very happy here.

[DWong]

Originally Posted by cb71407

My husband and I moved from So Cal in August. He surfed since the age of 12 and was raised in San Diego. I would say the biggest thing he misses is the ocean and surfing. You are just not going to have that here in Austin, so if the ocean/beach is really important to you I would stay put. That being said, we are both active people and have found a lot to do in Austin. Running on the Town Lake/ Lady Bird Lake trail is a blast (or walking, biking, rowing in the Lake, etc.). Swimming in rivers and pools including crown jewel, spring fed Barton Springs Pool (nothing like it in SD). Hiking/biking on the Barton Creek Greenbelt trail. Many people enjoy Lake Travis for various water sports. If you want to be active here you will not be alone - there are many great outdoor activities and people outside doing them. But there is no Pacific Ocean. Austin and surrounding areas boast lakes, rivers, plenty of greenery, and the beautiful Texas Hill Country. But it's not San Diego. They are both great places and special in their own way-but they are different.



I would suggest that you not be so quick to generalize. I am a college professor, and my husband is an airline pilot. I would not consider us lower/working class. However, we are young, newly married, and at the beginning stages of our careers and buying a home in SD would have been difficult, particularly at the height of the market. We moved to TX for a great job opportunity and the opportunity to buy a home on some acreage and have been very happy here.

Yes my statement as VERY general, but living here and seeing who's moving... it wasn't our upper middle class... But say a colege pro and airline pilot you gotta be darn near $200k a year no? SD isn't out of your range by any means... a $700k 3,000 sq ft house (allthough 10 miles from beach) would only run you $5,500 a month.... certainly affordable for a professor and pilot no? Anyways, professor positions here in CA are again, like winning a lotto... few and far between.... if we weren't so job secure, believe me.. my decision to move would greatly be swayed...

[shaxs]

Originally Posted by Taterhead

I have never noticed that here in Phoenix or San Diego. Yes on occasion someone might say last week at church I did abc, but that is rare to hear in general around here.

Ah, one of the reasons WHY I want to move to TX from San Diego- though I do love and will miss my church here.