California transplants in Houston -- do they adjust well?

[usc619]

Originally Posted by texasdreamin

There's nothing wrong with paying school taxes, if they were within reason. Sure, we hear the chants about the child may grow up to be a doctor and take care of you or this and that...but a child can learn just as well in schools that are not so extravagant. There is no need for the extravagance. Paying for all of that extravagance is what jacks the property taxes up so high. 8 million dollar sidewalks??? What they need to do is to pay the teachers a decent salary and stop putting the tax money into million dollar stadiums. The teachers are the mortar that holds the bricks up. Their salaries are pathetic. They are the ones who help your children become those doctors and lawyers, yet they scrimp to make a decent living on a teacher's wage and that is a shame. Then we hear of administration buying dvd's and other personal items on the school's credit card. Taxes misused and abused. The school taxes are absolutely too high...and no, I'm not a teacher. What people need to demand is a full disclosure on how and where each of the tax dollars is spent. If the spending is justifiable and within reason...I would not mind paying a dime. What I do resent is the waste...which hits MY pocket.

Very True.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by flo2900

oh I know why they are so rude here in So Cal, it is because they are so worried they can`t afford their $650K 1200sq ft fixer upper house built in 1956....sorry had to vent!!

Yes, but they were rude long ago even when the middle class could comfortably afford homes.

The house the brought me home from the hospital to was listed at $ 699 K, has about 1200 to 1300 sq. ft and was built in 1952. I think that it probably would list for less at this time.

I think Southern California is a closed chapter for me.

[snappy]

I lived in California (Bay Area) for 5 years then 7 in Texas. I have to say it took a LONG time to get used to Texas. I loved California (not a native). But I grew to love Texas too and will likely try to retire there for part of the year anyway. (I am Canadian). Its so much cheaper. But San Francisco is such a cool city compared to Houston. There is so much more to do in the area. You can only go to NASA so many times. At the end of the day, its all in your attitude I think. If you have to move do it like you mean it and make it work.

[therewego]

The few california transplants I have met have been friendly and are especially in a GOOD mood because they sold their cali house for $$half-million or more and can now get a much bigger house for $250,000 here, nicer car, and live it up on the rest of the money. I have also noticed they continue talk about how they miss the night life(things do not close at 9 over there), miss the beaches, miss Disney, blah blah. I think they use the bigger house and nicer cars as their compensation for what they miss.

[EasilyAmused]

Biggest mistake of modern consumer society: People choose the house over the location.

Location and community are so much more important when it comes to quality of life. After 6 months a house is just a house.

Of course if you are lucky enough to afford the house and the location, its all good.

[Wysiwyg]

Originally Posted by EasilyAmused

Biggest mistake of modern society: People choose the house over the location.

Location and community are so much more important when it comes to quality of life. After 6 months a house is just a house.

Of course if you are lucky enough to afford the house and the location, its all good.

Amen to that. Not that I don't like my location considering my needs currently, but I did trade a lively lifestyle for the houston homeownership scene. big mistake i guess making a few kids will fill the void and we'll just live thru our kids like most of the houstonians