[malamute]

Originally Posted by Tiger Beer

I think a Michigan person would make an easy transition into Texas.

I'm from MI, and visited TX a few times...and while completely different...it isn't THAT completely different. I think it also depends on WHERE in MI to WHERE in TX.

I think the small towns and rural places of both states are where there are most similarities. Similar values and friendly people.

[birdley]

If you grow up in rural Michigan (I grew up in the UP), the only real Texas is in the small towns. Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio all can be really disappointing if you're expecting to meet hearty, strong Texans and a real capable attitude. In other words, "all hat and no cattle" is alive and well. So annoying. There is a southern California mentality in Texas, and it is definitely a very materialistic culture.

Great weather and food though! And surface-wise, people are pretty nice. Not as neurotic as Michiganders, for better or for worse.

[shoegal39]

I'm a Texas native and have spent significant time in Michigan since I was a child. I have relatives who live in Decatur (S.W. Michigan). While I have only been there in the summer I can say this about the difference between the two states. Michigan is gorgeous in the summer, the trees are much taller, the water is much cooler...too cold in Lake Michigan IMO, the summer weather is something I would love to bottle up and take home. There is nothing like fresh fruit and veggies from the area farmers. In San Antonio...the winters are mild - no snow, the lakes are larger (not counting the Great Lakes, of course) and the water is warm enough to swim from May through early October, the food is awesome and there are lots of pick up trucks and SUV's. We ADORE our big vehicles.

I think Texans are genuinely friendly, kind and courteous...I'll admit...we do talk to much. As far as "all hat no cattle"...well, we all don't live on Southfork, but if you are looking for "cowboys" you will find them in the honky tonks on any Saturday night. If you are thinking about visiting, here are some recommendations for San Antonio, Rodeo is in February, Fiesta is always the last full week of April - 11 day festival - tons of fun, Riverwalk is nice during the holiday season as well - thousands of multi colored twinking lights adorn the pathway. We love tourists and hope they enjoy their time here. Y'all let me know if you have any specific questions about Texas. ...and yes...we use "y'all" all the time.

[shoegal39]

Oh...by the way...I think the economy is much better here. There is tons of construction happening because large companies are relocating to Texas. In fact, Toyota, MicroSoft, Lowe's and NSA are some of the companies that are slated to arrive in San Antonio. Toyota has been here for a few years, but they are closing a plant and moving the jobs to San Antonio.

[Bluefly]

Originally Posted by Sparrow_temp

Texas is large. What specific area where you interested in? Think about how different Detroit is from Marquette. Here's a large difference -- no state income tax. More job opportunities than MI. I think El Paso is the liberal enclave in the state. The climate in the more humid areas of the state would be an issue for some -- hot and humid is a bad combination when it can get over 100 degrees.

Austin, not El Paso, is the liberal enclave of Texas.

Austin's closest equivalent in Michigan would be Ann Arbor. Both have slogans something like "XX square miles surrounded by reality".

If you grow up in rural Michigan (I grew up in the UP), the only real Texas is in the small towns. Dallas, Austin, Houston, San Antonio all can be really disappointing if you're expecting to meet hearty, strong Texans and a real capable attitude. In other words, "all hat and no cattle" is alive and well. So annoying. There is a southern California mentality in Texas, and it is definitely a very materialistic culture.

Great weather and food though! And surface-wise, people are pretty nice. Not as neurotic as Michiganders, for better or for worse.

You're kind of snubbing your nose at anyone who lives in a city and doesn't live off the land. I'm not sure what makes someone have a "real capable attitude", but you'll find it in big cities and small towns in both Texas and Michigan. Perhaps it looks different - maybe an engineer or an accountant rather than a mechanic or cowboy - but they can get their job done.

[Southernkomfort27]

I've always lived in Michigan, but worked for a couple of weeks in Tyler, Texas a little over a year ago. It was much hotter there, ( I was there in June) and I was told that extended periods of very hot temperatures are common.

I always pictured Texas as being flat, with tumbleweeds blowing around. I was surprized to see a green rolling landscape with a mixture of open and wooded areas.

The roads were much better in Texas...no surprize there.

Didn't care too much for Tyler becaused it seemed like I was always driving in circles trying to find the addresses I needed to get to.
The majority of homes were made of brick as opposed to vinyl and wood siding that you see in Michigan. The Tyler rose garden was beautiful.

Most of the people there were friendly and helpful, especially the folks at the roadside honey stand. Good quality, raw honey at a reasoable price.

[dmarie123]

I moved from Ann Arbor to San Antonio. I LOVE IT HERE!!!!

[OzeefromAzle]

How about a Michigander stuck in Texas? That's what I am. I've been here since 1993, and although the people are really very nice, I simply hate the weather. My husband is a Texan, born and bred. When I talk about moving back home, he doesn't want to hear it, because he hates cold weather. I ask him how he feels about Texas summers. He says he hates them too. I say this: in Texas, you have two seasons you hate. In Michigan, you might have one you hate. If it weren't for the economy, I'd be there right now. I am really homesick, and have been for a long, long time.

[krock1dk]

The biggest thing about Texas is its vast SIZE. Its like combining Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Texas is flat in most areas like the Midwest, with the exception of the western panhandle near El Paso. There are plenty of cockroaches, scorpions, illegal aliens and bad drivers. Not many trees, but far Eastern TX has plenty. Texas has a much better ecoomy than almost all the states in this recession and has seen very healthy job growth in its major markets, Dallas-Fort worth allegedly having the best. All in all, Texas isnt particularly exciting however.

[grhtex]

Originally Posted by krock1dk

The biggest thing about Texas is its vast SIZE. Its like combining Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Texas is flat in most areas like the Midwest, with the exception of the western panhandle near El Paso. There are plenty of cockroaches, scorpions, illegal aliens and bad drivers. Not many trees, but far Eastern TX has plenty. Texas has a much better ecoomy than almost all the states in this recession and has seen very healthy job growth in its major markets, Dallas-Fort worth allegedly having the best. All in all, Texas isnt particularly exciting however.

Texas is too big to make sweeping generalizations. If you are in the DFW metroplex there is hill country west of the metroplex. It has its own beauty and to the degree that this specific area is flat of course is in the eye of the beholder. Google/look out towards possom kindom lake for examples or Palo Pinto County. Also from the DFW metroplex you are about 2-4 hours from a variety of hill/mountain areas in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Not as well known but many areas of Oklahoma are very nice with lake retreats and cabins to rent. (a similar distance/experience to going up north for Michiganders). From where I sit I've never seen a scorpion here in the north most part of the DFW Metroplex but I have seen lots of spiders, snakes, turtles, crayfish, toads, bullfrogs, dead wild pigs, coyotes, hoot owls, hawks, road runners, and of course horses, and long horn cattle. I took a little hike down by Ray Roberts St Park and saw signs of beavers where they had chewed down the sappling trees. I've seen one cockroach, but I'm sure they are here in abundance.

As I look out the window of my home office right now I see at least 10 Mexicans roughing in a new house across the street from me. I don't know if they are legal or not. They will soon be followed by a roofing crew of at least 5 more Mexicans and then a mason crew of 5 more, and then a dry-walling crew of 5 more. I've never seen anyone but a Mexican with a tool in his hand building a house here. I don't know if they are legal or not and I'm not to trying to disparage them. They work hard and fast and move on to the next project. The point has more to do with building activity I see which is a sign of economic conditions. Our sub built about 25 new homes this summer and about 20 of them sold. At least 4 more spec homes are under construction now and there are 4 empty lots with sold signs on them. I have no idea where these people are coming from. I have also seen about 6 homes that were built within the last two years go back on the market. I presume they were because of transfers or job losses. In summary I'd say It may be better here economically but it has slowed. I believe our builder had planned on selling out phase one by now and they halted construction of phase two infrastructure which they started last year.

Anyhow I just realized I've been rambling. Sorry!!
Texas may not be exciting but like anyplace it is what you make of it.