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I've traveled to probably 35 states and I found something to like about every one of them. I could be happy living just about anywhere - because I am a joyful, contented person. I could be happy in Massachusetts as well as New Mexico.
But Texas really does rock.
Beautiful pictures of Texas. I can see why people like it there. It definitely would be a place that I would live.
Actually, oil is a HUGE reason why the area is booming. No, Lubbock itself doesn't have a huge oil and gas industry, but it sits right above the Permian Basin where oil and gas exploration is going bananas. A lot of those guys in Lubbock are working in the oilfields for days at a time and coming home for weekend stays. It's not like Lubbock has a whole bunch of high paying jobs....they don't. The University is probably the biggest employer in the city, and i'm sure pay is decent over there. Otherwise, unless you're a professional or a land/ranch owner, you're not gonna make much money in Lubbock. Wages aren't that good.
That said, i'm sure the place appeals to someone (obviously), but i find the panhandle to be a hellhole of mass proportions.
There are a lot of states that sit on gas and oil reserves, yet are doing crappy. So no, just having those resources available doesn't guarantee a good economy.
It doesn't matter what wages are. It only matters what wages are in relation to cost of living.
Texas is probably the only Republican state that isn't one hot mess and it has geology to thank. Like the Ghawar Oil Field in Saudi Arabia, Texas is sitting on some oil, and its rich and some of the rest are doing quite nicely thanks to pure geological luck and nothing else.
Do you think California created its good weather and coastlines?
Every state has good and bad features completely owed to mother nature.
Texas benefits from its oil and natural gas. Don't forget its farmland and ranches. Its state government has evolved to leverage its strengths.
Michigan is a blue state. So is Illinois. Are these states humming along? Yup those public schools are in good shape. Crime too. Are their problems caused by geography?
The Milken Institute lists FOUR Texas cities in the top ten performing small cities in the US 2012 list. I live right in between two of these cities and I can attest to the economic vigor of this area.
Three of these fine Texas towns are in the top ten for 5 year job growth. Three Texas towns are in the top ten for 1 year job growth. And three Texas towns are in the top five year wages/salary growth. (Not all the same three towns by the way.)
WOOHOOOOOO!!!! Proud to be a Texan - but of course that feeling is very familiar to me. Love this state.
Michigan is a blue state. So is Illinois. Are these states humming along? Yup those public schools are in good shape. Crime too. Are their problems caused by geography?
From what I know of Illinois, they're doing fine. Chicago is a rich city for that part of the USA and the rest is just corn fields. Michigan is bad all over but that's another story.
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