Relocating to Texas, Could use advice. (Houston, Dallas: apartments, new home, employment)

[Vandalyzed]

Thank you in advance for any advice offered.

I'm currently living in Michigan. Recently, I had moved to Texas (first time ever in Texas) and basically knew that I found home. Not necessarily where I was living, but I knew that Texas is where I want to be.

Due to some familial issues, I had to move back to Michigan. However, now with the situation taken care of, I am pre-planning my move back to Texas. The first trip, I was living in Houston and then in the Conroe area. While I liked it there, this trip I would like to move elsewhere.

My problem is in the fact that I have friends in Wichita Falls, but I'm unsure about moving there. The reason for that is, if you know anything about Michigan Winters, you'd understand that I want nothing to do with any weather lower than 50 degrees or so.

As I understand it, Wichita Falls temps can drop below 30 degrees in the winter, and the city gets snow and ice. Now, I can deal with this type of weather if it doesn't last for a week at a time. If so, then I'd like to move to the warmest possible place that keeps me close to WF.

So, my question is within a half hour drive is there any place where the weather is significantly warmer in the winter? Maybe even an hour drive, although I'd like to keep it to 30 minutes.

I've considered Ft. Worth, but to be honest, while it has it's attractions for me, it is bigger than I would like. Conroe, TX has a lot of that lazy day country good feeling to it...... and that's something I enjoyed.

I'm not sure if what I'm looking for is possible, so I figured I would post and hopefully get some responses.

As far as employment, I'm a 13+ year cable/satellite technician. I am also a computer technician. So, any of that type of employment in the areas that you recommend would be helpful.

To reiterate: My two main considerations is the winter weather (don't want cold anymore) and staying as close to WF, while still having as much of my first criterion as possible.

I look forward to any advice you can give. Thank you.

Van

[txsizzler]

Wow.. that is a tall order!

I live in Wichita Falls... have been doing so for the last 13 years. As mentioned, Wichita Falls is not the warmest place in Texas, but its far from the coldest. Yes, we do get tiny bits of snow here and there, but nothing that lasts for more than a day or two. Wichita Falls is located on the NW edge of North Central Texas. This area is also called Low Rolling Hills. Wichita Falls has winter temperatures that CAN get down as low as the 30's for daytime highs, but can also enjoy highs in the 80's in the midst of January as well. In fact, we had 3 days in a row of 80+ degree weather about a week and a half ago.

You have to realize that ANYWHERE in the northern half of the state, you can see your share of "cold" weather. However, you will NEVER see Wichita Falls, Dallas, Ft. Worth, or really any other part of Texas (minus some parts of the panhandle) have weather as cold as you normally experience in Michigan. Snow and Ice, while they do happen, only happen MAYBE a couple times a winter. When they do happen, its advisable to stay off the roads, as you have people who absolutely do NOT know how to drive on ice out there, creating a hazardous situation (heck, even if you do know how to drive on ice, sometimes its really just too slick!). I am sure you have heard some of the news from December of all the ice storms in Oklahoma... they tend to get it ALOT worse than you will find here in Texas.

My advice to you, is that if you don't want to live in Wichita Falls, but are not wanting to be too rural, you will have to be around the metroplex. Ft. Worth is about an hour and a half drive from here. There are a number of small towns around Wichita Falls that are nice. Wichita Falls is a decent community, and I would deplore you to explore our options as well. We are a city of over 100,000, with a large Air Force Base (Sheppard). As far as being a cable installer, we have a large cable company here (Times Warner), plus several dish companies. We also have a fairly large amount of computer stores here too, if that is what wets your appetite.

Anyhow, good luck in your search. Give me a holler if I can be of more help.


Ian

[destin04]

More of a concern to me would be the super hot summers in WF. I grew up in the DFW area and when we were at 100 degrees WF was always at 106 and up. I think it's the hottest place I've ever been in Texas. I will say the humidity is lower than most of Texas.

[Vandalyzed]

Thanks Ian. I appreciate the response. Like I said in my post, I have nothing against actually living in WF. I've read quite a few posts where people highly recommend it.

My only problem was with it being so close to OK and that I know the temps get low. But, on the other hand, when I'm sitting in 16 degree weather today and WF is somewhere in the 50's, I guess I shouldn't worry about it too much. lol

I just really dislike the cold. And, while living in Houston, I enjoyed the warm/hot winter.

Also, when I was in Houston, I was offered a job with Time Warner. Unfortunately, from the interview to the offer, it was a space of two weeks because of their hiring system, so by the time I got the call, I was in the final day of training with DirecTV taking their nationwide certification. So, my primary intention as far as work is either to hook up with Time Warner or DirecTV.

I've already been checking out apartments in WF and found some really nice places for cheap. A 2 Bed/2 Bath floor plan going for a little under 600/mth. Here in Michigan, you'd be lucky to get that for less than 700.00/mth.

Destin04, thank you for the response. The only reply I have is that those Super Hot Summers would do nothing but put a big ol' smile on my face. lol

It's just an area I don't really have a lot of knowledge about. Ask me about the Houston area and I can tell you a few things since I lived there. But, on this relocation, I wanted to try some where different.

I'll have to see if I can find information about outlying towns, if I choose not to live in WF. Fort Worth is 2 hours away, isn't it? I'd rather not be that far away, since I most likely will spend time in WF.

Thanks again for your responses.

[RSTX]

WF is not a bad place to live. I attended Midwestern State U. there in the mid-90's and enjoyed my time. I lived in the Raintree Apts on Barnett Rd (west side of WF). They were nice enough.

Don't worry about the winters. You won't have any trouble.

[starfields]

Refer to a cold hardiness map of Texas

[case44]

I'd give you a positive recommendation on making Wichita Falls your new home. It's got a balance of big-city amenities and small-town charm. And you won't have all of the big-city traffic. Plus, I believe that city is experiencing a small renaissance these days. If WF is where you want to be, give it a try.

[lilypad]

I agree, Wichita Falls a very nice place to live, especially for families. Lived there for 6 years, had to relocate only due to job op, or would still be there!

[Vandalyzed]

Thanks for all the input, folks. I appreciate it greatly.

[boomermike]

If you want a place with mild winters, yet still well populated with a lot going on, yet not rediculously big like Houston, then I would reccomend anywhwere along the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio. Those are both great cities, and San Marcos & New Braunfels are terrific towns to live in between the two. You have close access to the Hill Country, lakes, rivers, and all the natural beauty and recreational activities therein, and really laid back, friendly people.

I live in New Braunfels, and I've had the top down on my Jeep the past four days...in late February.

We get the occasionl two or three day snap of cold weather down here, but 70 degrees is never more than four or five days away during any of the winter months.