Moving from AZ,?Lubbock vs Plano area vs Boise,ID- HELP! (Houston: sales, lease)

[Prescott Valley mom]

After living in Phoenix area for 12 years and Prescott Valley for 3yrs, looking to move where we can afford to buy a house. It's a minimun of $250,000 here for 3 BR, 1.5 bath approx.1200 sq ft. house. I'm a nurse so employment not a problem, but does look like I'll have to take several dollars an hour pay cut. I'm having a hard time figuring out where would be better to move to. Texas with no state income tax sounds inviting and looking on the web at house the prices look great. But then I read about the high house taxes and wonder if she higher house prices with lower taxes are any better.

Looking for anyone that might have lived or in these areas to compare housing, weather conditions, driving time, hospital comparisons, and general quality of life.

My children are grown but an raising a 9 y/o grandson. My husband has degree in geography and can't find work in area around here.

We moved from Phoenix area to get away from extreme heat so......is Texas going to be the same heat. I know its hot but would like someone who has lived both places to compare for me. At lease here in Prescott valley we have 4 seasons , not just 2. It also cools down here after the sun goes down unlike Phoenix where its just as hot at midnight.

Like Boise for city size, cooler?, less taxes (I think) than Texas.......

Can any one help me decide? Any infor would be helpful.

[WestTx]

Well, I will say there is a pretty big difference between Lubbock and Frisco.

First off, Frisco is a very trendy, popular suburb of the ever growing Dallas area. Dallas will have plenty of opportunities for you and your husband. But, like I said it is booming: Traffic congestion and smog will be issues. However, Dallas/Fort Worth has comparably better air quality than other large metropolitan areas in the U.S.

Okay, here's the other big difference: Climate. The climates in Texas differ dramatically depending on where you are in the state. The North Texas area (Dallas/Fort Worth) is EXTREMELY hot and humid during summer months. You've lived in Arizona, so you're probably used to the heat, but the humidity will be a shock, I promise you. Temperatures above 100 degrees are not uncommon, and with the humidity the heat indexes soar well above that. Winters can be pretty cold too, but overall it's quite pleasant. Snow is rare in this part of the state, but not unheard of. It's usually freezing rain or sleet in winter months.

Okay, now I'll give you some info on Lubbock/West Texas. I have lived here most of my life, so I'll try to be unbiased. I'll just make a pros and cons list.

CONS: Aside from the canyons to the east, the land is completely flat and featureless. Aside from trees surrounding farm houses, there basically are no trees in the surrounding area. Also, it is at times very windy. Most of Texas is, but it's cranked up another notch in West Texas. And when the wind really blows, (usually in the months of February and March) the dirt can pick up and the sky turns a shade of brown. This is because plowed farm land leaves dirt exposed to the wind with no grass to anchor it. One more con would be that it is extremely isolated. Lubbock itself is about 2 hours away from a few cities of similar size, (Amarillo, Midland, Abilene.) But, to get to a major metropolitan area, you'll be driving a while. Dallas/Fort Worth-5 hours. San Antonio-6 hours. Austin-6 hours. Houston-8 hours. Now you're ready to write Lubbock off, but wait for the pros.

PROS: Okay, the city of Lubbock boasts a population of 210,000, and Lubbock county has about 250,000 residents. No matter where you live or work, you're looking at a 20 minute commute, usually less. Traffic is a non-issue, there are many well laid out freeway systems that make going anywhere in town a snap. Lubbock definitely isn't a major metro area, but it has almost all the conveniences that a big city offers. There's plenty of night life and good restaurants. Texas Tech University is located in Lubbock, so there's always plenty of exciting sporting events to go to. Good school districts big and small. Lubbock also has the best medical facilities between Fort Worth and Phoenix. There are plenty of medical jobs to choose from, you won't have any trouble. Summers are MUCH more bearable. It does get hot, but the humidity isn't near what it is in D/FW. Plus, on summer evenings the temperature drops into the upper 60's so you can at least escape the heat in the evenings. There aren't many trees in the surrounding areas, but the city itself has many nice parks with great big trees and lakes. Lubbock is very clean, and you won't see more beautiful sunsets anywhere in the country.

Well, maybe that will help you some.

[Mr. Football]

Agree about the Lubbock sunsets, they are truly amazing.

Either way, I think you can't go wrong. Coming from Boise, you may find Lubbock has the same small/mid-size city comfort, whereas Frisco is a suburb of a major metropolitan area. Frisco is really booming right now.

Another thing about Lubbock, if you miss the mountains (coming from Boise) you can jump in your car and in just a couple of hours be on the slopes in nearby New Mexico. Lots of people in Lubbock have 2nd homes in Ruidoso, Taos and Santa Fe.

Check out my Lubbock picture thread if you want more info:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/texas...lubbock-2.html

[Cathy4017]

I loved Lubbock, despite all of the downsides of dust, flat, et al...

It's one of the BEST laid-out cities I have ever seen. Most of the streets are square and very, very well-planned. It's so easy to get around in....and the traffic never was...and isn't now...an issue!

[Taznmb1]

Ok I see your looking for help not sure if your still looking buit I will post in hopes you are.

Lets look at boise:
The Weather. Well in the summer in Boise you can expect some heat and some mild days. We get a good mix of the 2 but in Aug you will get weather from 95-110. Now keep in mind this is a very dry heat. There is little Humidity. We set the record for the state a couple years ago for the most 100+ days in a row at 14. But usually not that many. The other side of the spectrum. Winter it gets Cold but not a lot of snow in the valley. It is Dec right now and we have had high's from 35-42 and low's of 28-12. It has snowed 3 days this winter and it was gone in a day or two. The rest of the time we are in the 60-70 degree range.
Next lets talk about Schools. The schools have teachers that care about there student. With the lowest paid teachers in the western US. They are not doing it for the money. Being a Son-in-law of an High schoool teacher gives me a different perspective. If your looking for Private schooling we have some of the best in the country. Bishop Kelly is a Private Catholic sHigh school for down the road that offers Some of the best academics and Sports that you will find in the counrty. With a Graduation Rate in the 90% and over 90% of there student going on to gradute from College shows why they are so good.
Next lets talk houseing. The House market has been on the rise but you can look at a Nice home in the 190-300 price range with square footage rangeing from 1500 to 2500.The prices have started to level out. The area is in a growth pattern and will continue for a while.
Next lets look at Entertainment. We have one of the most diverse areas that I have ever seen. We are alot like San Fran in this respect. We have a great Artistic community that has lots of things year around for this. We have plays, Concerts, Art in the park, museums and many other things. Then there is the Sports if this is a concern. We have Semipro teams for hockey, Baseball, And basketball. There is also the College. There are the things for the kids like the water park, Boondocks fun center, Skate parks, many traditinal parks, and some parks in the mountains. One nice thing about boise is there is just about anything you want to do within a 2 hour drive from Boise. If the outdoors are your thing there is camping, Fishing , Hunting, ETC. We have many hobbiest with many different hobbies. I could could keep going.
Next Drive time. Depending on wich way you are driveing depends on the drive time. If you live in Boise and not one of the outer suberbs then driveing is rather good. There is some congestion but not anything like Pheniox. If you are driving tword the Nampa caldwell area there is generally no delay because most of the people are driving from the Nampa-Caldwell area to Boise. With this there is a 20-30 Min delay in the morning and evening conversly.Driving in town the delay is much less down to a 5-15 min delay.I Live in the middle Kinda in the Kuna Meridian Boise Region and I can get anywhere in 15-25 min.
Next Hostpitals. We have 2 major hostpitals in Boise there is St. Lukes and St. Alphonsus. there are bith ver good hostpitals and have extentions in Meridian and Nampa. The care is some of the best I have had being that I have had 9 surgeries in my life and have been to Hostpitals in Portland Oregon , Salt Lake City Utah, and Eugene Oregon. By Far Boise is the best in the Northwest.
A small bit on Crime. Crime is relitivly small in this area. We are a mid to large size community with a small town mentallity. So the Crime is kept to a min.
Last you mentioned taxes For a 1500 square foot home valued at about 210,000 you can expect about 1200 a year in Property tax and there is a 6% sales tax. That is the main portion of our taxes. The state tax on your pay check is rather insignificant.

Email me at taznmb1@mailcity.com