WannabeeTexan

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by amjb

In the summer when it's still 98 degrees at 11 p.m. and 82 degrees at 5 a.m., that's hot to me. True, it may not always be that warm but as far as the heat changing in the summer, it does not fluctuate much for 6 months.

That does sound a little excessive, but to me our summers are still too "changeable."

I've seen anywhere from 86 F to 38 F before sunrise in mid-summer here. It isn't unusual for a few summer nights to be too cold to sleep with the windows open. I'd glady swap some of our cold summer weather for more warm, even sweaty summer weather.

[Synopsis]

I would have to agree with amjb on the extremes of heat and disagree with cleoboa. I'm not bashing or anything, but I would hate to paint a picture of Texas being a place that doesn't have extremes and someone from a moderate place like Oregon move here then have a heat stroke in the summer. It does get HOT here in the summer and it generally lasts from just about anytime in June until sometime in early October. There are a few rare exceptions to this, like in 2004 where I think it only got above 100 degrees once or twice. Much of that summer was wet and temperatures were generally in the low to mid 90s much of the summer. Now you may consider that hot in Oregon, but that should tell you how hot it can get in Texas when we consider 95 for a high "mild." This last summer we had something between 45 and 55 days of over 100 degree temps in the DFW area, with very little rain. We lost seven trees within a 100 foot radius of my house because of the extended drought, which we are STILL IN. Texas is our home and we are happy with that choice, but I can definitely see us moving North, somewhere that is is not sweltering for two to three months out of the year. If Texas had a climate like Oregon, it would be a perfect place otherwise because the people are great, there are plenty of jobs, and such.

Oh, one more thing. When people keep saying "If you don't like the weather in Texas, wait fifteen minutes" that could only apply to the winter or perhaps spring. The weather (at least in THIS part of Texas) does not change in the summer at all. Occasionally we'll get some storms if we are VERY LUCKY but for the most part, once summer sets in it is just HOT, day and night. Highs at or above 100 in the daytime, lows generally around 80 at night. And this pretty much lasts from late June until early October.

[BobTex]

Originally Posted by Synopsis

I would have to agree with amjb on the extremes of heat and disagree with cleoboa. I'm not bashing or anything, but I would hate to paint a picture of Texas being a place that doesn't have extremes and someone from a moderate place like Oregon move here then have a heat stroke in the summer. It does get HOT here in the summer and it generally lasts from just about anytime in June until sometime in early October. There are a few rare exceptions to this, like in 2004 where I think it only got above 100 degrees once or twice. Much of that summer was wet and temperatures were generally in the low to mid 90s much of the summer. Now you may consider that hot in Oregon, but that should tell you how hot it can get in Texas when we consider 95 for a high "mild." This last summer we had something between 45 and 55 days of over 100 degree temps in the DFW area, with very little rain. We lost seven trees within a 100 foot radius of my house because of the extended drought, which we are STILL IN. Texas is our home and we are happy with that choice, but I can definitely see us moving North, somewhere that is is not sweltering for two to three months out of the year. If Texas had a climate like Oregon, it would be a perfect place otherwise because the people are great, there are plenty of jobs, and such.

Oh, one more thing. When people keep saying "If you don't like the weather in Texas, wait fifteen minutes" that could only apply to the winter or perhaps spring. The weather (at least in THIS part of Texas) does not change in the summer at all. Occasionally we'll get some storms if we are VERY LUCKY but for the most part, once summer sets in it is just HOT, day and night. Highs at or above 100 in the daytime, lows generally around 80 at night. And this pretty much lasts from late June until early October.

__________________________________________________ __________

Weather in my part of Texas is not nearly as warm as DFW area. We had no 100 degree days here in SE Texas. Saw a few when it was near 98 but 95-96 was the norm. Now......could an Oregonian move here and be comfortable in summer......probably not, almost most assuredly not! Now I have seen it get that hot here in 1999, but that is the exception. I grew up here and I find the summers pretty darn uncomfortable. Probably a coastal home could be more temperate if one can stand dripping humididty!

GLocklin might could find a political/socially acceptable climate in Austin ..... but would still have to deal with the numerous 100* temps. I think Glock would for sure be more comfortable in all aspects in Or..

[glocklin]

Bobtex thanks for your candor. No decisions have been made as yet. My husband and stepson are pretty disappointed that I am dragging my feet. I used to live in Texas as a child. One sees things through rose colored glasses as a child. My stepson swears he will never move back to Oregon. He is a cold blooded man that loves the heat. Young people adjust to things differently than us older folks. At my age you worry about finding new doctors. I also heard that property taxes were quite high in Texas. On this particular site we are chatting on I have heard of people moving in from other states thinking they had found the garden of Paradise in Texas. They thought they could make a killing on property in their own state and then buy cheap property in Texas. But I also have heard of retired people losing their homes because the taxes were high. I plan to visit Texas around May. I hope it is good and hot so my husband can get a taste of what true heat is.

[BobTex]

Originally Posted by glocklin

Bobtex thanks for your candor. No decisions have been made as yet. My husband and stepson are pretty disappointed that I am dragging my feet. I used to live in Texas as a child. One sees things through rose colored glasses as a child. My stepson swears he will never move back to Oregon. He is a cold blooded man that loves the heat. Young people adjust to things differently than us older folks. At my age you worry about finding new doctors. I also heard that property taxes were quite high in Texas. On this particular site we are chatting on I have heard of people moving in from other states thinking they had found the garden of Paradise in Texas. They thought they could make a killing on property in their own state and then buy cheap property in Texas. But I also have heard of retired people losing their homes because the taxes were high. I plan to visit Texas around May. I hope it is good and hot so my husband can get a taste of what true heat is.

__________________________________________________ _____________

Glock,

Truthfully property taxes vary GREATLY from area to area. I own 50 acres with a modest 2200 sq. ft. home with several outbuildings and my combined taxes are less than $1,000/yr. I pay no city taxes though as I'm rural. There was a poster here back in the summer claiming to be losing his shirt over his taxes in a rural area anout 75 miles east of Dallas........seems like it was an extrordinarily high assessment of property valuation that he was riled about......seems like it was 10 acres with a metal building, shop type, and he was getting sponged for like $10K/yr. Sales taxes are 8.25% on smaller items (no tax on food and other neccessities) and 6.5% on big ticket items (autos, boats, etc).......and no state income tax.....yet! Good luck!