Is Texas economy really that good, or is Texas a bit overrated? (Houston: sale, rental)

[austinnetx]

Texas unemployment/COL is low because its a low-tax state with strong tort-reform and few if any unions who spend their time whining. Texas has an EXCELLENT education system and very strong rule of law as well. Finally, cities and business work together to plan for the future.

[changeofpace]

Unemployment is about 3.5% in CC and cost of living is low. Jobs are plentiful (only about 10% of job openings are or ever have been in the local newspapers. New construction of homes are still very strong in Corpus. Last evening my wife had a conversation with 3 neighbors about electricity bills for last month. Ironically, we have the largest home per square foot and last months electrictiy bill was $93.00 and thats with my wife running her financial consulting business out of our home. One neighbor said her last months electric bill was $400, the other said hers was $350. We even have 2 electric water heaters and 2 central air conditioning units. Both neighbors said they keep their thermostats at 72 degrees. We keep ours at 78 degrees. You have more control over your expenses than you often times think you have.

[texdav]

Overall Texas is rated the best place to do bnusiness right how and i the near future. It how leads the nation in fortune 500 companies. It is just oil but eneregy overall and many other businesses. Its a big state and you will find areas that are suferign from the econom ylike always but it has several mtero areas and medium cities that are booming.

[ministers]

Wow!!! These responses are awesome!!!! I currently live in Wisconsin, and I really want to relocate to Texas in the near future. Thanks for all your responses, I guess the hype is true. Everything is big in Texas!!! LOL

[desertsun41]

Originally Posted by ministers

Wow!!! These responses are awesome!!!! I currently live in Wisconsin, and I really want to relocate to Texas in the near future. Thanks for all your responses, I guess the hype is true. Everything is big in Texas!!! LOL

It's all true minister but dont tell anyone else ok? We dont want it to get too overcrowded.

[carolmora]

There are many places with a lower cost of living then Texas.

Texas is being over run with illegals, high utilities and crime just like California.

[tstone]

Originally Posted by carolmora

Texas is being over run with illegals, high utilities and crime just like California.

And like California, this has been going on for a considerable amount of time now.

[KantLockeMeIn]

Originally Posted by carolmora

There are many places with a lower cost of living then Texas.

Texas is being over run with illegals, high utilities and crime just like California.

Sure there are places with lower COL, but do they afford the same opportunities? For myself, being in high tech, I have a number of choices as to where I can live and make a decent salary. Iowa Falls might be pretty and inexpensive, but when it comes to finding a job my family would starve. In Dallas or Houston the large number of corporate offices increase the opportunities significantly.

[dcoolbro]

I think rising oil prices have helped Texas considerably. I myself work in the aerospace industry and my company has quite a few high paying engineering job openings. Also in Houston the Medical Center is growing like crazy. So it aint just oil.

[changeofpace]

Government jobs in cities in most services and especially urban planning are growing to handle the rapid expansion in government services and infrastructure. DFW, SA, Houston and CC adding employees. Financial service and insurance firms adding employees as well.