Is Texas economy really that good, or is Texas a bit overrated? (Dallas: credit, townhouse)

[Lakewooder]

Originally Posted by ministers

Where are the best places to live in Texas? How are the suburbs of Dallas? I just hope people are friendly to individuals that are not from the south. I have heard some really great things about Texas.

ministers - many if not most of the people in the Dallas suburbs (especially the northern ones) are not from the South.

[Lakewooder]

lutarian, Texas is huge, I don't think you can make such generalizations. I live in 'inner city' Dallas and was born here 50 years ago. I've never had a problem with crime.

[awecelot]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

lutarian, Texas is huge, I don't think you can make such generalizations. I live in 'inner city' Dallas and was born here 50 years ago. I've never had a problem with crime.

I wouldn't call Lakewood "inner city." Inside the loop, yes. But I tend to think of "inner city" as referring to areas such as Fair Park, South Oak Cliff, etc...the ones where the problems of drugs, crime, and poverty are rampant.

[Texas Mack]

Originally Posted by Lakewooder

lutarian, Texas is huge, I don't think you can make such generalizations. I live in 'inner city' Dallas and was born here 50 years ago. I've never had a problem with crime.

Jesus, you're 50? You've made my day by making me feel young again.



I kid, I kid.


Anyway, as for the Houston/SE Texas part of the deal, the energy sector is obviously rolling along quite smoothly, which has a domino effect on things like trading, investment and such, but the construction and biotechnical fields are booming as well.

Engineers and accountants, in particular, are doing well in Houston.

[CalGal953]

Originally Posted by tstone

A young guy, late 20's to early 30's, with the right degrees/training and 3-5 years experience (and the right connections) can easily make $1X,XXX per month. The uplifts, overtime hours, and per diems are pretty nice. And more experience, even more ca$h.

So my experience-less boyfriend, who is 27 and can't get the right connections due to his Asperger's Syndrome, can forget about working here. Same with me, a 25-year-old Aspie also without work experience because no one wants to give us a chance.

[autotech4dallas]

Why are property taxes so high, but cost of living is low, and the state of Texas exempted from state income taxes? I was just a little curious.

[WillysB]

It's a matter of perspective, developed by your choice of information media. If you read how bad things are then things may just be that bad. If you don't read about how bad things are then, well, maybe things are a little better. Texas runs about average or maybe a little better than average of the nation. But it doesn't have the biggest best most boisterous of economies, depending of course, on the local news summaries. Various parts of the state may experience different results.

[KantLockeMeIn]

Originally Posted by CalGal953

So my experience-less boyfriend, who is 27 and can't get the right connections due to his Asperger's Syndrome, can forget about working here. Same with me, a 25-year-old Aspie also without work experience because no one wants to give us a chance.

Like it or not you have to be able to interview well or know someone no matter where you live. I work in a high tech company and have worked with plenty of people with asperger's and the only way they got in was knowing someone.

I'd suggest charity work and networking groups... and at the groups the motto is fake it till ya make it.

[KantLockeMeIn]

Originally Posted by autotech4dallas

Why are property taxes so high, but cost of living is low, and the state of Texas exempted from state income taxes? I was just a little curious.

You have to pay for schools and services somehow... we choose to do it via sales tax and property tax. I think it's a fair system... you aren't punished for making more, you pay more into the system for the more extravagant a lifestyle you choose to lead.

So if you're living beyond your means, you're taxed like crazy...but if you're living well below your means, you are rewarded. I like that incentive...

[autotech4dallas]

Sounds good. I just wanted to know what to expect when moving to Texas in a few years. Thanks, KantLockeMeIn.