Why Texas have Bad Image (Dallas, San Antonio: school, living, vs.)

[jwb123]

Wow, bitter much?

the newcomers don't want (or need, since they won't be here long) to become locals.

What an inaccurate and inflammatory accusation! I can tell you from experience - as a newcomer, I am doing everything I can to fit in, learn the "Texas" way, etc. I love new places, ideas and ways of doing things.

[shannon94]

Originally Posted by socketz

I could go on and on, but you see what I mean. Successful people use money to make money.

Leveraging money has gotten a bad rap because people use home equity to redeocrate their home, or buy a BMW they would otherwise not be able to afford. But in the end, it's really their choice and nobody can stand there and say building equity of any kind is a bad thing. Abused yes, but not a negative.

Essentially what equity does is provide you with options. For me, options are critcial to success, be it personal or financial. Without options, we are trapped and that to me is the way it seems many Texans view Real Estate in general - as some what of a liability or necessary evil with the potential to trap. Californians on the other hand seem to see it as a very necessary financial tool that's critical to your overall success. This is the fundamental disconnect and is what's creating the 'us and them' mentality we sometimes see here. I just think that for so long there was no home equity to speak of in Texas, so people just learned how to live without it and justified not having it as a necessary means of avoiding some unforseen evil....I work with friends now that are native Texans and they all own land (OK, CO, TX) which was bought will home equity recently. Most of them plan to build on the land and retire. This is yet another use of equity, TX style (I know 0 CAs that own raw land).

Just two separate ways of thinking. Since I don't want to argue about paying off every bill you have and being debut free and those types of discussion, I'll probably leave this idea alone at this point and treat it like a discussion on religion or politics.

I get where your coming from Sockets......but I really would like to hear why you think it's a bad idea to be debt free. Not to argue....just to get your perspective.
I prefer to use real disposable income to invest. If you use equity to invest...and you lose your a** on that investment..you still owe the money.

I could care less how much equity I make in Texas....I bought a home ...not an ATM. I've been made fun of on these forums for buying a house for 100k. Nobody knows what I've put into it though (with cash) it's an established neighborhood ...great schools....I don't sit in traffic.....I'm free. Surely you know that it has only been in this last housing boom that California homes have appreciated so rapidly and so abundantly. Even California only saw modest appreciation before. I think it's funny when people think it's the norm...or a "right" because the weather is good!! lol

You mentioned being "successful". Retiring in 6 years (I'll be 44) and being debt free means I can spend more time with my family instead of chasing the buck. What's wrong with that way of thinking?

You mentioned options too....I had the option of buying in California and working until I was 70.....and seeing my daughter for only a couple hours a day.....nope not a great option...at least for me.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

Texas has a bad image, in part, because threads are titled "Why Texas have Bad Image."

[socketz]

"Texas has a bad image, in part, because threads are titled "Why Texas have Bad Image.""

Excellent point. And I don't oppose being debut free per say, I just don't see it as necessary at this juncture in my life. Once my kids run off to college, I'll probably downsize and go debut free (from a housing perspective).

[jwb123]

LOL @ Gradstudent! I was kinda thinking the same thing....

[Guingirl]

I don't think LDN is bitter just frustrated...from reading his other posts. I am going to be Texan shortly...it just took me awhile to get there...getting there as fast as I can. Currently leaving CA behind. I understand what he is going through. You look out your window and think "well, I remember when.." and it is hard to see those days gone. I remember when I knew everyone in my town and it only took five minutes to go across town.

Coming from CA, I can say that a lot of people that come from there have an arrogant attitude for the most part. My hometown changed because of an influx of people from else where. It IS frustrating. It is just a different opinion and life experience....we all bring it to this board.

Different people are more sensitive than others.

[mystree]

Why am I not impressed with the track record of that kind of RE management philosophy.I dread the thought of that happening here.I have already had to rethink my approach to home buying even though I am in my 40's.My current prop tax is about $370 a month.If the increases keep happening like they are,in 15 years I will be paying $ 1500 a month just in taxes,more than my current mort,ins,and taxes combined.So no,people who are driving the prices higher are not doing normal people who just want to live in a house for 40 years any favors.

I agree completely

I could care less how much equity I make in Texas....I bought a home ...not an ATM. I've been made fun of on these forums for buying a house for 100k. Nobody knows what I've put into it though (with cash) it's an established neighborhood ...great schools....I don't sit in traffic.....I'm free. Surely you know that it has only been in this last housing boom that California homes have appreciated so rapidly and so abundantly. Even California only saw modest appreciation before. I think it's funny when people think it's the norm...or a "right" because the weather is good!! lol

You mentioned being "successful". Retiring in 6 years (I'll be 44) and being debt free means I can spend more time with my family instead of chasing the buck. What's wrong with that way of thinking?

Shannon I like how you think...probably because we think alike...lol

[Tama]

Well-reading this thread brings back memories! I spent a year in Austin several years ago, am originally from the NE and have lived in the South for many many years-gads. My perspective-Texas has many unique and individual offerings that they must be proud of. Excellent universities, medical centers (M.D. Anderson to name one), some thriving metro areas, and a diversity for lifestyle from the great outdoors to the sophistication of Dallas. It is an airport hub on the likes of Atlanta and Chicago for those of us from the South traveling anywhere west. Its people are proud and hardworking. In my humble opinion though--there was an us & them attitude bigtime. Not necessarily to the newcomers-they see the light but in letters to the editor in the papers and in the news sections, I constantly read negative comments about other areas of the country and how great and superior Texas was. It was permeated in everything that was a public communication outlet, radio talk shows included. I came to resent it.
It wasn't a perception from without that formed my opinion but this perception from within. Maybe that attitude is picked up by outsiders? Anyway, people in other places aren't necessarily enthralled with big fat steaks, Tex-Mex, Blue Bell ice bream (artificial flavor), country music, and Lone Star beer, so one thing that might present a more realistic image is to start talking up some of the other great kinds of foods and activities available--and stop being so defensive and antagonistic yourselves. Just my opinion.

[lifertexan]

It wasn't a perception from without that formed my opinion but this perception from within. Maybe that attitude is picked up by outsiders? Anyway, people in other places aren't necessarily enthralled with big fat steaks, Tex-Mex, Blue Bell ice bream (artificial flavor), country music, and Lone Star beer, so one thing that might present a more realistic image is to start talking up some of the other great kinds of foods and activities available--and stop being so defensive and antagonistic yourselves. Just my opinion.

Well guess what.Nobody is asking outsiders to come here.Texans do have pride in all things Texan,and if that rubs out of staters the wrong way,tough patooties.

[socketz]

"And you can bet when Texans catch on that this CA philosophy towards RE is part of the cause of their misfortune in not being able to continue to afford their home,there will definitely be an us vs. them mentality."

Guys....I moved here because I was offered a great job (they came and found me, I wasn't looking). Buying a nice home was just part of the equation - in fact, I'm not selling my home in CA, so I'm using money I've saved as a down payment.

Also, I'm not a big fan of picking up and moving just to buy a cheaper house.....but if people want to do that, more power to em.

Also, no grudges are being held because Kennedy was assanitated here....please, chill. Nobody hates anyone or looks down their noses.