Moving to East Texas (Houston, Dallas: foreclosure, condo, how much)

[nkvntx]

My husband is a Petroleum Engineer I am a teacher. We have a 15 month old baby boy. We are wondering what city would be best for both of us. This includes jobs, living, schools, family friendly, etc......We want to buy some land too. How much does it range per acre where should we look any help would be great we have thought about Tyler and Nacogdoches but aren't sure.

Thanks

[Poltracker]

I would suggest that your husband find a job before making a decision.

[destin04]

As far as teaching salaries go...I would say Tyler. When we moved to the East Texas area 18 months ago...had I still been teaching I would have taken a 15,000.00 cut to teach in a suburb of Tyler...but had I taught in Tyler ISD it would have only been about a 5,000.00 cut from the DFW area. I'm not sure about Nacogdoches, but since they have a large education deptartment at the University I would think that the teacher salary would be low for that area. I don't have any in-put on petro engineer. We love Tyler for the shopping and such...even though we live in the Lindale area....

[Philip T]

Originally Posted by Poltracker

I would suggest that your husband find a job before making a decision.

ohhhhhh yeah.

Petro is facing some big shake-ups and shake-downs.

If you want to head to East Texas, under the path you are describing, I would consider going with enough bank in your pocket to make it a year without work, and look HARD at the schools if you are thinking about teaching in the area -- they have low ratings for a cause. Consider that very deeply for your child's sake, as well.

I would submit the thing you would not want to do is show up, buy a house with payments due, him get laid off in the downturn, and find out the area does not meet what are looking for, and wind up family number 3,452,875 facing foreclosure in an area that is not "home."

But aside from that -- I love East Texas.

Mrs. Phil is from there going back several generations, pre-Civil War and (sort of sadly from my point of view) wants to be anywhere else. We are farming her stepfather's place this year -- biggie sized veggie operation. I love the HUGE trees, the slower pace of gentle folks who speak a sort of sing-song with extra syl-la-la-bles per per word. But you have to know what the problem aspects are, as well.

[Cowboybootnut]

Originally Posted by nkvntx

My husband is a Petroleum Engineer I am a teacher. We have a 15 month old baby boy. We are wondering what city would be best for both of us. This includes jobs, living, schools, family friendly, etc......We want to buy some land too. How much does it range per acre where should we look any help would be great we have thought about Tyler and Nacogdoches but aren't sure.

Thanks

Of the two, I would pick Tyler and that is because of your husband's profession. But I would definately get jobs first before a move.

[Mark Senior]

Hi: Depends where you a moving from as to what you expect/need for the school salary to be. Also, what it cost to live where you are from, it could be a lot less than Tyler.

Tyler is more than 3 times the size of Nacogdoches so maybe, a better chance for a job for you. No doubt, a much better chance for a job for your husband.

As far as cities, go Nac. is more laid back and Historic Place a nice small/old downtown area, a college town, really deep in the Piney Woods. I like it.

Tyler, is on the edge of the Piney Woods with many more huge Oak trees, gently rolling hills, with pasture areas a well. Tyler is historic Azalea District too very modern 14 story high rise condo - major shopping, very expensive to not so expensive areas to live in, yes we do have our older "not so kept up" areas, yes some drawbacks here. One is not the property tax rate , it's the lowest in the state of any city over 30,000 population rate is .20 per $100 dollar evaluation.

Tyler has the Univesity of Texas at Tyler with the on campus Cowan Performing Arts Center with major plays that stop in Dallas also coming here, Season packages and special events. The East Texas Symphony is here that compares fairly favorabaly with the Houston Symphony, I lived in Houston 20 years. Has a really nice zoo.

Tyler is medical center of East Texas with the only Level One Truama Center in the area. Many specialist here. And finally, many people find Tyler beautiful with the Azaleas,Dogwoods.Tulips and the largest Municipal Rose Garden the nation. Come take a look, of course it would be much nicer in the Spring or thereafter, it does look like winter with only the Pine trees green, we have four seasons with a mild winter.

Many people live just outside Tyler and in Whitehouse,Bullard, Lindale.

If you have anyother questions. I'll try to answer them or refer you to someone.

Good luck on your decision.

[nkvntx]

Yes, we do have enough money saved. We know what the oil business is like. I work to get my out of the house and its what I loved to do. We really don't need my income so public or private is fine. We are from Houston, but currently living in Lafayette, LA. Husband is doing offshore stuff. We want an idea. Nac is where my husband graduated high school. I am leaning towards Tyler because I like the city but would like the country feel for our son. What schools are good....What do y'all base it on?

[destin04]

There are several very good...top rated school districts in the Tyler area. Of course because we live in the Lindale area....we moved here because of the school system rating. There is also a wide variety of private schools in Tyler. Look on the TEA web site.

[Mark Senior]

Yes, Tyler has 4 private schools grades 1-12. Destin has good information. While you search TEA, check for Bullard, Whitehouse and of course Lindale. All three ISD's are next to Tyler and Whitehouse overlaps a part of Southeast Tyler. Many seek that "country feel" near Tyler. It could be a little expensive. But of course that depends on how much money you have. lol. Lots of property within 15 miles are so. Good luck.

[Pinkpantherelmo]

Tyler is so far a wonderul town.It's beautiful and has lots of different schools to choose from.Tons of jobs and lots of things to do.I live in Whitehouse,Texas which is about 2 miles away from Tyler but i suggest tyler.