Texas vs. Tennessee - help us choose! (Dallas, San Antonio: houses, job market)

[lollygagger428]

Tennessee is head and shoulders above TX. We are stuck here until March and TN was on our short list for moves. The weather is much better there, cleaner, more beautiful. TX is just one gigantic piece of land that takes days to cross.

[BobTex]

4 year old OP still getting replies???

[I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA]

Originally Posted by lollygagger428

Tennessee is head and shoulders above TX. We are stuck here until March and TN was on our short list for moves. The weather is much better there, cleaner, more beautiful. TX is just one gigantic piece of land that takes days to cross.

I agree and plan to be outta here in Tennessee in a few years.

[rynetwo]

Originally Posted by WacosSon

So here's the story in short form:

My wife and I live in California. We hate it. Can't wait to get out. We've had some heavy encouragement to look into TN and TX. We're in love with both of them! So, I'm posting this in both state's threads. Can you guys help us decide? Here's what we're looking for:

- Small town (2000-15,000 people) Either
- All 4 seasons (would really like some cold in winter) TN
- Decent schools Either
- Jobs (I currently work as an IT Technician and she's a marketing coordinator for architecture) TX
- 3+ bedroom house with 1+ acres of land for under $220k Both
- Some conservative American values Both
- Great outdoor areas (we fish, hunt, camp, offroad and wakeboard/waterski) Both

- Within an hour or so drive from a city with a decent airport TX

I hope we're not being too picky, but its a big move since its the only one we'll probably make. We're REALLY leaning toward the Fort Worth area if we choose Texas. Can't stand too much humidity and we've fallen in love with that region. Can't do a dry county, and need some wooded areas to stay sane. We'll probably rent a year before we bought to get to know the area, but we just need to know where to start. If you can tell us some cities, and why you'd think they'd fit us that would be great. Also, any ex-Tennesseers wanna weigh in too? Thanks guys!

Nick & Court

Texas is large and has more variety in landscape but TN does have your four seasons.

[War Beagle]

I've lived in both places.

If your preferences lean more towards scenery and climate, I would choose Tennessee -hands down, no question. If you're more concerned with friendly people, good food and more vibrant culture, I'd choose Texas. Tennesseans can be clannish and not open to outsiders and being from California would only exacerbate that for you.

[kkkee55ty]

Moving from California should make it very easy to maybe payoff a home easy. Outdoors activities in TN are a lot better, not to mention the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg, pigeon Forge, parks, canoeing, biking, the music and the art, and a conservative friendly culture. Memphis is not an option. I lived in TN for 14 years and my daughter lives in TX. I have lived in San Antonio also. In TN the best place will be Williamson County (best county in TN), very good school systems, low crime, plenty of facilities, house price a little higher but coming from California it will be nothing. 2.5 - 3 areas from Smoky Mountains and many other attractions going to Chattanooga. 4 hours to Atlanta, 1.5 hr. to Space center in Huntsville Alabama. I was going to move to TX for job change and retirement, when I started studying about property taxes there, forget it, this is not a place if you are planning to a lower income in retirement (Austin might be a better place, but taxes are still a nightmare for retirees. I have a 312000 house in TN that I will pay off and have a property tax of 1666.00 when I retire, a similar house in TX will be around 236000 - 275000 but you will pay between 5000 and 10000 on property taxes depending on the location when you retire and this is after homestead exemption. The difference in take money home after retirement is huge, especially if you want to spend it having fun when retire. Also TN has a law that freezes your property tax when you retire at 65, not to mention you can see the beautiful landscape and change of seasons with the correct length of time. Spring Hill, Franklin, and Brentwood are very good areas, Antioch is also a very good area in Williamson County and you get a lot bigger and nice house for the buck. Rarely snows in Middle TN. The west side closer to the airport has some nice areas too and is closer to a very nice big lake.

[Getpeggi]

Did you make the move?? We are looking at both states to retire to as well.
Any input appreciated. Texas is hot and crowded, Tennessee???
Thanks.

[hound 109]

Originally Posted by Getpeggi

Did you make the move?? We are looking at both states to retire to as well.
Any input appreciated. Texas is hot and crowded, Tennessee???
Thanks.

I know....right?

[RJ312]

I would rather live in Texas than Tennessee.

[stan4]

Check out Argyle, Texas.

Although the acre for $220k may not be there. But close to there.