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My husband and I are on the lookout for somewhere to move. Where we can settle and set roots. We currently reside in south Washington state, ten minutes north of Portland, Oregon. I am originally from Southern California and my husband is from where we're currently living-WA state.
Our future goal is to one day own a couple acres. Some property to where my husband can do woodworking and to have little livestock and crops. I've been looking at states where we could settle with warmer weather and decent land prices, maybe even a small fixer. We're not big fans of the rain here in WA so we want nice warmer and sunshine weather. My Husband works in construction and I currently work as a caregiver. To me community is very important. I would like our kids (in the future) to have a good surrounding community to grow up in. We also love the outdoors. We like to camp and be outside, something not doable in WA.
What kind of jobs are out in Tyler? How is the construction industry/employment? Our priority in our decision is to go where construction is strong. Is Tyler too much city to own land? What's Tyler weather like all year long? How's the humidity/rain? How is the community? Is there stuff to do? Things to do when/if humidity is high? Is camping and outdoor activities or hiking doable out there? What kind of age groups are out in Tyler? Also, if not Tyler where else is more suitable in Texas?
Wow, how did you chose to post in the Tyler Sub-Forum, did previous postings here "catch" your attention as to Tyler being possible relocation opportunity?
How wide is your search? Do you have posts in other states or parts of Texas?
I'm just trying to determine "where to start", lol. What do you know about THIS part of Texas, you know Texas could easily be broken into four or five parts or "states". It's varies across the state in many ways.
Are you more conservative than liberal or? Does it matter, much? What are you expectations as to what the people would be like?
Answer any or none of the above: Here goes IMO, lol
The Tyler area is more conservative than the West Coast, and more conservative than Austin and other areas of Texas, mostly mega metros of Houston, DFW, Austin. Buuuuuuut, it really doesn't matter to most people, just accept each view and "all is well."
I love it here, but YOU need to visit in July or August, and see if you could get acclimated to the heat AND humidity. The humidity is what makes the area "greener" and have more vegetation than 2/3 of the state. Too, me, IMO, Tyler and the Hill Country are the most "scenic" spots in TEXAS, no not the USA, lol Slightly rolling hills, azalea, dogwoods, tall pine trees, many oaks.
Tyler would be "not expensive" for land, as compared to many places in Texas, and especially the West Coast.
You do have four seasons here, mostly mild, it can get "cold" snow, like this year, but it may go 3-5 YEARS without snowing, or even some years hardly get below freezing, sorta rare but it does happen, weather is a hobby as well, so I won't go into details, unless you would like to know more. Oh, yes about 40 inches of rain per year, but not like the West Coast, thunderstorms, and inch or two at a time, it does not stay cloudy for extended periods of weeks, yeah, some people still complain after 3 - 4 days, cloudy rainy weather. lol
Many, many people enjoy the outdoors, major Tyler State Park nearby, man made lakes for boating and fishing, now, not a lot of public beach area but some. A great small zoo, not normally found in a "town" this small.
IMO all types of age groups here, many with families, retires, but NOT really a retirement town, BUT, the medical facilities are great for all of US, me as a senior. Best and most varied medical care in all of East Texas, fact, not IMO. lol More specialists here, the ONLY Level One Truama Center.
The Cowen Center on the University of Texas Tyler Campus, offers many concerts and plays that tour thru the major cities of Houston and the DFW area. The East Texas Symphony Orchestra is quite good. I have the Houston Symphony as a comparison, surprisingly good, not as large as Houston's.
Plenty of shopping, more than most cities our size, upscale to "down scale" lol. Many chain and non-chain restaurants, even several small chains that DFW does not have.
Now, I try to tell you the pros and cons: A con, IMO, is for you, possibly are jobs. Which would make everything else NOT matter, of course. lol The construction, general commercial, and home construction is "slower" than most areas in Texas. Tyler is, at best, SLOWLY growing, although, there is newer construction quite evident, just not like one the fastest growing areas in the COUNTRY, the DFW area, and Austin, Houston, San Antonio and other areas are "booming" compared to Tyler, but the downside of course, is congestion, and is usually cost more to live there, however, back to jobs, there are FAR more jobs there than in Tyler.
So, not to discourage you, but again, the jobs part is "facts" not IMO. Tyler is largely medical and retail, not entirely but...The medical, IMO, is why Tyler has more amenities, and upscale shops, more expensive restaurants, even the Texas de Brazil is here, Tyler is by far the smallest city in Texas with this chain.
Schools in the future? I'm not sure what to tell you about schools, NOW, I don't know how, YOU would can plan where you are going to live NOW, and plan NOW, at this minute, for where you want to live WHEN you have children on "down the road" in time?
Is church important? All faiths, and denominations here, to each "it's" own, pretty much attend or don't attend, but you will likely be invited to someone's church, but not pounded over the head with a Bible to attend. I attend and worship, and REALLY would not trade "my experience in that area" with anyone, but again, "whatever" for everyone else, that's there call, lol
There may be many jobs for "care giver" here, I'm not sure what you are looking for? Sooo, much medical here.
Well, this should be a start, and maybe a finish for you, lol
If you want to email me direct as many have and do, I'll try to be even more specific? or if I don't know, I'll try to refer you. You can tell, with all my posts on here, that Tyler information is a very long time hobby of mine.
I've been searching Texas for quite some time. I originally was looking at South Carolina, but my husband is set on Texas due to their gun carry laws. I've also been looking at towns surrounding Austin. I'm thinking about an hour outside of Austin? It's not as green as east tx. So my hunt lead me to Tyler area. We're conservative and christians. So we do attend church so that's another major thing we are looking for. We don't mind other views we just aren't too thrilled of laws here. For us we love a mix of age. I would love people that are younger than us, our age, and people older. But a far as what people would be like, what we would look for? Just moral people. Strong knit community. Getting to know neighbors. Being from Southern California it's common to not know or really talk to your neighbors.
Thanks for your response! It's something my husband and I are definitely looking through. Definitely will take your advice on visiting during July/August. That will be the real test lol! Do you know much about the Austin area? This thread is my first.
I'm not a frequent visitor to Austin or the Hill Country so I should HARDLY put in my two cents worth. I like the Austin area, my second favorite in Texas. Austin, the city, is thought of, as pointed out on CD, as the most liberal part of Texas, by far, California like, seems to me too, but what many others have said.
To the West side of Austin is very scenic, for Texas. Expensive, but jobs surely can be found. Very, very congested area. The areas to the north and South to San Antonio are again, booming, jobs? Weather, very hot in June, July, August, longer heat season than the Tyler area, but yes dryer heat, but higher temps, because humid air does not "heat up" as quickly as dryer air, but cooler at nights for the same reason, although in reverse, lol.
No pro sports, the big three, but everything else most mega metros offer, I suppose. Probably much harder to KNOW your neighbors, for the same reason, the meganess, lol
Others in the Austin Forum or on here should have more input than I have, best to you.
I've been searching Texas for quite some time. I originally was looking at South Carolina, but my husband is set on Texas due to their gun carry laws. I've also been looking at towns surrounding Austin. I'm thinking about an hour outside of Austin? It's not as green as east tx. So my hunt lead me to Tyler area. We're conservative and christians. So we do attend church so that's another major thing we are looking for. We don't mind other views we just aren't too thrilled of laws here. For us we love a mix of age. I would love people that are younger than us, our age, and people older. But a far as what people would be like, what we would look for? Just moral people. Strong knit community. Getting to know neighbors. Being from Southern California it's common to not know or really talk to your neighbors.
Thanks for your response! It's something my husband and I are definitely looking through. Definitely will take your advice on visiting during July/August. That will be the real test lol! Do you know much about the Austin area? This thread is my first.
I'm on the same boat as you, sorta. I'm from Ontario, CA, socal. My wife and I are looking to relocate to TX and I'm looking at surrounding cities around Austin as well. At least that's where I started. I too am set on TX and nowhere else due to their carry laws, their views on 2nd Amendment, and conservatism. I am more libertarian, but definitely not liberal by any means. We attend church and we are catholic. We are both 32 and would like a mix of young and older folks, and diversity since I am hispanic and my wife is asian. Last thing I want is to move into an area where we don't feel welcome because we are not white. I hate that I even have to mention that part, but it is true. One of my friends lives in Forney TX with his wife and he told me the east side of TX is beautiful but you still have a lot of the country folk that like to fly the confederate flag and don't take too kindly to people of color. I could care less about the flag being flown, but I sure as hell don't want to leave everything behind in CA only to land in an area where despite having similar political views and beliefs, I still don't fit in because of my ethnic background or my wife's. Sad but true. But I accept it, I just know not to move into areas like that. Best of luck in your search. If looking around Austin surrounding cities, if you care to share what cities you've come across let me know and I'll do the same. I'm flying into Austin with my wife in May to check out surrounding cities around the Austin area. We're looking for a home on 1+ acres of land. But I truly would love to find a property on 10 or more acres so I can shoot on my land. It's my hobby and line of work.
I'm on the same boat as you, sorta. I'm from Ontario, CA, socal. My wife and I are looking to relocate to TX and I'm looking at surrounding cities around Austin as well. At least that's where I started. I too am set on TX and nowhere else due to their carry laws, their views on 2nd Amendment, and conservatism. I am more libertarian, but definitely not liberal by any means. We attend church and we are catholic. We are both 32 and would like a mix of young and older folks, and diversity since I am hispanic and my wife is asian. Last thing I want is to move into an area where we don't feel welcome because we are not white. I hate that I even have to mention that part, but it is true. One of my friends lives in Forney TX with his wife and he told me the east side of TX is beautiful but you still have a lot of the country folk that like to fly the confederate flag and don't take too kindly to people of color. I could care less about the flag being flown, but I sure as hell don't want to leave everything behind in CA only to land in an area where despite having similar political views and beliefs, I still don't fit in because of my ethnic background or my wife's. Sad but true. But I accept it, I just know not to move into areas like that. Best of luck in your search. If looking around Austin surrounding cities, if you care to share what cities you've come across let me know and I'll do the same. I'm flying into Austin with my wife in May to check out surrounding cities around the Austin area. We're looking for a home on 1+ acres of land. But I truly would love to find a property on 10 or more acres so I can shoot on my land. It's my hobby and line of work.
Early or late May? Austin and Hill Country will look their "finest" in early May, a virtual RED CARPET CHAMBER of COMMERCE reception, should be good in late May, if not getting into early June type weather by then, being on the warmer side by late May. So all and all you should be impressed. Not your "true" weather test in July and August.
The plan was to fly in early May since it is around my wife's birthday. My birthday is next week and we're headed to Arizona to enjoy ourselves and checkout the land and a few cities there too.
Then in May the plan is to fly out and land in Austin and rent a car and just drive all over the surrounding cities I've been researching.
Given that you read my post about what I am looking for and who we are/what we are, where do you recommend we look into? My wife works in the automotive industry but in Human Resources. She has been doing HR for over 10 years and always for the automotive industry for Penske Group. I work in the firearms industry in sales but also run my own business which is why I am comfortable in leaving my job behind and relocating my business. The most important thing is that there is good internet where I go to, and banks and post office nearby. Hospitals too of course and a Walmart.
The plan was to fly in early May since it is around my wife's birthday. My birthday is next week and we're headed to Arizona to enjoy ourselves and checkout the land and a few cities there too.
Then in May the plan is to fly out and land in Austin and rent a car and just drive all over the surrounding cities I've been researching.
Given that you read my post about what I am looking for and who we are/what we are, where do you recommend we look into? My wife works in the automotive industry but in Human Resources. She has been doing HR for over 10 years and always for the automotive industry for Penske Group. I work in the firearms industry in sales but also run my own business which is why I am comfortable in leaving my job behind and relocating my business. The most important thing is that there is good internet where I go to, and banks and post office nearby. Hospitals too of course and a Walmart.
I had hoped Katheryn on the forum, would have responded to you by now, on personal experiences of a social nature she has experienced in East Texas. She is very busy, so maybe she will respond soon.
You bring up about the need for good internet. Does the rural area of the areas you are looking for HAVE acceptable internet for your needs in Central Texas. For that matter, I don't know about how good internet service is in rural East Texas, sure they both have Dish,Direct TV and? Tyler and a few small towns around it have Suddenlink Cable, that from what I understand is very adequate for most people. I'm not a user of higher speed service for all types of apps, so no experience here personally.
Now, your job needs would fit here well, your wife? Automotive industry? New car dealers, many of those? Corporate for auto industry jobs? Lower level service of hospitals are in the rural areas as well. But as I said before Tyler is THE medical center of all East Texas, and getting more so.
As I think about the acreage you desire you likely would rely on satellite not likely cable. Just saying cable, is rarely interrupted by weather, my experience.
Don't think this helped much. Tyler is a four hour drive from Austin, so adding two days to your trip would probably not work for you, but that is the only way for a comparison is a visit. Best to you.
Mark - Question for ya.
Is there an old town district with local shops and LOCAL restaurants? If there is can you post the streets for a google street view? I could find the older homes in the Azalea District with paver type roads, but no square or historic retail district.
Would early April ok for the Azalea's? Going to Cancun the end of this month and Playa Del Carmen the end of April...
Wanderer - I'm looking for the same thing you are, same reasons, maybe we can share fence lines, I'd be happy to have a tanner guy like you next door. I'm in Austin, near Lake Travis. I love the location, but despise the local politics. Land is high around central Texas unless you go way out in the middle of no where.
Mark - Question for ya.
Is there an old town district with local shops and LOCAL restaurants? If there is can you post the streets for a google street view? I could find the older homes in the Azalea District with paver type roads, but no square or historic retail district.
Would early April ok for the Azalea's? Going to Cancun the end of this month and Playa Del Carmen the end of April...
Wanderer - I'm looking for the same thing you are, same reasons, maybe we can share fence lines, I'd be happy to have a tanner guy like you next door. I'm in Austin, near Lake Travis. I love the location, but despise the local politics. Land is high around central Texas unless you go way out in the middle of no where.
Austin that bad huh? Geez lol. I've never been, but can picture it being like San Francisco and LA combined. Hipsters, far left liberal/ANTIFA type youngsters. Yeah I've noticed land is pretty high around Austin so now I'm looking about 50-60 miles outside of it. I came across Rockdale TX yesterday. Any thoughts on that place? Been using realtor.com now and zillow too, but recently started using Realtor more because it maps crime activity in the map which is important to me. I definitely would like an area with the least amount of crime.
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