Anybody from Colorado Springs? (Houston: transplants, car registration, house)

[GreenScoutII]

Hello,

My wife and I are very probably going to be relocated to the Houston area within the next six months. She works for HP and they have a real boner for her (us) to move down there. Since work has been painfully slow for me I don't have any real objections. I'm ready to try something new.

Anyway, what I'm curious to know is if there are any other transplants from the front range (Denver, Colo Spgs, Pueblo). I'd really like to hear your assessments of life in the Houston area. I know it's hot and humid in the summer, but what else? Likes? Dislikes? Things I should be aware of?

How does your quality of life compare between the two places?

Are Texas vehicle inspections a real PITA?

Texas has no state income tax, but I hear property taxes are un-freaking-believably high. Is this so? Does it work out about the same?

Anything else? Any other comparisons?

Finally, I'm an active competitive shooter. Are there any rifle ranges in the surrounding area with berms at long distances, or is everything indoor and centered around handguns?

I really appreciate your input. Thank you....

[Oildog]

Property tax is in the area of 3%. I think your money will go farther here than in the Springs. Probably a bit more conservative than the front range and not as scenic.

[Myztri]

I am not from there, but I lived in Colorado Springs and you will find that your money will go MUCH farther here. I paid less for a 4 bedroom 2200 sq ft house than the 1000 sq ft 2 bedroom than we were looking at in the springs. And that was a few years ago.

Not near as scenic. Painfully so sometimes.

Good news- As far as gun ranges go.. well, this IS Texas, after all...

[bandicoot300]

I moved down here from the Springs in January. Lived there for the last 30+ years. There are some things I like better about down here, and some things I really miss:

Vehicle inspections don't seem to be any worse than the old emissions inspections that we had to do up there. Same amount of time. But, car registration is MUCH cheaper here.

Property taxes are significantly higher here, although there is no state income tax. For me, it will end up being about the same.

Takes a while to get used to no mountains...tough to orient yourself.

Sometimes the humidity is nice...no more nosebleeds from it being so dry.

Due to the humidity, the sun doesn't seem as intense...although, you will need to get used to sweating.

Big difference down here seems to be the amenities in many new subdivisions---most have one or more pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, splash parks, etc. -- very different from the dead-grass parks around the Springs.

Get used to driving---there is a lot of road around here. No more getting from one end of town to the other in 30 mins (but, the Springs used to be only 15 mins from end to end)

Much better (and cheaper) fruits, vegetables, fish and meat. More selection than just Kings, Safeway, Whole Foods and Albertsons.

Bike trails and road lanes seem to be in shorter supply down here.

Just a few things. I can probably think of more, but I feel like I am rambling.