Moving from Tx Gulf Coast to Panhandle (Houston, Dallas: job market, schools)

[Texas Gremlin]

Hello everyone! My family is considering moving from the Texas Gulf Coast to the Texas Panhandle or Lubbock. Being from the Texas Gulf Coast, we're accustomed to heat, a slower than average economy (compared to other places in the state), and a slower pace of life. What we are looking for in making a change is less heat (four seasons) and a comparable to better economy.

My husband and I have a child and we don't like being trapped indoors for most of the year. We'd like to be able to get out and enjoy nature a little more often. Also, my husband is a secondary English teacher. Knowing that education is receiving less funding at the moment, we know we may have a wait on our hands, so at this point we're just interested in gathering information and making some visits to this region.

Thanks in advance for info anyone has to share

[Sunderpig2]

Good for you. It should at least be drier up there, have a more interesting landscape, and much more open space. I definitely understand about the feeling "trapped inside" around here in muggyville, and not getting to enjoy nature and the outdoors at a decent level.

[Metro Matt]

I wouldn't trade the Gulf Coast for the Pan Handle, but that's just me.

Be prepared for those winter storms that will pound you up there.

[Willsson]

I'd agree with Metro Matt, I wouldn't trade the Gulf coast for the panhandle... depending on the coast, of course.

Aside from Palo Duro, it seems the panhandle is largely flat, breezy and farms. It does however, put you in a reasonable range of New Mexico's National Forests.

[Texas Gremlin]

Thanks for the input

Aside from the climate, it seems Corpus Christi, the place we're from, has at least a couple of similarities with the Panhandle. Both are located in the plains, and these regions are windier than average. My husband and I are ok with that.

The obvious differences are having a beach close by and higher temps most of the time, but since it's always so hot, and the better beaches are a little ways away (about half an hour to an hour or more, depending how far out you want to go), we really don't get out there much. Of course, we're not complaining about what makes this area great to some. It's just becoming more apparent that with our child we're starting to take a harder look at this locale.

A dose of strong cold fronts in the winter may be a nice change.
We're pretty concerned about the economic outlook, and we are curious about the cultural differences.

[SVTRay]

I wouldn't make the swap either but if you must move, I would consider Midland/Odessa. It's flat, dry, and not much going on out doors but winter is milder than the Panhandle and the job market is decent due to the oil boom.

[Texas Gremlin]

For those of you saying nay, please tell us why you think a trade is not a good idea.

[Willsson]

Originally Posted by Texas Gremlin

For those of you saying nay, please tell us why you think a trade is not a good idea.

I grew up in Abilene, just south of the panhandle then moved to Houston. I much prefer the humidity and trees.

Though, after twenty-five years and thinking a cooler clime would be suitable, I began to notice those fronts from the PacNW that would blow through Dallas and stall out before getting to Houston. So, I moved to Dallas.

You will like those cool fronts. It's the hard freezes for which I have no use.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Texas Gremlin

Hello everyone! My family is considering moving from the Texas Gulf Coast to the Texas Panhandle or Lubbock. Being from the Texas Gulf Coast, we're accustomed to heat, a slower than average economy (compared to other places in the state), and a slower pace of life. What we are looking for in making a change is less heat (four seasons) and a comparable to better economy.

My husband and I have a child and we don't like being trapped indoors for most of the year. We'd like to be able to get out and enjoy nature a little more often. Also, my husband is a secondary English teacher. Knowing that education is receiving less funding at the moment, we know we may have a wait on our hands, so at this point we're just interested in gathering information and making some visits to this region.

Thanks in advance for info anyone has to share

I'm wondering where you got the idea that the economy is improving in Lubbock? Not saying you are wrong, but I was not aware of it, and the little bit of checking I've done indicates that the unemployment rate is going up and not many new jobs have been added.
Lubbock, TX Economy at a Glance

The unemployment rate in Lubbock is 7.3 versus 8.6 in Corpus, not a huge difference. Corpus Christi added twice as many jobs to the local economy as Lubbock did in the first 6 months of this year.

Corpus Christi, TX Economy at a Glance

[Texas Gremlin]

Thanks CptnRn for the links. Seems like Lubbock and Corpus are not too different, economy-wise.

Do you know anything about the quality of the schools in the Panhandle or in Lubbock? Or the job market for teachers (the cuts in state funding for education notwithstanding)? We're interested in finding a good school not only for our child, but also to work at.

What is the general reputation of Amarillo and Lubbock regarding education?