20M considering relocating to Texas... (West, Lone Star: school, living, cost of living)

[vanguard103]

Hey everyone. I've lived in California all my life but am considering that perhaps I should make a future for myself elsewhere with the high cost of living among some other things driving many people out. I wanted to get an idea of other places, and considered Texas. For some context I'm a 20M, black with a desired career to be a game warden or park ranger. I'm agnostic, sort of a left leaning centrist if anything but I don't feel strongly about politics.


Surprisingly, Texas seems to have alot of forest land along with deserts, and Parks and Wildlife has a good amount of game wardens and rangers. I'm not really overly concerned with having other black people around, so much as just not really having trouble due to having dark skin and kinky hair. I'm also not a hardcore skeptic type even if I generally don't dig organized religion. I am finishing training to be an EMT as well, so a job shouldn't be too hard to find. Is there anything I should know in general or about specific areas(pests, environment, social/dating scene? I know of course it's likely in the opposite direction of liberal California culture-wise(aside from lower cost of living). I do enjoy martial arts and am a nerd for comic/game stuff and also want to do more outdoors stuff considering my desired career, and would like an area to where there are some other nonreligious folks for the sake of friends/dating. I welcome any input, thanks.

[bluescreen73]

Unless you're really trying to avoid cold weather, I'd look into someplace like Western Colorado, Utah, or New Mexico. Texas has a pittance of public land. Colorado, for instance, is 60% smaller than Texas but has about 3 times more public land.

[C24L]

I would agree with bluescreen73.I think you need to look for a state that has more public land so you will have more chances for your desired career choice.Although that should not be too big of a factor if you are a game warden since private land is part of their jurisdiction.

[StealthRabbit]

I would look in WA and OR or NoCA for National Forest type career in a state that won't discriminate.

For low COL, consider SC and NC, there is a lot of AG forest production in those states. (much forestry from the PNW went to SE USA for lower labor, flatter terrain, less environmental controls, and better climate for quick tree production.

I would also look internationally (Russia and Indonesia). If below age 30... NZ! or Australia.

[LocalPlanner]

Texas may lack public land, but that doesn't mean it lacks opportunity for park rangers and game wardens. There are quite a few state parks and state natural areas, all of which require staffing. And game wardens overseeing hunting and fishing regardless of where it takes place - private or public land.

Watch "Lone Star Law" on Animal Planet, it's about Texas game wardens.

[supfromthesite]

The other states do have more natural beauty and public land but if you are deadset on Texas (hey, why not?) maybe look in the Hill Country at the various parks around there. That would definitely be where I lived if I were a game warden.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

The other states do have more natural beauty and public land but if you are deadset on Texas (hey, why not?) .
..

.I'm agnostic, sort of a left leaning centrist ...

Texas?
Hill Country?


Rural Texas can be intensively challenging to digest even for far right evangelicals.

For a pleasant social, recreational life, and to avoid being targeted and killed by poachers...or even to keep contentious ranger / warden confrontations from escalating...
I can think of several better regions for OP's safety, success, and enjoyment. Afaik.

[BobTex]

Texas GW school is difficult to get into and they are a branch of the state police (Dept of Public Safety). There are generally 1-2 GW per county with 254 counties. Do the math.

[supfromthesite]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

.I'm agnostic, sort of a left leaning centrist ...

Texas?
Hill Country?


Rural Texas can be intensively challenging to digest even for far right evangelicals.

For a pleasant social, recreational life, and to avoid being targeted and killed by poachers...or even to keep contentious ranger / warden confrontations from escalating...
I can think of several better regions for OP's safety, success, and enjoyment. Afaik.

He literally said politics isn't a big focus in his life. Which is the case for most people. Besides, the Texas Hill Country is liberal. It was settled by German socialists and has in the past half a century had a reputation for hippies and such. Do Waylon and Willie ring a bell???

Killed by poachers? Wtf are you talking about?

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Little public land is part of what keeps the COL low in Texas