If you are relocating to the Lone Star State, you’ll get to benefit from a booming economy, delicious beef brisket and a deregulated energy market. Texas is the second most populated state in the U.S., but it is also one of the physically largest and fastest-growing states in the country. There’s a lot to love about living in the Lone Star State and what’s even better is that it can fit everyone’s unique lifestyle and personal budget.
But every move comes with its own set of challenges so it’s important to know what to expect.
What is living in Texas like?
There’s a saying that every country should be more like Texas and for a good reason.
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An interesting climate
There are no ways to put it: Texas climate is an experience in its own. It is unpredictable. Depending on where you are, it varies from humid to dry, from moderate to extreme. Summers are generally very hot so if you are not a fan of warm weather or aren’t ready to pay for the spike in your electricity bill caused by cooling your home, you might want to rethink your move before it’s too late.
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Lower taxes
Texas is one of only seven states where residents pay no state income tax while the state sales tax isn’t very high either. Lower taxes and gentle regulations are used to encourage business ownership.
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Affordable real estate
While values of Texas home have gone up and continue to do so, it is still far less than the national average.
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A booming job market
Thanks to the oil and gas boom, Texas is an economic juggernaut with many strong sectors including healthcare, education and technology as well.
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Opportunity to save on electricity
The perks of a deregulated market is that you get to choose your utility provider such as Centerpoint Energy Houston which offers many affordable rates. You also have the freedom to change providers without fearing service interruptions.
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Culinary delights
With its Tex-Mex cuisine, barbecue and happy-hours, Texas truly is a foodie’s paradise.
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Heavy traffic
Moving on to a less positive note, traffic is simply part of Texas life as the development of roads did not keep the pace with the growing population.
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Tornadoes and hurricanes
Texas averages more tornadoes per year than any other state.
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Oversized everything
From food portions to malls, everything is huge.
Your moving checklist
Now that you know what you’re in for, it’s time to pack your bags and get ready for your new adventure.
Choose the right moving company
It’s simple really- the movers can either make your move a breeze- or turn it into a nightmare.
Choose the right utility company
When moving to another apartment, city or state, you need to cancel your existing contract and set up a new one as you won’t be able to do much without energy and electricity. This decision should not be taken lightly as Texas can have extreme temperatures during summer which could cause your energy bill to skyrocket so make sure you find the most affordable provider. Fortunately, websites such as Power to Choose or Power to Save Texas have ready lists just waiting for you to choose from. Besides the most affordable rate, you also want to make sure you chose a reliable provider that has a great customer service to support you in case of an outage such as Centerpoint Energy Vectren.
Update your address
From your driver’s license and your vehicle registration to any kind of mail you want to receive, you must not forget to update your address on time to avoid any lost mail or worse.
Takeaway- get ready to enjoy Texas!
Traffic and tornadoes might be inevitable, but there are so many other things to love about living in Texas so make sure you make the most of it!
