Moving to Texas

Quote About State: "Texans ain't Texans if they aren't willing to boast about the state they call home" --Unknown

Table of Contents: Texas Self-Storage| Reasons to Move to Texas| Moving to Texas| Economic Outlook| Places to Live| Resources

From the hottest desert towns and the highest mountains to the most gorgeous ranchlands and dense, natural forests, Texas boasts a wide array of landscapes and cities both big and small.

With a mix of residents and a rich culture and history, you'll never be bored in Texas. 

Some come to the Lone Star state to start a new life away from the hustle and bustle, while others relocate to the cosmopolitan big cities of Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio. Texas is home to some of the best live music, sports teams, and restaurants in the country.

It's also the second-largest state, not just in terms of land area but also when it comes to GDP and total population. It's no wonder people are flocking towards the south and the west for warmer climates and a better cost of living.

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If you're thinking about making the move, but aren't sure if Texas is the right place, consider the following:

1. Better Livin'. The average cost of living in Texas is lower than the national average and best of all, there's no personal income tax and no corporate income tax. The unemployment rate is also lower than the national average meaning it'll be easier for you to get a job once you move there. 

2. The great food. Texas is known for its delicious BBQ and there are tons of restaurants offering up a thick, juicy slab of meat drizzled with the most delectable BBQ sauces in the country.

3. Great Weather. Texas is a beautiful (and warm) place to live with temperatures ranging from 80 to 100 degrees in the summer. But the rest of the year, the temperature is mild with very little (if any) snow and plenty of sunshine.

4. Southern Hospitality. If you've never been to the south, you'll love the Southern hospitality most northerners will never know. If you're looking for a state to welcome you with open arms and tons of smiles, Texas is the place to go. Texans are well known for their pleasant attitudes and politeness to neighbors and strangers. Get ready to hear "Hi, y'all" or "Howdy, ma'am" throughout your daily travels if you're going to come to the Lone Star state.

5. Great sports teams. Texas is home to a few winning national sports league franchises, including:

Basketball: Houston Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, and the San Antonio Spurs

Football: Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys

Baseball: The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros

Hockey: The Dallas Stars

Rodeo: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

6. Plenty of Higher Education Institutions. With more than 200 colleges and universities, you'll be sure to find what you're looking for when it comes time to go to school (or back to school). Some of the best colleges in Texas include Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Rice University, and the University of Texas at Austin.

7. Fast-Growing Cities. Of any state, Texas has the most cities with the fastest growth due to a boom in industries like energy, agriculture, healthcare, and defense.

8. Got a sweet tooth? Dr. Pepper was invented in Waco in 1885 so if you're a fan of Dr. Pepper --and real sugar! - you can enjoy Dr. Pepper with real sugar if you ever move near Waco, Texas.

9. Got a love of wine? Texas produces more than $13 billion worth of wine every year.

10. Are you a woman who owns a business? Texas is a great state for female entrepreneurs with nearly one million women-owned businesses registered in the state.

Texas is the second-most populous state in the country, second only to California with 28.7 million residents as of 2018 and its border states include New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Filled with deserts, forest, mountains, and ranchland, Texas offers a diverse range of landscapes, which is one reason Texas's population continues to grow as more people flock to the south and the west from the east. Texas continues to see growth due in part to its rich culture and history, job opportunities and word class entertainment, which is why so many young people across the country are heading to Texas cities like San Antonio and Houston.

Another reason? In 2017, Texas accounted for 37 percent of America's crude oil production, based on information from the US Energy Information Administration, which is another reason for the explosive growth in major cities throughout the state.

As mentioned above, Texas has the second-largest economy of all the states in the country. If Texas were a country, it would have the 10th largest GDP on earth with an approximate economic output of $1.7 trillion, according to Markets Insider. It's home to more than 254 of counties and a very healthy job market. As of June 2019, Texas has an unemployment rate of 3.4 percent, which is a bit lower than the national average as of July 2019, which is 3.7 percent.

Below, you'll find a breakdown of Texas' largest sectors by real value added of GDP:

Finance, insurance, real estate rental and leasing - $226.52 billion

Manufacturing - $217.93 billion

Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction - $207.19 billion

Professional and business services - $194.32 billion

Government and government enterprises - $159.73 billion

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Texas A&M University - more than 50,000 employees

Shell Deepwater Development - [number] employees

MD Anderson Cancer Center - more than 22,000 employees

Dell - 22,000 employees

The University of Texas at Austin - nearly 21,000 employees

[Graphic]

The economic outlook for the future of Texas looks positive. Texas gained 391,000 jobs in 2018. Employment growth exceeded expectations and unemployment rates dropped to historic lows. Housing sales declined and interest rates dropped. Overall, Texas has a healthy economic outlook and it's expected to continue on that path, which is great news for those planning a move there.

Although its the second largest state in the country, the overall cost of living is lower than the national average, making Texas one of the most affordable places to live in the country, according to The Balance Small Business, with an overall cost of living index of 90.7.

Whether you're looking for big-city or small-town living, Texas has got you covered. If you're looking to change careers or you simply just want to get out of where you currently reside, Texas has plenty to offer in terms of great education institutions and top employers. 

Here is a quick look at the state's three largest cities:

San Antonio is home to 1.5 million people as of 2017 and is the most visited city in Texas (and the 17th most visited in the country) thanks to attractions like Six Flags Fiesta, the historic Alamo site, and The River Walk. The thriving cultural and entertainment scenes make it an attractive option for those considering moving there any time soon.

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Cost of living: 14 percent lower than the national average

Median home price: $211,800

Average rent: $949/month

Average apartment size: 853 square feet

Dallas is the 9th largest city in the U.S. and the third-largest in Texas with a population of 1.2 million people. Every year, almost 25 million people visit the City of Dallas. Commonly referred to as the Triple D by its residents, Dallas boasts great attractions like the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Gardens and White Rock Lake Park.

Cost of living: 2 percent higher than the national average

Median home price: $248,375

Average rent: $1,022/month

Average apartment size: 845 square feet

As the fourth largest city in the country, Houston's metro area is larger than some states. With a population of more than 2 million people, Houston is one of the most diverse major cities in the United States. Housing more than 11,000 restaurants, the Space Center, and its famous Texas-shaped lazy river, Houston has plenty to offer in terms of dining and entertainment options.

Cost of living: 2 percent lower than the national average

Median home price: $223,875

Average rent: $995/month

Average apartment size: 879 square feet

Drivers License Info for New Residents: New residents of Texas must get a new license within 90 days of moving to Texas.

Then, they have to apply for a Texas driver's license in person at any driver's license office (usually your local tax-assessor collector office) in order to continue driving legally.

When applying, applicants must surrender their unexpired license from another U.S. state or territory or a Canadian province.

Applicants with a valid license from another U.S. state or territory, or Canada are not required to take the knowledge skills exams. However, applicants that fail to surrender their current, valid license must take and pass all of the required exams.

Vehicle Registration: You must register your out-of-state vehicle within 30 days of moving to Texas.

To register your vehicle, you'll need a vehicle inspection and insurance, and to register at your local county tax-assessor collector office.

You'll need your insurance card, proof of vehicle inspection (like the registration from your previous state, country, or province), and Form 130-U.

For more info, check out the Texas DMV's website:

Voter Registration: The deadline to register to vote in Texas is October 7, 2019, for the November 5, 2019 election.

You can register to vote in Texas here: https://webservices.sos.state.tx.us/vrapp/index.asp

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