Top Things You Should Know Before Moving to Texas
From July 2018 to July 2019, Texas welcomed 367,215 new residents. These include new births, as well as people who moved in from another state.
So, if you’ve been thinking of moving to Texas, that means you’re not alone. Many others have already made the big move. This, in turn, propelled TX to become the state with the most number of fastest-growing cities.
What exactly is so special about the Lone Star State that people are flocking to it, though? Should you really make the big move, and if so, what should you consider?
We’ll answer all these questions in this comprehensive guide, so be sure to read on!
Article Overview
Why Move to Texas
Everything is bigger in Texas, except for the tax burden. It has the second-largest land area, only smaller than Alaska. Its population is way bigger than many other states, only smaller than California.
Those aren’t the only things “great” about the Lone Star State, though. Below we’ll take a look at some of the best reasons you should push through with your plans of moving to Texas.
Home to Millions of Small and Big Employers
There is an abundance of jobs in Texas, as more than 1.78 million small businesses call the state home. Over 22%, or about 391,600, of these small enterprises also have employees. These organizations are often on the lookout for new talent.
On top of these SMBs are the 57 Fortune 500 Companies with headquarters in Texas. What’s more, these large corporations are in almost every imaginable niche. Some are within the oil and gas sector, others in aviation, and many in communication.
All these demonstrate the booming and varied economy of the Lone Star State. With so many prosperous industries, it’s more than likely for you to find a job in the line of work you specialize in.
Texas Has Its Own Silicon Hills
It may not be as imposing as San Francisco’s Silicon Valley, but Austin, TX is still making waves in the tech sector. For starters, Apple has recently invested $1 billion for its Austin expansion in 2019.
During the same year, Google launched its project to open new offices in Austin. On top of that is the search engine giant’s data center in Midlothian, TX. Not to mention Tesla’s recent Austin expansion.
Even before Apple and Google, there were already tech giants with HQs or offices in Austin. There’s HP, Cisco, IBM, eBay, Facebook, and Intel, to name a few.
More Than Just Hills
Texas warmly welcomes over 70 million out-of-state visitors each year. After all, it boasts of stunning geography, rich history, and magnificent architecture. Let’s not forget the amazing BBQ (and many other gustatory delights) that the state has to offer.
Texas is also home to the Big Bend and the Guadalupe Mountains, two of the biggest national parks in the US. On top of these are the 14 areas protected by the National Park Service.
Many Good-Ranking Educational Institutions
According to the US News and World Report, it reviews 24,000 US public high schools. Of the highest-rated ones in Texas, 1,485 received passing grades and made the final cut.
A huge chunk of these educational institutions had over 90% to 100% graduation rates. Moreover, many of the graduates had college readiness ratings of more than 90%.
All these indicate that the Lone Star State can be a good choice to raise a family.
Low Tax Burden
Texas is one of the seven states that don’t impose income taxes on their residents. In fact, the Lone Star State has even forbidden these taxes to be present in the constitution. This is one of the many reasons that people and businesses decide to settle in the state.
Because of this, Texas remains one of the top five states with the lowest tax burden.
Lower Cost of Living
The cost of living in Texas is several points lower than the national average. Everything here, except for transportation, is cheaper than the country as a whole. The median home price in TX, for instance, is only $195,000, while the nationwide median price is $231,200.
Best Places in Texas to Live
Austin is one of, if not the best, city to live in Texas. However, there are plenty of others, like Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
Here’s a quick overview of the top cities to settle in Texas.
Austin
The bulk of activities in Texas, be it work or play, take place in Austin. Being the Lone Star State capital, this is where most of the action and job opportunities are.
The average income of folks here sits at $70,000. It has a higher cost of living than the US, but the higher salary range often outweighs the gap.
If you and your family love the outdoors, Austin is a great choice, with its more than 250 nature parks.
Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas-Fort Worth offers big-city amenities, but it also has a quiet, suburban lifestyle. It has also managed to preserve the traditional cowboy way of life. Housing costs less here than in Austin, but it also has a lower average annual income.
Houston
Houston is the center of Texas’ oil and gas, manufacturing, and health care industries. Despite that, the city’s median home sale price is still lower than in many other metro areas. The cost of living here is also easier on the budget compared to the US average.
San Antonio
San Antonio has successfully retained both its Old West and Spanish heritage. However, it has also done an excellent job of incorporating modern living. The city can be a great choice whether you’re looking for an active or a quiet lifestyle.
How to Move to Texas
Moving to Texas, like moving to Florida or any other state, often warrants the aid of a professional mover. This is especially true if you plan to move all the contents of your current abode. While a DIY move costs far less, it can also be a safety and security risk.
With that said, one of the first things you should do is to determine what you want to bring to Texas. These include appliances, equipment, furnishing, and personal belongings.
Don’t forget to consider your preferred method of auto transport, too.
How to Choose a Moving Company
In the US, the moving services industry is a $14.2 billion sector. That should tell you how many professional movers there are for your choosing. However, not all moving companies can operate outside their state of registration.
As such, one of the first things to look for in a mover is their interstate license. The moving company you choose should have all permits to enter both your current state and Texas.
Don’t forget to check the validity of the licensure, insurance, and bond of the mover, too. This way, you can rest assured that your stuff will be in good hands throughout the journey. In case your things get damaged, the mover’s insurance should cover your losses.
How to Transport Your Vehicle(s) to Texas
You have three ways when it comes to car transport: drive it, haul it on a carrier, or ship it.
If you only have one vehicle, and you live in one of the closest cities to TX, it may be okay to drive it. However, it’s best to go with this route if your drive won’t take more than two hours.
For starters, driving straight for over two hours can raise your risk of getting into a crash. For instance, eight hours on the road comes with a crash risk 1.8 times higher than if you only drive for a couple of hours.
Hauling a car on a carrier vehicle is even riskier, not to mention quite inconveniencing. First off, you have to rent the right carrier equipment. You also have to do all the work of attaching your vehicle to the auto transport trailer.
Incorrect set-ups can damage the car you drive, the one you’re hauling, and the rental trailer. Others can also get hurt if the trailer gives way while you’re on the road.
The fastest, safest, and most convenient car transport method is to ship it. Car shipping leaves no driving responsibilities to worry about. You just have to tell the auto shipping company when you want them to pick up and drop off your ride.
Professionals Make Moving to Texas a Lot Easier
As you can see, there are many things that make moving to Texas a smart move. It has plenty of potential employers and good schools, and its cost of living is lower than the US average. Just make sure you prepare yourself for the Texas heat, as it can get quite hot here.
Are you looking for more information on transporting your vehicle to Texas? If so, then please know that our team here at American Auto Shipping is ready to help! Get in touch with us now so you can get your free car shipping quote.
Since 2007 Dave has written all the content and blogs for American Auto Shipping and during this time added the duties of customer support and transport logistics.
He currently resides in Washington with his three kids and their mom and cat. A fan of Marvel movies and good stories, when not shipping cars Dave can be found working on his novel, enjoying a good book or playing some tournament HALO.
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