Copyright 2014

movingtotexas.net

Legal Notice
MovingToTexas.net (the Publisher) has tried to be as accurate and complete as possible in the
creation of this report. The Publisher has made every attempt to ensure that this eBook is true and
complete. The Publisher has tried to accurately verify all information presented in this report.
However, the Publisher will assume no responsibility for errors, omissions, or any sort of contrary
interpretation of the subject matter herein. Any perceived insults, and any actual representation of
any specific person, place, organization, or thing is unintentional.
This publication is intended for entertainment purposes only. This report makes generalizations and
observations, but it does not constitute any actual advice. This report makes no guarantee as to be
factual. Use your own judgment before making decisions regarding your personal, legal,
professional, and financial circumstances. This report is not a source of legal advice or counsel, and
furthermore, it is not a source of professional business, accounting, real estate, or financial advice.
All readers should seek out the services of competent professionals in the proper fields if they need
assistance regarding their own individual circumstances.

Cover Image Credit: squarelogo - fotolia.com

YOU MAY PRINT COPIES OF THIS REPORT FOR PERSONAL USE AND EASY
READING. HOWEVER, ALL RIGHTS REMAIN WITH THE PUBLISHER,
MOVINGTOTEXAS.NET. DO NOT GIVE THIS BOOK AWAY, EITHER IN DIGITAL OR
PRINTED FORMAT. UNAUTHORIZED REPUBLISHING OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS
BOOK IS PROHIBITED. THE OWNER, MOVINGTOTEXAS.NET, REQUIRES EXPRESS
WRITTEN PERMISSION BEFORE ANY REPUBLISHING OF THIS WORK.

movingtotexas.net

Introduction
Texas is booming.
Why?
Its simple.
Folks like jobs, land, and freedom.
And Texas has those in spades.
So, its no surprise that so many people, and businesses, are moving here.
It can be hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to Texas. But this guide should help. After
reading it, you should know a little more about life in the Lone Star State.
Now let's get started.

movingtotexas.net

Culture & People

Texans
Texans are a friendly group. For the most part, folks here are nice and happy. They are also fiercely
independent.
They like to handle their business without outside interference. Texans pride themselves on their
ability to carve wealth and opportunity out of nothing.
This can-do attitude may seem nave to outsiders. Either way, it permeates the minds of many
Texans.
Once you understand the independent streak, youll better understand the state itself. The thinking
affects everything. For example, its why Texas spends less than other states on public services like
transportation and education.
Many Texans reject big government, high taxes, and bloated social services. Whether you think
thats good or bad depends on your political views. But so far, it seems to have worked out well for
the state.
Many Texans also have a deep sense of pride. And even non-natives may end up feeling the love.
Texans are so proud of their history that they teach a year of it to their public school kids.
If you travel outside the US, youll find that Texas is famous. Many foreigners are familiar with it.
Thats partly because when foreigners ask a world-traveling Texan where theyre from, the Texan
wont say America.
Theyll say Texas.
Population & Race
The current population is approximately 26 million. It's the second most populous state in the US.
So, whats the racial breakdown?
Well, the majority of Texans are Anglo (White) or Hispanic (Mexican descent). The Black and
Asian populations are both slightly lower than national averages.
Racial stats as of 2012:

White - 45%

Hispanic - 38%

Black - 12%

Asian - 4%

Mixed Race - 2%

Native American 1%
movingtotexas.net

As you can see, there arent many Native Americans (Indians) in Texas. Despite its size, Texas has
only three tiny tribes.
Texas was once home to THE most powerful Indian tribe in North America; the Comanche. The
Comanche were famous for their guerrilla tactics, horsemanship, and prowess in battle. They were
also notorious for using extreme cruelty against enemies; which led to escalating atrocities.
As a result, early Texas settlers adopted a zero tolerance policy towards Indians. Most of the native
Texas tribes were wiped out or exiled to Oklahoma.
These days, race relations are much better. Of course, there are some racist people living here. Just
like there are some racist people living all over the world.
Most Texans are tolerant of others. You are unlikely to experience any overt racism or bigotry.
If youre seriously worried about it, just pick a big city like Dallas, Houston, or Austin. Then, youll
likely have no problems.
Religion & God
Many people associate Texas, and the American South, with Christianity.
Yes, the stereotype is partly true. Overall, Texans are a religious group of people, and Texas is a
religious state.
Christianity dominates. But, it has many different flavors. It ranges from the Catholicism of the
Mexican border to the mega-church Protestantism of Dallas-Fort Worth. And every denomination in
between.
But even though Christianity reigns supreme; plenty of other religions thrive in Texas.
From Buddhism to Hinduism to Judaism to Islam, Believers in Texas can always find the right place
to congregate.
Rodeo
Yes, there are cowboys, longhorns, and rodeos here. It is part of our culture. Some colleges, like
Texas Tech and Sul Ross State, even have college-level rodeo teams.
But, though rodeo is big in some rural areas, most modern Texans are urban. For them, rodeo is not
a part of life.
With that said, you will find huge annual rodeo events in almost every major city in Texas.
The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, held every March, is one famous example.
Football
Of course, American football is a national obsession. But Texans take it to an extreme. Football is a
way of life for many here.
movingtotexas.net

Texans follow their football teams with religious fervor.

Realize that high school and college football take top priority. The NFL comes distant second.
How extreme is it? Well, in Texas, you'll find national chains like Wal-Mart or Walgreens selling
local high school football fan gear. Just like it was college or NFL stuff.
And on Friday nights during the fall, many places in Texas turn into virtual ghost towns.
Why?
Think Friday Night Lights; almost every single citizen will be at the local high school, watching the
game.
Trucks
This stereotype is true. Texans do love their trucks and SUV's. And it seems like the bigger the
truckthe better.
Indeed, its one of the first things youll likely notice here. Giant trucks everywhere. And Texans
dont seem to harbor much guilt about driving these large, gas-guzzling vehicles.
Of course, in cities you'll also see plenty of smaller cars.
But the truck rules.
I've never been able to figure it out why.
Instead, I just bought a truck and went with it.
When in Rome...
Guns
Texas is clearly a very pro-gun state.
Firearms and hunting are a big part of life here. Many Texans enjoy target shooting, skeet shooting,
and hunting. Both indoor and outdoor shooting ranges are common. Some ranges even have Ladies
Nights!
And you dont need a special permit to buy a gun here, like you do in some states. You can buy
rifles, pistols, and shotguns without a permit. There are also fewer magazine restrictions.
Texas does have normal waiting periods and background checks. But Texas also has gun shows.
And you can get around waiting periods by purchasing at shows. In practice, it means you can
attend a local gun show and buy a firearm same day, without the un-constitutional wait.
Texas is also a shall-issue state. That means its easier for ordinary citizens to get a concealed
handgun license (CHL). Your gun rights here arent subject to the whims of local law enforcement.
movingtotexas.net

And once you get your license, you are free to carry as many guns on you as you like. They just
have to be concealed. You cannot openly carry a handgun in Texas.
Accents
Not everyone in Texas has an accent. If you live in one of the bigger cities, you wont hear it much
at all.
If you do hear it, its usually from Texans who grew up in rural areas or small towns. Many Texans
who are native to the Panhandle or East Texas do have an accent. Both count as a Texas accent
but they actually sound different.
People from south Texas and the border regions also have a distinct accent, usually Mexican
influenced. Some speak Spanglish, an English/Spanish hybrid.
People here like saying, Yall. This is the equivalent to "Everyone, you guys, you all."
"Bless your heart" is another local favorite.
And Texans also say Fixin to. That translates to Im going to" or "Getting ready to."
For example, Hey yall, Im fixin to move to Texas, roughly translates to Hello everyone, Im
going to be moving to Texas.
Drugs & Alcohol
Texas is strict when it comes to illegal drugs.
Really, its one of the harshest states in the nation in this area. There are stiff penalties for illegal
drug use and sale.
This isnt Amsterdam, Colorado, or California. If you are looking for a place that's lenient on drugs,
well, Texas isnt it.
For example, state penalties for marijuana use in Texas are more severe than existing Federal laws.
Texas also has a complicated, love/hate relationship with alcohol.
Many Texans love to drink. Shiner Bock, margaritas, and Mexican martinis are part of the culture
here. And there are actually drive-through liquor stores.
Up until recently, it was even legal for a passenger to have an open container of alcohol inside a
moving vehicle.
But Texas also has some strange and old-fashioned liquor laws.
Alcohol sales are still limited. Liquor stores are CLOSED every Sundays. And, there are actually
thirteen dry counties in Texas whole counties where the sale of alcohol is illegal!

movingtotexas.net

Dont worry; those dry counties are small and sparsely populated. It's unlikely you'll be moving
there. You can drink in all the major cities.
Finally, beware the infamous Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The TABC is a state agency
thats widely feared by bar owners and patrons alike. This agency conducts aggressive sting
operations using kids, trying to get bars and other establishments to break the law by serving
minors.
Capital Punishment
Texas likes to execute murderers and violent offenders.
In fact, Texas is famous (some say infamous) for leading the nation in capital punishment.
And, although most executed inmates are men, the justice system here is blind. Texas recently
executed its 500th death row inmatewho happened to be a woman.
Whatever you think about the death penalty, thats just the way it is here.
Texas is not really a safe place to be a violent criminal, and some people think that's a good thing.

movingtotexas.net

Animals
Texas is home to many wild and exotic animals:

jaguarondis
mountain lions
ocelots
javelinas (a pig-like animal)
mule deer
white tail deer
bison
wild hogs
rattlesnakes
cottonmouths
alligators
sea turtles
sharks
armadillos
centipedes
scorpions
tarantulas
horned toads
fire ants
tigers

Tigers?
Yes, Texas has the highest people-to-tiger ratio on the planet. Private citizens in Texas own
approximately 4,000 captive tigers.
That means there are more tigers in captivity in Texas than the total number of wild tigers in all of
India! Crazy, but true.

Number of tigers kept in Texas (estimated): 4,000

Number of tigers in India (WWF estimated): 1,400

movingtotexas.net

Weather & Climate

Texas is famous for hot weather. Some love it, others hate it. It really depends on your individual
tolerance for extreme heat.
The heat here is a major downside to life, in my opinion. Air conditioning is not optional here in the
South. You must have A/C in your car, at work, and at home.
But know that Texas heat isn't all the same.
Arid parts of the state get dry heat. Like a blast furnace.
Other parts of Texas are green and subtropical, especially parts of East Texas and the Gulf Coast.
Those areas experience extreme heat and extreme humidity. Like a sauna.
Just think of summertime in Texas like wintertime in the North. People stay inside a lot. The months
are just reversed; here indoors is preferable from June to late September.
In contrast, spring and fall in Texas are amazing. Those are the best time to be in Texas.
Winters in Texas are mild overall, though it does freeze. Parts of Texas get snow, hail, and ice.
North and west Texas are more accustomed to snow.
But when a mild ice or snowstorm hits Houston or Austin, those cities can shut down for days.
People from colder northern climates will likely find this amusing.
Texas also has natural disasters. The Panhandle and northern parts of Texas get tornadoes. The Gulf
Coast, including Houston, suffers hurricanes. And many parts of Texas are plagued by wildfire and
drought.
Honestly though, the sheer size of the state make it hard to classify the weather. And it changes
quickly and dramatically from day-to-day.
There's a saying here in Texas that's surprisingly accurate If you don't like the weather, just wait
ten minutes.

movingtotexas.net

Geography
How big is Texas?
Its huge. Only Alaska is bigger.
Texas is so vast that the regional differences are striking:

El Paso is a mountainous desert city, part of the Great Southwest.

Houston sits on a bayou and is part of the South.

Dallas, Fort Worth, and the Panhandle are of the plains and have much in common with the
Midwest.

Austin and San Antonio are bisected by rivers and perched on the edge of rolling Central
Texas hills.

Corpus Christi is a sub-tropical coastal town.

You get the idea.

But its hard to fathom how big it really is, until youve been here and driven through it. Especially
if youre used to living in smaller places like the East Coast, or Europe.
Consider these driving times:

El Paso, Texas to Orange, Texas- 860 miles, 12 hours / East West

North Texas Panhandle to South Texas Tip - 888 miles, 13 hours / North - South

And just for fun, compare these:

El Paso to Blythe, California - 577 miles, 8 hours

El Paso to Dallas - 635 miles, 9 hours

Basically, Texas is closer to California than it is to itself.

Youll have some long drives if you live in the Texas countryside.
Its probably no coincidence that two counties in Texas have the highest speed limit in the nation.
How fast?
It's up to 85 miles per hour (MPH) in some places, 80 MPH in other areas. Mostly though, its 75
MPH. Houston and Dallas have lower limits.
They say speed kills, but high speed limits are helpful when making long-haul drives across Texas.

movingtotexas.net

Texas Real Estate

Cities
So, wheres the best place to live in Texas? Should you pick a city or small town? If youre moving
here, where to live is probably your most pressing choice. Really, it comes down to your personal
taste. Or in some cases, where you found your job. But if you can, visit a few cities here to get feel
for them. That way you can find one that fits you.
In general, most new residents will probably feel more comfortable in one of the larger metro areas.
Ultimately it comes down to your personal preference

Home Prices
Of course, all real estate markets are local. And prices fluctuate from city to city. Describing each
market is beyond the scope of this report.
But in general, homes are more affordable in Texas.
Texas is land-rich, and laws here encourage new construction. Builders are free to try to keep up
with demand. Some cities in Texas are currently experiencing a real estate boom. In those places,
new residents are moving in faster than new homes are being built. That helps drive up prices, and
home values have gone up in some of the more desirable Texas cities. But in general, good-sized,
high quality homes are still within reach.
Find A Texas Realtor
Are you moving to Texas? Buying a home?
Do you need a local realtor, but aren't sure where to start? No worries. TexRealtor has you covered.
Visit our site and get matched up with a friendly, knowledgeable Texas realtor.
And best of all? The service is free for both home buyers and sellers.
Streamline the buying or selling process; get matched with a great real estate agent.
Visit TexRealtor today...

movingtotexas.net

Texas Schools
How are the schools in Texas? Contrary to popular myth, the state has many highly rated public
schools.
As of this writing, Texas boasts the top rated public high school in the nation - The School For The
Gifted And Talented in Dallas.
And Texas has several top-rated colleges and universities. Rice University, the University of Texas,
the University of Houston, and the University of North Texas are just a few.
Visit Moving To Texas for more in-depth information on the schools in Texas.
Or, you can learn more about home schooling in the Lone Star State.

movingtotexas.net

Texas Economy & Business Climate

Texas is an economic powerhouse. It leads the country in creating new jobs, and it has low
unemployment.
Some people call it the Texas Model. Others call it the Texas Miracle. Either way, Texas is doing
something right. It has one of the strongest economies in America.
Part of Texas success is unearned. Although it may not be the prettiest state, its been
geographically blessed. It has great deep-water ports at Houston and Corpus Christi. Cattle and
cotton thrive here. And Texas sits at a crossroads between the US and Mexico, so it benefits from
international trade.
Energy Boom
Of course, Texas is famous for oil and gas. Energy is big here. The state has abundant oil and gas
reserves.
Houston is the energy capital of the world and dozens of energy firms are located in Texas.
Operators at the Barnett Shale and the Eagle Ford Shale extract vast quantities of oil and liquid
natural gas. And both plays are barely tapped, they have massive potential reserves.
Unlike some other states, Texas knows how to manage its natural resources properly. It allows
drilling and fracking.
As a result, its the 15th largest oil producer on the planet. And gaining
Earned Success
So as you can see, part of the success IS earned.
Texas has a friendly business climate, with smart, pro-growth policies. Low taxes, right-to-work
laws, and healthy attitudes towards business all contribute to economic growth.
Tort reform in Texas helped eliminate many frivolous lawsuits.
And a low cost of living helps attract workers and encourages new residents to move here.
And although energy is important, Texas has a diverse economy with serious staying power.
Fifty-two Fortune 500 companies call Texas home. Manufacturing, technology, tourism, financial
services, and others industries all add to state GDP and help round out the economy.
Texas continues to welcome existing businesses from out of state. And, it encourages the creation of
new businesses using different economic incentives. Out-of-state businesses flock to Texas because
they know that when they come here, theyre free to expand and make money.
movingtotexas.net

All of these things add up, and thats why so many people are coming here.

Jobs In Texas
Whats the job market like in Texas? How easy is it to find a job in there?
Texas leads the nation in job growth. So yes, there are many jobs.
From 2010 to 2012, almost half of all the new jobs created in the United States were in Texas.
Jobs are one of the main reasons people come to Texas.
And contrary to popular myth, not all of them were low wage jobs.
Don't take my word for it visit Working In Texas and find a great new job in the Lone Star State.

movingtotexas.net

Welcome To Texas!
Texas isnt perfect. Like any place on this planet, it has flaws.
But overall, its a great place to live, run a business, or raise a family. Want affordable real estate, a
good job, or just a fresh start?
Texas has what you're looking for.
It's the natural choice for hard-working, freedom-loving people. And I think you'll be proud to call it
home.
So, this wraps up the guide. Hopefully, its given you some solid insight into life in the Lone Star
State.
Thanks for reading, and welcome to Texas!
Please contact me at mario@texrealtor.net if you have any questions!

movingtotexas.net

Helpful Links
Find A Texas Realtor
Find A Job In Texas
New Resident Resources
Information About Brokerage Services

movingtotexas.net