[quote author="no_vaseline" date=1232258948][quote author="ConsiderAgain" date=1232249026][quote author="no_vaseline" date=1232243366]I'd just move back to Bakersfield.
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Whoa. I spent three days there last week for a training class, Texas is better (and that's not saying much).</blockquote>
Don't diss my home town, or I'll put your eye out you big meanie.</blockquote>
My bad. I developed a cough and had watery eyes from the first day I was there, presumably from the air. Everyone told me it was good right now, wait for summer.
Here are a few thoughts on south Texas. I?ve lived there off and on for several years working in the petrochemical industry along the coast:
- Yes, it is hot and humid 9 out of 12 months of the year. 90 degrees in south TX may feel equivalent to 105 in CA.
- Wages are generally lower than in CA, but there are no state taxes (give yourself a 9.3% raise for wage equilibrium). Unions are not common in TX.
- Full coverage insurance for my 08 4Runner is $625/year in Houston. Our $300k house premium is $875/yr. Both through Allstate.
- The property taxes on our $300k house are $8700/yr. HOA, nongated, is $450/yr in a nice neighborhood.
- Housing is cheap compared to almost anywhere, and 40-70% less than OC. I have owned two houses in TX, none in CA but I?ve been in several. Construction quality is on par or higher in TX compared to the examples I?ve seen in CA. I have never been in a Turtle Ridge/Newport house so my impression is from a very limited CA sampling in Huntington Beach, Fullerton, Tustin and a couple in Irvine, all of which were at least 30 years older than my current house but at least twice the cost.
- People in general are unhealthy by CA standards. Restaurant food is plentiful, cheap and usually pretty good. I believe the climate plays a significant role in why people don?t exercise more leading to boredom and more eating. But there is a growing health awareness in the area although it will never reach CA standards.
- I find groceries in TX are cheaper, but that could be due to lower quality. A gallon of 2% is $3.49. Mid grade gas is $1.70 right now.
- Industry happens in TX, second only to CA. Chemical companies producing organic and inorganic products from basic feedstocks to finish goods, and much oil/gas, are a permanent part of the state economy due to natural reserves and direct access to the Gulf coast. The current drop in energy prices is hitting the TX and CA economies significantly.
I think it is an advantage in TX that you have some control over how much you spend in state taxes. If your household income is $300k, you can have the same tax liability as someone making half that if you both live in similarly valued houses. (Of course that advantage evaporates if you earn the wage in another state and still live in TX.)
Life in south TX is boring. There is a lot to dislike; hurricanes, mildew and humidity, an irritating, omni-present <em>proud to be Texan</em> attitude, two George Bushes if you are a CA liberal (although you should really blame Massachusetts and Conneticut).
On the plus side, life in TX is easy and your dollar goes further. Housing is cheap and you can have an equivalent standard of living compared to OC for much less money.
