What do you love about Texas? - Page 2

[McMandy]

I LOVE Texas. I was raised in Alvin, Texas (home of Nolan Ryan... back then) and eventually moved to Louisiana (where my Hubby is from), then to Indiana, then back to Louisiana, and finally back to Texas! (AHhhh, full circle!)

I have found that every place has it's negatives. For example, Indiana has more mosquitoes than Houston (although, Louisiana had double that... lol!). Indiana also had tornadoes more often. Sure, we have to deal with Hurricanes here, but they are normally bareable.

I love being closer to my family and old friends. I love that I can live on the edge of a big city and a lot of country.

I love that there is beach land- even if it's not as pretty as Florida.

I love the diversity, different cultures, etc.

A lot of choices in midwives where I live (Houston area), and.. as someone mentioned, really relaxed laws on Homeschooling (YAY!).

There's much to love about Texas!

[Texasmomof8]

What?? No one has mentioned BLUE BELL ice cream!!! That has got to be at the top of the list!

Second maybe to playing outside all year round. We have mountains about a day's drive away. Enchanted Rock and surrounding rocks in Fredericksburg are great for hiking and views.

I can remember when I had to live out of Texas for awhile. I would love the feeling of crossing that Texas border. I would just start breathing deeper and I could not resist turning the channel to a Spanish speaking channel just for the music. I could not wait for some TexMex food.

I think that Texans are friendlier than most states too. I love the hispanic culture and sense of family. I miss that when I have lived out of state.

Good luck. I know Texas would be happy to have you back home.

[PPK]

I love:

The cheap and good quality produce that's available all year round, also, the diverse selection at the huge Asian markets.

The weather for most of the year, but we leave for a portion of the summer!

Low COL.

No state income tax.

I dislike:

Those huge tree-roaches that are around in the warmer months. I swear I almost had a heart attack the first time I had a run-in with one of those!

The summer heat.

The traffic (Houston).

Serious lack of outdoor activities (Houston).

Conservative on the whole, but have found alot of cool friends despite that.

I'd consider CO again or TN/NC, but really need to be by the ocean. If we can ever afford CA or HI, we will!

[angelandmisha]

I'm glad someone finally mentioned no state income tax!! That might be pretty convincing for your dh, along with margaritas! My dh is from Kansas and I've never lived outside of Texas. He talks about the freedom here and the state pride. To me it's normal and I figured every state was like this, but I guess not. We have an interesting state history including being our own country!

And don't forget football! I love football and if your dh does too, there's plenty around. Great enthusiasm for sports here.

I don't recall exactly when, but I think Texas had like the 5th largest economy in the world. So definitely not as hard hit as many areas around the country.

Tons of golfing opportunities. Lots of hiking, cycling, climbing, water sports available.

There are also a surprising number of high quality museums, zoos and other cultural opportunities around the state as well.

Easy ability to homeschool and not vaccinate as mentioned before. I'm trying to think of things that might appeal to your dh with the above mentioned items. If he already liked Austin, what's his current objection?

[HarperRose]

Things I Love:
No vax
Homeschooling
Homebirthing
Breastfeeding in Public doesn't garner much negative attention (in my experience)
Plenty to do outdoors
Mexican/Hispanic culture
Food

Things I hate:
The intense heat. Unrelenting, oppressive, and never ending. We were stuck inside almost all year because the ridiculously HOT weather made my dd and I physically ill.

DH and I both love the PNW. We ended up moving out of TX to West Virginia. It has everything we like about the PNW, plus my family is here. Mountains, GREEN, moderate weather year round (summer gets hot, winter gets snow, but neither is over the top), and just gorgeous.

We love TX. I miss TX. But I'm happy with the change, too.

[scrappyhappymama]

I love the cost of living and housing prices. Real people can buy homes without mortgaging their lives away or having to trade up several times to get into a family home.

I love the relative freedoms here. We're homeschoolers, and this is one of the best states to homeschool in from a freedom perspective, but there are also many homeschoolers, and so abundant resources out there as well.

As far as the public schools go- there are definitely some poor ones out there. But we've lived in two excellent school districts and have many friends who are parents, teachers or administrators who are serious about providing a good education for their children. We choose to homeschool for many reasons, including providing the best possible education for our own children, but I do think condemning all Texas schools is painting with too broad a brush.

The medical-model is alive and strong here, but nevertheless I've managed to give birth to three of my babies here with midwives and avoiding the systemic problems, selectively vax with no repurcussions (other than an occasional 'reminder' postcard from the state for our one son who we accidentally allowed to be on the books, so to speak), and am able to find holistic resources and organic foods without too much trouble.

People tend to be more live and let live here, which benefits all ends of the spectrum.