Texas Living is the Best!! Top 7 Reasons

 

Texas, known as the Lone Star State, is an attractive place to live. It boasts a vibrant cultural landscape, plentiful job opportunities, and affordable housing options for everyone. However, Texas also has its share of drawbacks. It's hot and vulnerable to hurricanes and tropical storms; plus, it has its own culture and political atmosphere that sets it apart.

1. Year-Round Sun

If you're a fan of warm, sunny weather, Texas may be your ideal home. On average, there are 222 days of sunshine per year in this sunny state - making it one of the sunniest places in America! Texas may have its share of drawbacks, such as humidityand summer heat, but it's also one of the most affordable states to live in. You'll have plenty of chances to enjoy nature with Texas' abundance of parks and recreational facilities too! Texas' climate isn't just about sun-filled days; it also boasts some of the mildest winters in America - particularly along the Gulf Coast and Panhandle regions.

When visiting Texas, the best time to visit is in spring or autumn when temperatures are moderate and rainfall minimal. Winters can be crisp but you can bundle up in one of many warm-weather coats available. Some parts of Texas even experience regular snowfall - such as in the Texas hill country and Panhandle regions.

2. Affordable Housing

Many families in Texas are facing an affordability crisis due to the high cost of housing. Families may spend more than 30% of their income on rent, leaving them short on other essential items like food, clothing, and health care. In Houston, which boasts some of the nation's highest home prices, those in need of affordable rental units are being forced out of neighborhoods in the central core as wealthier residents move in. It's an issue Mayor Turner and his administration have been fighting for years to address.

A program called the Houston CommunityLand Trust is providing more low-income families with housing options, even as real estate prices continue to rise. Although its funding has been cut back, supporters say this initiative will offer long-term affordability protection for a new generation of Houstonians. Nakisha Platt credits the program's affordability protections with providing her with a home she can call hers for life. It has served as a safety net for people like her who have exited short-term affordable housing programs only to be hit hard by rising market-rate rent prices.

Martin laments the National Low Income Housing Coalition's "Gap Report," which indicates Texas has a severe shortage of affordable homes for extremely low-income households. Out of every 100 such households in Austin, Dallas, and Houston, only 29 are located within reach of affordable housing options.

3. Great Job Opportunities

Texas boasts some of the best job prospects in America. With Fortune 500 companies headquartered here, Texas is an epicenter for economic development and job creation. Top job markets in Texas include Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. These cities boast excellent employment opportunities across various industries like construction, engineering, healthcare, retail, and finance. Houston is home to numerous oil and gascompanies that employ drillers, production engineers, and service technicians. Additionally, the city has numerous healthcare institutions that employ nurses and other professionals. Furthermore, the state is a national leader in biotech and life science. Numerous research firms are situated nearby, providing ample opportunity for those interested in this industry.

Texas boasts an array of large and small businesses, as well as a flourishing skilled trades community that offers job prospects with good pay rates and financial stability without needing four-year degrees. If you are willing to put in the effort and learn something new, these careers could offer more chances for career advancement. Additionally, Texas boasts an expansive skilled trades community which offers another excellent option for job seekers - regardless of educational background!

4. The Lone Star State’s Unique Culture

No matter who you are - native Texan or just visiting - there's something special about the Lone Star State that sets it apart. From its vibrant music culture to its delicious culinary scene, Texas truly is an unbeatable home away from home. The state's culture is a testament to its past as an independent territory that had to fight for independence. Texans possess a fierce independent spirit which can be seen in their pride and devotion towards their home state. Texas' nickname, "LoneStar State," pays homage to the flag adopted after Texas declared independence from Mexico in 1836. Designed by Austin artist Peter Krag, the flag features a white star symbolizing the Lone Star Republic.

After ten years as its own nation, Texas was eventually annexed into the United States; however, it took some time for Texans to accept this change. Many Texans were originally from the south and wanted to become part of the Union. They feared that Mexico might attempt to claim their land back again. After years of debating whether or not Texas should become an official state of the United States, Texans finally voted in 1845 to join. While political issues arose along the way, Texas' unique and deep roots within American culture have had a lasting impact on society as a whole.

5. Live Music

Texas boasts an expansive and vibrant musical landscape. From country and blues to jazz, spirituals, gospel music, rock 'n' roll music, Tex-Mex culture, Cajun cuisine, and Czech and German influences - Texas has had a profound effect on America's musical styles. Some of music's biggest names began their career in Texas. Some even gained international fame: Roy Orbison and Joe Ely both hailing from here; Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, and Dixie Chicks all developed their craft here. These talented musicians created unique styles that developed over time. Western swing, a blend of country, jazz, and Latin rhythms born in Texas, was one example. Other styles developed here include zydeco--a lively blend of French-speaking blacks with rhythm and blues elements--which remains popular today.

Live music venues are plentiful throughout Austin, from small dive bars to historic blues clubs and concert halls. One of the most iconic is The Continental Club which opened its doors in 1955 and continues to host top-tier talent ever since - earning it worldwide recognition as Austin's premier live music destination.

6. Great Outdoors

Texas offers plenty of outdoor adventures for everyone to explore. From hiking and mountain biking to swimming, fishing, and sunbathing - there's no end to what can be done outdoors in Texas! One of the best places to escape Texas heat is at a hot tub, and there are plenty of spots around town where you can try it out. But for something truly exceptional, head over to Houston Hot Tub which provides both outdoor and indoor spa experiences with plenty of room to move around and unwind.

For something less intense, the HoustonAquarium offers a number of aquatic animals such as largemouth bass, spotted gar, and Rio Grande cichlids. There are also exhibits featuring various species of birds, fish, and mammals. For an unforgettable and engaging way to explore Houston's great outdoors, consider taking a hot air balloon tour. Not only will this give you an incredible perspective of the city from above, but there are various packages available at no cost - making this an unbeatable bargain! With Houston as your playground, there's no better time than now to discover all it has to offer than now.

7. A Diverse Community

Diverse communities are healthy and strong, with people from different backgrounds, histories, cultures, and perspectives working together to create an environment that's secure, vibrant, and economically prosperous. Texas boasts a vibrant multicultural population, consisting of Latinos, Whites, African Americans, Asians, and American Indians. Furthermore, Texas boasts an expanding LGBTQ+ population as well as an exciting restaurant scene.

Houston is an incredibly diverse city, boasting residents from more than 100 different countries and languages. As a result, it was named one of the most diverse cities in America by WalletHub's study. According to the study, Birmingham was ranked 27th overall and 9th among large cities for ethnic diversity. Additionally, it ranked 39th in Ethnoracial Diversity and 25th in Linguistic Diversity. Fort Bend County boasts the greatest linguistic diversity of any of the three-county area, boasting more than 100 languages spoken there, including Spanish and other Indo-European dialects. Harris County, however, does not boast such a diverse population with only around half its residents speaking English as their first language.

As a result, the area attracts residents from many backgrounds and cultures, which contributes to its vibrant cultural diversity. Furthermore, Dallas/Fort Worth metro area attracts people of various religious beliefs and practices; Methodist, Baptist, Evangelical and Presbyterian churches are prominent fixtures within its local community.