Here are the key things to know before moving to Texas: Expect warmer weather. Taxes are lower than you would expect. The cost of living in Texas can be affordable. You can pay less for electricity.
Texas has a booming labor market. Texas is ideal for food lovers. Texas has impressive employment growth, several cities and cities booming energy. Add in the rich culture and relatively affordable housing, and it's no wonder that people are flocking to the Lone Star State.
The best financial firms in Texas will also have a lot of guidance to offer you. And if you're looking for an advisor that specifically meets your needs, use the SmartAsset matchmaking tool to get in touch with a financial professional. Are you thinking about moving to Texas? Here are 15 things to know before you go. At Dinosaur Valley State Park in Texas, you can literally follow in the footsteps of the dinosaurs that once roamed Texas.
The state has a long history. When European colonists arrived in Texas, native tribes, such as the Caddo, Apaches, and Comanche, had been living on the land for approximately 11,000 years. Then there's the Spanish and Mexican history of Texas—think the Alamo— and the famous struggle for independence. If you love history, you'll love living in Texas.
Summers are generally hot and temperatures average between mid and high 90 degrees, while winters are around 60 degrees, with rare drops if there is an occasional cold front crossing the state. Texas has an average of more tornadoes per year than any other state, and the Gulf Coast has been hit by several major hurricanes, such as Carla (196), Celia (1970), Ike (200) and Harvey (201). We've all seen memes and made jokes about it, but the truth is that the weather in Texas is very unpredictable. Did you know that Alvin, Texas, has the infamous record for the most amount of rain that has fallen in the U.S.
UU. In a 24-hour period? It took place during Tropical Storm Claudette in 1979, in which 43 inches of rain occurred. Read more fun facts about Texas here. Texas is one of only seven states where residents don't pay state income taxes.
The state sales tax is not very high either. There are also several tax incentives for companies. According to Forbes, Texas encourages business ownership through lower taxes and less onerous regulations. Unless you live within 3 to 4 miles of your workplace, you'll spend a lot of time commuting to work.
Traffic is terrible, as roads in most areas haven't kept up with the ever-growing population, so be prepared for the inevitable. This all-in-one package provides approximately 7,800 watts per hour of energy for your portable home's energy needs. Equipped with a Yeti 3000X, a Yeti Home Integration Kit transfer switch, four Yeti Tank expansion batteries and the Link expansion module. Enough to keep your critical circuits running for more than 2.5 days without needing to recharge them.
In fact, Texas Monthly rated Texas as the hottest state in the entire country. Along the Rio Grande, which is the hottest place in Texas, days and nights average 102 degrees Fahrenheit. In both San Antonio and Dallas, summer temperatures hover around 100 degrees. And honestly, it's something worth considering before taking the leap there.
If you're the type of person who can't stand the heat, Texas is the last place you'll want to move to. It could be worth investing in a swimming pool. That, or taking a lot of cold showers during the summer, and if you're thinking about living in North Texas, consider the possible tornado, due to its location in Tornado Alley. Well, startups like AppSumo, Onnit, Rollick Outdoor and Senseye have gone from being ideas to great innovators employing hundreds.
This constant innovation means more jobs for people moving to Texas. And, if you are one of those who want to start a business, the best thing is to immerse yourself in a culture where entrepreneurship is the craziest thing. Either way, employee or entrepreneur, Austin is a good place to land. Texans are an interesting mix of affectionate and tough.
They are known for being huggers with larger personalities than real life, but they have been designed to be quite resilient considering that they face 100-degree summers six months a year and have to avoid being bitten by venomous rattlesnakes on a daily basis. In fact, the New York Times wrote an entire piece about the emerging music scene in Texas. For history lovers, it's a state built on land where native tribes such as the Caddo, Apaches and Comanches had lived for 11,000 years. And, on the contrary, for futurists, it's a place where organizations like SpaceX and NASA fire their rockets.
The costs of moving to Texas can depend on a variety of factors. How far do you move? Do you need more than one truck? Do you need to store? One way to measure the costs of moving to Texas is to use a moving cost calculator to start planning within your budget. With hundreds of thousands of people moving to Texas every day, the Lone Star State has an obvious charm. As long as you can handle the heat, we're pretty sure you'll find a place in Texas where you can feel at home.
And, if you need help moving there, well, you know who to call. With 238 cities with a population of more than 10,000 people, you're sure to find a place where you'll want to put down roots and watch the bluebonnets grow. If you need to convince yourself a little more, here are 8 other things to know before moving to Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas except the tax rate.
It's one of only seven states that don't have a state income tax. Saving hundreds or even thousands of dollars on your annual tax bill is one of the biggest benefits of moving to Texas. Sales tax is also generally lower compared to other states. However, this varies by city, as local governments can add up to 2% sales tax in addition to the state rate of 6.25%.
Texas is also known for offering very favorable tax rates for businesses. Local entities will even offer short-term tax breaks to encourage businesses to move to Texas. The only exception is property taxes. These tend to be higher than in other states, and the value of the property can be reevaluated every year.
When you're weighing the pros and cons of moving to Texas, utilities should be a factor. You'll use more energy in the summer to cool your home, but thankfully electricity and gas rates tend to be lower in Texas. The average price per kilowatt-hour is around 13.17 cents in the US. In Texas it costs 11.85 cents on average.
One thing that helps keep electricity rates under control is deregulation. Texas has been deregulated since 2002, giving customers the ability to choose their electricity provider and plan. Competition between suppliers has helped keep rates low. You can change providers at any time without worrying about service interruption, as the electricity comes from the local utility company, no matter which provider you choose.
However, keep in mind that not all cities use energy deregulation. For example, Austin still uses a single cooperative to provide electricity. Do you want to know more about how deregulation works in Texas? Check out this summary of deregulation or call Spark Energy and we'll provide you with more information. We provide electricity and gas service to thousands of homes and businesses in Texas.
There are few places in the country where you'll find such a passion for food. Texas is the land of pitmasters who spend hours searching for the perfect ring to smoke around a portion of delicious and amazing brisket. The state is so famous for its barbecue, Texas-style bar-be-cue is eaten all over the country. When you've had your fill of smoked meat and sausage, there's also an infinite variety of TexMex dishes.
It's an incredible mix of cuisine from both sides of the border. Texas is even credited as the birthplace of fajitas and the puffy taco. You can pair it all with a craft beer or a Mexican martini. Another surprise for non-Texans is authentic German food.
In the 19th century, German immigrants settled in Central Texas, taking their culture with them. The best time to eat German food is during Wurstfest, the Texas version of the Oktoberfest in New Braunfels. The Texas State Fair is another dining destination. Its gastronomic competition is world famous and is the epicenter of everything fried.
Vehicle inspections come as a surprise to some new Texas residents because they are not mandatory in many states. You must take the vehicle to a certified vehicle inspection station once a year to verify that it is in working condition. Initial registration is done at the county tax adjuster's office. You'll have to pay a registration fee, a title application fee, and a sales tax rate.
But you'll get two shiny new license plates, one for the front and one for the back of your vehicle. License plates are valid for seven years. Within 90 days of moving to Texas, you must update your driver's license. Since this is your first time getting a Texas license, you'll need to visit your local Texas DPS branch in person.
If you're over 18 and your license is still valid, you won't need to take any exams again. However, the DPS will take your current driver's license and issue you a paper one that you can use until your new Texas license arrives in the mail. This is your chance to earn 200 points every month in Spark Energy Rewards*. Before setting a moving date, do some research to find a Texas moving company with a good reputation.
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