[SteedaGT]

Hello all. I am throwing around the idea of moving to Texas within the next few months mainly for the job market. I have been looking in the Houston and Dallas/ft worth areas. Which area would you recommend for a young couple (she's 25, I'm 30) that will be starting a family in the next 5 years?

Any areas (particular zip codes) to start looking at rentals and what areas to avoid? I will be renting for a year or two to make sure everything works out before purchasing a home. Requirements are a fenced in yard and a 2 car garage. I prefer to have a little bit of space as opposed to being right on top of my neighbor.

I am in construction project management and have seen a multitude of jobs posted in both areas of Texas. Pros and cons of the areas listed and any other suggestions for other areas?

Also, how do inspections work? We do not have any in Florida. The mustang has a carb'd chevy engine in it with exhaust out the front bumper. Not exactly emissions friendly and I am not sure what would happen if you plug into the obd port.

Thank you,

 

[DaggerMouth]

Hello all. I am throwing around the idea of moving to Texas within the next few months mainly for the job market. I have been looking in the Houston and Dallas/ft worth areas. Which area would you recommend for a young couple (she's 25, I'm 30) that will be starting a family in the next 5 years?

Any areas (particular zip codes) to start looking at rentals and what areas to avoid? I will be renting for a year or two to make sure everything works out before purchasing a home. Requirements are a fenced in yard and a 2 car garage. I prefer to have a little bit of space as opposed to being right on top of my neighbor.

I am in construction project management and have seen a multitude of jobs posted in both areas of Texas. Pros and cons of the areas listed and any other suggestions for other areas?

Also, how do inspections work? We do not have any in Florida. The mustang has a carb'd chevy engine in it with exhaust out the front bumper. Not exactly emissions friendly and I am not sure what would happen if you plug into the obd port.

Thank you,

I dont know your financial situation but DFW suburbs such as Flower Mound, Plano, South lake, and the surrounding areas are some of the nicest areas to live in the world. I have traveled to many countries and also all over the US, and Dallas has some of the nicest highways, infrastructure, and space that I have seen anywhere else. They also have experienced almost unmatched growth and development in the years I have lived here. Austin and Huston are experiencing even more growth but unfortunately their highway systems have been unable to keep up with their huge population growth. These 3 Texas cities were the in the top 5 for the fastest growing cities in 2015 because so many people are coming hear for our job growth..Austin and Huston just dont have the ability to expand like DFW. I went to college for a few years in Austin and its great for younger crowd but other than that, stay away. I wouldn't want to raise my family in that kind of atmosphere. A lot of college kids and is turning into a mini California. It is a party city. Lots of music festivals monthly, people go to the bars daily and at any time of day there seems to be insane traffic. Luckily I lived in the city and didn't have a car.

IMO Dallas is the best place in the world to raise a family. They have great schools, job growth and still has enough development that you can hopefully find an area within your budget. I have lived in Flower Mound for the past 14 years. I was raised here and then moved back here shortly after school. If you also travel a lot, the DFW airport is also a huge advantage of living in this area. One of the nicest airports I have been in as well.

As for inspection, we do OBDII inspection. Meaning if you have no CEL you pass. I am GTX2971 catless with a defouler and I pass every time. Cops don't car either. The majority of trucks here are way worse than the cars driving on the roads when it comes to emissions and noise.

If your car cannot or does not have an OBDII port and is not after the year of exemption (1992) then you have to pass the sniffer test I believe. But this is only if your car does not have the OBD systems. I am not 100% on this but I believe this is how Denton County (My area) does it. But in Texas counties decide how they do their emission testing.

 

[cbdallas]

Not sure what your financial situation is, but unless you're "rolling in it", plan to look way north of downtown Dallas. Dallas proper and Richardson have some of the most expensive dirt in the state. Plano can be a great place, just stay West of 75 (Central Expressway). Prices go up as you head west, but neighborhood conditions go down as you head east. Trust me...I've done the legwork. The Murphy / Wylie / Sachse areas are great, newer areas that aren't quite so tightly jammed together, depending on the neighborhood. Murphy is pretty high $$, and prices go down as you get further from Dallas. I live right on the Wylie / Murphy line. Property values are climbing, even here, so act fast. If you're looking for more rural with more space between the houses, check out Parker and Lucas. On the west side, I've heard good things about Little Elm. Only been there once....saw a lot of new and new-ish construction. Frisco is very up-and-coming as well, but I think they're getting a bit pricey.

Collin County doesn't test for emissions, but honestly I don't know what happens if you don't have OBD or if it fails because of your exhaust. Just got mine done last week. They plugged in, typed a few things into the computer and I was on my way. I believe Dallas County puts your car on a dyno and "sniffs" the exhaust.

I noticed you're in Florida, one of the lucky states that doesn't require a front plate. Just a heads up....I've been driving my Focus and Camaro around for years without one. No issue. You may notice a boatload of Mercedes driving around with a Park Place Motorcars dealer plate in place of the front license plate. What you're witnessing there is THE Dallas status symbol that the cops completely ignore.

Good luck on your potential re-lo. I know a fantastic realtor if you need one....she sold me my last two homes. She's been on Ebby Halliday's top-performer list for years. About Anne Westphal - Ebby Halliday Realtors

 

[620speeder]

Honestly a little offended at your Austin comment, but too many people moving here already so I'll let it slide. I WOULD welcome any fellow ST owner though

If you stay downtown and in West Campus yeah Austin is a party town. There is however SOOOO much more to Austin that you'd miss only partying.

 

[rascal]

Come on "up" to Houston. I've been down here since 2012 and it's be the best decision I've made in a long time. I'm sure you can land yourself a good paying job here and ST scene is very active down here. :focus-st-smilie:

 

[Unfitproduct]

Don't get shot...
Too soon?

 

[Speedy12139]

Everything is bigger in texas!

 

[Speedy12139]

Don't get shot...
Too soon?

Oh wow, and if a noobie made that comment, perma ban would be in full effect
:badidea:

 

[Unfitproduct]

There's always one.

 

[Cowlynz]

I heard Texas was trying to become a part of Mexico again :wink:

 

[blizzard]

Why on earth would you want to move to Texas? I think they should secede.:big smile:

 

[SteedaGT]

Thank you for all of the replies everyone. By doing the cost of living comparisons, it looks like I can afford to rent a place in the 1,800-1,900 range comfortably. I'll look in the areas mentioned around Dallas and possibly Houston. There's more jobs in my field in Houston, but Dallas sounds nicer.

I'd like to move so I can raise a family safely and efficiently. Orlando isn't the best for that and I do not want to be around a party scene. My other option is ft lauderdale, FL, but it's big big money down there.

Again, thank you all and if I get an interview out there, i'll be back with some more questions.

 

[TonyYellowSt]

I moved from Los Angeles,CA to Houston,Texas about 3 1/2 years ago and i dont regret it. the cost of living is a lot cheaper and lots of stuff to do here with the family. living here on the South Of Houston is pretty calm, the north side tends to be a bit rough sometimes.

 

[nabizzy]

Dallas is ****

Houston is where its at
Katy
Sugar land
Memorial

In that order, are the nicest areas in Houston that seem to be in the range you've mentioned

If you come across a large sum of money, Piney point and river oaks are great, as is the woodlands area

 

[pintobean11]

Thank you for all of the replies everyone. By doing the cost of living comparisons, it looks like I can afford to rent a place in the 1,800-1,900 range comfortably. I'll look in the areas mentioned around Dallas and possibly Houston. There's more jobs in my field in Houston, but Dallas sounds nicer.

I'd like to move so I can raise a family safely and efficiently. Orlando isn't the best for that and I do not want to be around a party scene. My other option is ft lauderdale, FL, but it's big big money down there.

Again, thank you all and if I get an interview out there, i'll be back with some more questions.

Yes, Orlando is more of a younger city but how is it not safe? Just because of what happened at Pulse? And honestly, If you're looking for safe and efficient, I don't Houston is the area for you.

 

[16Kona]

<snip> My other option is ft lauderdale, FL, but it's big big money down there.

I spent 38 years in Ft. Lauderdale - LOVE that area. You're right, it's definitely big money...and big property taxes, big insurance (house a car) bills...that's just the start of it from a financial point of view. Wife and I spent about 5 years in Knoxville, TN (from '08 - '13 for a family obligation) and when we decided to move back to FL, we looked at going back to Ft. Lauderdale...and then decided we didn't want to spend that much on things like property taxes and insurance...so, we wound up in Orlando. Thing is, in Ft. Lauderdale, the income typically doesn't support or keep up with the expenses of living.

From a "safe" point of view...Orlando/Ft. Lauderdale each have their specific 'safe' areas. I grew up in a neighborhood (Lauderhill) that I wouldn't go into in broad daylight these days and I'm sure you'll encounter situations/comparisons like that in almost any region of the country.

Good luck with your decision/job hunt! If I can help re: the Ft. Lauderdale area, let me know!

 

[TonyYellowSt]

Dallas is ****

Houston is where its at
Katy
Sugar land
Memorial

In that order, are the nicest areas in Houston that seem to be in the range you've mentioned

If you come across a large sum of money, Piney point and river oaks are great, as is the woodlands area

Yes those are some of the best areas. i live in Richmond area right next to Sugarland and its a great calm area, great for the kids and family, and houses here are in the 100k-450k range and if you go into the really nice expensive area there are 500k-1.8mil houses. also Alief area is a good place.

 

[Goth2Boss]

^ What about Natural disasters? How do those fit in?

 

[Burnboy]

I am from Dallas and now reside in Dallas. I spent ten years in Houston. Two completely different cities. Houston is twice the size of Dallas and has no zoning. I can take you to an intersection with a liquor store on one corner. A baptist church on another, an elementary school on the other , and a tittie bar on the other. Dallas is zoned to where depending on where you live you may have to drive a small distance to buy a beer.

 

[Burnboy]

I went through hurricane Ike in Houston. Not fun when all power everywhere is down. Dallas has hail and tornadoes. To each their own. And the humidity is comparable to Florida in Houston, Dallas gets snow and ice almost yearly. And half the humidity