is Texas the best state in the US? (1 Viewer)

[Treynwreck3]

Low cost of living index alone does not make this a great state to live in. There ate several factors involved, one of the most important being employment opportunity for very well paying jobs. We have a tremendous diverse employment base here and we attract tons of people because of it.

There are also a myriad of things to do in Texas, recreation wise. Within a three hour drive, one can fish for tarpon, sight cast to redfish, or load the boat with specks. You can also hunt whitetail deer, hogs, dove, quail, geese, and more ducks than you ever shot.

You can hike the hill country, rock climb (300' verts on my ranch), kayak, float a clear lazy river, water ski, surf (south padre), or just watch bikinis. The women here are amazing.

Night life? Best strip clubs. Music? Take your choice. Theater? Top notch. Art? Menil collection alone is world class.

Sports. A fans Mecca. Texans, Cowboys, Spurs, Rockets, Mavs, Rangers, Astros, UT, A&M, Baylor, Tech, SMU, TCU, Rice, etc.

Academics? World class research facilities statewide. Good law schools, Ag tech, engineering, and world class petrochemical programs.

Yeah, it's hot in the summer. But, I can play golf in shorts in January, can grow tomatoes in October, and my pool is open 9-10 months a year.

If you hate Texas, please pass it on. Stay wherever you live. We have enough of you ####ers moving down here as it is.

 

[Treynwreck3]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

 

[dewaser]

California is the best state. hands down.

 

[SoBeDad]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

Actually, there is alimony in Texas, but in most circumstances, there is a 3-year limit for paying alimony. I should've moved to Texas a few years before getting divorced in Florida - I'm paying permanent alimony. My sister's family and nephew moved to Ft. Worth and bought homes with pools to help with the heat. Lots of well-priced homes in good neighborhoods.

 

[Christo]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

 

[bigbottom]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

For some reason, people don't seem to be moving to Chicago. Best kept secret, perhaps. Of the top 25 most populous cities in America, only Detroit had a lower population growth percentage from 2010 to 2012, per U.S. Census estimates.

 

[Mister CIA]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

For some reason, people don't seem to be moving to Chicago. Best kept secret, perhaps. Of the top 25 most populous cities in America, only Detroit had a lower population growth percentage from 2010 to 2012, per U.S. Census estimates.

Obligatory Link

 

[bentley]

Yes. Yes it is. And #### anyone that needs an explanation. And #### Rick Perry for trying to take any of the credit for it.

 

[Clifford]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

Your state is a stretch of desert the cartels use for shooting practice. Keep it.

 

[NutterButter]

This is clearly more of a p'in match than a serious conversation, but Fort Worth is getting seriously overlooked here. Lumping it in with Dallas is as silly as saying Baltimore and DC are the same...and having lived in all all 4 (along with Boston and NYC), Fort Worth is a tremendous find and truly on the uptake.

I recently had a chance to move to Austin from Fort Worth and declined. When I initially read the title of this thread I was thinking it was going to highlight the numerous great cities and how different they are. Personally I am not a fan of Dallas or Houston to live, but have spent much time in each, along with San Antonio and Austin and appreciate they are all within driving distance - but not where I would want to live.

The state is great though, and that is coming from a long time north east coast native. It's 103 out today and just got back from a bike ride. The Texas 103 is more bearable imo then the Boston 93...so i get why people are scared of the heat but it is over blown with the possibly exception of Houston which being close to the water tends to be more humid.

Population wise, no other state can boast more than (4 - Cali) top 20 populous cities. Texas has 6 And most of those gains are recent...so they must be doing something right.

Ranks in US population: Houston (4), San Antonio (7), Dallas (9), Austin (11), Fort Worth (16), El Paso (19)

And in terms of business and growth...there really is no better place to me. At least according to Forbes which recently published a list of Best Cities for Job Growth: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2013/08/07/austin-heads-list-of-best-cities-for-job-growth/

Spoiler Alert: Texas had 7 of the 10.

An average house price of $176k - nearly half that of California.

We're currently looking at houses about an hour north of Dallas in a town of roughly 3,000 people. Needless to say, the night life is non-existent and to drive anywhere that is really nice is about an hour. That being said, we are looking at a couple of houses right now. One house is 3,000 sq ft and is I believe about 190k. My wife can correct me. Another house is 2,700 sq ft. and the asking price is 170k.

I don't really get "low cost of living" being a primary consideration in determining how great a location is. The cost of living is low in small town Texas because almost no one wants to live in small town Texas. If they did, the cost of living would be much higher. Low cost of living is not a good indicator of how "great" a particular state is.

 

[NutterButter]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

Where does anyone see Texas as having good healthcare?

 

[matuski]

This is clearly more of a p'in match than a serious conversation, but Fort Worth is getting seriously overlooked here. Lumping it in with Dallas is as silly as saying Baltimore and DC are the same...and having lived in all all 4 (along with Boston and NYC), Fort Worth is a tremendous find and truly on the uptake.

I recently had a chance to move to Austin from Fort Worth and declined. When I initially read the title of this thread I was thinking it was going to highlight the numerous great cities and how different they are. Personally I am not a fan of Dallas or Houston to live, but have spent much time in each, along with San Antonio and Austin and appreciate they are all within driving distance - but not where I would want to live.

The state is great though, and that is coming from a long time north east coast native. It's 103 out today and just got back from a bike ride. The Texas 103 is more bearable imo then the Boston 93...so i get why people are scared of the heat but it is over blown with the possibly exception of Houston which being close to the water tends to be more humid.

Population wise, no other state can boast more than (4 - Cali) top 20 populous cities. Texas has 6 And most of those gains are recent...so they must be doing something right.

Ranks in US population: Houston (4), San Antonio (7), Dallas (9), Austin (11), Fort Worth (16), El Paso (19)

And in terms of business and growth...there really is no better place to me. At least according to Forbes which recently published a list of Best Cities for Job Growth: http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2013/08/07/austin-heads-list-of-best-cities-for-job-growth/

Spoiler Alert: Texas had 7 of the 10.

An average house price of $176k - nearly half that of California.

We're currently looking at houses about an hour north of Dallas in a town of roughly 3,000 people. Needless to say, the night life is non-existent and to drive anywhere that is really nice is about an hour. That being said, we are looking at a couple of houses right now. One house is 3,000 sq ft and is I believe about 190k. My wife can correct me. Another house is 2,700 sq ft. and the asking price is 170k.

I don't really get "low cost of living" being a primary consideration in determining how great a location is. The cost of living is low in small town Texas because almost no one wants to live in small town Texas. If they did, the cost of living would be much higher. Low cost of living is not a good indicator of how "great" a particular state is.

Not necessarily a "primary" factor.

Do you consider Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth, even El Paso "small town" Texas? If they aren't small town I assume by your logic crap loads of people want to live there?

 

[Zasada]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

Where does anyone see Texas as having good healthcare?

Houston medical center is the largest in the US and ranked fairly well.

 

[bigbottom]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

Where does anyone see Texas as having good healthcare?

Houston medical center is the largest in the US and ranked fairly well.

Yes, Houston boasts one of the greatest medical centers in the world. But the health care situation state-wide is generally not good. Tons of uninsureds, and Medicaid coverage for the poor is pretty embarrassing.

 

[ncc2]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

Where does anyone see Texas as having good healthcare?

Houston medical center is the largest in the US and ranked fairly well.

In Texas 25% of the people are uninsured compared to 16% nationally. In Texas 17% of children are uninsured compared to 10% nationally. And of course Texas refuses to do the expansion the feds are going to pay for because, freedom. Not sure how much it matters that the Houston Medical Center is so nifty.

 

[McGarnicle]

Hey, look at me, I've adapted to my home state!

 

[Christo]

And we execute the most people! Texas, #### yeah!

 

[Treynwreck3]

Universal healthcare is about as important to me as are food stamps and subsidized housing. Those are non-issues as far as I am concerned.

 

[Treynwreck3]

And we execute the most people! Texas, #### yeah!

That's right. You kill somebody, we'll kill you back. World's oldest proven method of reform.

 

[ncc2]

Universal healthcare is about as important to me as are food stamps and subsidized housing. Those are non-issues as far as I am concerned.

They usually are until it's you who can't feed your family or it's you trying to decide between eating and getting your prescription or it's you going bankrupt from a catastrophic health issue. Everything is bigger in Texas except the shriveled little hearts of so many Texans.

 

[ncc2]

And we execute the most people! Texas, #### yeah!

That's right. You kill somebody, we'll kill you back. World's oldest proven method of reform.

It isn't at all proven. Not even close.

 

[matuski]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

Where does anyone see Texas as having good healthcare?

Houston medical center is the largest in the US and ranked fairly well.

In Texas 25% of the people are uninsured compared to 16% nationally. In Texas 17% of children are uninsured compared to 10% nationally. And of course Texas refuses to do the expansion the feds are going to pay for because, freedom. Not sure how much it matters that the Houston Medical Center is so nifty.

For FBG's, there is no comparison. Houston Medical Center isn't just the biggest/best in the country, it is the best in the world.

It isn't like there is one top Hospital (like say Cleveland Clinic) it is like having 6 Cleveland clinics.

I can't refute the asinine conservative politics, however.

 

[Treynwreck3]

And we execute the most people! Texas, #### yeah!

That's right. You kill somebody, we'll kill you back. World's oldest proven method of reform.

It isn't at all proven. Not even close.

Has a convicted murderer ever committed another crime after being humanely executed?

 

[Christo]

And we execute the most people! Texas, #### yeah!

That's right. [We think] You kill[ed] somebody, we'll kill you back. World's oldest proven method of reform.

FYP

 

[TobiasFunke]

As I mentioned in one of the several pro-Pittsburgh threads, one sure sign that you live in a ####hole is if you are so insecure about it that you feel compelled to seek validation about it from a bunch of strangers on the internet. Imagine someone who lived in New York or Paris or Rome or Sydney starting a thread like this.

 

[Apple Jack]

Pretty sure johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, MD.

 

[McGarnicle]

And we execute the most people! Texas, #### yeah!

That's right. You kill somebody, we'll kill you back. World's oldest proven method of reform.

Sure, after 10-15 years of appeals and millions of dollars spent by the taxpayers. And the deterrent value is what exactly? Plenty of murders still happening in Texas right?

Oh, and sometimes they kill the innocent.

 

[matuski]

Pretty sure johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, MD.

It is a nice hospital.. if there were 4-5 more Johns Hopkins' in Baltimore you might have an argument.

 

[ncc2]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

Where does anyone see Texas as having good healthcare?

Houston medical center is the largest in the US and ranked fairly well.

In Texas 25% of the people are uninsured compared to 16% nationally. In Texas 17% of children are uninsured compared to 10% nationally. And of course Texas refuses to do the expansion the feds are going to pay for because, freedom. Not sure how much it matters that the Houston Medical Center is so nifty.

For FBG's, there is no comparison. Houston Medical Center isn't just the biggest/best in the country, it is the best in the world.

It isn't like there is one top Hospital (like say Cleveland Clinic) it is like having 6 Cleveland clinics.

I can't refute the asinine conservative politics, however.

Not sure of all that. I can only find one hospital in Texas with one specialty ranked number one nationally and that's the MD Anderson Cancer Center. Fittingly it gets number one in cancer treatment and several other high rankings. Sounds top notch. Now with that said it seems like there are a lot of good hospital/medical centers in Texas just not quite world beating good. Still to have 7 hospitals achieve high national rankings in one state is very good and is to be lauded. Probably helps to have high ranked medical schools there.

 

[ncc2]

And we execute the most people! Texas, #### yeah!

That's right. You kill somebody, we'll kill you back. World's oldest proven method of reform.

It isn't at all proven. Not even close.

Has a convicted murderer ever committed another crime after being humanely executed?

There is no mathematical doubt that innocent people have been executed. Too many releases based on DNA evidence for it to not have happened. Congrats on all that.

 

[Apple Jack]

Pretty sure johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, MD.

It is a nice hospital.. if there were 4-5 more Johns Hopkins' in Baltimore you might have an argument.

Why do I care how big it is? I don't know anybody who ever had trouble getting in there.

 

[Sammy3469]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

Where does anyone see Texas as having good healthcare?

Houston medical center is the largest in the US and ranked fairly well.

In Texas 25% of the people are uninsured compared to 16% nationally. In Texas 17% of children are uninsured compared to 10% nationally. And of course Texas refuses to do the expansion the feds are going to pay for because, freedom. Not sure how much it matters that the Houston Medical Center is so nifty.

For FBG's, there is no comparison. Houston Medical Center isn't just the biggest/best in the country, it is the best in the world.

It isn't like there is one top Hospital (like say Cleveland Clinic) it is like having 6 Cleveland clinics.

I can't refute the asinine conservative politics, however.

It's not even one of the best 15 in the US.

 

[Apple Jack]

And we execute the most people! Texas, #### yeah!

That's right. You kill somebody, we'll kill you back. World's oldest proven method of reform.

It isn't at all proven. Not even close.

Has a convicted murderer ever committed another crime after being humanely executed?

There is no mathematical doubt that innocent people have been executed. Too many releases based on DNA evidence for it to not have happened. Congrats on all that.

As if he cares. Anybody that pro-death penalty just views that as the cost of doing business. As long as it's not them or anybody they care about.

 

[Treynwreck3]

I could stay entertained in here all day. Instead, we are going wake boarding.

 

[Apple Jack]

Holy crap, Texas has water, too?

 

[NutterButter]

I could stay entertained in here all day. Instead, we are going wake boarding.

Wake boarding. Another reason why texas is the best.

 

[NutterButter]

Pretty sure johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, MD.

It is a nice hospital.. if there were 4-5 more Johns Hopkins' in Baltimore you might have an argument.

Why do I care how big it is? I don't know anybody who ever had trouble getting in there.

Typical texas. The rest of the state's healthcare is terrible. It has one really nice hospital, but hey, its huge.

 

[matuski]

Pretty sure johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, MD.

It is a nice hospital.. if there were 4-5 more Johns Hopkins' in Baltimore you might have an argument.

Why do I care how big it is? I don't know anybody who ever had trouble getting in there.

Typical texas. The rest of the state's healthcare is terrible. It has one really nice hospital, but hey, its huge.

You have a real hard time keeping up... google Texas Medical Center and remind me how many hospitals we are talking about?

 

[McGarnicle]

I could stay entertained in here all day. Instead, we are going wake boarding.

Okay have fun buddy!

 

[matuski]

Holy crap, Texas has water, too?

Lived here for 20+ years, and I just found North Padre island last weekend. It isn't Hawaii, but the beach was on par with Florida's (minus the "scenery".. but not completely lacking there either), and warmer water than SoCal. Warm blue water, clean, soft sand, perfect 3'-4' waves.

After being let down at several other TX beaches (Galveston, Port Aransas, and South Padre).. I was pleasantly surprised.

 

[pantagrapher]

I forgot to mention no state income tax, no alimony, best medical care on the planet, best Mexican food in the world. Texas is like the USA in comparison to people who don't live here. The world hates the US , but can't wait to emigrate here. Same #### with TX.

We have the coolest state flag too,so there.

For some reason, people don't seem to be moving to Chicago. Best kept secret, perhaps. Of the top 25 most populous cities in America, only Detroit had a lower population growth percentage from 2010 to 2012, per U.S. Census estimates.

Chicago does have the fastest growing downtown population growth in the country. But yeah, the neighborhoods don't typically change much, population-wise. It's an old, established city. That's the way things are.

 

[bigbottom]

As I mentioned in one of the several pro-Pittsburgh threads, one sure sign that you live in a ####hole is if you are so insecure about it that you feel compelled to seek validation about it from a bunch of strangers on the internet. Imagine someone who lived in New York or Paris or Rome or Sydney starting a thread like this.

Spending the week in NYC. Love this place and feels good to be back for a spell.

By the way, your post reminded me a bit of this classic: http://youtu.be/yhaoEtDJo_k

 

[NutterButter]

Pretty sure johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, MD.

It is a nice hospital.. if there were 4-5 more Johns Hopkins' in Baltimore you might have an argument.

Why do I care how big it is? I don't know anybody who ever had trouble getting in there.

Typical texas. The rest of the state's healthcare is terrible. It has one really nice hospital, but hey, its huge.

You have a real hard time keeping up... google Texas Medical Center and remind me how many hospitals we are talking about?

They're still all in the Houston area and the rest of the state's healthcare is terrible.

 

[bigbottom]

Pretty sure johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, MD.

It is a nice hospital.. if there were 4-5 more Johns Hopkins' in Baltimore you might have an argument.

Why do I care how big it is? I don't know anybody who ever had trouble getting in there.

Typical texas. The rest of the state's healthcare is terrible. It has one really nice hospital, but hey, its huge.

You have a real hard time keeping up... google Texas Medical Center and remind me how many hospitals we are talking about?

The answer is 15, all non-profit. On a personal note, it's been a blessing to live minutes from one of the best children's hospitals in the country and the number one cancer center in the country.

But yeah, the health care situation state-wide blows.

 

[matuski]

Pretty sure johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, MD.

It is a nice hospital.. if there were 4-5 more Johns Hopkins' in Baltimore you might have an argument.

Why do I care how big it is? I don't know anybody who ever had trouble getting in there.

Typical texas. The rest of the state's healthcare is terrible. It has one really nice hospital, but hey, its huge.

You have a real hard time keeping up... google Texas Medical Center and remind me how many hospitals we are talking about?

They're still all in the Houston area and the rest of the state's healthcare is terrible.

I have no idea where you are getting this from, but you are so far off it is safe to assume I shouldn't waste the effort.

 

[matuski]

The healthcare politics, and the uninsured are an issue.

The quality of care is impossible to beat.

 

[tommyGunZ]

On a personal note, it's been a blessing to live minutes from one of the best children's hospitals in the country and the number one cancer center in the country.

Hope things are getting better for your little one bb.

 

[TobiasFunke]

The healthcare politics, and the uninsured are an issue.

The quality of care is impossible to beat.

It's pretty much meaningless to brag about quality of care (or anything really) of a geographic entity that covers almost 300,000 square miles. That would be like someone in central Virginia talking about the great higher education options where they live because of the Ivy League schools. "We've got Harvard, Yale and Princeton!"

 

[ncc2]

The healthcare politics, and the uninsured are an issue.

The quality of care is impossible to beat.

Seriously you keep saying that but it isn't true really. I mean it is good and all but for instance Durham/Raleigh NC is much smaller than Houston and has 4 hospitals nationally ranked. Duke University Medical Center has 13 specialties nationally best ranked and 2 high performing. That easily matches up with anything Houston has to offer. Again it sounds like those Houston hospitals are really good and of course the cancer one is apparently the best in the country but it's not like no one else is competing with them.

 

[NutterButter]

Pretty sure johns Hopkins is in Baltimore, MD.

It is a nice hospital.. if there were 4-5 more Johns Hopkins' in Baltimore you might have an argument.

Why do I care how big it is? I don't know anybody who ever had trouble getting in there.

Typical texas. The rest of the state's healthcare is terrible. It has one really nice hospital, but hey, its huge.

You have a real hard time keeping up... google Texas Medical Center and remind me how many hospitals we are talking about?

They're still all in the Houston area and the rest of the state's healthcare is terrible.

I have no idea where you are getting this from, but you are so far off it is safe to assume I shouldn't waste the effort.

http://blog.chron.com/txpotomac/2012/07/texas-health-care-quality-is-worst-in-the-nation-according-to-federal-study/

I haven't seen anything that puts it anywhere except near the bottom. Please show me something that contradicts this. And yes, I know, Houston has wonderful hospitals