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

[Doctor Detroit]

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!"

lol

 

[Jackstraw]

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.

Texas! Where we can completely abandon the basic tenants of Christianity! Whoo hoo! POW! POW!

 

[Joe T]

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.

The opposite is also true.

 

[McGarnicle]

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.

I love where I live, don't really care if others like it too. I've heard people say they think Atlanta is a ####hole after being in town for a conference downtown and never venturing out of a few block radius of their hotel. Yes, downtown is desolate and unsafe at night, that's why people hang out in Midtown, the highlands, Atlantic Station, Little 5, Castleberry Hill, Buckhead, Druid Hills, etc etc etc. I could go on and on about all the things I love about this place, but I'm not going to convince anyone.

This thread is dumb. Most places have their plusses and minuses. It's a matter of personal preference and what is most important to you.

 

[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.

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

Yes, we can play internet links all day long.

Speak to someone familiar with it and you will find it isn't really a question.

 

[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

Yes, we can play internet links all day long.

Speak to someone familiar with it and you will find it isn't really a question.

Great source

 

[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.

I love where I live, don't really care if others like it too. I've heard people say they think Atlanta is a ####hole after being in town for a conference downtown and never venturing out of a few block radius of their hotel. Yes, downtown is desolate and unsafe at night, that's why people hang out in Midtown, the highlands, Atlantic Station, Little 5, Castleberry Hill, Buckhead, Druid Hills, etc etc etc. I could go on and on about all the things I love about this place, but I'm not going to convince anyone.

This thread is dumb. Most places have their plusses and minuses. It's a matter of personal preference and what is most important to you.

What's really weird to me is bragging on a whole state, especially one as big as Texas. I live in a city that's not even 70 square miles and there's parts of it I've never seen. Who gives a #### about the stuff that's 200 miles away?

Like you suggested, to me it's your neighborhood that matters most. Anyone can drive or fly to pretty anything within a couple hours. What's within a mile of your home- Are your neighbors friendly? Is there a park or outdoor common space nearby? Are the schools good? Are there some bars and restaurants and markets you can hit up on a moment's notice? That's really all that matters in my book.

 

[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.

I love where I live, don't really care if others like it too. I've heard people say they think Atlanta is a ####hole after being in town for a conference downtown and never venturing out of a few block radius of their hotel. Yes, downtown is desolate and unsafe at night, that's why people hang out in Midtown, the highlands, Atlantic Station, Little 5, Castleberry Hill, Buckhead, Druid Hills, etc etc etc. I could go on and on about all the things I love about this place, but I'm not going to convince anyone.

This thread is dumb. Most places have their plusses and minuses. It's a matter of personal preference and what is most important to you.

Houston OWNS Atlanta.

 

[Disco Stu]

It's full of Texans.

Considering everything except the people, it's probably top half of the country just barely. When you add in the people, I'd rank it around #40 in the union. Then considering Austin, I'd bump it to around #30.

Why do you hate Mexicans?

 

[Disco Stu]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

6 months of swimming and 6 months of ice skating >>>> just swimming

 

[pantagrapher]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

We actually don't shovel snow continuously for four months. Probably around 10 to 15 days out of every winter.

 

[Disco Stu]

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.

Texas is also better equipped to handle the high temps. I went to Philadelphia last month and felt like the heat was much more oppressive than what I left in Dallas.

 

[NutterButter]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

Luckily, we only shovel maybe a dozen times a year. And we do the pool thing. It gets old after awhile. I'm not 12 any more.

 

[General Malaise]

I lived in Texas for 18 years.

I've lived in Oregon for 17 years.

I had 4 years in Mississippi.

There are things I miss about Texas. There are even things I love about Texas. But as far as states go, Texas does not hold a candle to Oregon (and no, I don't care about state taxes. Texas sales tax nullifies Oregon's state tax and Oregon's property taxes are cheaper. Tax man gets you ONE way or ANOTHER). I love rafting down the Guadalupe River, the Rio Frio, the beauty and friendliness of Texas women. But I'll take rafting down the Deschues, the Rogue or the Clackamas over anything Texas has. If I want to take my family camping, I can be in remote, gorgeous wilderness in an hour's drive. An hour's drive in Dallas takes me to, well...Dallas. That city (and Houston) are WAY WAY WAY too sprawling with concrete highways, strip malls, giant billboards, tract housing, built communities. I want to escape the city in a hurry and I can do that here. That's priceless. Texas still has us on the friendly hot women, though. And the Mexican food. And I won't even try to compare Oregon's BBQ to Texas. But if you like fresh Pacific seafood, crabs, fresh produce, fruit, berries, veggies...well, Oregon is tough to beat.

The pretentiousness of the Park Cities was enough to drive me out forever. However, the preposterous people of Portland can be a little maddening in their own right. Still, I'll take ridiculous over snobby any day of the week. What you drive in Highland Park matters. Here? It's far cooler to ride a bike.

Parts of Dallas and Houston are about as dangerous as they come. I've never feared for personal safety anywhere in Oregon. There are parts of Dallas I'd never drive though fast. There's not a city block in Portland I'd be afraid to walk down.

Weather wise, it's Oregon all the way for me. If it gets above 90 degrees, it's the lead story on the news. If it dips below freezing, the city freaks the freak out. There are no tornadoes, no hurricanes, no poisonous snakes (in densely populated areas) no scorpions, very few roaches (never seen one in my house), mosquitoes aren't bad (we eat dinner every night in our back yard with nary a bite and no OFF), thunderstorms are rare, hail is rarer and if it snows the city shuts down. I've used my A/C maybe 5 times this summer and only for brief periods of time. It cools down at night and the breeze through the open windows comforts me to sleep nightly. I love rain.

Oregon >>>>>>> Texas

I wouldn't move back to Mississippi for 10 times the annual income.

 

[General Malaise]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

Luckily, we only shovel maybe a dozen times a year. And we do the pool thing. It gets old after awhile. I'm not 12 any more.

You obviously haven't been to any pool parties with Disco Stu.

 

[Disco Stu]

Dealing with hot weather just means you have to cool off in a bar.

Don't bars in Texas close at 2? And no liquor on Sundays? And ####, there were DRY AREAS around Dallas and Unicards or some such. Lame.

Unicards? That's a blast from the past.

I know it's been awhile since you lived here, but most of that is changing thankfully. Even Plano has full-blown liquor stores now. I've never heard of no liquor on Sundays though... assuming you're talking bars? A bloody mary before/during NFL games is normal anywhere I've been in the Dallas area.

The only Sunday restriction I can think of is no off-sale beer/wine/liquor before noon. That's annoying if you don't plan ahead.

 

[Joe T]

I wouldn't move back to Mississippi for 10 times the annual income.

 

[Disco Stu]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

6 months of swimming and 6 months of ice skating >>>> just swimming

I'm struggling to imagine a place where this is possible. It's not even warm enough for six months of swimming in Texas.

Unless you're talking indoor rinks and/or pools, which can be built anywhere. But that wouldn't be relevant.

 

[Disco Stu]

I lived in Texas for 18 years.

I've lived in Oregon for 17 years.

I had 4 years in Mississippi.

There are things I miss about Texas. There are even things I love about Texas. But as far as states go, Texas does not hold a candle to Oregon (and no, I don't care about state taxes. Texas sales tax nullifies Oregon's state tax and Oregon's property taxes are cheaper. Tax man gets you ONE way or ANOTHER). I love rafting down the Guadalupe River, the Rio Frio, the beauty and friendliness of Texas women. But I'll take rafting down the Deschues, the Rogue or the Clackamas over anything Texas has. If I want to take my family camping, I can be in remote, gorgeous wilderness in an hour's drive. An hour's drive in Dallas takes me to, well...Dallas. That city (and Houston) are WAY WAY WAY too sprawling with concrete highways, strip malls, giant billboards, tract housing, built communities. I want to escape the city in a hurry and I can do that here. That's priceless. Texas still has us on the friendly hot women, though. And the Mexican food. And I won't even try to compare Oregon's BBQ to Texas. But if you like fresh Pacific seafood, crabs, fresh produce, fruit, berries, veggies...well, Oregon is tough to beat.

The pretentiousness of the Park Cities was enough to drive me out forever. However, the preposterous people of Portland can be a little maddening in their own right. Still, I'll take ridiculous over snobby any day of the week. What you drive in Highland Park matters. Here? It's far cooler to ride a bike.

Parts of Dallas and Houston are about as dangerous as they come. I've never feared for personal safety anywhere in Oregon. There are parts of Dallas I'd never drive though fast. There's not a city block in Portland I'd be afraid to walk down.

Weather wise, it's Oregon all the way for me. If it gets above 90 degrees, it's the lead story on the news. If it dips below freezing, the city freaks the freak out. There are no tornadoes, no hurricanes, no poisonous snakes (in densely populated areas) no scorpions, very few roaches (never seen one in my house), mosquitoes aren't bad (we eat dinner every night in our back yard with nary a bite and no OFF), thunderstorms are rare, hail is rarer and if it snows the city shuts down. I've used my A/C maybe 5 times this summer and only for brief periods of time. It cools down at night and the breeze through the open windows comforts me to sleep nightly. I love rain.

Oregon >>>>>>> Texas

I'll be honest... this sounds pretty awesome.

And you didn't even mention all the white people.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

6 months of swimming and 6 months of ice skating >>>> just swimming

I'm struggling to imagine a place where this is possible. It's not even warm enough for six months of swimming in Texas.

Unless you're talking indoor rinks and/or pools, which can be built anywhere. But that wouldn't be relevant.

Alright, not quite 6/6. Swim from late-May - early-October. Skate from late-November to late-March.

 

[Joe T]

I lived in Texas for 18 years.

I've lived in Oregon for 17 years.

I had 4 years in Mississippi.

There are things I miss about Texas. There are even things I love about Texas. But as far as states go, Texas does not hold a candle to Oregon (and no, I don't care about state taxes. Texas sales tax nullifies Oregon's state tax and Oregon's property taxes are cheaper. Tax man gets you ONE way or ANOTHER). I love rafting down the Guadalupe River, the Rio Frio, the beauty and friendliness of Texas women. But I'll take rafting down the Deschues, the Rogue or the Clackamas over anything Texas has. If I want to take my family camping, I can be in remote, gorgeous wilderness in an hour's drive. An hour's drive in Dallas takes me to, well...Dallas. That city (and Houston) are WAY WAY WAY too sprawling with concrete highways, strip malls, giant billboards, tract housing, built communities. I want to escape the city in a hurry and I can do that here. That's priceless. Texas still has us on the friendly hot women, though. And the Mexican food. And I won't even try to compare Oregon's BBQ to Texas. But if you like fresh Pacific seafood, crabs, fresh produce, fruit, berries, veggies...well, Oregon is tough to beat.

The pretentiousness of the Park Cities was enough to drive me out forever. However, the preposterous people of Portland can be a little maddening in their own right. Still, I'll take ridiculous over snobby any day of the week. What you drive in Highland Park matters. Here? It's far cooler to ride a bike.

Parts of Dallas and Houston are about as dangerous as they come. I've never feared for personal safety anywhere in Oregon. There are parts of Dallas I'd never drive though fast. There's not a city block in Portland I'd be afraid to walk down.

Weather wise, it's Oregon all the way for me. If it gets above 90 degrees, it's the lead story on the news. If it dips below freezing, the city freaks the freak out. There are no tornadoes, no hurricanes, no poisonous snakes (in densely populated areas) no scorpions, very few roaches (never seen one in my house), mosquitoes aren't bad (we eat dinner every night in our back yard with nary a bite and no OFF), thunderstorms are rare, hail is rarer and if it snows the city shuts down. I've used my A/C maybe 5 times this summer and only for brief periods of time. It cools down at night and the breeze through the open windows comforts me to sleep nightly. I love rain.

Oregon >>>>>>> Texas

I'll be honest... this sounds pretty awesome.

And you didn't even mention all the white people.

I agree. I'll be honest too, if the women weren't so much hotter here there wouldn't be a question which place is better to live.

 

[Joe T]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

6 months of swimming and 6 months of ice skating >>>> just swimming

I'm struggling to imagine a place where this is possible. It's not even warm enough for six months of swimming in Texas.

Unless you're talking indoor rinks and/or pools, which can be built anywhere. But that wouldn't be relevant.

Alright, not quite 6/6. Swim from late-May - early-October. Skate from late-November to late-March.

Location?

 

[General Malaise]

I wouldn't move back to Mississippi for 10 times the annual income.

Nope. Just wouldn't do it.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

6 months of swimming and 6 months of ice skating >>>> just swimming

I'm struggling to imagine a place where this is possible. It's not even warm enough for six months of swimming in Texas.

Unless you're talking indoor rinks and/or pools, which can be built anywhere. But that wouldn't be relevant.

Alright, not quite 6/6. Swim from late-May - early-October. Skate from late-November to late-March.

Location?

Most anywhere in southern Canada except for on the coasts. Assuming it would be close to the same for North Dakota / Minnesota.

 

[Joe T]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

6 months of swimming and 6 months of ice skating >>>> just swimming

I'm struggling to imagine a place where this is possible. It's not even warm enough for six months of swimming in Texas.

Unless you're talking indoor rinks and/or pools, which can be built anywhere. But that wouldn't be relevant.

Alright, not quite 6/6. Swim from late-May - early-October. Skate from late-November to late-March.

Location?

Most anywhere in southern Canada except for on the coasts. Assuming it would be close to the same for North Dakota / Minnesota.

Ahhh, heated pools. You got me there.

 

[General Malaise]

There's really hot girls in Oregon too, but there just aren't as many of them. And they aren't anywhere near as friendly as they are in Texas. They know they are a commodity, many will let you know it, and they fall for the biggest DBags in town.

I like to play a fun game called "If you HAD to bone one of the mom's from the soccer team you coach..." and invariably, it leads into a contest of who's not ugliest. Soccer moms in Texas work hard to keep their beauty, they apply the make up, they get the surgeries, they train, run, yoga like a mother to stay fit. Oregon mom shrug their shoulders and you're damn lucky if they bother to shave.

Seriously, you should see "Back to School Nights" here. It's place where I'd take a 4-hour Viagra erection to die.

 

[TobiasFunke]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

6 months of swimming and 6 months of ice skating >>>> just swimming

I'm struggling to imagine a place where this is possible. It's not even warm enough for six months of swimming in Texas.

Unless you're talking indoor rinks and/or pools, which can be built anywhere. But that wouldn't be relevant.

Alright, not quite 6/6. Swim from late-May - early-October. Skate from late-November to late-March.

Location?

This place was open as an ice skating rink from November until the first weekend in March and re-opened as swim fountains for kids (see background pic on right) in mid-April.

Although it doesn't really matter according to Tobias Rule of Quality of Life #2: If people are bragging about the weather where they live, it might mean there's nothing better to brag about. Very few residents of New York, Paris, Rome or Sydney feel compelled to brag about their weather.

 

[Joe T]

I've lived in Texas most of my life. I do love it here and I think there is a unique sense of pride in being from Texas. That said, I've avoided this thread for the most part because I have no illusions that this is the greatest place to live in the U.S. I can think of 10-12 places I'd rather live off of the top of my head.

Is Texas the best state when you factor in everything (economy, cost of living, women, tex-mex, climate, culture)? Probably not. But it is pretty damn good.

If you take the economy and state governments out of the equation, Texas is probably in the middle third of states to live in the U.S. When you factor in everything it is probably in the top 10.

 

[Major]

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

 

[Cliff Clavin]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

6 months of swimming and 6 months of ice skating >>>> just swimming

I'm struggling to imagine a place where this is possible. It's not even warm enough for six months of swimming in Texas.

Unless you're talking indoor rinks and/or pools, which can be built anywhere. But that wouldn't be relevant.

Alright, not quite 6/6. Swim from late-May - early-October. Skate from late-November to late-March.

Location?

Most anywhere in southern Canada except for on the coasts. Assuming it would be close to the same for North Dakota / Minnesota.

Ahhh, heated pools. You got me there.

Lakes as well. It isn't the nicest but we're skiing, wake boarding, floating, etc every May long weekend (3rd weekend in May).

 

[Major]

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.

But we have "no" city or state taxes. F the po'!!!

 

[Disco Stu]

Most anywhere in southern Canada except for on the coasts. Assuming it would be close to the same for North Dakota / Minnesota.

Ahhh, heated pools. You got me there.

That helps. Still a little chilly for my blood. High temps of 65+ are normal from May 1 - Oct 1 in the MSP area. Great for most outdoor activities, but swimming isn't one of them imo.

I'm a fan of that area though... just can't deal with the winters.

 

[bigbottom]

I lived in Texas for 18 years.

I've lived in Oregon for 17 years.

I had 4 years in Mississippi.

There are things I miss about Texas. There are even things I love about Texas. But as far as states go, Texas does not hold a candle to Oregon (and no, I don't care about state taxes. Texas sales tax nullifies Oregon's state tax and Oregon's property taxes are cheaper. Tax man gets you ONE way or ANOTHER). I love rafting down the Guadalupe River, the Rio Frio, the beauty and friendliness of Texas women. But I'll take rafting down the Deschues, the Rogue or the Clackamas over anything Texas has. If I want to take my family camping, I can be in remote, gorgeous wilderness in an hour's drive. An hour's drive in Dallas takes me to, well...Dallas. That city (and Houston) are WAY WAY WAY too sprawling with concrete highways, strip malls, giant billboards, tract housing, built communities. I want to escape the city in a hurry and I can do that here. That's priceless. Texas still has us on the friendly hot women, though. And the Mexican food. And I won't even try to compare Oregon's BBQ to Texas. But if you like fresh Pacific seafood, crabs, fresh produce, fruit, berries, veggies...well, Oregon is tough to beat.

The pretentiousness of the Park Cities was enough to drive me out forever. However, the preposterous people of Portland can be a little maddening in their own right. Still, I'll take ridiculous over snobby any day of the week. What you drive in Highland Park matters. Here? It's far cooler to ride a bike.

Parts of Dallas and Houston are about as dangerous as they come. I've never feared for personal safety anywhere in Oregon. There are parts of Dallas I'd never drive though fast. There's not a city block in Portland I'd be afraid to walk down.

Weather wise, it's Oregon all the way for me. If it gets above 90 degrees, it's the lead story on the news. If it dips below freezing, the city freaks the freak out. There are no tornadoes, no hurricanes, no poisonous snakes (in densely populated areas) no scorpions, very few roaches (never seen one in my house), mosquitoes aren't bad (we eat dinner every night in our back yard with nary a bite and no OFF), thunderstorms are rare, hail is rarer and if it snows the city shuts down. I've used my A/C maybe 5 times this summer and only for brief periods of time. It cools down at night and the breeze through the open windows comforts me to sleep nightly. I love rain.

Oregon >>>>>>> Texas

I wouldn't move back to Mississippi for 10 times the annual income.

Good summary, and Oregon sounds awesome. The bolded is an overstatement, however. It only takes us 30 minutes to get to our family's 40-acre ranch property complete with hundreds of gorgeous oak trees and 800 feet of river frontage, which we can afford because, well, it's Texas (like a small fraction of what Oats paid for his place).

 

[culdeus]

Dealing with hot weather just means you have to cool off in a bar.

Don't bars in Texas close at 2? And no liquor on Sundays? And ####, there were DRY AREAS around Dallas and Unicards or some such. Lame.

Unicards? That's a blast from the past.I know it's been awhile since you lived here, but most of that is changing thankfully. Even Plano has full-blown liquor stores now. I've never heard of no liquor on Sundays though... assuming you're talking bars? A bloody mary before/during NFL games is normal anywhere I've been in the Dallas area.

The only Sunday restriction I can think of is no off-sale beer/wine/liquor before noon. That's annoying if you don't plan ahead.

No liquor sales outside of bars on Sunday. Restaurants can serve all day. Groceries start at noon on beer wine.

 

[TobiasFunke]

Dealing with hot weather just means you have to cool off in a bar.

Don't bars in Texas close at 2? And no liquor on Sundays? And ####, there were DRY AREAS around Dallas and Unicards or some such. Lame.

Unicards? That's a blast from the past.I know it's been awhile since you lived here, but most of that is changing thankfully. Even Plano has full-blown liquor stores now. I've never heard of no liquor on Sundays though... assuming you're talking bars? A bloody mary before/during NFL games is normal anywhere I've been in the Dallas area.

The only Sunday restriction I can think of is no off-sale beer/wine/liquor before noon. That's annoying if you don't plan ahead.

No liquor sales outside of bars on Sunday. Restaurants can serve all day. Groceries start at noon on beer wine.

The best thing about Texas might be pictured in your avatar.

 

[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.

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.

Hell, one of the benefits of Chicago is that not a lot of Texans are headed this way.

 

[Major]

Dealing with hot weather just means you have to cool off in a bar.

Don't bars in Texas close at 2? And no liquor on Sundays? And ####, there were DRY AREAS around Dallas and Unicards or some such. Lame.

Unicards? That's a blast from the past.I know it's been awhile since you lived here, but most of that is changing thankfully. Even Plano has full-blown liquor stores now. I've never heard of no liquor on Sundays though... assuming you're talking bars? A bloody mary before/during NFL games is normal anywhere I've been in the Dallas area.

The only Sunday restriction I can think of is no off-sale beer/wine/liquor before noon. That's annoying if you don't plan ahead.

No liquor sales outside of bars on Sunday. Restaurants can serve all day. Groceries start at noon on beer wine.

and if you still can't procure booze, the state is conveniently situated next to Mexico so you can get dat uncut raw at wholesale prices.

 

[Zow]

I hate the heat and that place is ungodly hot. We had two weeks in the mid 90's and it was just unbearable. I don't know how you can do 4 months of that. Give me a northeast winter any time; at least I can still be active outside.

There's something called AC. It's pretty awesome. You should try it in the summer.

Yeah, that's my idea of living; in the AC for 4 months.

It beats shoveling snow 4 (or more) months a year.

Swimming pools >>>> ice skating rinks

6 months of swimming and 6 months of ice skating >>>> just swimming

I'm struggling to imagine a place where this is possible. It's not even warm enough for six months of swimming in Texas.

Unless you're talking indoor rinks and/or pools, which can be built anywhere. But that wouldn't be relevant.

Alright, not quite 6/6. Swim from late-May - early-October. Skate from late-November to late-March.

Location?

Most anywhere in southern Canada except for on the coasts. Assuming it would be close to the same for North Dakota / Minnesota.

BS

I lived in Minnesota. We routinely had snow into May and it got cold in October. You're maybe swimming in lake water for two months.

I will say I was just there this past weekend and the weather was incredible. But we're talking eight months of cold here and maybe two good months of summer.

 

[Zow]

Most anywhere in southern Canada except for on the coasts. Assuming it would be close to the same for North Dakota / Minnesota.

Ahhh, heated pools. You got me there.

That helps. Still a little chilly for my blood. High temps of 65+ are normal from May 1 - Oct 1 in the MSP area. Great for most outdoor activities, but swimming isn't one of them imo.

I'm a fan of that area though... just can't deal with the winters.

Agree completely. I liked it there and there were some great people. But I don't miss it or desire to go back.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Most anywhere in southern Canada except for on the coasts. Assuming it would be close to the same for North Dakota / Minnesota.

BSI lived in Minnesota. We routinely had snow into May and it got cold in October. You're maybe swimming in lake water for two months.

I will say I was just there this past weekend and the weather was incredible. But we're talking eight months of cold here and maybe two good months of summer.

Every year is different. This year we were on outdoor rinks till the end of April. Last year the rinks were puddles in March. Cabin season is May long to October long; boat goes in/out of the water those weekends. The water may be cool but it is definitely warm enough to go boating.

I think you might just be a sissy boy when it comes to the cold.

 

[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.

Hell, one of the benefits of Chicago is that not a lot of Texans are headed this way.

Population growth is a weird measure anyway. It doesn't tell you much without context. Hell, people flock to Wal-Mart because it's cheap.

 

[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.

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.

Hell, one of the benefits of Chicago is that not a lot of Texans are headed this way.

Population growth is a weird measure anyway. It doesn't tell you much without context. Hell, people flock to Wal-Mart because it's cheap.

Agreed. I know that Houston is growing in large part because of jobs and a robust economy. And the Detroit population is on the decline because of lack of jobs and a crappy economy. Not sure why Chicago's population growth numbers are along the lines of Baltimore and Cleveland.

 

[cstu]

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.

Hell, one of the benefits of Chicago is that not a lot of Texans are headed this way.

Population growth is a weird measure anyway. It doesn't tell you much without context. Hell, people flock to Wal-Mart because it's cheap.

Agreed. I know that Houston is growing in large part because of jobs and a robust economy. And the Detroit population is on the decline because of lack of jobs and a crappy economy. Not sure why Chicago's population growth numbers are along the lines of Baltimore and Cleveland.

People are going to live where there are jobs, but that it doesn't mean because a place has jobs it's the best place to live.

 

[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.

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.

Hell, one of the benefits of Chicago is that not a lot of Texans are headed this way.

Population growth is a weird measure anyway. It doesn't tell you much without context. Hell, people flock to Wal-Mart because it's cheap.

Agreed. I know that Houston is growing in large part because of jobs and a robust economy. And the Detroit population is on the decline because of lack of jobs and a crappy economy. Not sure why Chicago's population growth numbers are along the lines of Baltimore and Cleveland.

People are going to live where there are jobs, but that it doesn't mean because a place has jobs it's the best place to live.

True. See North Dakota.

 

[Zow]

Most anywhere in southern Canada except for on the coasts. Assuming it would be close to the same for North Dakota / Minnesota.

BSI lived in Minnesota. We routinely had snow into May and it got cold in October. You're maybe swimming in lake water for two months.

I will say I was just there this past weekend and the weather was incredible. But we're talking eight months of cold here and maybe two good months of summer.

Every year is different. This year we were on outdoor rinks till the end of April. Last year the rinks were puddles in March. Cabin season is May long to October long; boat goes in/out of the water those weekends. The water may be cool but it is definitely warm enough to go boating.

I think you might just be a sissy boy when it comes to the cold.

So you agree your 6/6 prediction is BS. That's cool.

Where I live we have heat temps reaching 130. I don't think I could be a weather sissy and endure that - although I strongly prefer it to the -30 bouts in Minnesota. It's just in our worst weather we jump in a pool or a lake and play our outdoor sports at night. I can also play roller hockey all year round so it's not like I'm void ice skating.

Honestly, the biggest thing I miss is playing football in the snow. That ####### ruled.

 

[Cliff Clavin]

Most anywhere in southern Canada except for on the coasts. Assuming it would be close to the same for North Dakota / Minnesota.

BSI lived in Minnesota. We routinely had snow into May and it got cold in October. You're maybe swimming in lake water for two months.

I will say I was just there this past weekend and the weather was incredible. But we're talking eight months of cold here and maybe two good months of summer.

Every year is different. This year we were on outdoor rinks till the end of April. Last year the rinks were puddles in March. Cabin season is May long to October long; boat goes in/out of the water those weekends. The water may be cool but it is definitely warm enough to go boating.

I think you might just be a sissy boy when it comes to the cold.

So you agree your 6/6 prediction is BS. That's cool.

Where I live we have heat temps reaching 130. I don't think I could be a weather sissy and endure that - although I strongly prefer it to the -30 bouts in Minnesota. It's just in our worst weather we jump in a pool or a lake and play our outdoor sports at night. I can also play roller hockey all year round so it's not like I'm void ice skating.

Honestly, the biggest thing I miss is playing football in the snow. That ####### ruled.

6/6 was a quick example that I retracted to 5/5 or so, depending on the year. Of course you get neither activity during spring or fall (aka hunting and getting #### done around the house months).

For me, it isn't the outdoor hockey; I get enough indoor that I don't bother with outdoor. It is the ski-dooing, ice-fishing, snowboarding, skiing (cross-country and downhill), etc. that winter is great for.

 

[Major]

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.

Hell, one of the benefits of Chicago is that not a lot of Texans are headed this way.

Population growth is a weird measure anyway. It doesn't tell you much without context. Hell, people flock to Wal-Mart because it's cheap.

Agreed. I know that Houston is growing in large part because of jobs and a robust economy. And the Detroit population is on the decline because of lack of jobs and a crappy economy. Not sure why Chicago's population growth numbers are along the lines of Baltimore and Cleveland.

Because Chicago kinda sux? I'd much rather live in 10 other North American cities than that hell hole.

 

[Todd Andrews]

Texas Creation mythAccording to legend, when the Mexicas arrived in the Anahuac valley around Lake Texcoco, they were considered by the other groups as the least civilized of all, but the Mexica/Aztec decided to learn, and they took all they could from other people, especially from the ancient Toltec (whom they seem to have partially confused with the more ancient civilization of Teotihuacan). To the Aztec, the Toltec were the originators of all culture; "Toltecayotl" was a synonym for culture. Aztec legends identify the Toltecs and the cult of Quetzalcoatl with the legendary city of Tollan, which they also identified with the more ancient Teotihuacan.

Because the Aztec adopted and combined several traditions with their own earlier traditions, they had several creation myths. One of these, the Five Suns describes four great ages preceding the present world, each of which ended in a catastrophe, and "were named in function of the force or divine element that violently put an end to each one of them".[2]Coatlicue was the mother of Centzon Huitznahua ("Four Hundred Southerners"), her sons, and Coyolxauhqui, her daughter. She found a ball filled with feathers and placed it in her waistband, becoming pregnant with Huitzilpochtli. Her other children became suspicious as to the identity of the father and vowed to kill their mother. She gave birth on Mount Coatepec, pursued by her children, but the newborn Huitzilpochtli defeated most of his brothers, who became the stars. He then pinched off a giant terd which is now known as the U.S. state of Texas. He also killed his half-sister Coyolxauhqui by tearing out her heart using a Xiuhcoatl (a blue snake) and throwing her body down the mountain. This was said to inspire the Aztecs to rip the hearts out of their victims and throw their bodies down the sides of the temple dedicated to Huitzilpochtli, who represents the sun chasing away the stars at dawn.

Our age (Nahui-Ollin), the fifth age, or fifth creation, began in the ancient city of Teotihuacan. According to the myth, all the gods had gathered to self-sacrifice themselves and create a new age. Although the world and the sun had already been created, it would only be through their sacrifice that the sun would be set into motion and time as well as history could begin. The handsomest and strongest of the gods, Tecuciztecatl, was supposed to sacrifice himself but when it came time to self-immolate, he could not jump into the fire. Instead, Nanahuatl the smallest and humblest of the gods, who was also covered in boils, sacrificed himself first and jumped into the flames. The sun was set into motion with his sacrifice and time began. Humiliated by Nanahuatl's sacrifice, Tecuciztecatl too leaped into the fire and became the moon.[3]

 

[bear]

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.

Hell, one of the benefits of Chicago is that not a lot of Texans are headed this way.

Population growth is a weird measure anyway. It doesn't tell you much without context. Hell, people flock to Wal-Mart because it's cheap.

Agreed. I know that Houston is growing in large part because of jobs and a robust economy. And the Detroit population is on the decline because of lack of jobs and a crappy economy. Not sure why Chicago's population growth numbers are along the lines of Baltimore and Cleveland.

The thing about Chicago is that there is no where to grow to. Lake Michigan is to the east and every other border is an incorporated town. There is very little, if any, land to still develop in the most desirable areas and most neighborhoods have zoning regulations that prohibit new construction over 3-4 stories and even those are only on main streets. Downtown is the exception of course.

Also, many people who are able are leaving the crime ridden neighborhoods on the south and west sides of the city for the suburbs and not many people are replacing them. So, it should be no surprise that Chicago's population hasn't grown much. There is just no where to grow to but that is also a benefit for those who don't want more people here.