Attica Jack #23953 Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 I am a little tired of living under the NAZI governor in Michigan, and our winters are long and grey. My wife retires in 8 months and we are considering moving to a warmer area. Been to Fla. and it is not my first choice. I thought how about Waco Texas or some area near there. I have never been to Texas and just pulled this place out of a hat. Can anyone tell me about the weather, political climate, housing, gun friendly etc. Thanks Attica Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 For info like this, I use Google and Zillow. On Google, search climate, politics, crime rate... On Zillow, you can get housing costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attica Jack #23953 Posted February 1, 2021 Author Share Posted February 1, 2021 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 We have looked over 200+ properties... mostly in NV and AZ, but also other states. I assembled a spread sheet to track them all. Another spread sheet tracks various cities around the US. I use a common data source, and check for climate, sun days, air quality, medical, crime, politics, and gun laws. One of the best air quality locations is Pacific Beach (San Diego). We own a house there, but won't live there under any circumstances... crime, crazies, congestion, traffic, noise.. etc. Another place with pristine air quality is McCall, ID... ski'ed there as a kid... but 13' of snow is a show stopper for us. Waco was made famous recently with the Fixer Upper TV show. My bride was totally enamored of Marfa, TX... this is waaay out in BFE, but the very best steaks we have ever, ever tasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dantankerous Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 I live in a pretty solid Red state but am seriously considering TEXAS BY GOD for a retirement state. Every time I visit and travel in Texas the climate, people, culture, food... all are most enjoyable. Lots to see and do in Texas. I really like seeing the Texas state sign when crossing the Red River. Do some traveling there. I think you'll like what you experience. I have several friends who have all moved to Texas. They all love their new home state. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeaconKC Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 Texas is a great state. But we just left Illinois for Arkansas and couldn't be happier. Get out of dat snow, leave it for da Yoopers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 OP,https://weatherspark.com/y/8079/Average-Weather-in-Waco-Texas-United-States-Year-Round https://www.bestplaces.net/city/texas/waco Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waxahachie Kid #17017 L Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 We have pretty much two main weather seasons here. Hot, and less hot. Our winters, other than in the panhandle, are considered mild, by those that move here from up north, or places that get snow annually. You are more likely to encounter sleet, and ice, but not snow. It usually won't last long, a few days, and on rare occasion, a week. It is windy...dry hot wind. It does get cold...a wet, bone chilling cold, and it can be 20 degrees in the morning, and 70 degrees in the afternoon, during the winter. The more east you go, the more humid it will be. Waco is not considered "west Texas", it is considered "central Texas". The Waco area is pretty much flat, prairie, windy, hot. It is the home of Baylor University, the Texas Ranger Museum, The Dr. Pepper museum. It is located about half way between Dallas, and Austin, and Interstate 35 runs though it, north to south. It is a bustling place, but not as large as Ft. Worth, or Austin. Being a town with a university, it will tend, thanks to the liberal/socialist professors there, to be leaning liberal, but there are rural areas around Waco, that are conservative, so relatively speaking, it is conservative, for the most part. Baylor is a university that was set up by the Baptists, and although it is not necessarily a conservative university, it is more so than say Berkley. We have a conservative governor, and legislature, that meet ever other year, not yearly. Except for the idiot socialists, that live in the larger cities, we are conservative, and gun, not only friendly, but loving. There are S.A.S.S. clubs around to shoot with. I live one hour north of Waco, and worked in Waco for 3 years, some time ago, so I know the area. It would be best to look around at locations that surround Waco, but are close....such as China Spring, Hewett, Crawford, and the like. They are close enough to Waco to drive over and shop, but not right in the city, and the traffic. Be aware we have some critters that you will constantly fight...red bugs/or chiggers, ticks, fire ants, rattle snakes, copper heads, stinging scorpions, wasps/yellow jackets. Also....back to the weather part....we have tornadoes, and a tornado season. Some years we have few or none, other years, we have many. We have warning sirens, and radio/t.v. warnings, and you will need a shelter. Lots of housing, and depending on where you are, it will, like as not, be pretty reasonable in cost. A 1,500 square foot house can go for about $187,000...and up. That depends on location, and if it is newly built, or older. Like I said, the place is bustling, so the housing market is good, and building is thriving. Texas does not have a state income tax. It does have a sales tax, and the property taxes, can be high. If you buy a minimum amount acreage (it is different in each county, and there are 254 counties in Texas), you could put your property in an agriculture exemption, and pay less property taxes. Worth checking out. Also...each home, built here, has air-conditioning...unlike some other states that build homes without air-conditioning. The only real way to know, is to come down here, and check the place out, and do it in July, or August, if you can, when it is hottest. You get out of your vehicle, it is like stepping into an oven...but...that is why Blue Bell ice cream is so popular, as is iced tea, and cold beer. Spring, Fall, and Winter, are short. Summer is long. It rains, but in the summer, it may not rain one drop from June to September. It is rare to rain in August...but it can. Anyone that moves here, we welcome them. We just ask anyone that does move here to just leave any liberal tendencies where you came from. W.K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowhouse Sam # 25171 Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 I’d consider San Angelo or Granbury...both are known for their retiree populations and away from the roar and craziness of Interstate 35 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted February 1, 2021 Share Posted February 1, 2021 Waxahachie Kid pretty much nailed it. Texas is gun friendly and the legislature is considering constitutional carry. Currently we have the option to carry concealed or open. Getting a License to Carry is not hard and is a one day class. Austin aka Berkley on the Brazos is very liberal but our state legislature keeps them reigned in. Texas regulates firearms at the state level not the local. AFAIK you can see what the property taxes are for any property in Texas, just by googling the Tax office for the county you are looking in and go the the Appraisal districts website. You can look up property by owner, address or parcel number. As a general rule look up property by the address using just the house number. You will have to look through more results but you won't miss a property because you didn't get the road name formatted correctly. Keep in mind that the taxes shown are based on the assessed value. If the sale value it twice what the property is assessed at your taxes could be double. Property taxes vary greatly from county to county. They have been cracking down on Ag exemptions lately so if you want a place with some land research the requirements to obtain and keep an Ag tax exemption before hand. I live east of Dallas and within a two hour drive, I have 6 SASS clubs to choose from plus an NCOWS club. Use the map at this link to see what clubs are in the area. Texas is huge and the climate varies a lot depending on where you are. The distance from Texarkana to Chicago is several miles less than the distance between Texarkana and El Paso Texas winters are a cake walk compared to Michigan. However, the summers are going to be a whole different story. The closer you get to the gulf coast the worse the humidity will be. You will also have to contend with Hurricanes along the coast. Once you get a hundred or so miles inland then hurricanes are not much of an issue. Yes Texas gets tornadoes but they are not a scary as the news media makes them out to be. You just need to be prepared. Just like earthquakes and hurricanes there are a lot of little ones and only a few really bad ones. Difference is a bad tornado will not leave you competing with a few hundred thousand other people for food water and shelter. Be sure to check the flood plain maps for any property you are considering buying. Flood damage is not covered by regular homeowners insurance. You have to buy a special policy. Welcome to Texas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dusty Boots Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 Everything Waxahachie Kid & Sedalia Dave and others said. Also I live outside of Waco, very good medical care available, nice size city, not as big a hassle as Houston, DFW, or Austin and you can get get where you need to be without I35. VA care available, great Mexican food, some property tax exemptions available (homesteader, Ag, wildlife, senior, disability), as stated NO state income tax. Sale tax & other taxes vary by location. Housing cost are reasonable, we have lived in several states not as low as some but better than most, particularly if you want away from the major metropolitan areas. Come down and check it out.... unless you think Biden is the answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 There are a lot of different eco systems here in Texas and it depends on what part you are in. There are SASS clubs all over the state you can shoot at. As stated before most of the state is conservative and gun freindly however Austin and Dallas are pretty liberal. Come on down and check things out! Scout Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muleshoe Bill SASS #67022 Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 No more Branch Davidians there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Attica Jack #23953 Posted February 2, 2021 Author Share Posted February 2, 2021 Hey guys thanks for the report........... Our original plan was to buy a small motorhome and check out different states and see what each area has to offer. I think Texas still sounds pretty good to me, and having a motorhome would be a good idea. We have lived in South America and in the Caribbean islands for 10 years and it is a good idea to check out places in the summer time. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irish ike, SASS #43615 Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 I moved to Nevada 24 years ago. It was a very Red state. It has now become a very blue state with a governor who wants to change the gun laws. talking income tax, and follows Californias Newsum like he's the way to lead. Walk away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted February 2, 2021 Share Posted February 2, 2021 The Blue Flu is spreading everywhere. WY and ND/SD are probably the last hold-outs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 Talk to Evil Roy... Waco is a beautiful area...busy near the Waco proper...but the country is rolling and green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Singin' Sue 71615 Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 On 2/1/2021 at 11:25 AM, Waxahachie Kid #17017 L said: We have pretty much two main weather seasons here. Hot, and less hot. Our winters, other than in the panhandle, are considered mild, by those that move here from up north, or places that get snow annually. You are more likely to encounter sleet, and ice, but not snow. It usually won't last long, a few days, and on rare occasion, a week. It is windy...dry hot wind. It does get cold...a wet, bone chilling cold, and it can be 20 degrees in the morning, and 70 degrees in the afternoon, during the winter. The more east you go, the more humid it will be. Waco is not considered "west Texas", it is considered "central Texas". The Waco area is pretty much flat, prairie, windy, hot. It is the home of Baylor University, the Texas Ranger Museum, The Dr. Pepper museum. It is located about half way between Dallas, and Austin, and Interstate 35 runs though it, north to south. It is a bustling place, but not as large as Ft. Worth, or Austin. Being a town with a university, it will tend, thanks to the liberal/socialist professors there, to be leaning liberal, but there are rural areas around Waco, that are conservative, so relatively speaking, it is conservative, for the most part. Baylor is a university that was set up by the Baptists, and although it is not necessarily a conservative university, it is more so than say Berkley. We have a conservative governor, and legislature, that meet ever other year, not yearly. Except for the idiot socialists, that live in the larger cities, we are conservative, and gun, not only friendly, but loving. There are S.A.S.S. clubs around to shoot with. I live one hour north of Waco, and worked in Waco for 3 years, some time ago, so I know the area. It would be best to look around at locations that surround Waco, but are close....such as China Spring, Hewett, Crawford, and the like. They are close enough to Waco to drive over and shop, but not right in the city, and the traffic. Be aware we have some critters that you will constantly fight...red bugs/or chiggers, ticks, fire ants, rattle snakes, copper heads, stinging scorpions, wasps/yellow jackets. Also....back to the weather part....we have tornadoes, and a tornado season. Some years we have few or none, other years, we have many. We have warning sirens, and radio/t.v. warnings, and you will need a shelter. Lots of housing, and depending on where you are, it will, like as not, be pretty reasonable in cost. A 1,500 square foot house can go for about $187,000...and up. That depends on location, and if it is newly built, or older. Like I said, the place is bustling, so the housing market is good, and building is thriving. Texas does not have a state income tax. It does have a sales tax, and the property taxes, can be high. If you buy a minimum amount acreage (it is different in each county, and there are 254 counties in Texas), you could put your property in an agriculture exemption, and pay less property taxes. Worth checking out. Also...each home, built here, has air-conditioning...unlike some other states that build homes without air-conditioning. The only real way to know, is to come down here, and check the place out, and do it in July, or August, if you can, when it is hottest. You get out of your vehicle, it is like stepping into an oven...but...that is why Blue Bell ice cream is so popular, as is iced tea, and cold beer. Spring, Fall, and Winter, are short. Summer is long. It rains, but in the summer, it may not rain one drop from June to September. It is rare to rain in August...but it can. Anyone that moves here, we welcome them. We just ask anyone that does move here to just leave any liberal tendencies where you came from. W.K. You know...Waxahatchie is a great area too...close to Dallas/Ft. Worth...nice country side... Loved our summers there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
South-Eye Ned Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 I live in Houston, and I love Texas. I’ve lived in this state since 1967, when I was 9. Texas has open carry with licensing. Without a license, the rule is to be driving to/from a hunt or the range. The big cities are Democrat party and the rural areas are Republican. Even in the large cities you have districts that are Republican. Both of our Senators are Republican - John Cronin and Ted Cruz. It is 7:10pm and it’s 59F, with no snow on the ground. The low tomorrow morning will be 45F. The worst of the summer in Houston it’s 99F and humid. If you like Texas history, you will not get bored. Texas terrain varies from desserts to the west, forest to the East, hill country in the middle, and tropics to the southeast. Real estate is not too expensive on the outskirts of Houston proper. My house is about $100/sf, to give you an idea. There is no state income tax, but property taxes are higher than other states. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Imis Twohofon,SASS # 46646 Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 My son lives outside Waco and I have spent some time there. We like it and would probably relocate there but Jersey Bratt has sons and grandbabies here in Middle Tennessee. Imis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
watab kid Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 ive been wishin to go somewhere else , but my navy brat has grandbabies she wont leave ....truth be known me either , for now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD Lud Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 I think the heat might get oppressive for some as much as the cold can be a bother up north. Here’s some UHaul stats that rank migration trends. https://www.uhaul.com/Articles/About/22746/2020-Migration-Trends-U-Haul-Ranks-50-States-By-Migration-Growth/ Also is a forum for many states and cities, lots of topics and can ask questions. https://www.city-data.com/forum/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 We have been stuck for SO LONG with our kids, then their kids... leaving all of this is a strong motivation for us. Out of 40 years of marriage, this year, we have only had 16 months of time together without kids of some sort. Enough is enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt. James H. Callahan Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 San Angelo is a nice town, about 100 miles SW of here. I lived there briefly right after college, our son and his family live there. Kinda semi deserty but has a Western flavor and unpretentious, not always trying to keep up with the Metroplex. Waco wouldn't be bad. Quite a bit bigger and greener and more humid. I went to UT Austin which is about 100 miles south of Waco. JHC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 16 hours ago, South-Eye Ned said: ... There is no state income tax, but property taxes are higher than other states. I noticed that. Only I would reword it as " property taxes are MUCH higher than other states." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted February 3, 2021 Share Posted February 3, 2021 4 hours ago, Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 said: I noticed that. Only I would reword it as " property taxes are MUCH higher than other states." Depends on the county. When I moved here from the PRoK I bought a home about the same value as the one I had in Ridgecrest. Property taxes went up but with no income tax my total tax liability went down slightly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 I just checked my State tax for 2019. Texas is definitely out for me. My CA State tax was a pittance compared to Texas property taxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheyenne Ranger, 48747L Posted February 8, 2021 Share Posted February 8, 2021 Just remember if you move to the Lone Star State you would then become a Texan I used to teach my 5th grades that if they travel the world in later life they should tell people they're from Texas rather than the US. Most everyone know about Texas and the Old West. Texas is truly a "state of mind" as much as anything. and don't worry if you weren't born here, neither were Sam Houston, Stephen F Austin or Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett come live the dream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgavin Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 12 hours ago, Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 said: I just checked my State tax for 2019. Texas is definitely out for me. My CA State tax was a pittance compared to Texas property taxes. That is the problem faced by those of us who have lived in paid-for homes for decades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waxahachie Kid #17017 L Posted February 9, 2021 Share Posted February 9, 2021 Trust me...we who are native to this State do not care if anyone moves here from elsewhere, or stays put. Either way is fine with us. If your State sucks, please leave that part of your thinking, where you came from (anti-2nd Amendment). What we don't like is to hear someone griping, when they get here. Our motto is: you don't like it here...then there is always I-20, or I-30 east or west... don't let the border hit you in the be-hind on your way out. Please take two large bags of fire-ants with you, when you go. Thank you . That...is the unvarnished truth. It's a give and take world. No state income tax, but high property taxes, unless you have the minimum acreage in your county, to get your property put in agriculture...then your taxes go down some. Yes...it can be done. Is a high property tax the only reason not to move here? Perhaps it can be for some. Make a list of the things you hate where you live, and make a list of what you can live with, somewhere else. There are pros, and cons to every State in the Union. It just depends on what you are having to endure where you are now, and then compare it to what you may have to endure some place else. Here, gasoline is now about $2.05 a gallon, including all taxes, some cheaper, and some more, depending on where you go. What are you paying? Here, an average home sells for $125, and up, dollars per square foot. What is it where you are? Here, you can (don't let anyone discourage you) put some acreage in agriculture. It ain't easy, you have to have a minimum amount of acres, and it is different in each county (there are 254 counties), but it ain't rocket science either. it is done all the time. Right now, in our county, it is a minimum of 12 acres to get into agriculture. Yep...they have a few other requirements, like you have raise cows, since horses are considered recreational animals. Or, you can raise, and cut, and bale hay, for sale...if you don't want to mess with cows. You can have bees for honey. You can grow and sell vegetables, or chickens, or fish. Just keep your receipts, to show you are actually engaged in agriculture. Here, you have to contend with tornadoes, sometimes hurricanes (if you live on, or near the coast), ice, sleet, fire ants, rattlesnakes, the heat, but, what are you contending with where you are? Are you enduring mounds of snow for several months out of the year? If it lasts a few days here, we are shocked! Are you contending with power outages, accidental or on purpose? Our power outages are based on nature, and a truck running into a pole...not on the whim of the state government, or local utility. What is your average cost of living, where you are now??? Of gasoline, of electrical usage, of natural gas, or butane usage, or water. Do some research! Burgers don't cost $20.00 at a Whataburger. I paid that much in New York, back in 1971!!! That $20.00 hamburger was hard to swallow...literally, and figuratively. It still would be. What are you paying, where you are? Here we have a gun friendly governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and thankfully a majority of the Texas house and senate. Here the governor let the local cities run the covid-19 stuff...he did not try to run it from the capital. How about where you live? Our State government meets EVERY OTHER YEAR...NOT yearly. How often does your State government meet??? 24/7/365??? How's that working out for you? I can get a chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, a salad and iced tea, for around 10 bucks. Now, I am not eating in Dallas at a five star restaurant, but prices can be found to be quite reasonable...especially in some mom and pop locations, around the State. They are there...you gotta look! So...It depends on what you enduring, where you are right now, and what benefits you may enjoy where you are considering going. Sorry...in this life, you don't get paradise. That comes in the next life...presuming you believe in a next life, that is. If you don't, then this life is as good (or bad) as it gets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 On 2/8/2021 at 8:07 AM, Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 said: I just checked my State tax for 2019. Texas is definitely out for me. My CA State tax was a pittance compared to Texas property taxes. Duh! I forgot to check my property tax. Texas is in! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted February 11, 2021 Share Posted February 11, 2021 4 hours ago, Allie Mo, SASS No. 25217 said: Duh! I forgot to check my property tax. Texas is in! We would love to have you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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