Questions from S.F.V. So. Cal (Houston, Dallas: rent, credit)

[Hungry For Cheese]

I've been looking to relocate ever since the summer of 06 when I was in Las Cruces, NM and Tucson, AZ for weeks last year. I stumbled upon Texas after letting my prejudice from watching King of the Hill go. The COL is just so much cheaper in TX and I like that.

After ditching the idea of Houston (large city, hurricanes, floods, humidity) I am aiming towards the FW side of the DFW area.

IF you are familiar with the San Fernando Valley you know its setup. IF not, basically its becoming overrun with Hispanics(which isnt a problem since my girl is Mexican, but most live poorly and have no respect for others property or dont speak english and keep their homes ugly), gets up to 110 in summers now, is somewhat of a suburb, but a commercialized one with liquor stores, gas stations, strip clubs, fast food joints and other business' on the corners all over. Im sick of it.

What I am looking for is an area where I can live without having a McDonalds in walking distance or business' all around. I would rather drive 5-10 mins to get to the Home Depot, Target, Mall, restaurants or other places. I have found this in Las Cruces, NM and Oro Valley, AZ (outside of Tucson) and love it. Another thing I am interested in knowing is if there are stars visible at night. I guess I am looking for a small town feel, with big city amenities. But with less traffic than the Los Angeles area.

I will be relocating with my girlfrend and she will be trying to continue her education with her AA, working on a BA in Accounting.
I will be looking to continue my education with some credits toward and AA(half way) and then getting a BA in Economics. So colleges are very important to us. I know there is Tarrant County College as well as Dallas University.
We are also looking for an accounting job for her (2yrs experience with excessive amount of training) and for me administrative data entry or something making what we make here ($12/hr). We'd be willing to take a cut in wages if necessary.

Does this sound feasible out there in the FW area?
I have been concentrating on the North Richland Hills area and am looking to spend around $550/mo for a 1/1 apt.
Also kicked around the idea of Austin because of their colleges, but not sure about that area.

[Hungry For Cheese]

Should I write this over? Shorten it?
Anyone?

[sooz2]

Texas is a great place to live. North Richland Hills (NRH) doesn't even remotely sound like what you are describing, though. The part about no McD's within walking distance, etc. doesn't describe NRH. It is very much a busy suburb with millions of chain restaurants, big box stores, etc. If you want a more rural area, you would need to get out further from the Metroplex.

It isn't California, though. We are very conservative here. I'm not understanding why you would just pick up and move without a job or anything.

[Hungry For Cheese]

I can find a job very easy Im sure. I see jobs all over and Im sure agencies are located there and can land me a job if needed.
Plus I have months rent to get by on.

Im looking in keller as well, but I will have to find out first hand. Maybe I can deal with it.

[Hungry For Cheese]

I guess I will find out when I go.

Anyone know of a site with pics of the FW area? and surrounding cities?

[KewGee]

kgee..........

That is so funny what you wrote about "King Of The Hill." You will find that mentality every place you go, but you will also find many not like portrayed in that crazy show.

I am also from the San Fernando Valley (Burbank) but have lived in Central TX for 28 years. I know how terrible CA has become, a shame for sure, and I wouldn't want to live there again as the Southern CA I know has disappeared.

You will have bad weather in the Fort Worth area, lots of heat and humidity although not as humid as Houston, but extremely hot. In spite of what some say about tornadoes, they are a real threat here. Illegal immigration is a problem here and I'm afraid eventually, it will be in the entire country.

By the way, the SF Valley has always had temperatures of 110 degrees. The thing about it though is that it isn't constant. When my daughter was born in 1973 in Burbank, it was 113 degrees (in June) but a few days later, we were wearing jackets again. Texas doesn't cool off for 6 months out of the year. The nights are awful and sometimes don't cool below 82 degrees.

We didn't need A/C the 28 years I lived in CA. Yes, a few nights were hot but like I said, it was short-lived.

As far as photos of the areas in which you're interested...........I would go to www.citydata.com and type in the cities. Many times, you will find pictures of towns and cities that people have posted. I know there are several on the Fort Worth page.

If that doesn't work, try doing a google search for various cities and then look at the images. You may have some luck that way.

No, Texas isn't CA as the poster has mentioned, and you can be sure that not all people from CA are liberals. I'm the biggest conservative in all aspects of life that one has ever seen. I believe this CA girl puts many of the natives of the state to shame.

Liberal, conservative, whatever. I just want you to know that not all Texans are conservative and not all transplanted Californians are liberal.

I feel you can find what you're looking for but I can't really give you any advice on cities because I hate the city and avoid it like the plague.

I wish you the best of luck. You will find a job quickly, I'm sure.

[Hungry For Cheese]

Thanks KewGee....didnt mean to create a name so similar, but Ive been going by this for 10 years.

I've still been doing research, and would love to NOT live in a city, but I need to be close to colleges and jobs. After I graduate, hopefully I can move to the outskirts a bit more. Tornadoes seem scary, as I read I think you are one of the few who have shelter from one, but I havent witnessed one so it doesnt really bother me.
Im sure I will miss things and I take things for granted here (no bugs, no rain etc) but it just costs so much to live here. I can say I am willing to accept the trade-offs. Only the move will tell.

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by kgee

Thanks KewGee....didnt mean to create a name so similar, but Ive been going by this for 10 years.

I've still been doing research, and would love to NOT live in a city, but I need to be close to colleges and jobs. After I graduate, hopefully I can move to the outskirts a bit more. Tornadoes seem scary, as I read I think you are one of the few who have shelter from one, but I havent witnessed one so it doesnt really bother me.
Im sure I will miss things and I take things for granted here (no bugs, no rain etc) but it just costs so much to live here. I can say I am willing to accept the trade-offs. Only the move will tell.

I thought it was kind of cool that we had similar user names.

Yes, I do have a cellar and you are right, only the move will tell how you like it. There is no comparison to the CA I once knew, but I know CA is not that way now and never will be again. I'd leave too.

All the best.........

[Jonathan.Lowe]

Yes, Texas may still be conservative, but did you tell kgee about the snakes, brown recluse spiders, Black Widows, conenose bugs, giggers etc. Perhaps that will change his mind about relocating to texas/

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by Jonathan.Lowe

Yes, Texas may still be conservative, but did you tell kgee about the snakes, brown recluse spiders, Black Widows, conenose bugs, giggers etc. Perhaps that will change his mind about relocating to texas/

I'm not sure you've directed the above to me, but I'll answer it anyway.

No, I didn't as I don't think he asked and to be perfectly honest with you, that's the least of the problems we have, at least in my estimation.

I've never seen a brown recluse but have killed several black widows that I've found in my garage or outside storage shed, never in the house. I've lived here 28 years and have only seen two rattlesnakes and several other non-poisonous snakes. I've only killed the non-poisonouos and didn't enjoy killing them as it gave me the "willies". One rattlesnake was on my porch and I just waited until he left as I wouldn't attempt killing them. It was late at night or I would have called a neighbor. The other rattler I did have a neighbor kill.

My sister lives about 13 miles from me and does have copperheads on her property. I'm lucky that I've not seen one at my house. One of her grandsons was bitten by one once when he was about eight, but all turned out okay, thank God.

Wow! I've never heard of a conenose bug but just looked on google images, and I think I've seen them. I didn't know about their "bite." Thanks for the information.

I've never heard of a gigger. Do you mean chiggers? They just make you itch uncomfortably but don't cause any harm of which I'm aware. Now mosquitoes are very pesty here and can cause West Nile Virus. I just got my first mosquito bite of the season yesterday, and it does itch.

You didn't mention scorpions, a rather scary insect for sure. I do see them every now and then even in the house, but it isn't often. I hate them.

Texas is full of bugs......crickets, moths, flying bugs of all sorts, and they can be a nuisance.

I must be perfectly honest about this. If it were just for the snakes and bugs, I'd like this place a lot better. Yes, one must be cautious, but I'll take the critters any day to so many of the things I find extremely unpleasant.