Texas is "stickiest" state in Union. (Houston, Dallas: home, living)

[Jimmy1953]

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Ec...478958253.html

[C24L]

well i love Texas but idk if ill stay here all my years but i would come back if i did move.I prolly wont move outta state though.I was born here.

[astrohip]

Originally Posted by Jimmy1953

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Ec...478958253.html

Makes sense. Texas is far and away the most unique state in the country, in terms of culture. Texans have an extraordinary bond with our state that most other people slightly smile at, don't totally understand, yet acknowledge.

Sometimes we have to move for whatever reasons--job, family, etc. But Texas is never far from our heart. Our daughter married and now lives in another state. But her license plate is "FROM TX".

Walk into any Texan's house, and you'll see several "Texas-y" items--Texas shaped doodads, the iconic red/white/blue Lone star tchotchkes, and more. I've never seen anything remotely close to that in any other state.

It's more than the economy. It's our way of life. We're a friendly, open people/culture, and all are welcome. Regardless of color, ethnicity, economic status, education. That's why people stay.

[cBach]

It's no coincidence that a booming economy corresponds to "stickiness".

When the price of oil dropped in the mid 1980's skyscrapers in Houston were so empty you could see sun rays shine out the other side.

It does have a unique culture but I wouldn't say the "most unique". I think Louisiana has the "most unique" culture among the states but Texas is probably second.

[Treasurevalley92]

Originally Posted by astrohip

Makes sense. Texas is far and away the most unique state in the country, in terms of culture. Texans have an extraordinary bond with our state that most other people slightly smile at, don't totally understand, yet acknowledge..

I don't know about far and away, though Texans do talk about Texas alot. New Yorkers do the same thing about the city (not state).

I think Texans underestimate how other people feel about their own states, there are certainly other states, often western ones where people feel very strongly about their state, there just aren't as many people so it isn't as loud, and culturally they are less loud and braggy to begin with.


People in Alaska are similarly zealous about Alaska. The Alaska state shape and flag are used for EVERTHING, just like here, and I personally find Alaska to be much more unique than Texas, culturally speaking. In Alaska you have villages of people who still speak Russian who can only leave the village via boat or seaplane. As someone who has spent time both places Alaska is much more unique, no other state is really like it.

Most of Texas is similar to the surrounding state. Texas is unique in that that is all meshed together into one state, the whole is bigger than the parts kind of thing.

[Scottamemnon]

I was born in Mass, moved to TX... then moved back to Mass after having a child to be with family. We cannot wait to come back to TX! It certainly stuck its barbs in our hearts. There truly is nothing like it, and nothing else feels quite like home once you have truly experienced it.

[Treasurevalley92]

I think the biggest factors that make Texas sticky are the size and the economy.

People make moves within the state would be interstate moves in most other places. I have coworkers from Brownsville and Corpus here in Dallas, there are only a hand full of states where you could move that far and still be in the same state.

Because Texas is so large, both in size and population there are several large cities to move between.

I think another factor is that people in general like to live near family, at least within driving distance for holidays and stuff. Texas is large, but almost the whole state is within a reasonable drive of one of the large cities.

I know some people make moves for lifestyle changes or weather, but most people move for career opportunities.

Texas quite frankly doesn't have much competition in the region. The Texas cities are the big cities for the different regions Texas is part of.

Little Rock is actually pretty cool, Tulsa is nice, OKC isn't as bad as everyone says it is, and NOLA is an incredible city, but non of them compete with Dallas, Houston or even Austin for the number of opportunities. I know people from all of those cities who have settled here in Texas. Its close enough to go home for a weekend, and they might sometimes talk of moving back, but none of them have yet.

There is also that X factor, (or should I say TEX factor?) that Texas is pretty cool and unique, I mean I've stuck around and like it.

I think some Texans really need to chill out on being so high on Texas, or at least have some nuance, but I've said the same thing about New Yorkers who think that their city is the center of the universe and they should be congratulated for living there lol.

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by Treasurevalley92

I think the biggest factors that make Texas sticky are the size and the economy.

This. I think it plays a huge factor. The state of Texas could encompass a good portion of the NE US, down the Atlantic seaboard, and into the midwest. It isn't the size directly, but the number of options within the confines of the state - the wood East, the coastal plains, the valley, the sparse west, the rural agricultural pan handle area, and the mountains out in the 'thumb'. You can stay in-state and have a lot of options, even if you are not specifically trying to.

[madrone2k]

I'm a native Texan and I like this state a lot. Also, I've lived here for so long now, it would be tough to move away. However, I agree with Treasurevalley92 that it's easy for us to overlook that people in other states may also be proud of their unique features (real or imagined).

The idea reminds me of what the Greeks called "hubris", which was feeling pride to the point of excess. Which, in Greek tragedies, was a character flaw that offended the gods and led to the fall of heroes. Same concept: pride cometh before a fall.

[Mr. Clutch]

Originally Posted by astrohip

Makes sense. Texas is far and away the most unique state in the country, in terms of culture. Texans have an extraordinary bond with our state that most other people slightly smile at, don't totally understand, yet acknowledge.

Sometimes we have to move for whatever reasons--job, family, etc. But Texas is never far from our heart. Our daughter married and now lives in another state. But her license plate is "FROM TX".

Walk into any Texan's house, and you'll see several "Texas-y" items--Texas shaped doodads, the iconic red/white/blue Lone star tchotchkes, and more. I've never seen anything remotely close to that in any other state.

It's more than the economy. It's our way of life. We're a friendly, open people/culture, and all are welcome. Regardless of color, ethnicity, economic status, education. That's why people stay.

I think Hawaii is a little more unique culturally, but Texas is definitely up there! I left, came back, left, and came back again because the people are really what makes the state what it is.