Relocating Florida to East Texas Job Market (Tool: houses, buy)

[jqzimm]

Hello
I am trying to get some information on the labor market in East Texas, I like what I have heard about the Smith county area, but have never been there. We are wanting to relocate to a more afforadable and friendler place. That has mild weather (I hate the cold) I love Florida, but in the last few years it has gotten insane. Our wages have not gone up in over 5 years, and we have lost paid benefits, at the same time when the cost of living in this area has more than trippled. Does any on know what areas of Texas would have a good market for my husband he is a Journey Man Tool and Die Mold Maker ( plastice injection molds) with over 23 years experiance and a strong work ethic, with execellent job preformance? Also does any one have any idea of the pay scale for this type of position in Texas? Most of the places around here that offer that type of work have closed up and or have actualy lowered the wages and dropped benefits. The place my husband currantly works at is just barley getting by and treats there employees very poorly. For my self I can usualy find work in most areas .
I am an interior desing consultant, that specializes in custom window treatments.
I am also concerned about the schools. one thing Florida offers is a College Scholarship for students with 3.0 GPA and higher. The higher the GPA the more Florda pays for college. I have a daughter going into 12th grade and wants to become a game designer/ 3d anamation/ computer graphics, her grades run at the 3.0 range. I also have a son in 9th grade, he takes all AP classes and is dual enrolled in college while still in high school. He would like to be a doctor, his grades run at 4.25. Does Texas offer any kind of college assistance for the students. I know I have asked a lot, I am just so over whelmed, I don't know what the best thing to do is. So many people have left Florida, in the last few years all of my good friends have left the area and the necomers are not eager to make new friends unless, you have $60,000 cars, and live in a $70,000 house. Yes let me tell you these are houses not homes, in my line of work I have been in many, and very few if any feel like a real home. Plus your neighboors are right on top of you but will not even look at you much less talk to you. I just want a place that feel like home. Thanks for any input!

[jqzimm]

Sorry Type O it should be $700,000 Houses, not $70,000. ( I wish you could buy any thing in florida for $70,000)