There’s a lot of hype surrounding the Lone Star State, with thousands of people moving to Texas.
For some, Texas is the promised land for low taxes, laughably cheap rent, a job market on fire, and southern hospitality.
And for others, Texas represents angry rednecks, lawless cowboys, and more guns than common sense.
The reality is more of a blend of both viewpoints. Strap on your cowboy boots- this is the stuff you rarely hear about Texas, as told by a native Texan.
Here’s what no one tells you about moving to Texas:
The Nature Situation
Fun Fact: Texas only has one lake that wasn’t made by man.
Don’t get me wrong-
- Big Bend is beautiful.
- Austin and surrounding areas have a generous cave system.
- Fort Worth is home to the historic Stockyards where you can still watch a cattle drive.
- Galveston is technically the ocean (the Gulf of Mexico, to be exact), and extensive efforts have been made to clean it up over the years.
- Palo Duro Canyon is stunning and ranks as the second-largest canyon in the US after the Grand Canyon.
- The Dallas skyline is one of the best in the south.
But overall, Texas comes up short compared to other southern states like Florida, and Tennessee, or other desert states like New Mexico or Arizona.
You won’t see mountains, an ocean, a forest, or even a desert landscape without putting in a conscious effort to get there.
Texas has Two Seasons
Season one is hot, and season two is cold.
Fall
Fall leaves and chilly mornings in October? Nope. You get about two weeks of fall weather, spread out between November and early December, separated by sweltering heat and bitter cold periods.
Spring
Texas is one of the best states for April/May wildflowers. The weather is highly variable, and you can still expect a mix of icy and warm days.
Summer
The worst weather in Texas is quite famously during the summer. 100+ degree days are the norm during this time, especially in the more arid parts of the state.
Tornado Alley
Many people, even native Texans, don’t know that the state is right up Tornado Alley. Actually, Texas has more recorded tornadoes than any other state. While Houston and surrounding suburbs deal with most of the tornados, Dallas, Fort Worth, and the panhandle are also frequently hit.
Conservatism
Texas has a long, well-documented love affair with conservative values. This is something you should be prepared to come in contact with on a semi-regular basis.
Austin is a City, not a State
Austin is a ‘lil blue island in a big red ocean- the most tolerating city in the entire state, full of craft beer and liberals.
But Austin does not represent the rest of the state (state capital pun, anyone?). If you’re moving to Texas but moving to Austin, you’re not moving into like, Texas Texas. As with most areas, all larger cities, such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, are more tolerant and forward-thinking.
Everything in between is predominantly conservative, meaning less accepting of LGBTQ+, alternative appearances, and people of different mindsets and, yes, sometimes, ethnicities.
The Look
As a tattooed, previously pierced, and occasionally colorful-haired individual, I have gotten the look plenty of times.
If the look bothers you, please consider that this is not the most friendly state if you’re not white, male, upper class, and leaning conservative.
Most Texans Don’t Have Horses
If you’re a native Texan reading this, you’ve likely been asked more than once if you
- ‘Have a ranch,’
- ‘Ride horses,’
- ‘Compete in the rodeo,’
Or some other version of ‘Are you a cowboy/girl?’ While plenty of that is alive and well in Texas, most of us don’t own horses or other livestock.
A 30-minute Drive is Standard
Texas is huge. If you’re considering moving to Texas, you’ve already figured that out.
Personally, I consider anywhere under 30 minutes to be a ‘close drive,’ and sometimes that includes driving from one Dallas neighborhood to another, and sometimes… well, sometimes it doesn’t.
Don’t get me wrong, there are some walkable neighborhoods.
But you also have to factor in the weather- remember, 8 out of 10 times, it’s either hot or cold in Texas.
Confident Drivers Only
Picture this: 4-6 lanes of traffic, tall, looping freeways with names differentiated by a one-letter direction, aggressive drivers easily hitting over 90.
You know you have to pick the correct exit or 20-30 minutes will be added to your ETA.
You left home an hour before you were supposed to be there…..It’s 10 AM on a Sunday- why is there even traffic?
Welcome to the Freeway System in Texas.
Public Transport Systems aren’t very Texan
Texas regularly gets low rankings on its (lack of adequate) public transport systems. Most (but not all) major cities will at least have a bus.
How well do the public transit systems that are available work? Have a look here and let me know what you think in the comments below.
Texans Love to Drive Loud, Lifted Trucks
Sure, some people lift their trucks to increase ground clearance and visibility, but the driver mostly wants to appear larger and more intimidating.
Others are attracted to the attention that an overly loud and large vehicle brings.
Unfortunately, many people do not know how to actually drive or park these vehicles, leading to frequent double parking, slow driving in the fast lane, and other irritations.
There are Cops everywhere– Yes they’re Out to Get You
I know what you’re thinking- there are cops in every state, and if you don’t do anything wrong, you won’t get pulled over.
That should be the way it works. But in Texas, that just isn’t so.
Quick Facts about Texas’s Police Force
- Probable cause? Think again. You can be arrested for anything in Texas.
- It is illegal to drive without insurance in the state of Texas, and you can also be towed right out of your own driveway if you don’t have it. Cops close enough to read your license plates will check for insurance.
The Power Grid Scam
When the USA began regulating energy companies, it established guidelines about which companies could sell electricity and how much they could charge.
In classic Texas fashion, avoiding federal regulation became a top priority. The state’s power companies merged to create mega-companies and share power resources without needing to import from other states.
Today, this means the price of power is determined by a board of wealthy white men. In this case, that would be the PUC and the ERCOT.
How’s that working for Texans?
In 2020, winter storm Uri left 70% of Texans without power for an average of 42 hours, 246 people dead, and the electric companies decided the taxpayers should cover over 6 Billion in damages.
Texas Pride? Not a Myth
Grapes of Wrath author John Steinbeck once said:
“Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all else, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word.”
Texans definitely believe this to be true. There is something distinctly Texan about being… well, distinctly, Texan.
What does this mean for you if you’re moving to Texas?
- Texas-shaped items, outfits, tattoos, wooded carvings- you’ll find just about anything you can think of Texas-shaped.
- “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as soon as I could.” You’ll see what I mean.
- The ‘Texas is better than California, New York, and anywhere northern” and “Californians are ruining Texas” attitudes.
The Cult of Buc-ee’s
What is Buc-ee’s?
Basically, Buc-ee’s is a massive, expensive gas station/gift shop with clean bathrooms and a cult following.
The Buc-ee’s mascot is a giant, jolly beaver.
Why do Texans love Buc-ee’s so much?
- It’s Texas-based (there are now locations throughout other southern states) and Texas-focused. Visiting a Buc-ees is basically one giant validation if you’re a proud Texan.
- The restrooms are clean if you’re on a road trip.
- They typically have a full kitchen, plus pretty much any snack option you can think of.
Hispanic Culture is HUGE
Texas was once a part of Mexico. This means many Mexican people, traditions, heritage (and food!!!) can be found in Texas today. You can look forward to San Antonio’s beautiful Day of the Dead River Parade, Taco Tuesdays in every city, Fiestas Patrias, and plenty of museums dedicated to Mexican art.
Mexican culture adds vibrant and festive contributions to Texas’s history.
Tex-Mex
What exactly is Tex-Mex?
Tex-Mex food is a mash-up of Texas X Mexican food. The term was created to explain some changes in Mexican cuisine often eaten in Texas.
What is the difference between Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican food?
The difference is in the ingredients.
Ground beef, yellow cheese, wheat flour, cumin, and certain vegetables are signs that you’re eating Tex-Mex. Burritos and five or more topping nachos are mostly definitely Tex-Mex.
The Largest Bat Colony in North America
Every year, millions of bats gather in the hill country (Austin and surrounding areas) to give birth and raise their young. Austin’s Annual Bat Fest is a great way to experience this, or if you prefer to avoid crowds, take a local tour.
Cockroaches
When moving to Texas, consider this: You’re entering the second ‘best’ state for cockroaches. I’ll leave you to do a web search on ‘cockroach infestations.’
Liquor Stores and Churches
You probably already know this, but Texas has a high liquor store density. As a part of the Bible Belt, Texas also has a massive helping of churches.
This 2010 study shows the number of ‘religious congregations’ by state:
| Characteristic | Number of congregations |
|---|---|
| Texas | 27,848 |
| California | 23,558 |
| North Carolina | 15,737 |
| Florida | 15,611 |
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