People are leaving Texas over rising costs, partisan politics, and a sense of disenchantment

[Tom of Temecula]

While some homebuyers seek the American dream in Texas, many are leaving the state to find it elsewhere. "Lifelong Texan here. I am definitely preparing an exit strategy," one anonymous user posted on a Reddit thread about leaving Texas. "From the heat to the stripping away of human rights, I'm just done."

Another poster struck a similar chord. "I've been in Texas most of my life, and my husband and I were always planning on retiring here (in about 5 years from now)," they wrote. "But between this intense heat, crazy politics, and cost of living, we've decided to leave for good and head to Knoxville."

While people have been moving into the Lone Star state to take advantage of its relatively affordable real-estate market, political atmosphere, and work opportunities, some of those same qualities are driving others out. Over 494,000 people left Texas between 2021 and 2022. It's a trend that could intensify as housing costs surge and the state's political landscape becomes more polarized.

As Texas starts to lose its edge as an inexpensive and affordable housing choice, many locals are shifting their focus to the Midwest.

https://www.businessinsider.com/leaving-texas-political-freedom-property-taxes-housing-costs-2023-11

[bucolic_frolic]

1. May they lose congressional seats

and good riddance to Texas

[MagickMuffin]

5. As a 5th Gen Texan, I'm staying put for awhile

When people get fed up and leave then we are definitely giving away the State to the haters instead of fighting them at the ballot box and beyond.

[ananda]

19. My dad's family has been in Texas since before the Civil War.

Some of my siblings live in other states,
but I don't see any of the rest of us leaving.

I'm OK here right now, though the heat is
pretty bad in the summer.

[LeftInTX]

10. Wish they left before 2020!

We've got 7 years left.

[Charging Triceratops]

2. Our neighbors left Texas

... for affordable, accepting, open-minded Pittsburgh. We welcomed them!!

[spooky3]

3. Wouldn't Knoxville largely have the same problems? Nt

[ananda]

20. That's what I was thinking. I mean, Knoxville?

Tennesse is in very bad shape.

[dalton99a]

4. Austin is way overhyped by greedy speculators, rapacious developers and corrupt politicians

who can't wait to push bullshit bond issue after bullshit bond issue and raise property taxes to enrich their cronies and patrons

For all the exorbitant taxes and fees extracted from residents, there is practically zero traffic enforcement to deter road rage violence. And road maintenance is nonexistent.

The population explosion is ridiculous. The commute traffic is horrific, and the airport is generally a disaster - you can't even find a parking space if you want to leave your car there for a trip

[Susan Calvin]

21. I haven't lost anything in Austin, as my mom would say.

I used to have to go there quite a bit for work, and I just don't get the hype at all at all.

[republianmushroom]

6. Hope they are going to Arkansas and not some blue state.

Arkansas deserves them.

[Emile]

9. Arkansas is hot too.

[Traildogbob]

7. Build that wall

Texas will pay for it.

[Kennah]

15. If Texas cannot even maintain it's roads ...

[Traildogbob]

16. That's where Bannon

Comes in. He can get the cult to send cash.

[NickB79]

8. Interesting that the heat is getting mentioned

Texas has always had heatwaves, but it appears ifelong Texans are finally noticing that these aren't the heatwaves of their youth.

[keithbvadu2]

11. Similar articles about Florida, especially insurance costs which DeSantis ignores.

[FHRRK]

12. Texas affordability is a Myth

Full disclosure, I despise Texas.

Quote from General Sheridan (General for the moral and winning side of Civil War) - "If I owned Hell and Texas, I’d rent out Texas and live in Hell."

That quote was from 1866. I use it to emphasize that Texas has been a cesspool for a very long time.

As for affordability, two people left college, one went to CA (me) one went to TX. Both bought extremely comparable houses in the 90's. Now with property taxes, (TX is expensive) utilities, etc. the monthly cost of living in TX end up being the exact same if not a bit higher.

Add opportunity costs and the Texan spent about 2k per month for the 'privilege" of residing in TX.

Now another neighbor grew up in CA, got transferred to TX. Was lucky/wise enough to hold CA house. After three years in TX he laid down an ultimatum, transfer me back to CA or I will have to quit!

Reason being, his wife keeps a detailed budget, turns out between 2018 to 2021, they "saved" $300 per year by living in TX! WTF!!!! deal with the weather and Texans for $300 per year! Hell no! and they are Conservatives.

Don't flame me Texas dems, come back with Texas will turn blue. That one is right up there with tRump supporters will come to their senses and condemn the Orange Shitstain.

It ain't going to happen, Texas if run by Oil and Gas, always will be. The OP example of moving to Knoxville is a much better solution. TN will turn blue before TX.

[Elessar Zappa]

18. I don't live in Texas but it simply

isn’t true that Tennessee will turn blue before Texas. Every election, the Dems get closer to winning the electoral votes of Texas. This is a fact, a confirmed trend. The blue cities and suburbs keep growing and the red rural areas keep shrinking. Unless the change stalls, Texas will be blue by 2032 or 2036, just based on current trends, Tennessee is far more red and far less likely to turn blue.

[Horse with no Name]

13. I live in Texas

This last summer, I heard more people who lived here a long time or forever, say they were looking to move to more temperate climate. Last summer was brutal and the electric bills were even worse.
Unfortunately, many of these people are also liberal so I expect the elections won’t be as close as they have been.
I work at an academic medical center. There is a huge problem with access at this point. It is months to over a year to get appointments with specialists. Very close to half of our OB/Gyn department providers have left the state.
Texas is getting a little scary for us liberals.
I had planned to retire in 9 years. Not sure I will make it.

[spooky3]

14. Come to Northern Virginia and help us become more blue. Medical care is outstanding

and reasonably priced. Weather can be extreme but not nearly as bad, for as long, as in some other parts of the country. Housing and food are expensive and traffic is bad in parts.

[pinkstarburst]

17. The trouble is... due to the planet's overpopulation and COL increases

people are moving in droves to any place they believe is affordable and driving the prices through the roof. Californians did this to Texas already. Now middle income earners in Texas are being forced out and those who are moving to the Midwest, or Tennessee, will soon drive the prices in those areas so high that people living in those states won't be able to afford to live there either. Any place where you can afford to buy a house that isn't a complete hellhole isn't a secret for long, and the prices are only going to go up.

Say what you want about sucky Texas politics (yes, I agree they suck. I live here.) But if people hated them THAT much? Our housing costs would be coming down. They're not... which goes to show you that for the people leaving, there are plenty (from California) eager to come and take their place.

[roamer65]

22. Especially as the population has to move ever more northward.

[Aristus]

23. Born and raised in Texas. Moved to Washington State.

Never going back.

[Initech]

24. People move because they watch Fox and it fills their head with garbage.

Then they actually do and hate it. Stop watching Fox News!