10 reasons why so many people are moving to Texas

[OutNow]

187. 22 years in Texas - Reason Number 1 - Jobs

I lived in Texas for 22 years: just about 1/2 in Irving (close suburb of Dallas) and 1/2 in Round Rock (close suburb of Austin). I moved to Texas in the mid 80s because that's where the jobs were. My megacorp employer was shifting lots of jobs from the Northeast to Texas. I liked Irving. Lots of diversity, Martin Frost was my Congressman, the schools were good, and Irving was the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

The best thing about Round Rock was it was close to Austin. The schools were good, but the local and national politicians were all dumber that shit Republicans. Ditto for my most of my neighbors. My yard signs for elections, and against the war in Iraq never lasted more than a couple of days before they disappeared. I learned to buy yard signs in bulk.

After my first year in Texas a long time friend (from the Northeast) asked how I liked Texas. My answer at that time, almost 30 years ago, is same answer I'd give today. If you are Caucasian, with a good education and a good job, Texas is fine. You can afford to find the good things in Texas such as Port Aransas and watching the Dallas Cowboys play football. But if you're poor, and especially if you are a minority, life in Texas is very difficult.