| Texas is a vast and colorful state. It is a state that | | | | or pay. Military pay is also not taxed in the Lone Star |
| prides itself on independence. There has even been | | | | State. There is a business tax but it varies greatly |
| talk of the state succeeding as recently as April of | | | | business to business. Also the sales tax is set at |
| 2009 when Governor Perry declared, "Texas is a | | | | 6.25%. Local taxes vary. The geographical are has |
| unique place. When we came into the Union in 1845, | | | | enacted a Homestead Law, basically meaning that you |
| one of the issues was that we would be able to leave | | | | can not loose your home for almost any reason. That |
| if we decided to do that." To which the audience | | | | is nice peace of mind these days. |
| chanted again and again, "Secede!" While that may be | | | | Below is a more detailed list of things you should |
| intimidating to some, they should know that there is | | | | expect when moving to Texas: |
| another side to Texas. This side is welcoming and | | | | 1. The major cities in Texas are very far apart. For |
| homey. After all the state motto is "Friendship". If you | | | | example, Austin is one of the closest major cities to |
| are planning to relocate, Texas is a great option. | | | | Houston and the two cities are about three hours |
| Texas is the 11th largest economy in the world. This is | | | | away from each other. So, it is important to remember |
| great when looking to relocate, because it takes a lot | | | | this when planning your move. |
| of people and jobs to move the economy. | | | | 2. The major cities in Texas tend to be very large in |
| Unfortunately, Texas has been in a recession since | | | | area, so there is usually a lot of traffic; however, this is |
| 2006. Even though the state's economy slowed with | | | | improving because as the major Texas cities are |
| the nation's late in 2008, Texas' gross product grew at | | | | growing, so are the roads. There is a lot of |
| twice the rate of America's. While it is true that finding | | | | construction in the major cities because many of the |
| a job is more difficult during a recession, Texas is not | | | | big cities in Texas are growing pretty rapidly. |
| a bad place to begin looking. Texas' unemployment | | | | 3. The people are mostly very friendly and they have |
| rate has been less than the nation's for 33 consecutive | | | | a lot of pride in their state. For the most part, people in |
| months. Not many states can say that. The state will | | | | the major cities of Texas have the traditional southern |
| be receiving over $18 billion in stimulus money. This | | | | attitude of great friendliness. Texans are also very |
| money is designed to improve infrastructure while | | | | proud of their state, so be careful not to say anything |
| adding jobs for the citizens. Because of it's weather, | | | | that could be insulting about the state when meeting |
| seasonal jobs are available all year. And there is a | | | | new people. |
| great abundance of skilled and non-skilled labor. There | | | | 4. As of now, many things in Texas are extremely |
| are many types of jobs from the oil and natural gas | | | | affordable, considering Texas has so many big cities |
| industry to the home improvement world including such | | | | that are growing rapidly. This will be really good news |
| jobs as building, painting, insulating and sandblasting. | | | | for people who will be moving with families or for |
| Universities employ a large amount of Texans. There | | | | those who are looking to start a family. |
| are over 210 colleges and universities in this state. All | | | | 5. Finally, the weather in Texas is warm year-round, so |
| of them employing millions. Advanced education is | | | | you can do outdoor activities through every season. |
| recession proof! | | | | So, there is a plethora of activities you can do outside |
| Taxes are another reason to relocate down south. | | | | to help get or keep you in shape all year long. |
| There is no state income tax, so you don't need to file | | | | |