MONTANA TO TEXAS - a possible move

[schmalzy]

Texas is a nice place to visit. I'm a Midwest guy and I hated Tejas. Lived there for three years, College Station, going to school. Bass fishing was good, chasing hogs with dogs was fun. Other than those two activities I didn't like it. I haven't been back and have no desire to ever go back.

The weather is horrible. People used to ask how I lived up north when you can't do anything for 6 mos out of the year. Same as Texas when you can't do anything for 6 mos because it is too hot. Bass fishing in the summer you can't even get in the lake to cool off. Surface water temps100+ degrees.

I didn't like the culture. A friend gave me some advice right before I left and it was spot on. Be prepared to meet the nicest assholes in the country. A lot of misplaced pride. Everything is bigger and better, yada yada yada. Not from here, not a Texan never will be.

Hunting is mostly pay to play. I had permission on some places but rarely went. Not much desire to sit in a stand fighting 80+ degree temps and bugs. Like I said hog hunting was fun. I got in with a couple guys with dogs. Went just about every weekend. 6 mos of the year we had to hunt at night because it was too hot. Even at night it was stupid hot and miserable.

Cheap real estate, cheap cost of living. The economy of the country runs through Texas. Different strokes for different folks.

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Pretty spot on from my experience.

That being said, still some good affordable hunting to be had in East Texas. I’d stay far away from Houston, but depending how rural y’all want to be there’s some good options.


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[ScreamingPotato]

I'll offend people I'm sure but Houston is a shit hole so avoid that area, Austin is getting there too. We've come close to moving to WY and CO but I can't leave the coast and I loath the thought of being shut in Jan-April. There's outdoor recreation to be had 24/7/365 anywhere on the coast and the gulf stabilizes the temperature. Yeah it's hot but you wear shorts and Crocs and you're fine, wives and kids love the beach while you fish, etc .. Great duck hunting which kids love because they don't have to sit still, half mil will buy you a really nice place here in San Antonio. 4 months long deer season, hogs and varmints all year and you can actually take the kids out because there's not 6' of snow. We hunt exclusively public and we kill deer every year, anybody who tells you there's no public hunting in Texas is trying to keep it to themselves.

 

[ArcherAnthony]

I have been here for 20 years. Moved from Northeast PA. If it wasnt for my career i would leave this state as fast as a could. Everytime i go back to PA or to Colorado to hunt it just reminds me how much Texas sucks for outdoor adventure. Especially where i live. Everything said about hunting here is spot on. I was on a lease in Central TX it was $2000 for 100 acre hunting area on a 22,000 acre ranch. And thats just to walk through the front gate. Still have to buy corn,stands,feeders,protein. etc. And yes if you want to see alot of game you need to feed em here.

 

[traildust]

I'll offend people I'm sure but Houston is a shit hole so avoid that area, Austin is getting there too. We've come close to moving to WY and CO but I can't leave the coast and I loath the thought of being shut in Jan-April. There's outdoor recreation to be had 24/7/365 anywhere on the coast and the gulf stabilizes the temperature. Yeah it's hot but you wear shorts and Crocs and you're fine, wives and kids love the beach while you fish, etc .. Great duck hunting which kids love because they don't have to sit still, half mil will buy you a really nice place here in San Antonio. 4 months long deer season, hogs and varmints all year and you can actually take the kids out because there's not 6' of snow. We hunt exclusively public and we kill deer every year, anybody who tells you there's no public hunting in Texas is trying to keep it to themselves.

You left SA, Dallas-FW, ElPaso off of your sheithole list!

 

[ScreamingPotato]

You left SA, Dallas-FW, ElPaso off of your sheithole list!

I've only driven through El Paso once so don't know much about the place. Dallas and SA area have good communities and suburbs or nearby small cities and obviously some bad areas just like anywhere, they're not on the level of Houston, the whole culture in Houston is trash and it's a hotbed of criminal activity with corrupt DA office and terrible policies. All big(ger) cities will have their issues obviously.

 

[traildust]

I've only driven through El Paso once so don't know much about the place. Dallas and SA area have good communities and suburbs or nearby small cities and obviously some bad areas just like anywhere, they're not on the level of Houston, the whole culture in Houston is trash and it's a hotbed of criminal activity with corrupt DA office and terrible policies. All big(ger) cities will have their issues obviously.

Houston and Dallas crime spiked after Hurricane Katrina.

San Antonio is not any better than any other big city in Texas.

Texas Crime Rates and Statistics - NeighborhoodScout

Detailed crime rates and statistics information from cities within Texas. Find the top 10 safest places to live in TX.

www.neighborhoodscout.com

 

[traildust]

This is spot on. I spent 5 years in Austin and it sucked! If you want more mild winters then I think there are many others places that would offer that but be significantly better than anywhere in Texas. If someone offered me 5 million bucks but I had to live in TX I would turn it down.

I have a buddy that’s from Northern CA like me, then moved to NV. A few years later I moved near him in NV and he shortly thereafter moved his family to TX despite my warnings. I think they lasted less than a year in TX and then moved to Montana.

I think TX is unlivable if you’re an outdoors person coming from a western state. I can’t even describe how shitty summer is. The bugs, lack of public land, flat topography, property taxes, listening to native Texans go on and on how great it is etc it’s just too much.

You leaving Texas was best for everyone

 

[Braaap]

You li

You leaving Texas was best for everyone

I never wanted to move there in the first place! I had a job opportunity I couldn’t pass up. One way I look at it is, could I never leave the state I live in a be perfectly happy (I’m talking even for vacation or hunting trips etc)? With Texas it’s a hard no. Just look at the number of Texans in Colorado every summer. Several of my Texan friends have purchased land in Colorado in the last few years. I had to travel way outside of Texas to hunt, ski, or mountain bike in order to not lose my mind. Where I live now the answer to that question is yes, I could never leave this state and be perfectly happy.

 

[SWOHTR]

Something about if someone owned Texas and hell both, they’d rent out Texas and live in hell.

I’d recommend trying to figure out how to make your current situation more enjoyable. Having moved 6 times in 13 years, it’s not fun.

 

[jimh406]

I guess if you don't like your parents, moving can make sense. In any case, it sounds like MT doesn't agree with you or maybe your wife.

Do you really want to hang out with family that much? Some do, some don't. There are advantages of being close by and not being close by.

There are a lot of temperatures between NW MT and Tx and a lot of miles between them as well. Since you are considering the move, my guess is hunting close by isn't that important to you. You can always do nonresident hunting in other states.

I suggest going to visit during as many seasons as you can. Tx can have really hot weather, but also can be pretty cold and wet depending on where you move.

 

[Jktx0710]

Texas hill country is pretty great area to be. Some parts closer to Austin and San Antonio have grown a lot, but if you stay away from those cities it’s still nice and quiet. Hunting sucks if you don’t own land or know someone with it though.

 

[traildust]

Hey, folks!

My wife and I are heavily considering the possibility of moving our young family of five from Montana down to east Texas. I know, polar opposites, and yuck, BUT there is reason.

A large reason is that due to medical reasons I am not able to do much in the winter here anymore, we don’t own snowmobiles, we don’t ski, and our three kids are all under four years of age - we get outside a ton but winter is pretty bleak for us. Usually 5-6 months of weathering it out inside. (Northwest Montana). I am versed with the humidity and heat in east texas

We also recently just purchased a house for nearly a half a million dollars but that in the market where we are is a barely livable house in the middle of town that we are having to spend money on just to like it. Our mortgage WITH good credit is 3400 a month! We are finding it is almost pointless to pay for a house we barely like, and the market isn’t any better anywhere else here. I could buy a new house on acreage in Texas for 250-300k.

Another large draw is that the entirety of my family lives there, the only exception being my parents who moved us to Montana when I was a baby.

It is a very hard decision given my love for chasing critters here and mountains, but we are 27 years old and feel the urge to at least try.

This may be an inappropriate place to even ask for guidance, but know there is a lot of wise folks in these forums! Thank you!

Do you need to live in a certain area for work or medical care?

I don't know too much about East Texas, I was raised in the Hill Country, little town called Utopia. Parents moved down to the gulf coast around 1980, for work. I've been here ever since. I work in refineries so this is where the money is.

Plan on returning in about 5 years, can't wait to get the hell away from the coast! Central Texas / Hill Country area is where I'd look if I were you.

 

[Marbles]

I lived 3.5 years in San Antonio. Texas is hot, if you acclimate it is tolerable. I set my air conditioner to 95 degrees and ran, rucked, and worked out between 1100 and 1500 outside. Within a few weeks it did not bother me, but you start sweating like a pig before you even get hot.

Now I feel 80 degrees is sweltering, but go outside in a T-shirt in 20 degree weather.

I grew up in North Arkansas, it is much better than Texas, but I would not move back except under duress.

To each their own though.

 

[schmalzy]

Pretty spot on from my experience.

That being said, still some good affordable hunting to be had in East Texas. I’d stay far away from Houston, but depending how rural y’all want to be there’s some good options.


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To add some context:

My family is all form Texas. I grew up across the south and eventually found my way back and lived there for 10 years. The state has changed significantly in that time. I was able to start to raise a family on a single income, bought a home when I was 26, could still fish for reds and chase deer, etc.

To be fair, I really couldn’t ask for too much more at the time. Fond memories. It was a great place to start a career and build a business.

People grow and places change. The cost of living is no longer as reasonable as it was. I wanted more access to public lands with a more enjoyable climate and different opportunities for my family.

Culturally; it’s a crap shoot, but that’s anywhere. There’s a lot of people who believe Texas truly is the best place on earth and can’t fathom why you would ever want to leave the state. Mega suburban sprawl, strip malls, 4k houses built on top of each other for MILES, 3/4 ton trucks pulling fifth wheels loaded with rangers to hunt 200 acres, possibly fenced, is the norm. Fitness as it relates to hunting is non existent.

Public schools leave something to be desired, but some areas still great.

I wouldn’t move back, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the right place for your family at this point in your life. Many people are truly happy there, and who am I to question that?

It’s not a life commitment. If it sucks move somewhere else. The caveat to that is life is too short to live somewhere that has reasonable housing costs and everyone telling you how great it is. Or was.


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[grog24]

MUST WATCH. This will help you understand Texas in less than a minute. Enjoy

 

[Fowl Play]

The south in general has the same issues you are experiencing in Montana. Just opposite seasons. You will find yourself indoors from June-September unless you enjoy water sports/boating and can afford it. The 45 min in the morning and evening which are bearable to be outside, also happen to be the times the mosquitoes are out in force. Pick your poison.

 

[traildust]

I lived 3.5 years in San Antonio. Texas is hot, if you acclimate it is tolerable. I set my air conditioner to 95 degrees and ran, rucked, and worked out between 1100 and 1500 outside. Within a few weeks it did not bother me, but you start sweating like a pig before you even get hot.

Now I feel 80 degrees is sweltering, but go outside in a T-shirt in 20 degree weather.

I grew up in North Arkansas, it is much better than Texas, but I would not move back except under duress.

To each their own though.

Yup, if you're an indoor person and can't handle sweat when doing outdoor activiites.....you're not gonna like Texas!

Millions of us actually work outside or did.....and we survived just fine. You just gotta be smarter than the weather. Get all your stuff done early or late afternoon and seek out some shade in the middle of the day.

I was wearing shorts, t-shirt and flip flops on Christmas day!

 

[eamyrick]

I’m born and raised in MS and moved to Central Texas for work 16 years ago. Texas is great if:
-You are single and enjoy drinking beer and eating BBQ and Mexican food.
-Have a pile of cash and can afford a 4-500 acre lease and enjoy drinking beer
-Have kids and enjoy sitting at the ball field all weekend and enjoy drinking beer.
-Like to sit by the pool all weekend and drink beer.

Texas sucks if sitting around and drinking beer isn’t your thing. I’ve read up on the history and have become fond of some aspects of Texas history but think I would have enjoyed it much more 100 years ago.

I have a note on my fridge that says “I will not retire in Central Texas.” I also have young kids, a bit older than you, and I’ll tell you that you are in a tough stage. As they get older you can enjoy all of the public land out West has to offer. With young kids family help is also a cheat code so I understand that.

 

[traildust]

I’m born and raised in MS and moved to Central Texas for work 16 years ago. Texas is great if:
-You are single and enjoy drinking beer and eating BBQ and Mexican food.
-Have a pile of cash and can afford a 4-500 acre lease and enjoy drinking beer
-Have kids and enjoy sitting at the ball field all weekend and enjoy drinking beer.
-Like to sit by the pool all weekend and drink beer.

Texas sucks if sitting around and drinking beer isn’t your thing. I’ve read up on the history and have become fond of some aspects of Texas history but think I would have enjoyed it much more 100 years ago.

I have a note on my fridge that says “I will not retire in Central Texas.” I also have young kids, a bit older than you, and I’ll tell you that you are in a tough stage. As they get older you can enjoy all of the public land out West has to offer. With young kids family help is also a cheat code so I understand that.

Thats rich coming from a Mississippian!

 

[eamyrick]

Thats rich coming from a Mississippian!

Hahah Hell. Texas is just a bunch of wild ass transplants form MS, TN, and KY who wanted some free land from Mexico.