Should I move to Texas or California?

2018-03-23T08:13:38-04:00

So I'm originally from Texas joined the Marine Corps boot camp,MCT, and both duty stations in California. 10 years in California, that's pretty much all my boys know up until my we moved to Ohio(which sucked...sorry for anyone who is from Ohio) and now CT. But we are looking to move either to Texas or Cali. I'm torn I love Texas but love what Cali has to offer, from offroading in the desert,snowboarding ,hiking,camping and all the kids friendly attractions. Texas is well Texas we go back forth so any advice would be great?

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Mar 23 at 2018 8:46 AM

2018-03-23T08:46:56-04:00

Sgt Adrian Jones .Every time I move away from Texas. I always end up moving back ! I am staying in Texas......Texas has quite a bit to offer, from it's gulf shore beaches, rolling prairies and lakes, piney woods of east Texas, the fort trails, fishing, camping, boating and hunting....... Tex mex food, BBQ, and chicken fried steak ! Of course I can go on and on about Texas.... Because I always moved back !

Response by SSG Donald H "Don" Bates made Mar 23 at 2018 8:50 AM

2018-03-23T08:50:53-04:00

As a native Iowan all I can say is I and my family love the State of Texas. We have different areas with different climates so explore the state a bit, and pick your piece of Heaven. I live on the Gulf Coast but if I had had my choice when we moved here it would be West Texas for me. (Also lived in Ohio for three years long ago- would not go back)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 9:00 AM

2018-03-23T09:00:36-04:00

Our last duty station was Fort Irwin near the town of Barstow, California. On 4 days we would travel to San Diego, San Francisco, Bakersfield area, and then up North around Yosemite area. California is beautiful but it is not Texas. We now live east of San Antonio in a small rural area. The beach is 2 hrs from my front door. The Guadeloupe River is 1 hr. Texas has some great fly fishing waters and the trout are fat. Tubing down the river just opened this week. Wineries are close by and the brisket is always ready. We compared Texas to several other states and the cost comparisons always favored Texas. If we had a pool I don't think I'd leave my house at all. Amazon and HEB deliver to the front door. Best of luck in your decision.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 10:04 AM

2018-03-23T10:04:28-04:00

It depends on your priorities and whether or not you feel the need to protect your family or want the government to respond after crimes are committed. I was born in TX and lived in CA before i switched careers and moved back to TX. Starting over in 1999, I took a pay cut moving back, but it was a pay raise due to the cost of living. I've spent quite a bit of time in CA, but for me it's a place to visit. I could never move back there. Fortunately, I live near DFW and Love Field and can travel anywhere in the US cheaply, providing i plan accordingly.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 23 at 2018 10:55 AM

2018-03-23T10:55:36-04:00

How much taxes do you want to pay?

Response by SSG Antoinette Azevedo Toscano made Mar 23 at 2018 11:18 AM

2018-03-23T11:18:41-04:00

Consider Colorado. It is an outdoors person’s paradise, the people are laid back and friendly like in San Diego, but some of the towns and cities with populations over 100k still feel like small towns. 4- miles from my home in Fort Collins I can hike a mountain, on like a random Wednesday morning and still go to work. The cost of living is lower than California but it is starting to creep up.

Response by PO1 Brian Austin made Mar 23 at 2018 11:41 AM

2018-03-23T11:41:01-04:00

As a current resident of California, i'd say move to Texas.

Response by SSG Arron Daniels made Mar 23 at 2018 12:38 PM

2018-03-23T12:38:14-04:00

I'd say Texas for cost of living and possibly jobs. It all depends on what you are looking for the family to thrive.

Response by PFC Jim Wheeler made Mar 23 at 2018 2:58 PM

2018-03-23T14:58:57-04:00

You couldn't pay me enough to leave Texas for California.

As in, you literally can't because it costs so much more to live in CA.

Response by Sgt Kelli Mays made Mar 23 at 2018 5:23 PM

2018-03-23T17:23:57-04:00

Sgt Adrian Jones Most DEFINATELY TEXAS for sure!
1. Cost of LIVING way cheaper...Food, Gas and Housing
2. Roads are much better and traffic, though we have our share of rush hour...traffic is better
3. We have beaches, mountains, forests, casino's and everything else CA does....and WE HAVE FOUR seasons....CA does not
4. We have COURTESEY. People in CA seem to always be in a hurry...they are not courteous....
5. WE DO not have SANTUARY cities and all of the STUPIDITY that goes along with it...yes, yes...there are a few cities that do it in Secret.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Mar 23 at 2018 6:44 PM

2018-03-23T18:44:22-04:00

If you have to even think about coming home to Texas, we don't want you here... Just kidding. Most of those things you can do in Texas, too, to an extent, with the added bonus of no Cali crazy!

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Mar 23 at 2018 6:48 PM

2018-03-23T18:48:03-04:00

Live in Texas, vacation in California.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Mar 23 at 2018 6:55 PM

2018-03-23T18:55:45-04:00

I would base it on your job and opportunities for your kids in the workforce. Which state offers you and your career better opportunity for moving up the ladder. Same with your kids, which state offers you a better education for the money spent and the ability of your kids to get gainful employment that lasts. Then pick the state that wins. I have problems with California for one it is ridiculously AND artificially expensive to live there due to bad governmental management and bad zoning and really bad infrastructure investments.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2018 12:33 AM

2018-03-24T00:33:42-04:00

I usually say apply to jobs in both locations and select the job, not the location.

Response by TSgt Larry Johnson made Mar 24 at 2018 12:56 AM

2018-03-24T00:56:23-04:00

Retired in California, and got to Texas as fast as I could. Taxes alone save you big time. Salaries are higher in California, but the taxes on everything means you are really making less. Car tags in Texas are $80, not the $360 California wanted in 1993?

Response by Sgt John Steinmeier made Mar 24 at 2018 8:48 AM

2018-03-24T08:48:50-04:00

If you can have a fire in your backyard and not burn your house down then Texas, if not then maybe Texas isnt for you.

Response by LTJG Robert M. made Mar 24 at 2018 9:26 AM

2018-03-24T09:26:00-04:00

Lived in Cali 4x, last time was 2006-7. Totaled up local, city, county & state taxes and was paying 58% of my income in CA taxes. Texas has just as much to offer with much better standard of living, I’m in 4200 sqft Home on 6 acres for under 500k, find that in Cali

Response by SGT Brent Scott made Mar 24 at 2018 7:09 PM

2018-03-24T19:09:04-04:00

Well since your a marine you should stay in California, it’s where all the fruity folks are, Texas is basically an ARmy state. Any ways when a marine moves back to Texas the livestock get skeered... haha.... just come home to texas

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 2:43 AM

2018-03-27T02:43:54-04:00

I just Moved from Orange County California to Austin Texas about 8 months ago! I dont miss California traffic or taxes one little bit. Plus the liberal agenda is significantly less prevalent here.

Response by Cpl Dillan Meredith made Mar 27 at 2018 1:27 PM

2018-03-27T13:27:47-04:00

Hey brother! I live in Texas moved from Lejeune. Opened an off-road shop and it been a great move. A lot of pride and military support from the state I personally love it. Has its ups and downs

Response by SSG Erik McKinster made Apr 1 at 2018 10:15 AM

2018-04-01T10:15:55-04:00

Dude, no question... I'm originally from that communistic state, and I'll probably never leave Texas...

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Apr 5 at 2018 12:33 AM

2018-04-05T00:33:37-04:00

It depend on if you're active duty, reserve, i like texas cause housing is cheap of i do transition to civilian, and fun activity, cali is fun also but housing is expensive.

Response by PO2 Marc Gunter made Apr 12 at 2018 4:10 PM

2018-04-12T16:10:27-04:00

If you own any firearms, the decision should be easy. On the other hand, if you like smoking weed and having your Constitutional rights stripped away, the decision is also easy...

Response by SPC Billy Jones Jr made Apr 27 at 2018 7:02 AM

2018-04-27T07:02:48-04:00

Texas if you love freedom and your US Constitution

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2018 10:17 AM

2018-04-27T10:17:08-04:00

I loved the weather and recreation in CA. Beach, mountains, desert it has it all. I hated the cost of living and traffic. A friend bought a house in Ocean Beach (SD) a block from the beach. This was in early 80s. It was about 1000 sq ft on about 1/4 acre and he paid close to $200 k. He was a banker and said that was an incredible deal, so plan to give up some coin as you know. We lived overlooking La Costa Spa in Carlsbad before getting into SNCO housing in San Onofre and were definitely out of our league in our condo. Some people seem to prefer N Cali, from what I've read. I've flown through DFW and driven through the panhandle of TX, so I can't say. I hear Austin is a decent place but it depends on your budget and leanings on metro vs. rural. A friend in Houston (League City) got wiped out in recent hurricane, so I'd consider that. My wife is from the Berkshires in NW CT and I loved that part. Not crazy about Hartford and CT taxes though. You're doing the right thing by researching, so I hope it works out for you.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Apr 27 at 2018 3:51 PM

2018-04-27T15:51:19-04:00

It might come down to what kind of work do you do or can you find in either state.

Response by TSgt David Whitmore made May 3 at 2018 6:29 PM

2018-05-03T18:29:41-04:00

Texas!
Unless your familiar with recent events throughout California, and are comfortable with said events, you will probably be happy moving to Texas. But pick your area well. Austin is getting 'weirder', and the DFW and Houston regions seem to be filling up with folks immigrating from the 'left coast' region.
Side benefit of exiting the service in Texas is the Land and educational grants you qualify for. You should include those in your decision.

Good luck in your future.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jun 11 at 2018 5:55 PM

2018-06-11T17:55:44-04:00

Texas has no income tax. A big plus. Depending on where in Texas you choose to live, you may be able to do many of the activities you ascribe to CA. On the other hand, housing in CA is overpriced, taxes are high, and the school system is 44 out of 50. As a helicopter mechanic, I think you could find work in either state. Also, you might consider the Texas Army Guard. They might need helicopter mechanics. My personal choice would be Texas for the culture, low taxes, somewhat better schools (33 out of 50), less expensive housing.

Response by SSG Cynthia Koehn made Jun 26 at 2018 6:42 PM

2018-06-26T18:42:50-04:00

I'm from CA, moved to TX as a teen, then off to spend time with Uncle Sam.
When I got out, I went back to Texas and spent 20 years there. 5 years ago I moved home. HOME. There is just no comparison. I love it here. Green mountains and trees, way lower property tax and NO TORNADO warnings. I'm a Cali girl. Not moving again!