Buying A House In Texas: Finding Your Dream Home | Teifke Real Estate

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Buying A House In Texas: What You Need To Know & How To Find The City That Best Works For Your Lifestyle

Amanda Stevens

Content Strategist

Nov 5, 2022 6 MIN READ

Reading Time: 6 minutes

Thinking about moving to Texas? You’re not alone! There are a lot of reasons to move to the lone star state, not least the many choices in which city you’re going to live in and the different kinds of culture and job opportunities in the different parts of the state. 

Not sure where to get started, or which of Texas’s cities is going to offer the best opportunity for your family?

We get it! 

One of the downsides that comes with living in a state as large and varied as Texas is that it can be difficult to figure out where to live. Most states have one or two cities that have a big cultural difference or different kinds of economies, Texas has half a dozen, not to mention the smaller cities and towns that help define this great state! 

While we can’t talk about everywhere this guide should at least help you get started finding the right Texan city or town. 

Buying a house in this large state is easier than it looks, once you know what you’re looking for! 

Thinking About Moving To Texas? Why This May Be A Good Decision

There are a lot of reasons people are thinking about moving to Texas, here are some of the top reasons you might want to join them! 

We’ll also talk about some of Texas’s biggest and most popular cities, and why these areas, in particular, are booming. 

No State Income Tax

One of the biggest advantages of living in The Lone Star State is that the state doesn’t charge income tax. Of course, there are other taxes that you’ll have to deal with, including higher property taxes in parts of the state, but the lack of an income tax is still a huge boon for most residents. 

Great Outdoor Lifestyle

If you’re someone who likes the outdoors, you’ll be in good company in this state. While not all Texans are all about the outdoors, a fair number are, and there are a lot of national parks, state parks, city parks, and outdoor attractions and gardens just about everywhere in Texas. 

Whether you’re into hiking, seeing more developed outdoor spaces, want to go kayaking and rafting, or just want to enjoy the outside air in a scenic location, there are outdoor attractions there for you. 

Fantastic Jobs Markets

Texas is seeing a bit of a jobs boom in the last few years, with several companies even taking the big step of moving their headquarters to the state and announcing that this is the economy they want to be in in the future. 

There are opportunities in almost every sector, from the arts and acting, to tech jobs, education, and engineering. Texas is also the place you want to be for anything and everything aerospace. 

Strong Focus On Education And Safety

The community in this state is very big on putting education and community safety first. People are willing to invest in their kids’ education, which means that there are strong public education programs and a lot of private schools to choose from. 

STEM is often emphasized in schools, and Texan schools work hard to give their students a lot of opportunities. 

Plus, with low crime rates and high rates of community safety, you’ll feel safe letting your kids play around the neighborhood and hosting gatherings. 

Meet Texas’s Top Cities: Houston, Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio

If you’re thinking about moving to Texas you’re probably considering moving to Houston, Austin, Dallas, or one of the other big cities in the state, or the suburbs around there. These cities are cultural hotspots, offer a ton of educational opportunities, and are where the biggest jobs markets are in Texas. 

With a wide range of housing options, sprawling suburban areas, and Very different feels, it’s a good idea to visit these cities and look at the differences in the job market before you decide where you want to live. 

Don’t worry, we’ll go into more detail in the next section. 

How To Select The Right City For Your Lifestyle When Buying A House In Texas

Let’s really break down what each of the major cities in Texas has to offer. There are homes for sale in all of these cities but choosing the right city can make a big difference in your experience of the state. 

Houston

Houston has a booming job market right now. It’s hot, it’s subtropical, and there are a LOT of different kinds of people living in this area. There is a lot of culture here, and it’s a great area for people looking for a melting pot or a thriving nightlife. 

Cost of living is also lower on average in Houston, compared with the country at large, making it one of the most affordable cities you can choose right now. 

Just be prepared for the long commutes. It can take a lot of time to get from place to place in this sprawling city, and you need to have your own transportation. 

Austin

If you’re a foodie, Austin is a great city. Like Houston, Austin is a thriving multicultural city with a big job market and lower-than-average cost of living. It’s got a pretty good nightlife going and people are genuinely friendly here. 

Austin is also relatively young on average, and it’s a popular city with the Millennial crowd. Why Millennials? Well, part of it is that there are a lot of job opportunities for people looking to move up in their industry and grow their professional skills. 

Lastly, Austin is one of the best cities in Texas if you’re looking for an outdoorsy lifestyle. From the many parks and entertainment areas to hiking and rafting opportunities, Austin has a little bit of everything for your outdoor entertainment. 

Dallas-Fort Worth

Want to live somewhere with a mix of suburban and urban living? The Dallas-Fort Worth area might be the place for you. This thriving, and very large, metro area has pockets of all different kinds of housing and lifestyle options. 

Football is Big in Dallas, for obvious reasons, and there is a huge sports culture here. Games are a big deal, and game-day parties are even bigger. 

Ranked the 2nd best place to live in Texas, if you’re looking for the best of Texan culture, this is one of the hot spots. 

El Paso

A lot of people have a bad impression of El Paso because it’s a border city. But most of the negative impressions about this metro area are about as far from the truth as you can get. For one thing, El Paso is one of the safest places to live, with low crime rates and an incredibly low rate of violence. 

Cost of living here is extremely low, and if you’re a desert lover you’ll thrive in the beautiful environment in and around El Paso. 

Tex-Mex is at its peak in El Paso, which is great news because with more and more employers moving in, Tex-Mex is the perfect way to wind down after a long day in the office. 

San Antonio

San Antonio is the most affordable major city in Texas and is known for its laid-back and relaxed atmosphere. 

If you’re looking for an urban area with a slower, more easygoing pace of life, and a place where you can live affordably, this is a great city. Known for good food, good times, and affordability, San Antonio is also one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. That means lots of jobs, lots of culture, and always changing demographics. 

Arlington

Arlington is a more expensive area, but the low rates of unemployment and crime make it more than worth it for people who are looking for more security in their place of living. 

Smaller than a lot of Texan cities, Arlington is a little closer to laid-back rural living. It’s also known for safety and the opportunities for higher education in the city. 

However, most Arlington residents are renters, so buying a home here may be trickier than elsewhere. 

Waco 

If you’re looking for a slightly smaller city with better-than-average public schools, high safety ratings, and a suburban lifestyle, Waco is a great place to live. 

The only downside is that, again, Waco is a city where most people rent. So the homes available for sale might be harder to get, and the cost of living is a little higher. 

Galveston

If you’re looking for somewhere that exudes Southern Charm and hospitality, Galveston might just be the place to be. People are consistently friendly here, and there are tighter community ties than in a lot of cities. Expect gatherings, invitations, and a lot of holiday cards here! 

Galveston also has milder weather than a lot of Texas, and the advantage of being both a coastal city and still managing to have lower than the average cost of living! 

 

Why You Need Expert Help When Selecting A House To Buy 

If you haven’t already noticed, there are a lot of different kinds of communities to choose from in Texas, and a lot of different lifestyles and types of communities. 

Having a real estate agent that can help you find the right neighborhood, as well as the right house, is a big deal. 

There are also a lot of different climates and environmental concerns in The Lone Star State. An experienced real estate agent will help you find a home that ticks all the right boxes and is going to be year-round comfortable no matter which climate area you’re living in. 

Plus, the best real estate agents can help you find the deals and hidden gems that a general home search just can’t find. 

If you want to get the best home for your family and your budget, out of all the homes for sale in Texas, you’re going to need help. 

Contact Teifke Real Estate to work with our expert team and make sure you get the best possible home, no matter what you’re looking for.

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Content Strategist

Amanda Stevens

Amanda is a content strategist and writer for Teifke Real Estate. She graduated Magnum Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. She writes for several different outlets across multiple verticals. In her spare time she loves learning about health, nutrition, meditation, spiritual practices, and enjoys being the a mother of a beautiful daughter.