Written by: Madeline Blake
Date:

Ah, Texas. The never-ending desert filled with cacti and tumbleweeds. It is said that you are probably going to see a few dozen stereotypes about Texas during the first few days being there. The land of cowboys, freedom, and rock n roll. Pair that up with hot weather, and amazing job opportunities, and you have yourself a top pick for the location of your new home. That is why we have created a guide for moving to Texas! So, buckle up, and let’s get into it partner!

a desert

There are some unique sights in Texas.

Moving to Texas

Texas is a desert state also known as The Lone Star State. The name Texas originates from the Caddo Native American word Tejas, meaning “friends.” And that is just how you will feel when you move there. Texas is the biggest state in the United States of America with the area of 696,241 square km. The population is 28,701,845 with a median income of $59,206. It is located in the South of the USA and has a subtropical climate in the eastern part, and an arid desert climate in the western region. The summers are scorching, and the winters are mild. There are also frequent thunderstorms in Texas. 

Preparing for the move

When preparing for the move, you need to be properly organized. Proper organization is vital for everything in life, and that applies to moving as well. The best way to accurately organize your move to Texas is to create a checklist. Your long distance move to Texas will be smooth as one, two, three if you create an ultimate moving list. It should contain everything from the beginning to the end of your move. Deciding upon a moving company, deciding where to live, finding a new home, packing, and then unpacking after your move.

Another good idea that will help your organization is to make an inventory list. By creating an inventory list, you will know each item you are transporting to your new home in Texas. You will also know if something gets lost or damaged during your move. If you present your inventory to your long distance movers, they will be very grateful for your effort. But we will get to the relocation process shortly. Let’s take a look at what else you might need to consider before moving to Texas.

person packing a box, preparing for moving to Texas

Prepare an inventory list before you start packing.

Picking the right city

Picking the right city for your upcoming move is vital. You need to choose carefully because that will be the place of your new permanent residence. You do not want to live in a city you will not enjoy, right? That is why we will go through some of the biggest and best cities to live in Texas, be it because of job opportunities, the community, nightlife, etc.

Austin

Austin is the capital of the Lone Star State, and it is logical for it to be on the top spot. The tech industry is booming here, and if you are a tech worker, this will be a paradise for you. Most of the working population are under 40 years old, and that makes for a very vibrant culture. Another thing worth mentioning is that Austin is dubbed as the Capital of Blues rock in America. There are live gigs and events basically every night and are quite enough to satisfy your rocking needs. If you are into sports, Austin is the host of many smaller teams that are in development leagues, and unfortunately, does not have a Major League team.

 

a blues singer

Music is a way of life in Austin.

Dallas

The “Big D” is something special. Imagine that Texas lifestyle but placed in a booming metropolis. Downtown Dallas is filled with shiny skyscrapers, and it boasts a pretty rich history. The sports scene is really developed here with some of the top teams such as the Dallas Cowboys competing in the NFL, the Dallas Mavericks, an NBA team, the Texas Rangers, an MLB team, and even the Dallas Stars, an NHL team. Imagine a hockey team in a scorching hot state like Texas! These guys love their sports! With a population of 1.3 million people, it is undoubtedly one of the best places you can go to when moving to Texas!

The easiest way to relocate to this city is to find a moving company specialized in the area. You will want to hire one of the top movers in Dallas if you want to make your relocation as smooth as possible. We can help you with that, all you need to do is but give us a call!

Houston

The city of Houston is the leader in the oil business, and that is a big reason that many oil magnates decided to make their headquarters in Houston. It is the fourth biggest city in the United States. However, housing is still affordable, with the median house price sitting at a shocking $285,000. There are many other job opportunities for you in this city, even if you are not in the oil industry. Houston also has a vibrant nightlife and sports scene with teams such as the Houston Rockets in the NBA, Houston Texans (NFL), and the Houston Astros (MLB).

However, with the recent events, the home price is rapidly going up. More and more people want to take advantage of what Houston has to offer and they are driving the housing market to be more expensive. While the bargains might be few and far between these days, there are still some to be found. The more you look, the greater your chances of finding a good home, simple as that. Therefore, you may want to start searching for a place to live way before you actually plan to relocate.

a bird's eye view of Houston

Houston is a high-tech industrial city.

Taxes in Texas

The fact that there is no income state tax in Texas makes this place heaven for people with high income. However, cities may have their own rules and regulations related to taxing, so make sure to research that before deciding where to move. Taxes are something that will influence your daily life, and it is in your best interest to know as much about them as possible. Usually, the best idea is to seek professional help. That way, you will considerably reduce the time and effort required to get to grips with your new tax situation.

Barbecue is the national dish

If you are a barbecue lover, get ready for some of the best barbecue on the whole wide earth. Some of the best steaks and ribs can be found in Texas. If you say you are a vegetarian, get ready to receive a couple of frowns, but that should be about it. Texas is a very liberal state despite all the stereotypes.

person preparing barbecue

You will get plenty of invitations for a barbecue party.

But despite being liberal, barbecue is still a big thing in the state. Expect to listen in and participate in numerous conversations that revolve around this delicacy. After moving to Texas, you will most likely be invited to a barbecue party or two, after all. If you want to make a good impression, you might even want to do some research on the topic. That is sure to impress your neighbors and friends alike!

Guns in Texas

When you move to Texas, be ready for some over-the-top gun-loving. Every household owns at least one gun, and with all the “liberal” laws and regulations about transporting firearms in Texas, you should not be surprised to see someone wave a gun while celebrating the Dallas Cowboys winning a game. It’s just the way it is.

Texas is the “Lone Star State”, after all. And with the shows the like of “Walker, Texas Ranger”, it has a longstanding gun tradition. This is something you will simply have to get used to, despite your own thoughts on the subject. You might want to refrain from expressing any such thoughts if you don’t want to annoy most of the people around you. In Texas, guns are almost a way of life. People take pride in their collections and their skills with firearms. This does mean that Texas is ranked as the 15th highest state when it comes to violent crime. Is it due to all the guns, we can only speculate.

The relocation process

Moving to Texas and adapting to your new home as soon as possible is going to largely depend on the relocation process itself. To make the most of it, you will want to hire one of the top moving companies Texas has to offer. Verified Movers can help you find them without spending too much time or energy. You just tell us what you need, and we will find a mover that is ideal for the situation! 

Packing and packing supplies

Every relocation process requires plenty of containers and assorted packing supplies. You have several ways of obtaining these, depending on your desired affordability or convenience. The most convenient way to buy packing materials is to have your movers deliver them to your doorstep. Alternatively, going to the store and buying them on your own is another viable option. But if you want to save money on a long distance move, you may need to look into cheaper solutions. For example, you can get free cardboard moving boxes from your local shops.

The way this works is rather simple. You go inside a store (the ones that you frequent more often have a better chance of producing free boxes) and ask if they have a couple of boxes they might be willing to spare for your relocation. Smile, be polite, and most of the time they will be able to send a box or two your way. Visit enough shops and you will have all the containers you will need!

As for packing materials, your best bet is visiting some of the item-sharing websites, such as FreeCycle, and looking if there are some up for grabs. Alternatively, you may ask around your neighborhood for people that have recently moved. Usually, people buy more materials than they require and are glad to part with their surplus.

woman labeling boxes in preparation for moving to Texas

Label your boxes, and you will have a much easier time unpacking.

Finding a good moving company

The most important “cog” in your relocation machine is the moving company you choose to hire. They can make all the difference between a reliable and enjoyable relocation experience and a shoddy, unsatisfying, one. Therefore, you will want to read as many of the interstate moving companies reviews Texas as you can find. If you get in touch with us, we can provide you with some information about movers in Texas, allowing you to make the best choice. And, of course, we can provide you with a custom list of moving companies that are tailored to your specific situation.

But if you choose to find the movers on your own, you need to pay attention to the following things:

  • Is the company licensed, insured, and bonded?
  • Does the company have a good reputation?
  • Is the mover listed with the BBB?
  • What do the customer reviews say?

Aside from answering these questions, you will want to ask your movers as many questions as you can think of. How are they forming the price, can they provide you with a binding estimate, do they do relocations on their own or through a third-party company? How about customer support? The more questions you ask, the better. Besides, by listening to the answers you will glean much about the company. The manner of speaking of their customer representatives, the professionalism in their voice, willingness to compromise, etc.

To conclude

All in all, Texas is one of a kind state. They are so unique in their ways, it is no surprise that there are rumors of Texas becoming independent. A land steeped in history, rock n roll, and barbecue. If you are moving to Texas, be ready for an experience of a lifetime! Just make sure that you have a good mover by your side, as that can set the mood for your Texas life.