There are plenty of nice places other than Texas. New Mexico is lovely and very affordable. Real estate in Las Cruces, which is readily drivable from Austin, is very affordable and the Organ Mountains make for a fine backdrop. Santa Fe is no longer more expensive than Austin, and there are still parts of Colorado that are not infested with newcomers, but you have to go out on the Western Slope. I'd stay away from Northern Arizona because real estate has been driven up there by Californians but there are very nice towns in Utah, and it is a state with more national parkland than any other. Further north, winter becomes an issue and I'm not suffering the cold any more than I want the extreme heat.
Only been there a few times, but very much enjoyed it. Found Karl Rove's estranged father there, and I had a book tour stop there, too, and got a good crowd.
I love it. My young realtor said, I don't know how to say this but seniors here are not traditional. I told him I already knew it's was a party crowd. Lol.
Sobering tale, well told as usual. The promise of Texas has always been its opportunity. The shame of Texas has always been the limits on that opportunity enforced by the government: On Mexican-American families living in fetid colonies. On young blacks in East Texas condemned to shitty schools. On inner-city people of color with no access to health care a mile away from a gleaming new medical school campus.
Our "leaders" distract the voters with illegal migrants and drag queens and say it's "their" fault to conceal the truth: that the "Texas Miracle" is propped up by grotesque inequalities in who *really* gets opportunity.
As always, an artfully told sad story. We see stories here from Californians who regret moving there for the reasons you mentioned. I think young families should seriously consider leaving for the sake of their children. Black people should repeat the great migration and get the hell out of a place where the political culture is unapologetically white supremacist. There are pockets of affordability in sane, kinder places. Some sacrifices, like living in states of hate, aren't worth it.
I’m thinking… Canada. It was in my mind before I was drafted. Seems righter now. Except for wife and kids and grandkids and friends. (Insert expletive here.)
I was born in Texas and never had a desire to leave until the last few years. I’m sickened about what is happening in Texas and Florida, plus a few other states. I never thought I’d see this degree of stupidity and hatefulness
here. I’d like to see this article in TX Monthly or a newspaper.
Maryland. We’re gerrymandered D, but we’re not insane. Our public schools are still good, our access to health systems excellent, we have gorgeous scenery and outdoor life, and for you winter-haters, we get warmer every year.
You know, Jim, my wife and I have been having this conversation a lot lately. My Dad moved us to Texas when I was one, so practically a native, and my love for the state and it's unique history is deep. But, frankly that is pretty much all that is keeping me here. Knowing Patrick personally as I do, I agree with your assessment of his lack of gray matter. And I can't imagine a teacher looking at all that was and wasn't done this session and not simply throwing her hands up and saying, "enough." Karen says we need to move north, and up in elevation given the climate. She almost has me convinced.
I'm with Karen. Santa Fe has real estate as affordable as Texas. And the Western Slope of the Rockies is not overrun with greed and speculation, either. I like Grand Junction and plan to look around there before the summer is out. And whenever I think of Dan Patrick, my image is the foam blue Oilers hat and a face painted blue on TV.
Spot on commentary...Texas that once was no longer exists...I came in 1963 with my parents...had to adjust to bobby socks & poodle skirts on high school girls...spent time in Austin during '68-'70 while my ex attended UT...Austin was weird then, not now...I'm ready to leave what this state has become but I'm too old and too poor to just pack up and go somewhere blue...as to the country I'm ready to move to Ireland or New Zealand but can't for the same reasons...I wish all the luck in the 'Verse to those that stay...
What bothers me as much as our right wing, evil, small minded, unregenerate, vomitus politicians are the people who vote for them. When exactly did they lose their soul? I would move in a minute to any state or country that has some degree of compassion for all people and decent TexMex. Also, here is the way I heard it twenty years ago Jim. How many Austinites does it take to change a light bulb? Just one, but it'll never be like it was.
There are plenty of nice places other than Texas. New Mexico is lovely and very affordable. Real estate in Las Cruces, which is readily drivable from Austin, is very affordable and the Organ Mountains make for a fine backdrop. Santa Fe is no longer more expensive than Austin, and there are still parts of Colorado that are not infested with newcomers, but you have to go out on the Western Slope. I'd stay away from Northern Arizona because real estate has been driven up there by Californians but there are very nice towns in Utah, and it is a state with more national parkland than any other. Further north, winter becomes an issue and I'm not suffering the cold any more than I want the extreme heat.
The Palm Springs area is very affordable for those who can take the heat. Riverside also.
Yeah, but I heard Palm Springs and Joshua Tree might hit 130 today or first part of the week!!
I know. It's a hot bed. Ashame because it's a cool place.
Only been there a few times, but very much enjoyed it. Found Karl Rove's estranged father there, and I had a book tour stop there, too, and got a good crowd.
I love it. My young realtor said, I don't know how to say this but seniors here are not traditional. I told him I already knew it's was a party crowd. Lol.
Sobering tale, well told as usual. The promise of Texas has always been its opportunity. The shame of Texas has always been the limits on that opportunity enforced by the government: On Mexican-American families living in fetid colonies. On young blacks in East Texas condemned to shitty schools. On inner-city people of color with no access to health care a mile away from a gleaming new medical school campus.
Our "leaders" distract the voters with illegal migrants and drag queens and say it's "their" fault to conceal the truth: that the "Texas Miracle" is propped up by grotesque inequalities in who *really* gets opportunity.
As always, an artfully told sad story. We see stories here from Californians who regret moving there for the reasons you mentioned. I think young families should seriously consider leaving for the sake of their children. Black people should repeat the great migration and get the hell out of a place where the political culture is unapologetically white supremacist. There are pockets of affordability in sane, kinder places. Some sacrifices, like living in states of hate, aren't worth it.
I’m thinking… Canada. It was in my mind before I was drafted. Seems righter now. Except for wife and kids and grandkids and friends. (Insert expletive here.)
I was born in Texas and never had a desire to leave until the last few years. I’m sickened about what is happening in Texas and Florida, plus a few other states. I never thought I’d see this degree of stupidity and hatefulness
here. I’d like to see this article in TX Monthly or a newspaper.
Maryland. We’re gerrymandered D, but we’re not insane. Our public schools are still good, our access to health systems excellent, we have gorgeous scenery and outdoor life, and for you winter-haters, we get warmer every year.
😪Agreed. But where to move?
You know, Jim, my wife and I have been having this conversation a lot lately. My Dad moved us to Texas when I was one, so practically a native, and my love for the state and it's unique history is deep. But, frankly that is pretty much all that is keeping me here. Knowing Patrick personally as I do, I agree with your assessment of his lack of gray matter. And I can't imagine a teacher looking at all that was and wasn't done this session and not simply throwing her hands up and saying, "enough." Karen says we need to move north, and up in elevation given the climate. She almost has me convinced.
I'm with Karen. Santa Fe has real estate as affordable as Texas. And the Western Slope of the Rockies is not overrun with greed and speculation, either. I like Grand Junction and plan to look around there before the summer is out. And whenever I think of Dan Patrick, my image is the foam blue Oilers hat and a face painted blue on TV.
Spot on commentary...Texas that once was no longer exists...I came in 1963 with my parents...had to adjust to bobby socks & poodle skirts on high school girls...spent time in Austin during '68-'70 while my ex attended UT...Austin was weird then, not now...I'm ready to leave what this state has become but I'm too old and too poor to just pack up and go somewhere blue...as to the country I'm ready to move to Ireland or New Zealand but can't for the same reasons...I wish all the luck in the 'Verse to those that stay...
It's a damned tragedy what's happened to my state. Seems like it's evolving into some sort of a nation-state.
What bothers me as much as our right wing, evil, small minded, unregenerate, vomitus politicians are the people who vote for them. When exactly did they lose their soul? I would move in a minute to any state or country that has some degree of compassion for all people and decent TexMex. Also, here is the way I heard it twenty years ago Jim. How many Austinites does it take to change a light bulb? Just one, but it'll never be like it was.