From NY to TX

The pros:

Much lower cost of living than NY
Milder winters (if that means anything to you)
Tex-Mex food
No state income tax
Wide open spaces


The cons:

It's not New York

Seriously, when I saw your post, the first thing I thought was, "OMG! Are you outta your mind?" The second thing I thought was, "Hey! I wonder if they want to trade houses with me?"

I've lived here in Texas most of my 41 years, and I'm dying to move to NYC. If you're from the city, you might find our annoying need to get in the car and drive to go anywhere is silly (there is no mass transit to speak of, even in the cities). There are similarities, such as great people and food. The cultural arts here are growing, although nowhere near the level of NY. There are some great small towns, and just about any kind of environment you may be craving (coastal, East Texas piney woods, West Texas desert, the mountains of Big Bend, etc...). Our winters are obviously milder...but the summer heat will cook your brain (and it lasts for-freaking-ever!). We have all the big sports covered and have pretty good teams (especially hockey!)

There is a lot of hiring going on for nurses here in Texas, although I can really only speak for the Dallas/Fort Worth area secifically. The salaries here will shock you, compared to yours. Ours our much lower, but so is our cost of living. Texas has every kind of healthcare specialty your heart may desire.

I love it in Texas, and I will always consider myself a Texan. But I am tired of driving my damn car just to get a gallon of milk. I'm sick of the heat. My son does musical theatre and dances, and there isn't much future here for him. I know how you feel...I'm ready for a change too. (But I will so miss good TexMex! LOL!)

I moved to Texas 10 years ago and it was a good move for me. Weather is milder. Independent spirits. State budget MUST be balanced so govt spending is not as crazy as some places. Major cities if you want to be in big city environment with intl airports. You cannot expect a one-size-fits-all statement about Texas as it has a lot of variety, from ocean to mountains to desert to lush greenery. Texas is big. I am 1000 miles from El Paso but still in the same state. Amarillo has bad winters due to altitude, San Antonio has none to speak of. I never wear a coat.

As for nursing - salaries differ from one area to another depending on market demands but there is every type of nursing in Texas. Many good schools. The Texas Nurses asso is very active and has a good relationship with the BON. This allows every nurse the opportunity to present ideas/bills to Congress via the TNA lobbyist. Texas is a right-to-work state, meaning unions are not supported much. If there is a union you do not have to join. Independent spirit again - your choice!

Are you kidding??? Don't expect any of us native Texans to point out the downsides. Throw away that coat! We don't even have anywhere to put the darn things down here.

Right now, our economy is still pretty healthy - Take a look at the latest edition of Kiplingers magazine -- Houston is rated #1 in the US. Housing is still affordable, especially in Houston because of our peculiar take on civic government. No zoning - never had it, never will. Downside: be sure to have a native 'guide' when you are in the real estate market.

Seriously, it will probably take some cultural adaptation on your part - but we love diversity and welcome the differences. If you're from NYC, I would suggest staying close to one of the metro areas. When you hear a place described as "rural", it can mean many things - including having to drive 75 miles for a gallon of milk (been there).

I would suggest some 'try before you buy' - come on down and visit. If you wander down to Houston, give me a holler and I'd be glad to show you around.

Thanks for your replies and I don't mean to hijack the thread. DH and I are STRONGLY considering moving to Houston in a year or two. We both have family there and dread the cold winters and EXPENSE of Brooklyn, NY. I've lived in NY all my and honestly need a change.

Rbezemek, I may have to take you up on that offer. SERIOUSLY.
Starbucksnurse, we have to keep in contact!

There's a New Yorker who frequently posts on these forums, and she goes by the user name of Loritacus. She lived in Texas until a couple of years ago, and went back to NY as fast as she could.

Some of the people were very discrimatory toward her East Coast accent, which gave away the fact that she was a "Northerner." I believe she also found the workplace culture in a few TX hospitals to be less than desirable.

She had some other issues, on which I really hope she'll elaborate soon.

Im from NJ myself, and completely fell in love with Austin. It's a really cool city that will surprise you with how much it has to offer. Its on the top 10 list for just about everything. It a big city that has a small town feel to it. I also didnt experience any poor treatment for being a " northerner", infact the people where nothing but friendly. Im a traveling nurse and the only reason i didnt stay there was because it was my first assignment and i want to travel more. Im actually going back for good in September. Im currently shopping for a home, and im shocked how inexpensive the homes are. I am taking a pay cut to go there but it doesnt matter. If i was back east there would be no way i could afford to get a home built in a great community, and go back to school full time, which is exactly what i am going to do. Good luck with your search, check out Austin.

Oh by the way ask about relocation bonuses when interviewing. They dont just offer it you have ask

What would you like me to elaborate on? Before going back East, I lived over 10 years in the Dallas area. Things did get better over that time concerning me being the foreign Yankee. The area has become a lot more tolerable to us foreigners. I really thin that 9-11 had something to do with that.

Funny thing, I just arrived back in the Dallas area this past weekend. Never could sell the house and the cost of living in NYC is way too outrageous to add upkeep and mortgage payments to an empty house. Besides, I still have some family in Texas.

You are correct when you mentioned the about workplace culture-think it has something to do with remants of the good old boy mentality. However, I have found a few hospitals to be less clicky, but they are few and far between.

The transition from NYC to the South is a very hard one, as I suspect it is the other way around.