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Living in Texas
Texas has a way of keeping people on their toes. Everyone's heard about the big houses, the no state income tax, and the barbecue. But nobody warns you about the dust on your car by noon, the summer heat that drives you indoors for months, or the property tax bill that shows up and humbles you real fast.
If you're thinking about moving to Texas — or you're already here and still processing it all — here's what you actually need to know. The real shocks, the funny ones, and the ones that matter most before you buy.
Let's start with the biggest adjustment of all: the heat. When you first move here, you'll try to live your normal life — morning walks, trips to the park, outdoor everything. And then you'll step outside in July and realize why nobody is out there.
Texas summers regularly hit 105°–110°F, and the heat index makes it feel even worse. You'll learn quickly that Texas doesn't really have four seasons. It has three: fall, spring, and air conditioning.
A few things to accept early:
The silver lining? The sunsets. Genuinely, some of the most beautiful skies you'll ever see happen right here in Texas. They stop you mid-scroll, mid-conversation, mid-everything. Once you experience one, you'll start to understand why people fall so hard for this place.
Everything in Texas is far — even within cities. That's just the reality of living in one of the largest states in the country. But here's the thing: the speed limits actually reflect that. You'll see 75 to 85 mph on major highways, and if you're sitting in the left lane going anything less than 90, expect some honking.
Texans drive fast, and they expect you to keep up. Once you adjust, though, there's something genuinely satisfying about an open Texas highway getting you to your destination faster than you ever expected.
Just budget time. Distances that look short on a map can still be 30–45 minutes on a good day.
Texas isn't just a state with a culture — it is a culture. And a lot of that comes from the fact that it used to be its own country. From 1836 to 1845, Texas was the Republic of Texas, with its own president, currency, and army. That independent spirit never left.
You'll see it in everything:
Everything here is extra — the hats, the trucks, the boots, the glitter, the jewelry. And somehow it's all completely authentic. Texans are proud of their roots, and that pride is infectious.
This is where things get real, and I want you to be prepared before you fall in love with a house.
Yes, Texas has no state income tax. That's real, and it's a genuine financial benefit. But the property tax bill is how the state funds schools, roads, and city services — and those rates are some of the highest in the country. Always check the exact tax rate by address before you make an offer. The rate can vary significantly from one neighborhood to the next, even within the same city.
Also watch out for MUD districts (Municipal Utility Districts). That beautiful new neighborhood might sit inside one, which can add thousands of dollars per year to your tax bill on top of the standard rate.
Between hail, flooding, and wind events, you may need more than a standard homeowners policy. Separate flood coverage is worth researching depending on where you buy, even if the property isn't in a designated flood zone.
This one surprises almost everyone. Texas operates almost entirely on its own independent power grid — ERCOT — separate from the rest of the country. It's part of the state's independence, and sometimes part of its problem. The 2021 winter storms knocked out power for millions of Texans for days.
Because of that, more and more homeowners here are investing in generators, solar panels, or battery backup systems. In Texas, being prepared isn't paranoia — it's just practical.
In most of Texas, you actually choose your electricity provider. That's empowering — until you're scrolling through 30 different plans at midnight trying to figure out which one won't spike your bill all summer. Do your research before you move in, not after your first August bill arrives.
Central Texas is largely clay and limestone, and the ground shifts. Hairline cracks in walls and foundations are common here and not always cause for panic — but they do need to be monitored. Get a foundation inspection before you close on any home. It is worth every single penny.
And even if drainage and gutters don't sound exciting, they matter more here than almost anywhere else. Proper grading around a home protects the foundation, especially during heavy rain events.
School district quality impacts resale value more than almost any other factor. It matters to future buyers whether or not it matters to you right now.
Beyond the logistics, Texas has a personality — and it catches people off guard in the best way.
Texans are chatty. You will have a full, meaningful conversation with a complete stranger in a grocery line. It's just how things work here.
People hold doors. Strangers wave from their trucks. "Y'all" is used completely unironically and somehow it feels warm every single time.
Friday night football is serious business. In many Texas towns, stores close early on Fridays so the whole city can pack the stadium for high school games. It's not just a sport — it's community glue.
Wildlife is part of life. Armadillos, scorpions, tarantulas, bats under the bridge, and mosquitoes that seem like they could pay rent. Get your house sprayed for pests every quarter — that's just standard Texas homeowner maintenance.
Purple paint on a fence post means no trespassing. It's the Texas landowner's signal, and it's legally binding.
And don't be surprised if you see a horse at a downtown parade or a Longhorn at a local festival. That is completely normal.
Here's the part that surprises people the most — and it's not the heat or the taxes.
It's the people.
Neighbors wave. Strangers help you unload your car without being asked. Within a few weeks, you're invited to a backyard barbecue like you've lived there your whole life. My clients tell me this over and over: they didn't expect to feel connected so quickly. They didn't expect to feel welcomed so genuinely.
The heat, the dust, the quirks — they'll test your patience at first. But give Texas a little time. Once you stop fighting it and start living with it, something shifts. You find your rhythm. Morning walks in the fall. Kids running through sprinklers in the spring. Golden-hour drives in winter with the windows down.
You'll fall in love with the small things: the smell of barbecue smoke drifting through the neighborhood, the sunsets that stop you in your tracks, the way people here genuinely show up for each other.
Once Texas welcomes you, you'll never see it the same way again.
Expert in: Living in Texas
Austin real estate expert helping families find their perfect home in the Texas Hill Country.
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