Is Texas a Good Place to Live? Everything You Need to Know

Texas is quickly becoming one of the most popular states to move to. Favorable weather, Southern hospitality and diverse cultural options continue to entice visitors to put down roots in the Lone Star State. With a lower cost of living compared to other states, highly-rated schools and a strong economy, it’s no wonder that 30 million people call the state home. Whether you prefer the bustle of the big city, wide open prairies or sandy beaches, Texas offers something for everyone.

Texas is home to:

• Texas BBQ & Tex-Mex Cuisine
• Cowboy Culture
• The Alamo
• NASA’s Johnson Space Center

Additionally, Texas has no state income tax, the most Fortune 500 companies of any state, premier professional and college sports and a thriving arts and music scene.

The Texas cities to consider first

Everything is bigger in Texas including its cities. Five of the 12 largest cities in the United States are found here. While there are hidden gems to discover everywhere, a few cities routinely rank as the most desirable to call home.

Fort Worth

Sitting 30 miles southwest of Dallas, Fort Worth offers a blend of affordable living, cultural attractions and outdoor activities. Historically known as “Where the West Begins,” the city maintains its cowboy culture in its Stockyards National Historic District where you can see daily cattle drives and stroll the brick streets lined with historic buildings and contemporary shops and restaurants.

If “cowboying up” isn’t your diversion, you can take in a Broadway show at the renowned Casa Manana Theatre, explore the botanical gardens and zoo or bike, hike or amble along the Clear Fork Trinity River in Trinity Park.

The school district boasts favorable student-to-teacher ratios for elementary and high schools and the city is home to Texas Christian University and Texas Wesleyan University.

The aerospace industry features prominently among Fort Worth’s top employers with Lockheed Martin leading the way. The city also hosts the headquarters of BNSF Railway, American Airlines and Texas Health Resources.

Austin

Annually cited as one of the best places in America to live, Austin, Texas balances business growth and protection of the environment, while retaining a quirky and vibrant culture all its own. The state capitol hosts the annual South by Southwest Festival - an incomparable mix of film, digital media, music and conferences. Also known as the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin houses hundreds of venues and annual festivals.

In recent years, tech companies have relocated to Austin’s rolling hills because of the city’s tax benefits, business-friendly regulations and relatively low cost of living, earning it the nickname Silicon Hill. Tesla, Apple and Amazon are a few of the companies that have opened facilities adding thousands of jobs. But it’s also one of the top cities in the country for starting a business because of its low unemployment, large labor force and high percentage of degree-holding talent pool.

While nearly a million people have made Austin their home, they are outnumbered by a creature of the night not usually seen in urban areas. More than 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats call the Congress Avenue Bridge their batcave. The bridge’s topside hosts the annual Bat Fest with live music, food, vendors, children’s activities and a bat costume contest.

Houston

Big-city lovers seeking small-town prices should look no further than Houston. The southeast Texas city skyrocketed to the fourth largest in the country by adding 1.1 million people in the past decade. About a quarter of its residents arrived from other countries and contribute to the cultural diversity, world-class restaurants and cosmopolitan events. Even with inflation, Houston maintained the second lowest costs of living of the top 20 largest metro areas.

Business is booming with jobs and companies relocating to the area. Texas leads the United States with the most Fortune 500 headquarters, with Houston being number one in the state. Houston claims 24 of Texas’ 53 Fortune 500 company headquarters. Houston is also a growing leader in biotech industries.

You can take a break from work and enjoy the city’s 366 parks and more than 200 green spaces, along more than 125 miles of hike-and-bike trails, or experience fine arts with the city’s own ballet company, symphony and the award-winning Grand Opera.

Corpus Christi

If the beachcomber lifestyle appeals to you, then Corpus Christi could be for you. The laid-back coastal town has stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico including the 70-mile-long white sands of Padre Island National Seashore. You can explore the deep blue even further at the Texas State Aquarium and take in naval history aboard the USS Lexington aircraft carrier, which was converted into a museum. The summertime becomes more energetic around town as the shorelines draw about 8 million visitors each year.

The Corpus Christi Naval Air Station is the largest employer in town but the aerospace, aviation and manufacturing industries also have a large presence. Whataburger started here so it’s also fitting the city boasts the largest restaurant in the chain at 6,000 square feet.

San Antonio

San Antonio feels like a relaxed, comfortable pair of blue jeans. The seventh largest city in the country prides itself on offering big-city amenities with a relaxed lifestyle and capitalizes on its Spanish and Old West influences.

The mild warm weather provides families year-round access to its amusement parks like Six Flags Fiesta or to enjoy a Tex-Mex meal al fresco. The River Walk is the heart of the city. The lush public waterway hosts many cultural celebrations, restaurants and shops, and boat tours. The city also owns the country’s largest wildlife bridge, draws more than 1.5 million people to its annual rodeo and sports a vibrant, multicultural music and arts scene. And don’t forget The Alamo.

San Antonio is becoming a major hub in health and biosciences, along with renewable energy and tourism. Plus the unemployment rate and costs of living are slightly below the national averages.

The advantages of home security and automation systems in Texas

The above cities in Texas are all exceptional places to live; however, keep in mind that larger cities experience more crime simply because of the greater populations. With Vivint’s integrated home security systems, you can protect your property while you’re away enjoying all that Texas offers. Automate your home with smart technology and monitor cameras, alarms, locks and thermostats on your portable devices. The system can also:

• Monitor the situation with our top-of-the-line security cameras.

• Control smart locks from your phone screen.

• Get alerted when glass breaks or other signs of invasion are detected.

• Use Vivint’s Smart Hub to seamlessly connect all Vivint’s products into a single control panel.

A camera for every occasion

We offer cameras for indoor use, outdoor use, and even for monitoring who rings your doorbell. View footage of your home on a phone screen from anywhere with an internet connection. Stay on top of who is coming to your front door, from repairmen and neighbors to any unexpected visitors you may encounter.

Smart lock control

You can fit each door of your home with a smart lock that only opens when you want someone to come through. You can program smart door locks with up to 50 codes that you can give to trusted individuals. With no need to leave a spare key hidden under the porch, there is one less method for criminals to get into your home.

Alerts and alarms

Outfit your home with alarm systems that constantly check for untoward activity. Should your windows break or if there's motion detected at an odd hour, the alarm will warn Vivint’s team of monitoring experts who can assess the situation and send help your way immediately in an emergency.

Simple smart hubs

You can control each piece of our home security equipment through the Vivint app. Not only can you control your smart locks and view camera footage, but you can even set home automation functions. Control your thermostat or dim the lights in the living room with just a few taps on your smartphone.

Securing your property has never been easier

Our home security and automation equipment is easy to set up and customize for your unique situation. Call us at 855.822.1220 to speak with our team of Smart Home Pros who would be happy to assist you with your Texas-based installation. In this modern age of convenience, there is no reason why protecting your property should be a hassle.