Probably little help to you, but I visited Victoria a couple of years back and thought it was one of the nicest places I'd seen in that region. Plus, you would have the dubious advantage of living in Stone Cold Steve Austin's hometown. I know that for many people that's a serious plus.

Go for the Hill Country man, Austin and the surrounding areas are just gorgeous. Man, I love this state. I live in dallas now, but my heart is in austin.

Yeah, I was thinking Kerrville or Fredricksburg, but my mom says it's really expensive out there now. I'm doing some research on Victoria and so far I'm liking what I'm seeing. I'll do a run on the Hill Country, but we can't afford chic. I don't have the bankroll.

I love the Hill Country, too, man.

CJ<--who remembers when LBJ Freeway was in the boonies.

I agree with the Austin thing too. I'm not trying to start another political dialogue, but Austin has a particular left-wing pulse to it which you might enjoy knowing some of your political thoughts. Sortof the Berkley of Texas.

Tim

West Texas....Lubbock, Post, Levelland. Some of the evacuees are going to stay here because their sinus conditions cleared up. We have the best weather in the world. High and Dry. It is not really hot here but and hour or so late in the day. I love Austin but the heat makes it unlivable several months. Same for Dallas, Houston, and Wichita Falls.

Our pay rates aren't so hot but there is hardly any unemployment and cost of living is much lower than the bigger cities. Much less traffic and congestion. It is flat, you use less gas. Apartments have overbuilt therefore rents are half of Austin or Dallas.

We have blowing dust an average of 20 day a year, usually in the late afternoons. Get out mornings and stay in while it is blowing. No big deal.

The cities I travel to and would live in parts of the year are Austin, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas. Many people who grew up in West Texas come back when they retire or earlier.

Johnny, I know that you West Texas people love your part better than we love our Eastern part. East Texas is the Lapland of the South. However, I could never get used to West Texas. It's an alien planet to me. Some places you have to grow up in to really love. West Texas is such a place.

I'd love to live in Albuquerque. Or Santa Fe. (Who wouldn't?) Or VEGAS. But, I'm dragging along the rake. I sincerely doubt she could live without a tree.

CJ

I hear you Jack. Folks are best off where they grew up. If you are a real good poker player, move as far north in Texas as you can get so you can play poker in Oklahoma. It is just now legal and that means the play will be easy in casinos for a while. There are also JOBS. I helped a pal get a starter job in a casino as a dealer but he has the skills to run a card room and tournaments.

People get to loving their own home land if they have any sense. If I grew up in East Texas with lots of trees and water, I might view our barren flat plains differently. We have far more sky than any other place.

Check your private messages.

JJ