Knowing what your priorities are is a crucial step in finding a new place to live. If you are considering relocating to Texas, proximity to your place of work will play an important part in your decision, unless you are retiring or working remotely from home. If a city's music culture and walkability are top factors, Austin will be more attractive than an exurb of Houston, for example. By nature of the state's diversity and size, you have a broad range of choices.
Compare the real estate market in different cities. Purchasing or renting a home or apartment in San Antonio, Dallas or Houston will cost far more than in rural Texas or smaller cities such as Abilene or Killeen, for example. Browse real estate listings online or contact agents that specialize in specific regions of Texas. A real estate search can help you quickly rule out cities or areas that are too far outside your budget.
Compare the cost of living between different cities. Use a cost of living calculator online, such as Sperling's Best Places, which translates your current salary to the equivalent salary in another city in Texas. This will give you a better idea of what your money will buy you in a given area.
Compare climates. In Texas it varies widely, from continental steppe in the Texas High Plains to subtropical along the Gulf of Mexico.
Narrow down your list of cities or towns. Keep your list at a manageable size. Pinning down a maximum of three to five potential cities should make the selection process less overwhelming.
Gather data on individual neighborhoods. Select your city of choice in the Neighborhood Scout website and then choose the category you wish to compare, such as crime rates, home appreciation, luxury communities, retirement dream communities, Spanish-speaking neighborhoods and hip and trendy neighborhoods.
For example, if you select "Crime Rates," "Texas" and "Fort Worth" in the drop-down menus, you will find that the Texas Christian University/University Drive neighborhood ranked number one in 2010. The rankings are based on data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and U.S. Justice Department. Also, visit the Walk Score website to determine how walkable a town or city is, if this is a factor in your decision.
Compile your top neighborhoods in each town or city that makes your list. Plan a trip to Texas if you don't already live in the state.
Spend a night or two in your top choices to help give you a better feel of each place. Take photographs and make notes of the pros and cons of each area. Talk to the locals. With a companion, walk around each neighborhood after dark. What a place feels and looks like during the day may be markedly different at night. After visiting in person, finalize your decision on where to live.
