I have done the research online but it is always best to talk to someone who lives there. I am thinking of moving to (Within 15 miles of) Sugar Land Texas and I had some questions that I hoped someone here could answer. I have a wife and 2 children under 2 yrs old that I need to take into consideration and not move them till I have a good feeling of an area first.

What’s your opinion of the current demographics?
How are the schools?
Crime rate?
I work for T-Mobile in a corporate Retail store, what’s about the avg pay rate for that area?
What’s the best industry/field to work in around there?
How’s the Motor Vehicle Laws?
How strict/tough are the cops in the area?
Is it Nice? Any bonus to living in Texas.

I live in New Hampshire/Mass now, I have tried Ft. Lauderdale Florida and the cost of living was just too high.

What's your opinion on the best place to live that has a warm climate, good roads, low crime, little to no snow/cold, good for families and is affordable.

Thanks in advance for all your input, it should help with my decision.

 

I haven't lived in Sugarland, but I have a friend who was from there and we visited there a lot. Personally, I've always enjoyed the area. Southern Texas is usually quite pleasant in the winter months. It can get cold, then again, you're from the north east so what we consider cold is something completely different! Even though I was born here, I lived in Milwaulkee and in Germany growing up so I understand a whole different meaning of cold than most Texans! I read that the average temperature in Houston in the winter months fluctuates from the mid 40's to the mid 60's. I've never had any trouble with the police in that area, most I met were quite nice. As far as the Motor Vehicle Laws, Texas is pretty relaxed. Only a few areas (Including the Houston area) have emissions testing and even those are easy to get around (if you know the right people). Probably in 90% of the state though the counties are non-emissions counties and people get away with murder. I ran with no cats on my old 93 Z for years. I even had it inspected with the cut-out uncapped so it's not like it was hard for them to notice, lol! Texas is quite affordable as well. My parents are from Virginia and they have stayed in Texas for so long for that reason. I asked them if they missed Virginia and would ever move back. My father said that for the price of one home there they purchased two homes and 30 acres of land here in Texas. Personally, I love this state. It's cool (but not freezing cold) for a few months and then it's nice and warm for the most part of the year. As far as the working world aspect, my wife and I are still in College so I can't give you much info there. But I can tell you that the living here is pretty good and very affordable (from what I've seen through family and friends who are out in the working force).

 

the weather is gonna suck. its reasonably hot, but what really sucks is the humidity.

cost of livign is good though

 

That's true...I forgot about the humidity. If you aren't from here then you're not going to be used to it. Sometimes you feel like you can just grab the air and ring water out of it because it's so humid! It's not that bad once you get used to it though.

 

no state income tax

its hot (fine by me)

we don't get snow, we get sleet, and people don't know how to drive in it.

people drive fast, and crash a lot in the rain

the houston metroplex is huge, so i'd make a trip down there and scout out areas you like and to get an idea of traffic because it can be a bitch.

not all counties have emissions laws, and if they do its '95 and ealier have a visual and dyno check, '96+ have a visual and computer scan, but no tailpipe test. http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/vi/

cops aren't too bad, unless you do something stupid. street racing will get your license taken away, though.

hot girls

can't help you with the job market.

 

Yeah I knew the humidity was a bitch, avg was like 80% I think, talk about messing with performance...lol.

Thank you for your replies....hopefully some other people will chime in but I think I will have to visit for a few weeks and see whats up!

Might be your new neighbor.....
Mike

 

New Hampshire/Mass huh?.... Well, you'll have to write to the DMV (Texas Dept. Motor Vehicals) and get the Yankee Competency Test. The test isn't about driving as much as southern culture. Lots of questons about Tex-Mex food, proper cowboy attire, and southern slang ("Y'all" = "You All" type stuff) They won't give you a license to drive unless you pass the test. Just give them a call and ask for the YCT , they'll know what your talking about.

Also, we have great Snipe hunting here. There are lots of hunting clubs in Texas so you won't have a problem finding someone to show you the intricacies and nuances of this great past time. Just call one of our fine clubs and ask them about their annual Snipe hunts. I'm sure they would be delighted to teach you all you need to know.

You had asked about our police. Well, they just passed a new law saying that all new police in Texas have to be at least 6'5". It has to do with all the criminals growing taller or something. The law also said that all Texas police and state troopers must have crew cut style hair, wear mirrored sunglasses, and carry a 16" Bowie knife or a tomahawk in addition to their firearms. So far the law has been a resounding success. Crime has gone down %20 in most large cities and in some smaller towns as much as %80.

We hope to see y'all soon!

 

Did your research tell you anything about the mosquitos the size of humming birds, chiggars, or FIRE ANTS?

I grew up in the Houston area and don't care to move back. BTW, it does snow there, but rarely. As for the winter temps, I've known people that moved down from the rocky mountain states that thought 30s* wouldn't be bad. That was until they went out in a light jacket and the wind chills to the bones because of the humidity. I moved from down there to NW Oklahoma. Temps in the 20s felt like the low 30s in Houston. I was amazed at how warm dry cold feels.
Now if you're from the North along the Atlantic or the Great Lakes coastal areas I'm sure its no problem.

 

But the property taxes more than make up for that.

 

watch out for the state troopers on the highways they are ****** in texas.

 

yes it is

 

Thats a blunt statement.... Ive been pulled over and had no probs. with citations or warnings.....

 

I wore shorts and a t-shirt to my finals today. Can't beat that on December 12th!

 

Werd!

 

If your gonna move do it soon so you can get used to the humidity, it can get pretty brutal. One thing about Houston is that their zoning is all jacked up. You could have a strip club next to a church next to a school next to a 5 mill house next to a trailer. It's crazy. I would definitely come down and check out the area. Sugarland is one of the more expensive areas outside of Houston. Real estate inside beltway 8 is pretty high, your best bet is to move outside the beltway on the west side. Look at sugarland, Katy, and spring. We moved to the border between Houston and Katy North of I-10. (techincally Cy-Fair) and couldn't be happier, lots of young kids in this area (ours is 6 mo).You can get a new house pretty reasonable, they are going up like crazy, I think they are putting 25,000 new homes in my area inthe next few months.

There are plenty of opportunities in the job market. I would contanct your current company and find out when they are opening a new store in this area. I see a new one every other day so I'm sure you can find one. Other industries to look into here are energy (oil/gas technical), IT, Oil field indiustrial and I'm sure there are some more I don't know of.

Hot cars and hot girls pretty much as far as the eye can see....

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions.