Longview is a decent town of 80k ,a little larger than what you are looking for. There are several smaller towns near it that are very nice. Use that as a starting point and I'll try to answer any specific question you may have.

 

I live in east Texas between Houston on Beaumont. 620 people out in the country. I hate cities and this is still a little too many for me. We have a short cool season with humidity all year round. That means damp winter air. Summer can be very hot and humid for long stretches. We have to do outside jobs in the morning or evening when it's cooler out. Even in summer you wear long sleeves so you don't burn. Your garden has to have heat tolerant veggies and a committed water sours. Mosquitoes are terrible down here, and big. Because there are no real hills the rain doesn't run off very well. Any low areas in the yard will flood. If there is no rain you have to water your foundation regularly to keep it from cracking or shrinking away and creating voids. If you have the means you can fish, hunt, and garden all year long. Fruit trees grow well, even peaches. I know you are interested in north of us but this will give you an idea of the weather ranges Texas has. We get very little snow every couple years, but Dallas gets snow every year. They are only 4 hours north. If you can think of any thing in particular to ask about I'll try to answer it.

 

Look at Paris Tx. Greenville Tx, Sulphur Springs Tx. Mt Pleasent,tx

Just remember we have a saying down here.

We don't care how ya did it up north

 

I have relatives who live in that area

1) Bring your own means of making money because there are no jobs.

2) Bring your own water because there's not much surface water. It rains enough for trees and native vegetation to survive but not enough for you to drink. Plan on it being necessary to water your garden rather than planning on rainfall to keep it alive.

On that same note if you don't buy property near one of the few man-made lakes in the state, there's not much in the way of fishing.

3) The trees are just scrub compared to what you are used to in Oregon. If you cut a tree down on your property, count on there not being a natural replacement tree there for the rest of your lifetime. Trees that you plant may or may not survive.

4) Don't count on there being any large wild game. People from that area buy deer leases in other parts of the state or in other states rather than trying to hunt where they live.

5) Coming from Oregon, be aware that there's state and local sales tax that averages around 8.75% and includes things like food which is exempt in many states which have sales taxes. So if you do plan on moving, make any major purchases before you leave Oregon (car, clothing, equipment, etc.).

Be aware that Texas has no income tax. So if you have a choice, defer any income until after you get to Texas to avoid tax on it.

Texas does not have a personal property tax. It does require a yearly inspection on each vehicle that you want to drive on public roads that's somewhere between $40-60 and there's some user fee on boats that you want to take on public waterways. But there's no tax on the value of the car or boat so you come off cheaper than in many states and can own new vehicles rather than scrounging for old beat up ones so you can save on your tax bill (looking at you Colorado).

Texas has high property taxes compared to most states. Be careful in buying property to make sure you know exactly what property and school taxes have been owed on the property during the previous few years. If you don't do that, you can depend on the real estate agent and title company to lowball that number and the second year you own the property you'll find yourself owing a few extra thousand dollars and your monthly house payment going up a hundred to a hundred and fifty dollars a month permanently.

Texas communities also aggressively re-values properties each year for tax purposes so count on your property taxes going up substantially each year regardless of what the value of houses on the market are actually doing. I think the state caps property tax increase to 10% per year, or at least they did a few years ago, but if you experience a 10% increase for six or eight years in a row, the cap really doesn't help you a lot. That actually happens to a lot of people. You can contest the new valuation of your property but it takes time and effort with no guarantee of success then you have to do it all over again the next year. On the bright side, if you retire or become disabled, you can get your property taxes permanently frozen at their current levels with minimal effort.

 

Glenda Sue forgot to mention hurricanes in southeast Texas.

 

Ehh, what's a little wind among friends :

 

I lived mainly in Southern Texas but I did live in the panhandle once. Borger Texas.

It is hilly, not many trees, and it snows there. That is all I remember. It was long ago.

 

Y'all is singular, all y'all is plural.

When you are on a two lane road and the person in front of you is driving slower and pulls over on the shoulder, that is them signaling for you to pass them. Turning on your hazards for a few flashes is your way of saying thank you.

For tornado protection an in ground tornado shelter is best.

Northeast Texas is pretty, lots of pine trees, we are fortunate to have a lot beautiful parts of our state.

It's hot during the summer.

Homeschool friendly.

Texas Highways is a great magazine to learn about different parts of the state and upcoming events.

Car insurance and homeowners insurance will probably be more expensive than Oregon.

No state income tax.

Gun friendly laws have been improving over the last few years.

 

Texas is a pretty big place and NE Texas still encompasses a big area

I live down here not too far from Galveston, yet not too far from Houston either. Its considered SE Texas, yet encompasses a big area too

I do live in an area that can get hurricanes, in fact Hurricane Ike really did a lot damage here. The eye passed directly over my house

Other areas of Texas gets tornados and some major ice storms along with major snow storms going towards the Panhandle. Weather can be bad most anywhere. We haven't had any ice to speak of in forever down where I live. Our climate is considered sub-tropical. NE would be considered moderate

It just depends on where you are moving and the jobs available. Overall the economy is strong all over the state. For the most part schools are good area depending

I was born and raised in Texas, there is no where else Id rather be!

Don't worry......anybody north of I-10 is a damn yankee anyway........:

 

Texas can go from Hot in the day time to Cool at night, to Hot all the time in the Summer.

Texas can go from Cold in the Winter to Mild in the Winter. The winters are pretty nice in the middle of the state to nice and warm on the gulf coast.

I live a little ways north of Amarillo, Tx and the only thing we have between Canada and the Texas Panhandle is a four strand bobwire fence. Nice most of the year, July and August are hot. December, January and Feb. are cold to mild. Just depends on what's coming out of New Mexico and Colorado.

We have Tornados, I've lived here 65 years, except for my time in the Service and I've never been in one yet, not even close.

Texas is a good state with good laws to live in.

Northeast Texas is really Hot and Sweaty in the Summer. Mild in the winter.

Lots of inbred, trailer livin', rich folks in Northeast Texas. I'd stay away from Longview.

If I was lookin', I try Marshall, Kilgore, Lufkin, Henderson, Carthage, or Nacogdoches.

Jungle Work

 

Texas can go from Hot in the day time to Cool at night, to Hot all the time in the Summer.

Texas can go from Cold in the Winter to Mild in the Winter. The winters are pretty nice in the middle of the state to nice and warm on the gulf coast.

I live a little ways north of Amarillo, Tx and the only thing we have between Canada and the Texas Panhandle is a four strand bobwire fence. Nice most of the year, July and August are hot. December, January and Feb. are cold to mild. Just depends on what's coming out of New Mexico and Colorado.

We have Tornados, I've lived here 65 years, except for my time in the Service and I've never been in one yet, not even close.

Texas is a good state with good laws to live in.

Northeast Texas is really Hot and Sweaty in the Summer. Mild in the winter.

Lots of inbred, trailer livin', rich folks in Northeast Texas. I'd stay away from Longview.

If I was lookin', I try Marshall, Kilgore, Lufkin, Henderson, Carthage, or Nacogdoches.

Jungle Work

you forgot the wind, the dust, the storms, the pan handles of texas, oklahoma and the area of SW kansas and SE colorado. But can't beat the sunrises and sunsets.

 

I can tell you one great thing about Texas...

Seeing it in my rearview mirror.....why people are so damn proud of that place is beyond me

 

Good and stay away, only people born here know why we are proud of it.

 

WOW... We went from Sillycon Valley ,avg 74* pretty much year round to Oregon coast where its avg 55* year round and now I'm hearing HOT, HUMID and big biting bugs..... Is there anywhere that's lush green shaded moderate temp in summer?

I'm sure I'd acclimate over time but you are talking to someone who breaks an allover sweat when the temp goes over 74.

 

Sorry, not even close.

 

I live in west Texas (transplanted from Michigan 20+ years ago). I'd say that NE Texas would be the most moderate weather. More trees, somewhat cooler, more rain, things are green there. I have a coworker that came from Texarkana -he had a ranch and cattle there. Anyway, he said that place is almost a ghost town anymore. Some kind of Gov facility shut down and the place is drying up employment wise. If there's work there for you I bet you could get an awesome deal on a large house. Just a thought.

 

Stay away from west Texas...its dusty and stinks crude oil! I spent 3 years there.

 

Bring a snorkel. Around here in the summer with temps combined with humidity you'll need it just to swim through the humidity to check your mail. Pollen is a ton of fun too. If you don't have allergies already, expect to develop some. Welcome!

 

Truth!
I lived in DFW and then moved to Paris, Bonham and up by Telephone.
Needless to say, I haven't regretted one time moving away. So has my wife and she is a native Texan.
I have lived all over the lower 48. Yes, I have lived in almost every lower 48 State for the past 25 years. Some states, 2 and 3 times. It is the nature of my work.
I won't tell you where I have my primary setup at, but after living in the heat of Phoenix to the cold winters of Montana and the Dakotas, it is temperate, vehicle friendly, firearm friendly and a moderately conservative location. That is important to us.
I am currently on contract in S.E Alabama at a Army base and I will say the people here are very friendly and considerate. Very pleasant folks. A big difference in weather and people compared to the Olympic Peninsula, Washington. I went from A Sub base in WA to an Army base in AL the past year.

 

Are y'all tryin' to keep me from coming to your paradise? LOL
cuz what you're saying is making me want to run the other way.....

Glenn Beck made it sound so great.

 

No maam we're not, just trying to explain how it is. I don't follow Glen Beck so I don't know if he has lived here or not. People who were raised here and used to it loves Texas.

I had an aunt who lived in Forest Grove Oregon most of her life but when her last husband died she moved back to west Texas where most of our family is. Once my mom passes here in Oklahoma I'm moving back there. The last several years more and more of my relatives have moved back to the Roaring Springs/Spur area from all over the country.

Once Texas gets in your blood there's no getting it out. :

 

Awwwwwww................it ain't too bad. We're almost out of the drought now and I don't think we had one wildfire all summer! Plenty of fresh water (unless the metroplex steals it) plenty of game (deer are small on average) and lots of friendly folks. We're the redheaded/redneck step child of the rest of Texas. Can you two step?

 

I do a mean Irish step dance, does that count?

I'm willing to kick up my heels and always a fast learner

 

[/QUOTE] Is there anywhere that's lush green shaded moderate temp in summer?
[/QUOTE]

I'm sure there is but it's not in Texas. If you are looking for a rural area anywhere East of Dallas would be fine.

 

I live in San Antonio, however, both sides of my family hailed from Grayson, and Fanin counties. That takes in Denison, Sherman, and Bonham. Great rich farm land supported by about 100,000 population in the Denison/Sherman area. If you need access to a metropolitan area, Dallas is about an hour and a half south. Cost of living is next to nothing compared to what you're used to. If you research it, you'll find plenty of acreages on blacktop roads, or if you're a city dweller - ample selection of housing. From the standpoint of this forum, one of the most important advantages to the area is Lake Texoma - plenty of water in the hardest of times. Denison was established in the mid 1800's because there was a terminal yard for the MKT RR which they built around (we call it the Katy). Sherman grew up because there was a USAF base there for a great number of years. It was called Perrin Field. If we leave San Antonio - that'll be the area for us.

 

I have never been to east texas. My only experience in texas is el paso and I sincerely believe we should give it back to mexico.

 

Sorry, it was a package deal.

 

If you go to Landsoftexas.com and look at properties all over the state that are on the market. Most of the listings have good pictures and describe the amenities. That'll give you an idea of what the landscape looks like for different parts of the state.

 

We're full. Try New Mexico.

 

You do know how to bury a dead Texan don't you? Give 'em an enema and bury what is left in a shoebox.

 

If you catch wind of particular counties worth investigating, try this site.
http://www.epodunk.com/communities_tx.html
It can give you all kinds of information.

Also, AZ has some nicer climates in Prescott and places like it.

 

wow, neighborly.

 

It's a state that claims it's own. You won't know till you get here. Once here, if you're a Texan, then your heart will always be here, regardless of where you hang your hat.

 

Yea but we don't like having to tell somebody 3 times how we do it here either.

 

Oh BTW baggy breaches don't cut it down here.