The vast southern state of Texas combines serene country living with vibrant, dynamic cities. State capital Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio each offer buoyant business hubs and lively art and cultural scenes, while the wealth of smaller towns in Texas serve up urban living at a slower pace. There are no limits to the great outdoors in Texas, with expansive beaches down its more than 350-mile coastline, three mountain ranges and top trekking and rafting destination, Big Bend National Park.
Texas Area Guide
Light-touch regulation means buying property in Texas is a straightforward process for both American citizens and foreigners. There is no requirement for buyers to use a lawyer and sellers usually pay the real estate commission for both sides of the transaction. Buyers funding the purchase through a mortgage will be required to take out title insurance to investigate whether there are any issues that could restrict the buyer’s ownership or use of the property. Investment properties are popular in Texas because the state does not charge income tax, however, property taxes are some of the highest in the US at an average 1.86 per cent.
Living in Texas
Whether it’s city, coastal or rural living, you’ll soon feel right at home thanks to the exceptional Texan hospitality. Oil and farming typify the Lone Star state but the Texan economy is extremely diverse, creating 10 per cent of manufacturing output in the US, boasting America’s fifth largest wine industry and becoming a burgeoning tech hub. Major cities Dallas and Houston have thriving art and cultural scenes while the likes of San Antonio and Austin corner the market in mouth-watering food. A warm climate provides ample opportunities for outdoor living, with plenty of vast beaches to explore, National Parks to hike through and rivers to kayak.
Education
With one of the best high school graduation rates in the country, Texas has a solid education system. The state possesses more than 200 colleges and universities, including the high-performing Rice University – in the top 20 nationally - and Southern Methodist University. Its two state-funded universities – The University of Texas – Austin and Texas A&M University – College Station, are among the largest in the country with roughly 40,000 undergraduate students. The state spends nearly a quarter of its income on the K-12 education system and its legislature is seeking ways to bolster its support for the sector.
Activities
With a mixture of mountains, plains and coast, Texas offers outdoor lovers boundless chances to explore its vast wilderness. Whether it’s hiking in Big Bend National Park, kayaking on Caddo Lake or mountain biking through Palo Duro Canyon, adventure-seekers have a huge array of options. The Gulf Coast serves up unspoilt stretches of sand, such as Boca Chica Beach, as well as buzzing seaside destinations like South Padre Island, while towns and cities across the state never miss an opportunity to host a rodeo or live music event.
Culture
Texas cities are brimming with historically significant sites, leading galleries and major attractions. The state’s rich and varied history is brought to life at sites such as The Alamo in San Antonio, which charts the 1836 siege against Mexican troops, and in Fort Worth, dubbed the Museum Capital of the South West. Families have plenty to explore at the likes of Houston’s Nasa Space Centre, which entertainingly documents the state’s key role in space exploration. A notorious foodie state, Texas prides itself on superb barbecue, delicious chilli and top-notch beef burgers, with major food festivals held in Dallas, Fort Worth, Waco, Austin and Galveston. Sports lovers will also be spoilt by the host of professional football, basketball and baseball franchises in the state, as well as the celebrated college football team, the Texas Longhorns.
Accessibility
Road: The state has the largest road network in the country meaning it is extremely well-served by major and minor routes. The I-35 runs from the southern border with Mexico and north into Oklahoma, while the I-10 and I-20 traverse the state east-west.
Rail: Three Amtrak services travel through Texas: The Heartland Flyer runs from Fort Worth north to Oklahoma City, OK.; the Texas Eagle (Chicago-Los Angeles) passes through Dallas and San Antonio; and the Sunset Limited (New Orleans-Los Angeles) stops at Houston, San Antonio and El Paso. Major cities such as Dallas and Austin offer city-wide mass transit rail systems while San Antonio has an extensive bus service.
Air: Texas boasts several major international airports including Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, McAllen International Airport and Corpus Christi International Airport. Several major airlines operate flights to regional airports in Texas.