Texas anyone??? Live there, visit....

[CBRorBust]

I don't know anything about Houston, but I just wanted to say that I love Texas and will never leave!

I hope you end up moving here! You'll love the hot summers!

 

[vhoffman]

Insofar as housing prices, we really had sticker shock when we moved from Houston to Dallas about 4 years. ago. Our house payment is almost double what we paid in Houston. However, the price of housing in Austin is still low compared to the rest of the country. Our house payment here in Austin, which includes taxes and insurance, is $1300 per month. That's for a 5 bedroom, 3 bath house in a nice area. That's still a good price when compared to national averages. However, our house payment in Houston was a wopping $730 per month, for an equally nice house. However, salaries are somewhat higher in Austin, so it tends to balance out. You really need to visit and get a feel for the cities, you can't go on what others say. My advice is to rent for the first year or so until you get a good feel for the area. True, interest rates are going up, but don't let that pressure you into making a purchase until you're comfortable with what you're buying. Remember, interest rates are still at an all-time low and will remain low for the foreseeable future. Don't let a few dollars pressure you into a decision that might not be right for you. Good luck! Oh, BTW, if you're mortgage shopping, try ING Direct. They're an internet bank with some very competitive rates. Their website is www.ingdirect.com.