Jump to content

The Texpatriates Thread


Goredho

Recommended Posts

1 hour ago, GenXer said:

Value of that house significantly increased by Chuy’s art.

1. Remove garage door

2. Sell it at auction

3. profit

Code of the streets, bro

IMG_1872.thumb.jpeg.19b0be6a369f8c0e06397800ec8cd189.jpeg



I mean, it's literally a garage that they didn't even bother to remove the doors from.  Here's a google streetview from a couple of years ago.

 

Missoula.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

interesting thread. just read through all of it, as I am facing a decision of whether to leave Chicago and head back to Texas. it's a better job, better pay, but I don't feel terribly great about the political/cultural situation, plus there is just way more to do, see, experience in Chicago and while Winter is not fun, it is actually more depressing to have a summer and then not be able to go out and enjoy it

  • Hook 'Em 2
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/2/2024 at 3:27 PM, hookem2010 said:

We wanted to remain in the Austin area for my wife's work and to be near family, so we bought a house in Round Rock 2 years ago. While it will be nice to have my parents around while the kids are young (currently 2.5 and newborn), we can't wait to ditch the state. This isn't financially feasible at the moment, but it is likely that our financial outlook becomes much more positive before the kids are out of elementary school.

We're a mixed-race family (Asian-White), so diversity would be great, want good public grade schools and decent options for college, easy access to nature, hospitals for wife's job, cooler temps and obviously a better political climate (as much as can be expected for the next 4 years).

Initial thoughts have been NC, Oregon, Washington state, Colorado (wife grew up in the Springs, doesn't want to return there) and possibly Minneapolis. Thoughts?

I don’t know what your wife does in a hospital but California is one of the best locations in the world to be a nurse evidently. The state limits the patient/nurse ratio and hours to reduce stress/improve care. Also, I believe the Union is very strong and they make more money here than most other places. I live in the East Bay Area and it fits all of the requirements you’ve mentioned (Asian-White mixed couple as well). Our local schools in Moraga are significantly Asian and mixed-Asian. It does get pretty damned hot out here though and housing prices aren’t cheap.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/4/2024 at 2:20 PM, Gil Bang said:

Laguna Niguel is a great place to live.  Perfect weather, good schools, low crime, etc.   That whole area (Dana Point, LN, San Juan Cap) is pretty great. 

Dana Point has gotten stuck in my head as a place I’d like to retire to. We drove through there once on a weekend trip down to OC. It’s just super pleasant.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope that by this time next year that those of you who have not yet left the state will do so. History shows that this will not end well for the state or its inhabitants. Some of y’all are at a stage that reminds me of a phrase a coach said to me years ago. Either take a crap or get off the toilet. 
 

Find your way out and never return to live there.

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 hours ago, Xminus6 said:

I don’t know what your wife does in a hospital but California is one of the best locations in the world to be a nurse evidently. The state limits the patient/nurse ratio and hours to reduce stress/improve care. Also, I believe the Union is very strong and they make more money here than most other places.

The only way I would go back into the hospital milieu as a nurse is if I got a job in California.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/6/2024 at 8:37 PM, Burt said:

Real estate prices have gone batshit crazy across the entire state since 2020.

30 years ago a person would be laughed at for wanting to move to Montana. Or at least by many. Now it sounds cool. If you want a deal you have to get ahead of the curve. What’s going to be cool in 10 years. Or not just cool, but someplace where new residents are going to invest in new homes, restaurants, stores, etc.

or pay top dollar for a place that has already transformed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/2/2024 at 3:27 PM, hookem2010 said:

We wanted to remain in the Austin area for my wife's work and to be near family, so we bought a house in Round Rock 2 years ago. While it will be nice to have my parents around while the kids are young (currently 2.5 and newborn), we can't wait to ditch the state. This isn't financially feasible at the moment, but it is likely that our financial outlook becomes much more positive before the kids are out of elementary school.

We're a mixed-race family (Asian-White), so diversity would be great, want good public grade schools and decent options for college, easy access to nature, hospitals for wife's job, cooler temps and obviously a better political climate (as much as can be expected for the next 4 years).

Initial thoughts have been NC, Oregon, Washington state, Colorado (wife grew up in the Springs, doesn't want to return there) and possibly Minneapolis. Thoughts?

Behind on surly/this thread so not sure how your search is going.  I left Texas in 2019 for Central Oregon (Bend).  I love it here but one of the biggest weaknesses in the area is a complete lack of diversity.  Oregon is very, very white.   Portland is a bit better but has its own issues.  Some of the demographics are slowly changing but I have heard too many sad stories about the racism in the area from people of color.  Just a head's up and not meant to be discouraging. 

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

25 minutes ago, MC Fresh Breath said:

Behind on surly/this thread so not sure how your search is going.  I left Texas in 2019 for Central Oregon (Bend).  I love it here but one of the biggest weaknesses in the area is a complete lack of diversity.  Oregon is very, very white.   Portland is a bit better but has its own issues.  Some of the demographics are slowly changing but I have heard too many sad stories about the racism in the area from people of color.  Just a head's up and not meant to be discouraging. 

Once you get outside of Seattle and Portland, Washington and Oregon get really backwards, really quick. I’ve seen more confederate flags in the area around my in-law’s lake house in rural Washington than I’ve ever seen anywhere in Texas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, UpperWestside said:

I hope that by this time next year that those of you who have not yet left the state will do so. History shows that this will not end well for the state or its inhabitants. Some of y’all are at a stage that reminds me of a phrase a coach said to me years ago. Either take a crap or get off the toilet. 
 

Find your way out and never return to live there.

lol. sure, ok. just abandon my career of 30+ years and a business I have been building for 10+ and go start somewhere else? it's not that fucking easy. good for you if you have a job and a life you can pick up and move. most of us don't. and many of us like where were are, despite the bullshit around us. we're not quite ready to give up on it. not sure if it's privilege or arrogance or both, but it's just not possible for some of us to pick up and leave on a whim, and to just casually suggest we can is insulting.

Edited by Longhorn_Fan68
  • Hook 'Em 1
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, Longhorn_Fan68 said:

lol. sure, ok. just abandon my career of 30+ years and a business I have been building for 10+ and go start somewhere else? it's not that fucking easy. good for you if you have a job and a life you can pick up and move. most of us don't. and many of us like where were are, despite the bullshit around us. we're not quite ready to give up on it. not sure if it's privilege or arrogance or both, but it's just not possible for some of us to pick up and leave on a whim, and to just casually suggest we can is insulting.

Don’t complain about what happens when you willingly choose to stay in the midst of it. Staying for business and money is, well, that’s something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, UpperWestside said:

Don’t complain about what happens when you willingly choose to stay in the midst of it. Staying for business and money is, well, that’s something.

That’s a really shitty take and you should feel bad. People have to earn a living. Time and resources invested in building a career can be a significant impediment to picking up and starting over in a different location. I’m not going to judge anyone that is in that boat.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, UpperWestside said:

Don’t complain about what happens when you willingly choose to stay in the midst of it. Staying for business and money is, well, that’s something.

why are you posting here? why do you give a shit? you're clearly better and above the rest of us. obviously a proud ladder puller, you got yours and got out and now you can't understand why people would stay behind? the answer should be obvious to you but it's obvious to me why it's not.

  • Hook 'Em 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, UpperWestside said:

Don’t complain about what happens when you willingly choose to stay in the midst of it. Staying for business and money is, well, that’s something.

Don't complain about what happens when you willingly choose to move to a South Pacific island that'll soon sink beneath the waves.

Don't be delusional. The idea that you can escape America and its problems is an escapist fantasy. You can't just go into hiding, absolve yourself of any association, and haughtily believe what's happening in the US (and Texas) isn't going to continue to affect you or where you've moved to.

For one, America's too big and powerful. If it sloshes the bathwater, little toys can and will go under. For another, what's happening here is part of something bigger: a toxic tide threatening to drown liberal democracies everywhere. We don't know how it'll eventually wash out for anyone.

*****

By the way, I've met @Longhorn_Fan68, and he's a good guy. He's not some empty corporate suit (or lawyer) without a soul, looking to fuck over everyone like you might be thinking.

  • Hook 'Em 4
  • Like 3
  • Rage+1 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey, stay or leave, no judgment from me on anyone's choices.  I had the ability to start working full time remote in early 2016 and I took it as an opportunity to move to greener pastures with less negatives to my family.  We weren't viewing it as a "political decision" at the time, we just wanted our kids to have the opportunity for a decent public education.  There would be no professional or economic disruption, so that did not have to weigh into my calculus.  If anyone isn't in a position to do that, they shouldn't leave or at least not without careful planning to ensure a smooth economic transition to a new location.

Further, there's a problem that is becoming more and more apparent with just abandoning places or institutions.  When you leave, the vacuum gets filled by what you abhor, and that could very well have effects on where you have fled to.  Abandon the Republican party because you can't stomach it any more, it gets taken over by what repulsed you, wins national elections and starts shaping national policy.  We left Texas for Colorado, but what happens if Colorado law and federal law come into conflict?  What happens if the federal government winds up enforcing federal law within Colorado that is illegal according to Colorado state law?  There are no guarantees life here outside of Texas in a blue state remains a good one for me or my family.

At some point, you have to stand and fight for the life and world you want to live and provide for your kids.  I don't mean with arms.  I mean that good, morale people need to reclaim politics and the political parties.  They need to reclaim the world they live in by becoming involved and not ceding leadership and power to the worst of us.  And getting involved and working to make where you live a better place is something you can do without having to consider a move and impact to your personal economics.

  • Hook 'Em 4
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 minutes ago, Goredho said:

Hey, stay or leave, no judgment from me on anyone's choices.  I had the ability to start working full time remote in early 2016 and I took it as an opportunity to move to greener pastures with less negatives to my family.  We weren't viewing it as a "political decision" at the time, we just wanted our kids to have the opportunity for a decent public education.  There would be no professional or economic disruption, so that did not have to weigh into my calculus.  If anyone isn't in a position to do that, they shouldn't leave or at least not without careful planning to ensure a smooth economic transition to a new location.

Further, there's a problem that is becoming more and more apparent with just abandoning places or institutions.  When you leave, the vacuum gets filled by what you abhor, and that could very well have effects on where you have fled to.  Abandon the Republican party because you can't stomach it any more, it gets taken over by what repulsed you, wins national elections and starts shaping national policy.  We left Texas for Colorado, but what happens if Colorado law and federal law come into conflict?  What happens if the federal government winds up enforcing federal law within Colorado that is illegal according to Colorado state law?  There are no guarantees life here outside of Texas in a blue state remains a good one for me or my family.

At some point, you have to stand and fight for the life and world you want to live and provide for your kids.  I don't mean with arms.  I mean that good, morale people need to reclaim politics and the political parties.  They need to reclaim the world they live in by becoming involved and not ceding leadership and power to the worst of us.  And getting involved and working to make where you live a better place is something you can do without having to consider a move and impact to your personal economics.

all of this but especially the bolded. 

and thanks @bolverk for the kind words. whiskey or whatever your poison is on me next time our paths cross.

  • Hook 'Em 2
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, Xminus6 said:

I don’t know what your wife does in a hospital but California is one of the best locations in the world to be a nurse evidently. The state limits the patient/nurse ratio and hours to reduce stress/improve care. Also, I believe the Union is very strong and they make more money here than most other places. I live in the East Bay Area and it fits all of the requirements you’ve mentioned (Asian-White mixed couple as well). Our local schools in Moraga are significantly Asian and mixed-Asian. It does get pretty damned hot out here though and housing prices aren’t cheap.

I can tell you for certain that Travel Nurses make bank out here.  I know because I rent to them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The wife and I are both in education and are definitely going to be leaving in the next couple of years and were going to even before Trump's election. I still need to use my VA loan so hopefully that won't be cut along with social security by the time we move.

  • Rage+1 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, UpperWestside said:

Don’t complain about what happens when you willingly choose to stay in the midst of it. Staying for business and money is, well, that’s something.

Way I see it, I'm not one of the assholes ruining Texas so why should I have to uproot my life and leave? Good for you for being able to pick up and run tho...

2 hours ago, royiv said:

Once you get outside of Seattle and Portland, Washington and Oregon get really backwards, really quick. I’ve seen more confederate flags in the area around my in-law’s lake house in rural Washington than I’ve ever seen anywhere in Texas.

Pacific Northwest outside of Seattle and Portland has been described to me possibly just as bad as the worst parts of Alabama/Mississippi with way less daylight in the winter, doesn't seem all that great.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, royiv said:

That’s a really shitty take and you should feel bad. People have to earn a living. Time and resources invested in building a career can be a significant impediment to picking up and starting over in a different location. I’m not going to judge anyone that is in that boat.

I do not feel bad for this. Sometimes people have to hear some hard words at times. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, bolverk said:

Don't complain about what happens when you willingly choose to move to a South Pacific island that'll soon sink beneath the waves.

Don't be delusional. The idea that you can escape America and its problems is an escapist fantasy. You can't just go into hiding, absolve yourself of any association, and haughtily believe what's happening in the US (and Texas) isn't going to continue to affect you or where you've moved to.

For one, America's too big and powerful. If it sloshes the bathwater, little toys can and will go under. For another, what's happening here is part of something bigger: a toxic tide threatening to drown liberal democracies everywhere. We don't know how it'll eventually wash out for anyone.

*****

By the way, I've met @Longhorn_Fan68, and he's a good guy. He's not some empty corporate suit (or lawyer) without a soul, looking to fuck over everyone like you might be thinking.

And I’m okay with that should it happen. I made a choice and will deal with the repercussions if they happen.

I do not think he is a bad person for staying nor do I think he’s bad for being a business owner. However, if you stay you know what is coming. That’s it. You can’t complain when the moron brigade comes in and decides to take everything you have worked your entire life for. These clowns are not going to stop at just being in charge politically. Business owners not on team moron will be in their sights. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, UpperWestside said:

I do not feel bad for this. Sometimes people have to hear some hard words at times. 

Stop being an asshole. Then again, I shouldn’t expect any better from someone who has the ASU pitchfork for their avatar. Not exactly the cream of the crop.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/2/2024 at 5:27 PM, hookem2010 said:

We wanted to remain in the Austin area for my wife's work and to be near family, so we bought a house in Round Rock 2 years ago. While it will be nice to have my parents around while the kids are young (currently 2.5 and newborn), we can't wait to ditch the state. This isn't financially feasible at the moment, but it is likely that our financial outlook becomes much more positive before the kids are out of elementary school.

We're a mixed-race family (Asian-White), so diversity would be great, want good public grade schools and decent options for college, easy access to nature, hospitals for wife's job, cooler temps and obviously a better political climate (as much as can be expected for the next 4 years).

Initial thoughts have been NC, Oregon, Washington state, Colorado (wife grew up in the Springs, doesn't want to return there) and possibly Minneapolis. Thoughts?

Massachusetts. For everything you just said. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, royiv said:

Stop being an asshole. Then again, I shouldn’t expect any better from someone who has the ASU pitchfork for their avatar. Not exactly the cream of the crop.

I am going to state what I think. If you do not like it put me on ignore. My stance will not change whether you like it or not.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, UpperWestside said:

I do not feel bad for this. Sometimes people have to hear some hard words at times. 

ROFL!  Literally no one but you gives a shit about your opinions on the life decisions of others that you know only through an intardnet message board.  Those are some hard words you need to (but undoubtedly won't) hear.

  • Hook 'Em 1
  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Goredho said:

ROFL!  Literally no one but you gives a shit about your opinions on the life decisions of others that you know only through an intardnet message board.  Those are some hard words you need to (but undoubtedly won't) hear.

Awesome. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

57 minutes ago, SydneyCarton said:

Massachusetts. For everything you just said. 

Went to Boston for the first time last Fall and liked it rather more than I thought I would...if I could figure out how to make the extra $100k or so a year to live comfortably there vs Houston would seriously consider...

Edited by Evil Bill Obrien
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Evil Bill Obrien said:

Way I see it, I'm not one of the assholes ruining Texas so why should I have to uproot my life and leave? Good for you for being able to pick up and run tho...

Pacific Northwest outside of Seattle and Portland has been described to me possibly just as bad as the worst parts of Alabama/Mississippi with way less daylight in the winter, doesn't seem all that great.

I left long before this period of craziness and beginnings of fascism taking root from one ocean to the other. It’s not cool what is happening, but history has shown clearly that good people are the ones that will be targeted. MAGA isn’t targeting other cult members. It’s the people with good intentions who do the right thing that are going to suffer the most. Thankfully right now these clowns are running Mussolini style garbage. If they ever replace Dotard with a functional adult then that will be when the real pain begins all across America.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Pacific Northwest outside of Seattle and Portland has been described to me possibly just as bad as the worst parts of Alabama/Mississippi with way less daylight in the winter, doesn't seem all that great.

I’d say the dividing line seems to be west versus east sides of each state. Stay west of the mountains and you’re fine. Go east and you’re in the Deep South.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, CooterBrown said:


I’d say the dividing line seems to be west versus east sides of each state. Stay west of the mountains and you’re fine. Go east and you’re in the Deep South.

Not even close. The in-laws lake house that I mentioned earlier is a little north and west of Mt. St Helen’s and it is a Trumpian hellscape. When I need to drive into Centralia to hit up the Safeway or load up on the booze required to stay sane, I swear I can hear banjo music. These are not sophisticated people in those parts.

Driving up I-5, you can be treated to this nut’s billboard in Chehalis.

IMG_2273.jpeg.ec759e95aa255d15e70ed31596d180dc.jpegIMG_2273.jpeg.ec759e95aa255d15e70ed31596d180dc.jpegIMG_2271.jpeg.fa164b552ccdac1a0e8b637c41a3518c.jpeg

IMG_2272.jpeg

Edited by royiv
  • Rage+1 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/4/2024 at 11:55 AM, bonnieblue said:

Any intel on the vibes in Marin/Sonoma County

I live in Sonoma and love it.  We don't have kids with us, so I have no informed opinion on the schools here.

The weather is great.  The wine is great.  The political climate (for me and I assume others on this thread) is great.

The downsides?  Taxes are higher.  Home prices are higher.  There's always a fire risk in the fall, particularly if you live in a more rural area.

Marin is a center for anti-vax sentiment I believe, even if not MAGA.  It might be even more expensive than Sonoma.

There is no paradise on Earth.  It's all compromise.  On balance, Sonoma is a winner for us.

  • Hook 'Em 4
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, 27-25 said:

I live in Sonoma and love it.  We don't have kids with us, so I have no informed opinion on the schools here.

The weather is great.  The wine is great.  The political climate (for me and I assume others on this thread) is great.

The downsides?  Taxes are higher.  Home prices are higher.  There's always a fire risk in the fall, particularly if you live in a more rural area.

Marin is a center for anti-vax sentiment I believe, even if not MAGA.  It might be even more expensive than Sonoma.

There is no paradise on Earth.  It's all compromise.  On balance, Sonoma is a winner for us.

#humblebrag

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, UpperWestside said:

Awesome. 

You recently changed your avatar, right? For a while I recognized your prior one as the guy who wouldn't stop talking about his upcoming move to Hawaii and a fascination with another island out in the Pacific, and how he was the smartest guy in the room because of it. So mental note to self, you're now the ASU avatar. And you've hopefully experienced expat life before to know that A) nobody in the US gives a shit that you're an expat. Sure there will be a "Cool, how do you like it there?" conversation in an effort to be pleasant. But nobody gives a flying fuck that you live overseas and they definitely don't think you're as brilliant as you think are; and B) the grass is always greener my dude, you'll be complaining about the same exact shit on this same exact message board once the honeymoon wears off. So yeah, keep dropping in with the condescending comments pretending to be some expat genius. Whether you like it or not we're all in this together and it doesn't matter if you're living within or outside the US borders. And I say all of this as a former expat myself who was part of communities overseas that had guys just like you show up to happy hours. It was a beating hearing you argue how superior you were to the Americans back home, meanwhile the rest of the group couldn't wait until you left, and the locals thought you were losers too. So, congrats?   

Link to comment
Share on other sites

41 minutes ago, Exposition said:

You recently changed your avatar, right? For a while I recognized your prior one as the guy who wouldn't stop talking about his upcoming move to Hawaii and a fascination with another island out in the Pacific, and how he was the smartest guy in the room because of it. So mental note to self, you're now the ASU avatar. And you've hopefully experienced expat life before to know that A) nobody in the US gives a shit that you're an expat. Sure there will be a "Cool, how do you like it there?" conversation in an effort to be pleasant. But nobody gives a flying fuck that you live overseas and they definitely don't think you're as brilliant as you think are; and B) the grass is always greener my dude, you'll be complaining about the same exact shit on this same exact message board once the honeymoon wears off. So yeah, keep dropping in with the condescending comments pretending to be some expat genius. Whether you like it or not we're all in this together and it doesn't matter if you're living within or outside the US borders. And I say all of this as a former expat myself who was part of communities overseas that had guys just like you show up to happy hours. It was a beating hearing you argue how superior you were to the Americans back home, meanwhile the rest of the group couldn't wait until you left, and the locals thought you were losers too. So, congrats?   

More awesome replies. Thanks for your humorous and misplaced anger. If you do not like it being pointed out that staying in a place where you will eventually have everything you ever worked for taken by these idiots I do not know what to tell you. That is their goal. This board is going to have plenty of stories of this happening to them as they gain more power in government and grant themselves more power to bring pain to the people not with them.

Since you obviously read well you would know I specifically said my move was not for political reasons and I am not here because of some burning desire to be here. It’s not hard to look up exactly why I  left the mainland. 
 

Good luck finding me drinking or hanging out in bars. The only time I spend talking in public is at work. I go home and keep to myself and do what I came here to do. 

Edited by UpperWestside
Link to comment
Share on other sites

None of us actually know what’s coming next or how bad it’s going to be. I include the entire world with that. Everywhere has shifted politically. Things in the world are not ok - or maybe they are if you’re a billionaire.

  • Hook 'Em 3
  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 minutes ago, Goofyboy said:

None of us actually know what’s coming next or how bad it’s going to be. I include the entire world with that. Everywhere has shifted politically. Things in the world are not ok - or maybe they are if you’re a billionaire.

Well if you’re Elon Musk they seem pretty good, which is not going to be good for millions of people he wants to inflict some pain on because he just views everything as a transaction like his president friend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kinda funny watching a bunch of people with state issued licenses in law and architecture and what not, with wives and kids and real responsibilities, argue with the hard rock cafe waiter. He doesn't understand you and you don't understand him. 

  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

50 minutes ago, Anastasis said:

Kinda funny watching a bunch of people with state issued licenses in law and architecture and what not, with wives and kids and real responsibilities, argue with the hard rock cafe waiter. He doesn't understand you and you don't understand him. 

This dig, well, it’s uhh quite the dig.

Link to comment
Share on other sites



×
×
  • Create New...