Moving to Texas: Your How-to Guide

Moving to Texas: Your How-To Guide

Well howdy-do, new Texans! With around half a million people moving to our state in 2023, more than any other state, you’re in good company. Welcome your how-to guide that will help you as you’re looking for a wonderful place to put down roots. 

Why Are So Many Folks Moving to Texas?

The Weather Can’t Be Beat

Step aside, Florida…. in Texas, most cities get more than 250 days of sunshine a year, with some places enjoying even more. Even with blazing hot summers and the chance of winter storms, many people can’t get enough of the fun in the sun you’ll experience just north of the border.  

Find a Great Job

The job market in Texas is booming, especially in major metro areas, with a growing labor force and stable unemployment rate. In June of 2024, Texas had 792,000 job openings, with a job openings rate of 5.3%. 

Save on Your Taxes

Say it with us: No income tax. Texas has never had one, making it one of only a handful of states to offer this benefit to residents. Plus, the state sales tax is only 6.25%, taxes on retail sales, leases and rentals of most goods, as well as taxable services.

Pay Less in Cost of Living

It’s affordable to live in Texas, especially compared to California and New York. For example, the overall cost of living in Dallas is nearly 84% cheaper than New York City, while it is nearly 90% cheaper in Houston. Not only are housing and real estate costs much more affordable, but you’ll also save on rent, groceries, utilities, and healthcare expenses.

Experience Many Cultures

Texas is home to many different and diverse cultures, including Hispanic, Native American, African, Creole, German, Czech, and Anglo traditions, as well as island communities from around the world. In many corners of the state, you’ll find ways to experience and learn from these cultures, including museums, educational opportunities, festivals, and, of course, food… 

Get Your Food On

You’re probably already thinking about the outstanding Tex-Mex or world-famous barbecue, but this only scratches the surface. Chili con carne is the official state dish of Texas, a delicious Tejano stew with a flavor that comes from dried and ground chili peppers. But you’ll find kolaches, traditional Czech pastries in central Texas, as well as fajitas, migas, pecan pie, and Cowboy Caviar – a salad/salsa made with beans, black-eyed peas, tomatoes, peppers, and onions tossed in a tangy dressing and served with tortilla chips on the side.   

Top Schools 

According to the Texas Tribune, in the class of 2021, 90% of students received their high school diploma on time or earlier, with a dropout rate of only 2.4%. Teachers have an average of 11 years on the job. And once they graduate, students have incredible university opportunities available to them here at home, from community colleges to world-renowned schools like Baylor University, Texas A&M, and many others. 

Year-Round Outdoor Fun

Plan a hike, hunt bighorn sheep, go fishing in the Gulf, take a peaceful bird watching stroll, or explore underground caves with a pro. The state is chock full of parks, both national and state, and some cities even boast a robust outdoor scene – like Austin, where you can kayak, paddle board, or rent a boat all within the city limits.  

Choose Your Electricity Provider and Pay Less

Because Texas has deregulated energy, you’ll choose your own electricity provider based on what is available in your service area. In other words: providers will be competing for your business, so you’ll get to compare plans and rates and choose what best suits your lifestyle and your budget.  

Steps to Take Before Moving

Eight Weeks Out

Be sure to give notice to your landlord, if you are renting. If you own your home and are looking to sell, consider working with a real estate agent to set the sale up for success. Next, choose movers and be certain that you’re on their schedule, to avoid potential hiccups. You’ll also want to double check your health and car insurance, to learn of any changes that you may need to make. And if you’ve got kiddos, work with the school to be sure that their transcripts or other school records are in order. 

Four Weeks Out

Get in touch with local utility companies in the area where you’ll be moving: water, gas, trash, and electricity. Now is a good time to choose an electricity provider! It’s also the right time to start arranging donations to a local charity of clothing and items you don’t need anymore: you can often get a tax deduction with your gift! 

One Week Out

Talk to the US Postal Service to change your address. Confirm with the moving company that they’re good to go. Make sure that you’ve got plenty of packing boxes and start filling them up with the good stuff, that’s making the trip with you to your future home. 

Make It Official

Get Your Driver's License

It’s important to do this within 90 days of arrival and taking up your new residence. This will likely require a visit to the Department of Public Safety, where the fine folks will help you take care of all of the details. Same day appointments might be available, but note that an appointment is required. They also have inspection stations to have your vehicle inspected (although many mechanic shops, oil change locations and service stations are certified to do inspections). Be sure to bring your insurance card!

Register Your Car or Truck

For vehicle registration and license plates, you’ll head over to your local county tax-assessor collector office. Bring your insurance card, proof of inspection, and proof that you own the car, such as the registration or title from your previous state. And note that if you insurance policy was issued in another state, you’ll need to bring it in its entirety to verify coverage minimums: in Texas, you must have insurance coverage for a minimum of $30,000 per injured person, up to a total of $60,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage. 

Update the Feds and Banks

Don’t forget to update your address with the IRS, as well as any financial institutions, so they know how to reach you. And stop by your local voter registrar's office or go online to VoteTexas.gov, to register to vote at least 30 days before any upcoming elections.

At Energy Texas, We Make It Easy

When the time comes to choose an electricity provider, take a close look at Energy Texas. Put us under a microscope, read customer reviews, and compare us with other providers. You’ll find that all of our energy plans are No Bull: straightforward, simple, and competitively priced – without marketing gimmicks or hidden fees. Our customer service puts you first, because that’s the right way to do business. It’s easy to manage your account. And perhaps best of all? Every one of our plans is powered by 100% renewable energy. Drop by EnergyTexas.com and type in your zip code to find out what plans are on offer.