Newcomers can look forward to fine dining, a high standard of living, and picturesque beaches in these Texas cities.
In Texas, everything is bigger and—as it turns out—better. The Lone Star State has risen to the top states for relocation during the last few years. According to United States Postal Service data, Texas added the most residents in 2021, and it ranked second to Florida in 2022. A stable economy, a large number of well-paying employment, safety, good schools, and recreational possibilities all help to ease the decision to move, even though everyone has different motivations. Texas excels in each of these fields.
Texans might consider themselves fortunate to have hundreds of miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, two magnificent national parks (Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains), more than 40 mountain ranges, picturesque panoramas, well-liked festivals, and top-notch entertainment.
The eight best places to live in Texas, according to real estate experts, are listed below if you'd want to join them.
Austin
Austin is one of the most well-liked cities in Texas—and the entire country—and is well known for its thriving economy, strong educational, entertainment, and recreational possibilities, diversified dining scene, and pleasant weather. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, it had the highest population growth in the country between 2010 and 2020, adding more than 500,000 new residents. In the past five years, more people from places like California (Los Angeles in particular) and New York have moved to Austin because of its laid-back and lively atmosphere. (New York City). The one drawback is that the housing market has gotten more competitive, though not as much as in significant East and West Coast metropolises.
Suellen Young, a realtor with Moreland Properties, told Travel + Leisure that the present is an excellent time to buy a home in Austin. Many prospective buyers have halted their search due to recently raised borrowing rates. As a result, eligible buyers have more negotiating power than at any point since the pandemic and face less competition.
Every type of customer can find something in one of the city's various communities. For those seeking to be at the center of the action, East and South Austin as well as the downtown area, with their trendy eateries, music venues, and pubs, are ideal. According to Joe Keenan, a realtor with Realty Austin, Tarrytown and Westlake are more upscale, family-friendly, with tree-lined streets and excellent schools.
When it comes to fantastic communities in Austin and the surrounding areas, "this is just the tip of the iceberg," Keenan said.
Los Angeles
San Antonio, which was established as a Spanish community more than 300 years ago, draws new residents with its vibrant culture and historic city. The old capital of Texas saw the most increase in population among American cities with a population of 50,000 or more between 2020 and 2021, adding more than 13,000 additional people.
"We have great restaurants, museums, theaters, and numerous cultural events like Fiesta. The Texas coast, Fredericksburg's wine country, and neighboring lakes can all be reached by automobile from San Antonio, according to Jennifer Shotwell, CEO of Phyllis Browning Company, who spoke with T+L.
Shemwell added that the local real estate market doesn't appear to be affected by the market fluctuations that are shaking other major cities.
"San Antonio exudes a unique vitality that appears to rise beyond what is happening elsewhere. No matter the political or economic situation, the market does not appear to experience sharp swings up or down. Given that San Antonio is becoming more and more well-known among other Texas cities, it is an excellent time to buy if you can find your ideal property, she added.
Houston
With an unemployment rate under 4% and a consistent reduction since 2020, when it peaked at 13.3%, it's no surprise that Houston's population continues to increase faster than that of the majority of the nation's main metro areas.
Austin’s housing market was already booming, but now that Tesla announced it’s moving its headquarters to Texas's capital city, Real estate experts say the demand for homes is just going to continue increasing. https://t.co/rOg2B3f0Ua pic.twitter.com/qab0gH3FSN
— Monty Maulding Group (@MontyMauldingRE) October 21, 2021
Excellent health and medical services, a thriving arts, theater, and museum scene, and a wealth of parks and gardens are all advantages for newcomers. Houston's median home sale price in January 2023 was $293,000, which is significantly less expensive than that of other significant metro regions nationwide, making it an excellent choice for first-time homeowners or property speculators.
According to Nancy Almodovar, CEO and broker at Nan and Company Properties, "there are currently a number of Houston neighborhoods that are particularly hot for homebuyers." "The Heights, Montrose, and Midtown are all extremely sought-after neighborhoods with high housing demand and a wide range of facilities. You'll discover a variety of new and old homes in these areas, as well as many of nearby shops and entertainment venues.
Fort Worth-Dallas
Together, the Dallas and Fort Worth metro regions provide a big-city lifestyle for those seeking thrills and world-class entertainment as well as a relaxed way of life for those seeking a slower pace. The region has a flourishing economy and a low unemployment rate since at least twelve Fortune 500 corporations call it home, including Southwest Airlines, American Airlines, and AT&T. (three percent as of December 2022). In addition, the area is home to many A-rated public schools and a ton of well-kept parks, including White Rock Lake, a reservoir where folks like to unwind, paddleboard, sail, or go for jogs.
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"Being midway between the Colorado mountains and the Gulf Coast beaches, Dallas makes for a convenient travel base. Additionally, because of its geographic center, it is easily accessible from anywhere in the U.S., including the north, south, east, and west, according to Dave Perry-Miller realtor Amy Timmerman.
She continued by pointing out that the local real estate market has shown consistent growth in appreciation and that this trend is expected to continue.
"Lake Highlands is a fantastic Dallas neighborhood to take into account. In addition to being the home of one of the best high school basketball teams in the nation, it is also a true small town in a big metropolis. It's a well-liked location for outdoor enthusiasts since it's close to White Rock Lake, the outdoors, parks, and creeks. The NorthPark Center, downtown Dallas, and the more recent business complexes immediately to the north of Dallas are also easily accessible, according to Timmerman.
Corporation City
Corpus Christi is the place to go if you want to never have to travel very far to find a beautiful stretch of golden sand. Residents looking for a superb work-life balance as well as coastal facilities have found this city on the Gulf of Mexico to be a popular base of operations. Here, people enjoy boating, fishing, and beachcombing. Corpus Christi is a terrific place for families, young professionals, and, increasingly, seniors as it is home to the Texas State Aquarium, the waterfront campus of Texas A&M, and many museums and arts institutions.
"Our housing market offers a wide range of options, from new typical developments to waterfront living on the canals of Padre Island, and is as diversified as our city itself. Although borrowing rates rose, Karen King, a realtor with Group One Real Estate, said, "We have observed house activity remain stable. "Island residences are particularly well-liked and have moved upmarket. Although single-family houses on the Island start in the $300,000 range, condos come in many shapes and sizes.
Southlake
Southlake, one of the wealthiest towns in Texas, offers a high level of living within 30 minutes from the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Due to its location in one of Texas' top-rated school districts and proximity to Grapevine Lake and several other lovely parks, the area is especially well-liked by families. The town square in the center of Southlake, however, is home to upscale stores, top-notch restaurants, and family-friendly entertainment.
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However, Southlake real estate is not inexpensive. The current Southlake values begin in the $800,000s and increase from there. Expect to pay more than $3.5 million in the neighborhood for a new built home. Despite the high prices, the present market is still very strong, and many bids for a single listing are still the norm, according to Kim Bedwell, a broker with Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty. However, the majority of existing properties sell for between $1 and $2 million.
Tyler
Although Tyler is referred to be the "Rose Capital of America" because of its 14-acre public rose garden, which has more than 35,000 rose bushes, the city has a lot more in store for its citizens. In 2021, Tyler had the Lone Star state's fastest-growing job market, with medical facilities topping the list of the region's major employers.
The largest community in East Texas also has other enticing features. "There are 25 city parks in our area, including Tyler State Park, which has 985 acres of open space for recreation. Tyler is encircled by 25 top sporting lakes that provide fantastic options for boating, fishing, and a variety of golf courses, according to Jana Dillard of Staples Sotheby's International Realty. Additionally, Tyler has a thriving beer, winery, and distillery sector for citizens who are at least 21 years old.
The local real estate market, in Dillard's words, "has something for everyone." She said, "The options are varied, from new projects to lake homes and golf course homes to ancient brick street homes. Both full-time and seasonal homeowners continue to seek out Tyler as a desirable location.
Lubbock
One of the finest places to live in Texas is Lubbock, which has a low cost of living, record low unemployment (only 2.9 percent in December 2022), and a competitive real estate market. The city, which has a population of roughly 300,000, was one of the best places in Texas to launch a business and placed sixth nationally for mid-sized metro areas with the greatest business climate.
Kerri Thompson, a real estate realtor with Westar, Realtors, told T+L that between the unbroken horizons, "there's rich Western history colliding with a thriving metropolitan filled with creative expressions of fine wine, eclectic food, craft beer, world-class art, and musical heritage."
Homes in this West Texas community are still within reach, according to Thompson, despite a 17.25 percent increase in the average sales price since last year. According to information from Movoto, the median list price for a single-family home right now is $273,700.