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Yes it absolutely gets hot in the summer, but mostly it's dry heat which to me isn't too bad. When the humidity kicks in then it's a doozy, but that's also a concern in Arkansas, Louisiana, Any Coastal Area I'd think. Don't have a clue on northern climates/humidity, but Texas doesn't get it too much IMO. I hate those days, and my Mom, Uncle, Gran, etc all have/had massive breathing problems on those days so we definitely take notice of them... not too many to warrant them moving so I think it's not just my opinion?
But we also have those level orange... red... today I think is orange air warning thingies. I think that's mostly a DFW thing, not so much rural once you get far enough out, but still. It's a consideration.
Sort of a trade off. Mild winters, random 80 degree days in December... in exchange for 100 degree days in the summer. If that works for you then Texas might work. But if you'd rather have a longer/colder winter then somewhere further north might be better.
I too have heard good things about Kentucky, from a BYCer no less. One interesting tidbit was that the ground up there has high levels of calcium that seeps into the grasses, thus the animals that eat it have great bones... hence it being the horse capital of the country... now I haven't a clue if that's true or not, makes sense to me, but even if not it's a pretty neat story.
In those Someday Searches of mine I have to look at areas that are near Universities where DH could teach... so that limits the field... even more so because of his field, Philosophy. Just within Texas there are several options... shoot just within DFW... mostly I've been focusing on those counties right around us, tornadoes, flooding, crime rates, home values, property taxes, sales tax rates... etc etc. If I expanded it to other states I would DEFINITELY check those numbers, but also state income tax and what is taxed (as I mentioned before in Ark even groceries are taxed but in Texas food is NOT) so that makes a difference... the same $30k/yr here would be totally different in a state with those taxes tacked on... 8% tax on food would add up quick, n'mind a chunk of income taken for state tax... and that doesn't even count the difference in actual food costs, land costs, fuel costs... etc etc.
I know I've seen a cost of living calculator online somewhere... where you can compare different places ala if you were thinking of moving... like Dallas vs New York... it would spit out that COL is higher in NY, so obviously your $30k/yr wouldn't allow you the same lifestyle (like that isn't obvious)... a nifty device I think. But also, if you have a guesstimate of area you can just google... IE "Land For Sale Tarrant County"... and then take a gander at some that are being offered... compare that to "land for sale parker county" and you can get an idea of what the going price is, compare, etc. And it isn't something outdated, but what is actually currently on the market... doesn't hurt either that if you decide you like that area you've already got some ideas for properties to look into.
Narrow it down a bit and I can trying hunting around... I'm a bit of a research fiend in case you haven't noticed... perfect excuse to put off the unholy cleaning of the toilet.
Yes it absolutely gets hot in the summer, but mostly it's dry heat which to me isn't too bad. When the humidity kicks in then it's a doozy, but that's also a concern in Arkansas, Louisiana, Any Coastal Area I'd think. Don't have a clue on northern climates/humidity, but Texas doesn't get it too much IMO. I hate those days, and my Mom, Uncle, Gran, etc all have/had massive breathing problems on those days so we definitely take notice of them... not too many to warrant them moving so I think it's not just my opinion?
But we also have those level orange... red... today I think is orange air warning thingies. I think that's mostly a DFW thing, not so much rural once you get far enough out, but still. It's a consideration.
Sort of a trade off. Mild winters, random 80 degree days in December... in exchange for 100 degree days in the summer. If that works for you then Texas might work. But if you'd rather have a longer/colder winter then somewhere further north might be better.
I too have heard good things about Kentucky, from a BYCer no less. One interesting tidbit was that the ground up there has high levels of calcium that seeps into the grasses, thus the animals that eat it have great bones... hence it being the horse capital of the country... now I haven't a clue if that's true or not, makes sense to me, but even if not it's a pretty neat story.
In those Someday Searches of mine I have to look at areas that are near Universities where DH could teach... so that limits the field... even more so because of his field, Philosophy. Just within Texas there are several options... shoot just within DFW... mostly I've been focusing on those counties right around us, tornadoes, flooding, crime rates, home values, property taxes, sales tax rates... etc etc. If I expanded it to other states I would DEFINITELY check those numbers, but also state income tax and what is taxed (as I mentioned before in Ark even groceries are taxed but in Texas food is NOT) so that makes a difference... the same $30k/yr here would be totally different in a state with those taxes tacked on... 8% tax on food would add up quick, n'mind a chunk of income taken for state tax... and that doesn't even count the difference in actual food costs, land costs, fuel costs... etc etc.
I know I've seen a cost of living calculator online somewhere... where you can compare different places ala if you were thinking of moving... like Dallas vs New York... it would spit out that COL is higher in NY, so obviously your $30k/yr wouldn't allow you the same lifestyle (like that isn't obvious)... a nifty device I think. But also, if you have a guesstimate of area you can just google... IE "Land For Sale Tarrant County"... and then take a gander at some that are being offered... compare that to "land for sale parker county" and you can get an idea of what the going price is, compare, etc. And it isn't something outdated, but what is actually currently on the market... doesn't hurt either that if you decide you like that area you've already got some ideas for properties to look into.
Narrow it down a bit and I can trying hunting around... I'm a bit of a research fiend in case you haven't noticed... perfect excuse to put off the unholy cleaning of the toilet.
