Everything is bigger in Texas, so if you’re looking to upgrade, consider the best places to live in Texas below:
Austin
With the slogan “Keep Austin Weird,” this Texas city is laid-back. People here enjoy the outdoors, even more so with their dogs. Austin has a contagious vibrancy and enthusiasm.
The downtown core is set on a grid, planned that way in the late 1830s. In the last decade, high-rise residential and commercial space has increased downtown, and that trend continues.
Some people move here because they want to work for one of the companies headquartered in Austin. At times, the city can be a who’s who of technology, although government, education and health care are top job sectors as well. And some people come here for college and never leave.
Austin attracts many visitors with its live music events. It’s one of the top things to do in Austin, though there’s more music to enjoy than during the South by Southwest and Austin City Limits festivals. As the live music capital of the world, Austin serenades its residents with live music in the airport terminal, on the downtown streets and at about 200 venues in the area.
Dallas-Fort Worth
Offering both big-city excitement and quiet, suburban living, the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area has an interesting mix of Texas pride and cosmopolitan offerings. The cowboy life still exists in Fort Worth, while Dallasites love the trendy local bars and numerous retail shops. And no matter which part of the metroplex they call home, sports fans rally together behind their professional sports teams.
The small-town feel of Friday night football games and backyard parties exists in the suburbs of Dallas-Fort Worth. In those areas, residents can bump into their friends at the local Tex-Mex restaurant, children ride their bikes and joggers hit the pavement for evening runs. But even in DFW proper, many people exude Texas friendliness with a wave or a “hello” to strangers.
Those who live in Dallas and Fort Worth tend to be young professionals, while the surrounding suburbs are largely filled with young families who want both a close-knit community and easy access to the cities. People from both demographics are flooding the area, and the population has swelled from about 5.8 million people in 2005 to more than 7 million people today. New developments have drawn in both families looking for their dream home and professionals looking to advance their careers.
Houston
The Houston metro area attracts people with an entrepreneurial spirit and those who want to work at some of the country’s largest companies. Not only is Houston the hub of the oil and gas industries, but it’s also a major center of manufacturing and health care. The presence of these industries allows this region to weather economic downturns better than similarly sized metro areas.
A paycheck goes further in Houston than it does in other major metro areas, with affordable housing and free or cheap attractions like biking along Buffalo Bayou and exploring the 7,800-acre George Bush Park. The affordability of this region, which is in southeastern Texas and home to more than 7 million residents in the metro area, is attracting new people from across the country and around the world.
In Houston, dining is a pastime, and the region pleases palates with more than 10,000 restaurants. Houston has everything from award-winning establishments to barbecue joints like Gatlin’s BBQ. The metro area also offers a variety of international cuisine including Ethiopian and Indian.
San Antonio
San Antonio offers big-city amenities and world-renowned attractions coupled with a relaxed and inviting atmosphere. Most famously known as the home of the Alamo, the spirit of the region expands beyond its tourist labels, offering a community rich in Spanish and Old West heritage.
The pace of life in San Antonio can be as active or as quiet as one chooses. Living in a destination city has its benefits. Families appreciate having year-round access to Six Flags Fiesta Texas and SeaWorld San Antonio. Foodies enjoy every genre of cuisine from food trucks in Southtown to the beloved Tex-Mex and barbecue fare. Theater, music, and art aficionados can attend productions at the Majestic Theatre and the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts or exhibitions at the McNay Art Museum. Sports fans cheer on their NBA team, the San Antonio Spurs.
San Antonio hosts major events and festivals throughout the year, including the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony, the Texas Folklife Festival, and the famous Fiesta, a spirited 10-day salute to the Spanish heritage with numerous events citywide.
Killeen
Located in the heart of central Texas, Killeen is a family-friendly city with a thriving economy fueled by Fort Hood, one of the largest military bases in the country. Killeen residents have access to down-home barbecue, an abundance of outdoor and recreational activities, and fun music joints.
Named for Frank P. Killeen, an employee of the Santa Fe Railroad in the late 1800s, Killeen’s roots are tied to the railroad. Killeen was officially formed May 15, 1882, after the first train stopped in town. Decades later, during World War II, Camp Hood formed in 1942. By 1950, the population had grown to 7,045. It was later renamed Fort Hood.
The military lifestyle and presence are still a major part of Killeen’s identity. Throughout the metro area, residents will find flags and historical landmarks with mentions of the military. The area is home to thousands of veterans and active-duty soldiers, and you’re bound to see groups of soldiers eating at restaurants during weekday lunch hours.
Even better, Killeen provides easy access to major metro areas like Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin.