One of the most important things about relocating to a new state is getting your whole family on board with the plan. Of course, as the head of the household, you may be concerned about your career and its success in a new place. You may want to have suitable housing, access to infrastructure and transportation, and proximity to amenities. But when it comes down to it, you’ll want your family to be happy with your relocation too. There are plenty of things to consider if you’re moving a family with kids to Texas. While it’s important to have a set of family priorities, it is both proactive and considerate to reflect a bit about what your kids will be looking for when they move to a new hometown. Read on to learn more about what your kids want to know if you are going to relocate to Texas.
- What is there to do for fun? Texas has plenty of room for big adventures. From hiking in the Hill Country to hitting the beach, to taking desert trails or exploring small towns and big cities—Texas offers a variety of adventures for all kinds of kiddos. The great state of Texas has lakes and lazy rivers, sprawling ranches and a pretty coastline. If you want to make history come alive, take a trip to the Alamo. If you want to catch a professional sports game, you can visit multiple major league baseball, basketball, football, hockey, and soccer venues. There’s live music, theater, and plenty of national park land. You won’t run out of fun things to do in Texas.
- Will I like my school? It will be key for parents to do some footwork and research for schools in their new region in Texas. Finding the right school district for your family is important. The good news is that Texas offers diverse educational options, and there’s something for every kind of learner. Texas has traditional public schools, but it also has options like charter schools, magnet schools, and private schools. Overall, the public schools in Texas perform well on national tests, and Texas scores high in science, tech, engineering, and math subjects. Many schools offer great career and technical education (CTE) programs; these provide students with real-world skills and experience in different fields, which can sometimes even lead to industry certifications. In addition to that, some schools cater to a diverse population of learners, offering programs like ESL, special ed, and gifted and talented programs. Many Texas communities have strong parent-teacher associations and active volunteer programs, which help to create a supportive environment for students.
- What about college? For families who have college-bound kids, it’s a good idea to look ahead to the future. Texas is home to a lot of great universities including the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, Rice University, Baylor, The University of Houston, Texas Tech, TCU, Texas State, and SMU—among others. The best choice university for your student will be based on his or her interests and preferences when it comes to campus life, strengths, culture, and even cost. It is important to know that you have some great options for higher education in-state in Texas. Another bonus of attending college in Texas is the opportunity to make great connections and land a job with the powerful, dynamic workforce in the state.
- Will I be able to play sports there? There is a whole culture of Friday Night Lights surrounding the world of high school football in Texas. But football isn’t the only thing happening in the Lone Star State when it comes to sports—just ask the World Series Champion Texas Rangers. Texas is a haven for young athletes in all kinds of sports. In addition to many traditional team sports, there are also options for other sports like swimming, gymnastics, and equestrian sports. Many Texas towns have active youth programs for different age groups and skill levels.
- Is Texas too hot? It can get hot in the spring and summer months in Texas, but Texans will tell you that the weather is mild for the most part throughout the year. There’s always something to celebrate each season in Texas. Of course, there are regional variations of weather, but March through May is pleasant, with wildflowers (and sometimes wild skies). Summer often features sun, heat, and humidity, but you can always escape to the coast, lake, or local pools. Fall in Texas is a favorite time, featuring football season, cool mornings, and mild weather. Winter has an occasional frost or storm. It’s a great place to call home all year round.
One of the greatest things about Texas is its size. The magnitude of the Lone Star State means that there is plenty of room for different options when it comes to living your best life as a family. If your relocation is being driven by the industry that you work in, the Texas Economic Development Connection can help you to figure out not only the best location for your company, but for your family as well. Use the Texas EDC’s Relocation Planning Tool to learn more about how to get started. We can help you to figure out the best fit for your family’s needs.
