Help me out here.
I have heard about the "American Civil War". I have since been re-educated to consider that as the "War of Northern Aggression". Where does Texas sit in all this??? (Sorry - this is also off-topic)!
It seems to me, reading the non-brisket postings in this thread, that there is the United States that include both "North" and "South" (I guess this includes California that is "West") - and Texas!
I'm not really trying to stir the pot - I have been interested for many years. I have been to most states in America but not Texas (your largest). Maybe I have to do something about that...
Geoff.
Texas was a Confederate state. There are many statues honoring Confederate Generals, many in the process of being removed, including a plaque in the Capitol Rotunda proclaiming the war was not about Slavery.
Schools are being renamed too. The false narrative is slowly being replaced, but it's taking it's sweet time.
One thing you'll notice is the lower cost of living in Texas compared to CA. Food (groceries) is about half the price, thanks in a big part to HEB, a big family owned grocery chain originating in Texas. Walk into a Randells in TX (AKA Lucky Foods,) and prices are much higher.
One thing not mentioned by the OP is HOW he is moving his firearms. I packed mine in unremarkable boxes and positioned them to be packed in the middle of the moving van. The mover immediately figured out what was in the boxes and told me I had to declare any firearms. He then told me he was under investigation by the FBI for firearms theft
as he re-packed the boxes just inside a side door, for a quick grab and run theft. I called him out on it and he put them back in the middle of the load. They made it to the new home unscathed.
Home prices are much lower, but property taxes are incredibly high. Texas is a "non-reporting" state so real estate sales are't automatically reported to the tax assessors office. So they invent sales figures, aren't required to show how they arrived at the valuation, so expect to get screwed if you don't protest your taxes every year. Expect to pay $500 to $1000 a MONTH in property taxes. Sign up for your home owners exemption and if you or your spouse is disabled, BE SURE TO SIGN UP FOR THAT EXEMPTION. They won't volunteer that information, but it freezes your tax increases.
California has a lot of consumer and employment protection laws. Texas doesn't. It's a no frills state.
Texans tend to be more patient while in the car, and don't honk the horn as soon as the light turns green like they do in CA. Light cycles are typically longer also, allowing more traffic through the intersection at each cycle. But don't make the mistake of being a typical Ca. left lane hog, the left lane if for passing only so move over when a car approaches from behind, it's the law, even on a two lane road. Do it or you might just be shown the ditch. The max speed limit in Texas is 85 mph in some areas and many cars are doing 95, so pay close attention to your mirrors. Truck speed limit is the same, not artificially lower like CA.
Texas gun ownership laws are some of the most lax in the nation. You can legally own fully automatic weapons, if that's your thing, and suppressors. College kids are allow to carry concealed in school, a really stupid law passed just to spite other states efforts to raise the age for gun purchases and restrictive concealed carry laws. It's a Texas thang....
I hope this helps make the transition easier.
Welcome to the Great State of Texas!
