The once great state has been destroyed by bureaucrats with out of control taxes and job killing laws which have left the state at the bottom of just about every category used to measure quality of life. Our once Nation leading public schools are 46th in the US and worse yet rank 1st in cost per student thanks to the Teachers Unions and Legislature. State taxes also ranks near the top though you would not be able to tell from our crumbling infrastructure. Out of control taxes on businesses have lead to cost of living increases high enough to get the attention of the wealthy let alone those of us who work for a living.

This is no easy task having to up and relocate a household. We own two homes which like most in California have lost half their equity. We are one of the lucky ones though having purchased one 20 years ago and the other 13 years ago when prices were reasonable. Making things easier is the fact that my wife has been out of work for over a year and I'm in medical sales which makes my job transfer seamless. Our son is a little over 3 now and we are getting geared up for his first years in school which also makes this easy. At 3 he is not quite old enough to have developed fiends he will miss in a move of this nature.

So here is where we are considering.

Texas, specifically Austin Texas. The city is modern with low unemployment, low crime and ranks near the top in public schools. The weather is nice which is a must in our quest for a new home. After-all, we are from California and could not imagine having two sets of rims and tires for the seasons.

So...I'm wondering if any of you who live in Texas or those of you from any area in the US which is conducive to raising a family have any ideas or recommendations.

Thanks,

Michael