Texas or California..if you had to choose which would you move to?

[picklesrule]

Just that really..A move to the US looks likely and these are the two most likely candidates..just wanted some opinions on weather/lifestyle/living costs and schools..everything really!!

DH is keen on Texas as we could get a lot more for our money there he thinks(?) but I'm concerned about the heat and it's impact in an outdoor lifestyle And drawn to California for that.

Also I know very little about the two states but assume Cali the more liberal, less religious etc which would be more my cup of tea..is that accurate or just a gross generalisation?!

Any info gratefully received!

Hal -- I hear ya, but if they have to go to one state or another, at least California is a better cultural fit

I don't think Cali would be considered that crowded by UK standards

Are those your only two options OP?

Thanks Sitting Bull, if we get nearer to a decision I will do that!

dreamingbohemian at the moment yes those are the two options but things change fairly frequently with DHs work so it could be the somewhere else is thrown into the mix. or indeed that we can settle anywhere because DH will be travelling a lot/working from home so it won't really matter where we are based..
What would be your top choice just out of interest?

Halbanoo - what kind of impact does the budget/finance crisis in CA have on day to day living? I keep reading that they are broke/bankrupt etc but not sure what that actually means in reality?

just stumbled across a programme called Big Rich Texas on style or something ..oh lordy! It is all of my gross generalisations brought to (larger than) life..yowzers!!

Well as a born and bred east coaster (NY and DC) I have to say the northeast

It's the most liberal and diverse part of the country, very tolerant, you would be exposed to a huge range of cultures and food and traditions. Education is highly valued, you can access loads of cultural things for free (music, museums, etc.) You can have the best of all living environments, you can live in a quiet neighbourhood outside a major city and still be within a short drive of some amazing nature (we have great national parks!) The weather is great, 4 normal seasons. No natural disasters! No earthquakes or tornados or hurricanes (except freak occurrences). The giant bug factor is minimal Also easier for travelling back to Europe if you want.

The big downside is the cost, it's more than most parts of the US, although mostly still cheaper than Northern California. But it's not all expensive either.

I think you have to look at value for money. As someone said earlier, there's a reason why some parts of the US are really cheap! The east coast is expensive but you get a lot for that.

Otherwise there is always the Pacific northwest, I don't know it but I know loads of people who have moved out there (to Portland for example) and absolutely loved it.

The Northeast is great, Bohemian is right.

You really do have to be careful of stereotypes. You wouldn't believe the nonsense I get for being a born and bred MidWesterner. :) I once had a (German) man tell me very snidely that he knew what my opinions would be and what my life was like, given where I lived. Wow, really? You think I'm narrow-minded based on my geographic location...here I thought it was the Yanks who weren't supposed to get irony. :o

There will be up and downsides every where you go. It's true that each region has a unique vibe. Can you visit beforehand?

See there are parts of the NE I would really hate to live in. The Adirondacks for instance. Yes they are beautiful, but no way would I live there. Ditto Vermont. Way too rural for me. Even Burlington which was pretty was too small town for me.

oh and I don't call the weather in parts of the Northeast 'normal'. Not when you get ice storms that cut off electricity for days on end to hundreds of thousands of people and floods that remove entire sections of road.

That's true. :) I think our weather in Minnesota is "normal", but I suppose going from -35F in January to 95F in July is a bit extreme for some.