You think you want Texas, but what you need is Oklahoma. Good luck! Real Estate is currently a sellers' market everywhere I've looked.

Well......Texas is a BIG place. I live just outside of Houston in Manvel. Just far enough that I am not in the city but close enough to go do anything a major city has to offer. I am 15-20 minutea from downtown. Can be at any pro football, baseball, basketball game in about 15 minutes from my house. Have all the convenience of the big box stores not too far away. Lots of growth in this area. Housing is booming. Homes are well in your range or you can build your own. Some pretty good collectors here and of course many of us head to TPF. Only bad thing about Manvel is the taxes are much higher than other areas. The only benefit of the high taxes is it definitely keeps our property values up and trash from moving in. Once COVID is over regular league plays should start back up if you are into that as well. You just have to research some different areas and see which has the most to offer of what you want.

If anyone is looking for the opposite of what OP is looking for, Illinois is your state.

Wow, that's crazy. I guess supply and demand, not a huge housing stock in Boise so even a modest bump in in-movers smoked out of Cali could really move the market. Hope you get a good price for your old place.

It's been a while since I've lived there, but in your case I would suggest avoiding the Peoples Republic of Austin, but perhaps explore Fort Worth. The Woodlands, north of Houston is a great place, but kind of pricey.

To check out Houston real estate, including the Woodlands, use HAR.com.

If you want to live in a giant lake in a Houston burb, check out Towne Lake in Cypress.

I got called a faggot by a guy riding a horse down the street in Dallas-Fort Worth if that’s the vibe you’re looking for.

Congrats on the decision to leave the Golden State. If you really want Idaho, Garden Valley is 35-45 minutes away from Boise. With a good vehicle in the warm months you can make it in 30 minutes. There is a independent coffee shop in the "downtown". Awesome beautiful mountainside homes. Many below your price range but some right there.

San Antonio perhaps?

Lubbock is very nice.

Move to NE Tennessee. No state tax. Incredible property values compared to anywhere in CA.
Mountains to treat you like home. Without the wild fires.
I'll treat you to the sights.

This is the best thing I've seen all day. You're literally choosing where to live your life based on your political views. Glad I won't be seeing another Californian in Colorado, we have enough already. Have fun in Oklahoma, I'm sure it's booming

Sorry, I don't know Texas other than it would be really cool to live where the Demolition Ranch guy lives. He's a YouTuber that shoots guns in his backyard.

simples, get out of the USA
no other country wears their political allegiances like Americans. I have no idea on who my neighbors vote for
clean air
expensive to get pinball parts shipped though
safer, people in other countries don't feel the need to walk around shopping centers armed to the teeth
get to laugh at Americans

Happy to have an adult conversation, being as I am one. I'm pretty comfortable in my purple state. Low crime, great values, education, freedom, religion, culture, safety, security, I could go on and on. It's odd you can't find that in California being as it basically turns into rural Texas as soon as you leave the cities. I can't even imagine how you would feel so oppressed that you won't consider moving to a blue area, you know where there's tons of big box stores, good economies, and plenty of Starbucks. Or there's always Tulsa, it fits your values somewhat. I guess minus the crime part. I won't derail your thread again, but you should have expected it relying on pinside to help you decide where to move

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The great thing about data is it can be used to support whatever argument you postulate. Suburbs of Tulsa are not as impacted by the crime statistic you referenced just like Calabasas is not as impacted by Los Angeles proper's crime rates.

That's your response? After being unable to make a huge life decision on your own? You asked for advice on where to move your family on the internet. Go practice bird law in Tulsa, tell Charlie hi

not at all
I think Australia is WAY better than the USA, so are Canada and New Zealand

I’ve never lived in Texas, but check those flood maps carefully if you’re buying in a costal area or a hurricane zone. Would suck to trade fire for flood.

Check out Frisco Tx..is about 30min north of Dallas

or you could build a wall
(@NorCalRealtor, now i am trolling)

1 vote for Signal Mountain Tennessee.
2000ft up, no crime, no state tax, patriotism and faith in the air.
Amazing outdoor life & hiking.
And it overlooks Chattanooga.

We live in Kingwood, TX brand new subdivision...Northeast side of Houston, great schools good community. We're on high ground here and our area doesn't flood, even through Harvey... West of us is the Woodlands, more $$$ and a little more keeping up with the Jonses but it has everything, very nice also. Further out west you have Katy and Cypress...It's been growing here since we moved in 2002. For your budget, you're going to be very pleasantly surprised what you will get here.

The old saying is Houston is where the money is made and Dallas is where it's spent But seriously you can't go wrong either place. Dallas puts you a little nicer less humid climate with some resemblance of actual seasons although we have 5 months of fall like weather in Houston. Dallas has better zoning laws and Houston is more a mixed bag. Each downtown has their pluses and minuses although you're probably going to find some more upscale mix in Dallas. You have to be careful in Kingwood, some of the older areas are in flood zones due to poor engineer planning...but there are high spots on topographical maps that are safe. The Woodlands is a little packed but they have one of the best outdoor concert venues in the nation, seriously. Lot's of oil people move in on contract there with 6-700k budgets and they are in and out in a couple years so real estate is always either expanding or changing hands. Probably some of the best real estate in the country for the oil industry alone. All of the areas are bubble communities where everything is self contained with most places a short drive to an hour away but we also have some of the best highways. We came down from Michigan after 9/11 and thought we'd hate it, but we are used to the weather, although a little humid, but we are used to it, our summers are our winters, you stay inside with the AC on. Dallas has us beat in the climate department though, although they get some serious squall line thunderstorms roling through. Best thing, we are on our own power grid in Texas, we could literally branch off and form our own country...may have to j/k

He is asking for advice. Nothing more. Get off your high horse!

You can’t go wrong with TN. Lots of good people there. I live right across the river from Evansville IN. I can get to the local pin bar, Costco and casino in less than 25 mins. It’s probably smaller than what you want but I love it here.

I grew up in Texas and will either move there or Tennessee when my career is over. If you want super conservative, there are a host of cities in West Texas that would likely meet your criteria depending on what you are calling a “small town”. When I joined the Marine Corps, I was told that the Officer Recruiting district in West Texas where I signed up was the most desirable spot for Officer Recruiting in the country and that they had more USMC Officers per capita from West Texas than anyplace else in the country. Amarillo, and Lubbock, where I am from are both very desirable and growing cities with a growing real estate market, and although they don’t have mountains, both have extensive canyon systems near by that will scratch that itch (Ransom Canyon and Palo Duro). Depending on what age you need schooling for, Texas Tech in Lubbock was awesome. Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and San Angelo might check some of your boxes, but are largely dependent on the Oil Industry and are very subject to boom-bust cycles… and your timing is off on oil prices.

As far as areas I would retire to… in Texas the number one area would be between San Antonio and Austin, or between Austin and Waco. The San Marcos/New Braunfels area between San Antonio and Austin in particular is booming. There are rolling hills with lots of bike paths, the weather is beautiful, and there is a thriving tourist industry with Six Flags, Sea World, and numerous places to get in a tube and float down the river. Austin itself is likely not a place you want to live based off of your criteria, but it is a good place to visit. There is plenty of new construction housing in the general area, and depending on your exact budget, moving 10 minutes further off the I-35 corridor will buy you a lot. I am not super familiar with East Texas, but others will enlighten you as to the areas around Houston. Just be prepared for heat and humidity East vs. just heat West.
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Although not explicitly on your list, I would strongly recommend looking into the suburbs of Tennessee as well. I have relatives there, and it is absolutely beautiful and meets every requirement on your list. Nashville is booming, and being in that general location would provide your family with a great place to jump off from in life. I live in Maryland today because it is where my highly specialized work is done. If I could continue my work remote (will never happen) I’d pack up my kids and move tomorrow. I totally sympathize with your point of view and wish you the best of luck on your quest.
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I will throw you a curveball(not really though). Move to the NE suburbs of Georgia. All of your wants can easily be met. We would love to have you!

The OP isn’t looking for opinions, he’s looking for conformation.

What about Saudi Arabia? They are very conservative there.

TN is great... we live 20 miles north of Chattanooga in Cleveland. Area has been booming for several years, wonderful outdoor hiking, kayaking, no state income tax, very red state.

I grew up in Burleson TX but lived here since 92. Texas is a great state as well, in the metropolex is where id want to be. Frisco is fastest growing city in US.

I think you lucked out on Idaho. Beautiful state but really small town overall as things go. You will feel "trapped" within a year imo. I hope my brother leaves Oakland this year as hes been there 30. Colorado is starting to suck. I think another place to consider is Salt Lake City. Its quite a nice place , you dont have to be mormon and you have world class skiing just 30 mins away. I lived there for 7 years and quit skiing when I moved to CO. I spent my service years mostly in TX. I liked it but if I were to move there I would want to be on the gulf coast for sure.

You'll have to change your pinside name!

Tennessee sounds like the place to go. Plus your just a days drive away if you want to visit any of the major cities in the north east

I haven’t read the entire thread, but I live on the far North side of Fort Worth and it the area is perfect for all of your requirements (except for mountains).

Definitely conservative area with conservative leadership. Cost of living is quite affordable, and you get a lot of house and land for your budget. Booming growth area for your real estate business. Short driving distances to lakes, rivers, camping, and other recreation. Good reputable school districts (Northwest ISD, Keller, etc.).

I’m happy to answer any questions you might have if you want to PM.

Actually he is looking to flee CONFORMATION.

Yes, nothing like forcing religion on kids that can't yet decide for themselves, forcing them to mindlessly recite some "patriotic" nonsense they don't understand the point of, deciding what is "real" history, and moving to the most conservative bubble possible to NOT "indoctrinate" your kids...

It sounds like a time machine to 1940s Alabama may be your best bet.

And the thread just jumped the shark....

Plus, you can still find Bally Bingo machines in the wild there....

Nobody is forcing religion in schools. C'mon. OP is just looking for a better place to raise family. You cannot disagree that history is being rewritten these days or at least not taught. There is also no denying some schools and communities are better than others. I moved to Kingwood from the other side of Houston 12 years ago and glad I did. Much better life here and schools way better. Hard to sum up Texas. East side is very wooded and wet while west side dry. Middle is a nice mix and hilly. Cities are mostly liberal while outside areas and rural more conservative. Economy in the state is strong with lots of large corporations moving here. Downside is traffic in the large cities and weather. I could do without the humidity and storms here near the gulf.