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Texas Members, Questions.

John M

John M

Well-known Member
Location
Nunyafn business
The next 25 days I have a BIG decision to make! The company I currently contract for has an opening in their plant in Iowa Park Texas. My name was recommended for the job. (According to the guy I spoke with Friday, HIGHLY recommended.) This would mean I would have to move, which the company wold pay so much for me to do that. The money is almost 4 times what Im making now, and the responsibility is about 4 times as much as I have now. I fell I can do the job, and do it well, but this move is what Im debating about. My current home is paid for, no loans at all on it, but the property, which I call mine, is really my brothers, and I only have the house and a 3 acre lot. (Brothers is 16 acres. I maintain this as he and I have a deal on it.) My oldest son is in college, tech school, and he doesnt want to go, but I dont feel confident enough that he is responsible enough to be on his own yet, since he doesnt have a job, and one more year of school. Plus, some of his friends, while good kids, still like to party a little too much for my liking to let them stay at the house with him. My brother has no interest in living in the house, hes happy where hes at. I would sell it, but again, it joins my brothers property, and he has built a nice pole building/barn on his side, which I keep the tractors in. (Which all will have to be either sold or hauled to Texas.) So aside from all of that, Ill have to buy a house in Texas, just cant live in an apartment!

Now, my questions, whats the housing market like near Iowa Park, whats the temps like year around, and how are the schools near by?
 
You will get better information going on line.

I have worked in that town many times on the road.Nice little town. It is in the limits of Wichita Falls.Outside of town is mostly still cattle country.Most of the factories I know of. Are own the north side of town. Near the AFB.The temps I have seen range from 25-110. Tornadoes can be a problem up there. Some years worse than others.

Not sure what home or land prices are. I have heard the schools are good.Good hospitals and Stores in town. People are friendly. Which plant are going to.
 
John M, Though I am quite away from Iowa Park, It is technically a small town adjacent to a larger town (Wichita Fall). Weather will be dryer, and nice most of the year Aug and Sept can be tough. Winters will be a H3LLava lot milder from regions further North.
IMO Iowa Park should have a Pretty Good school system. Go on line and check and see.
Do You have a Realtor Friend You trust, Sit in church with, Civic groups enlist him/her to help you. Properties may or may not be abundant depending on local housing pressures.
Try to find a house on a small parcel so you can have your tractor close too!
Go Visit ASAP, Texas folks You will like, Mexican Food, BBQ, etc, etc.
As always Texas is Firearms Friendly!
WELCOME Neighbor!
Later,
John A.
 
Mark,

Bangladesh, nah! Although I think the company has a plant there.

Billy,

Have checked online quite a bit, but looking for more, how to say it, personal experience. Thanks though.

John,

I do have a realtor doing some looking for me, and I do plan to visit in a couple of weeks, just trying to get it worked out to take a week off. Have to visit the plant, check out the local area and such.
 
I live in Wichita Falls about 10 miles from Iowa Park, IP is a nice little town and not far from shopping in WF. A lot of people live in IP and work in WF and vice versa. Weather is a different story, for example it was 96 here yesterday, hard freeze warning for tonite (26 deg).temps in June, July and Aug in the 105-110 range. We are in a severe drought as a lot of people are, lakes are running out of water (25% capacity now) no outside watering, washing cars or filling pools. mostly oil and gas and agriculture with some MFG mixed in. WF is about 104K people. housing should be ok, not sure what you are looking for but a modest home on a good size lot should run in the 90 to 125 range, there are cheaper and more expensive homes, just depends what you are looking for. oy yeah we are in "tornado alley" also.
 
As my handle indicates I'm from NC, not Texas. That said I spent awhile in Texas at naval Station Ingleside, near Corpus Christi right before I got out. That said, I absolutely loved the place. The winters were a lot milder than those even in NC, much less those further North. I didn't actually stay long enough for summer, but I did experience enough of spring to say that it seemed to be 'dry heat', so it didn't seem near as bad as other places I had been stationed. Now dry heat is sort of a misnomer in that when it rained, it RAINED. In the months I was there I saw a few storms come through where you could literally watch a wall of water coming your way. It wasn't unusual for the parking lots at the mall to flood 6 inches plus deep from a downpour.

Not knowing exactly what I was getting into when moving down (ie-not knowing if I'd re-up, or how long I'd be there), and just in line with Navy policies to send info for those transferring, I looked into the housing market quite a bit. I wound up with a nice apartment that served my needs when I was there, but the housing market was plentiful, and fairly affordable at the time.

All in all though if I hadn't already had land and family to come back to I would have stayed in Texas, no question about it. In fact I strongly considered it, even with the things I had back home, until a relationship I had started when home on leave, prior to the transfer, got really serious. She was my deciding factor to move back to NC when I got out.....unfortunately that didn't work out so now I'm stuck here in NC....where it's nice, but not near as nice as I think Texas would have been....... I say that because the people were the friendliest I'd met anywhere I'd been, and the whole pace of life just seemed more laid back....Too, where in the rest of the US can you walk into a store and hear Garth Brooks/country music on the sound system instead of the other crap they usually play???Granted this was all 20 years ago, but I just don't see a place that nice changing that much, regardless of the years.
 
I grew up in Wichita Falls. That area is still pretty rural, even though WF has grown a lot. Cost of living is pretty reasonable.

Iowa Park is a nice little town. Just a guess on my part, but I think you will find housing costs pretty reasonable. That can also be checked out online.

My mom recently sold her condo in a highrise mostly for seniors. I'll ask her about the realtor she used.

I would suggest you go online and check out WF and IP. They should have enough pics to give you an idea of the countryside. Here's a site that had good info on median housing costs in IP - http://www.city-data.com/city/Iowa-Park-Texas.html.

Some nice lakes close, too. Look up Kickapoo Lake. I think its the closest to WF.

There's no property tax in Tx (like you have in Indiana) and no state income tax, either.

WF has a decent 4 yr college, Midwestern State U. I don't know if it offers the the curriculum your son is currently taking, but you can check that online, too.

Weather will be much milder than up north. Not too many days below freezing and not much snow. Its not as humid as the DFW area or e. Tx. Summers are somewhat hot, but not as bad with the lower humidity. You will adjust.

Unless you really like the north, you will enjoy Tx.

Hope this helps.
 
I will just ask you a few questions? First what is your age? Amount of family? What do they think? How do you get along with family? What is chances of your employment staying avaible if you stay? Next question is same but if you move? Could it be a short term 2-3 year relocation? Job opertunities if job does not pan out and need to change jobs? Could you just give up friends and family to possible never see them again. Just things to consider. Several years ago wife got a new job and company wanted to send her to Georga from Ohio, paperwork did not all come thru in time. company folded. If it had happened we would have been stuck far away from friends and family. Home would have sat empty, would not have sold as old family home built by my great grandfather on farm ground. Glad we did not move but still hate cold and snow.
 
Know it well, it is right in town, done a lot of work out there as a contractor in the past and now work at a industrial supply and sell to them.
I figured that was where you were talking about. really nice state of the art facility. There is also a smaller Cryova/SA plant in WF, IP/Wf is a nice area mostly wheat and cotton areound here (to keep it tractor related) if we can ever get out of this drought it will be alot nicer. WF has alot of the big town amenities without the big town traffic headaches. we even have 3 super wally worlds.
 

j-tex has it pretty well covered, but I'll add that yes, we do have hot days in the summer. But usually the humidity is fairly low so that makes the high temps considerably more tolerable.
And yes it is in "Tornado Alley." But to me, it's in the context of how you look at it. Out on the left coast, you have the threat of earthquakes. Down in the gulf coast area, you have the threat of hurricanes. So who's to say what kind of natural disaster you may or may not have to contend with no matter where you live?
One thing I would suggest is that if there is a local café, go and visit with some local residents and get their point of view on the town and schools.
One more thing to point out, no state income tax in Texas.
If you decide to make the move....welcome to Texas!!
 
My thought is "how do you know that great job is going to last?"-- especially in today's economy. Been there, done that. It's up to you but money isn't everything.. and remember the more you make the more they take.
 
(quoted from post at 07:04:46 04/14/14) I will just ask you a few questions? First what is your age? Amount of family? What do they think? How do you get along with family? What is chances of your employment staying avaible if you stay? Next question is same but if you move? Could it be a short term 2-3 year relocation? Job opertunities if job does not pan out and need to change jobs? Could you just give up friends and family to possible never see them again. Just things to consider. Several years ago wife got a new job and company wanted to send her to Georga from Ohio, paperwork did not all come thru in time. company folded. If it had happened we would have been stuck far away from friends and family. Home would have sat empty, would not have sold as old family home built by my great grandfather on farm ground. Glad we did not move but still hate cold and snow.
Click to expand...

Ill be 45, in fact tomorrow. Just my wife and 2 sons, oldest boy doesnt want to leave, youngest doesnt really want to, he scared of having o make new friends etc. Wife is hesitant, since her mother and brother are here. (Her dad dies in Sept.) Only family on my side that are alive I care anything about is my brother and his family, and my mother, and grandmother. (She doesnt have much time left until she goes to be with the Lord.) The rest I dont even claim Im related to. Im not too worried about my current job, unless the company decides to move the warehouse to another place, but that wont happen anytime soon, and if they do, I will have other warehouses for other companies to work out of. This is suppose to b a permanent position in Texas.
 
Ya know, I was going to take a position with the same company, just at the local plant, back in the 90s. Pay was double what I was working then, and we had to take a class for the job. I had to leave the last class early, wife went into labor, so I had to make it up. At the make up class, I was talking with the instructor, and was telling him about me having to leave the last one. He looked at me and told me the exact same thing. I didnt take the job, the child my wife was holding in her arms at night was more important than money. My father worked for this company for 30 years, and I remember growing up how he would come home, wearing that badge, his key chain jingling on his side, and those blue uniforms he had to wear. I didnt realize how great of man he was until his wake, when over 400 people from the company came. Its been my dream to work for people like that for, well my whole life. Thanks for that little reminder!
 
Been there many times to work on the Fire pump engine. Some very nice guys to work with. Out on 287 on the left. If my brain still works.
 
If there is a military base nearby, there will be plenty of very good private and parochial schools around the base. If the public schools are not to your liking you will still have good alternatives.

There should also be an above average number and variety of homes available to rent near any military base. Consider renting a home for six months to get to know the area very well before you purchase a home. Your company may have relocation assistance that helps you sell your old home and buy a new one within a year of starting the new job.

The move will probably be much tougher for your family than it will be for you. Too many times dad is happy as a clam working six days a week at the new job, but in the evenings he goes home to an unhappy family that only wants to move back to their old home. Try to get your family involved in the adventure of living in a new place and make the transition as easy as possible if they have only lived in one place before.

Don't worry too much about the oldest son in college. In a year he will graduate and will need to be on his own then anyway. Sharing an apartment in his last year of college will actually make that transition easier for him. Just make sure he has at least one responsible roommate to coach him a little.

Good luck.
 
Four times the present pay sounds like a good deal . Four times the responsibility has to do with how you handle stress. There is a saying in the construction industry. No matter how much kaos , how much confusion, they all get done in the end. .If you can take responsibility with out stress then go for it. If it is a position over others it takes a certain personallity otherwise you will have a mutinty on your hands.
 
John, it is hard to find a place as nice to live as in NW SC. I could never have moved my 2 boys and hard working wife away from here. I am sure there are tons of nice places in this country and in Texas. But I would never leave our part of the country. Upstate SC has a lot to offer. Don't make your family unhappy. Just my opinion.
Richard, son of Clemson grad, father of 2 Clemson grads, husband of Anderson College grad and a Clemson grad myself.
 
You and my wife would get along real good! She graduated from Cleempson, gotta say it right ya know! My brother on the other hand, hes a Gamecock through and through.
 
John,I was stationed in Witchita Falls,and had a dear friend that lived in Iowa park,Iowa Park was a nice little town,but I never understood why anyone would like to live in that area.A good friend said it best,it was a good place for the military to keep their guns and a good place for rattle snakes.Being from WV I was use to seeing trees and rolling hills,that is the most barren place on earth.Also I though it was the hottest and coldest place there was,not counting hurricanes and hail storms
 
Start at the beginning...
Where you live now, you are near family. You know where all of your "vital" services are - the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker to paraphrase.
Where you are going to, you know NOTHING. You will have to rediscover every aspect of living in that area. You will also be a LONG ways from family and friends. Is the money really worth it??? How about the cost of living in the new area. The cost of living in the Iowa City area along with cost of replacing what you have where you are could outweigh the pay raise. Add to that uprooting the family and taking them far away from THEIR friend and relations.

In my personal experience.......
I have done one major relocation in my life. It was just me, no family involved. Starting over is NOT easy. It takes time. Now, after over 30 years in my "new" location, it has become home, but it sure did take a while. Some of the drawbacks that I suffered were the costs of travelling to family gatherings (wedding/funeral/first communion, etc.) in addition to being somewhat left out of the loop when family crises arose. For years, AT&T was gouging me for long distance phone charges from keeping in touch. When my mother was critically ill and on her death bed, I travelled every weekend to see her for 6 months.

In summary, if I had it to do over again would I? By myself, maybe. With a family, NO WAY ON EARTH!!!!!!! You do what you think is best for all concerned, and may the Lord help you to make the right decision.
 
Don't you just hate the way the sportscasters pronounce Clemson. Of course most outsiders can't pronounce Oconee County or Chattooga River and Chauga and Tugaloo Rivers. Not to mention Coneross Creek. All in Oconee County.
Oh, sorry about your brother's affiliation with the enemy.
Richard
 
One more thing John. I moved to Woodruff for 9 months in 1977. I had always done things for my Grandma growing up and she got very sick that year. I hated being away and not being here to help.
When my parents got to the point they needed a lot of help, I was here for them. Don't regret helping them one bit.
Richard
 
I get that here too! 7 is really bad, especially Crabtree and that 5:30 gal. She says Laurens, Loorens, and a real emphasis on Gray Court, like Greyyyy Courrrt, almost like Forrest Gump would say it. Crabtree does that too. They dont understand your suppose to say it as one word, graycourt. And they do Fountain Inn the same way. My favortie was the gal who is on 21 now, she still says Enoree, E Nor ee, instead on En or ee.

My brothers got Carolina fever pretty bad. Spent 120 bucks to go down to watch the baseball team Friday, and thats just the tip of th bucket, his truck is garnet, most of his clothes are garnet ot have a gamecock on it, except his work clothes, and he even said hed pay for his daughter to go to USC before hed let her take a scholarship to Clemson. And he meant it. My youngest niece got accepted to Clemson, and he refuses to pay for the things her scholarship wont, and shes not going for another year! Pigheaded!
 
There is no 'one size fits all' answer here, John,it depends on the individual. Some people have strong roots to home, some don't. For example, people who were "army brats" (absolutely no disrespect intended) and moved from location to location in their formative years probably never considered any place to be "home". They can be happy anywhere. Then there's folks like me, and you, I think, who know exactly where "home" is. I grew up on land (northwest Louisiana, five miles from Texas) settled by my great-grandfather after the Civil War. Nearly all of four generations of my direct ancestors are buried in the same cemetery, half a mile from where I grew up. My marker is already in place there. Those scrubby red clay hills are in my DNA.

I left home for school, and then work, and a career move took me to Houston. It was only 300 miles, but it seemed like the other side of the moon. Yes, I eventually made it back "home".

So, if you can leave home behind, and not pine for it, then give the opportunity a shot. But if deep in your gut you feel it will be a mistake, it will be a mistake. The Wichita Falls area is nice country, and I'm sure the people there are as good as you'll find anywhere.
 
John, I have friends that went to 'usc' but they moved back up here. My old boss was from north Texas and said he hated the wind blowing all the time out there. He retired outside of Pendleton.
Richard
 
i say, money talks and bs walks. i moved to ca 20 yrs ago and never looked back. i still kinda snicker when i see the midwest got 3' snow :)
so they loaded up the truck and they moved to IP, texas that is, swimming pools, black gold, y'all come back now y'hea :) good luck with your decision.
 
(quoted from post at 15:03:28 04/14/14) Just FYI, Im from the upstate of SC, so I know HEAT, so thats not a factor, lol.
Click to expand...

You know heat and humidity...you're about to know HOT!

Pretty good deer and turkey hunting up that way.
 
At 45, don't pass up an opportunity for advancement. I never did and also went to Tx for a while and just loved the people. My father-in-law passed up an opportunity to move to Tx because he had never left his hometown in his life.What a loss!
 
My bet is CRYOVAC or maybe DZ. Worked there as a contractor (DZ) for four years and would go back if an opening came up. As for the statement from the former military individual...not many military have much against the area. I have lived here for 54 years as a result of the Air Force sending me here. This is an area that is central to a lot of great places. Iowa Park is a small town 10 West of Wichita Falls. We have all kinds of weather, sometimes all in the same day. Take the job.
 
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