I am a SoCal lady who was forced to relocate to Dallas, Texas in May, 2002...
I miss my home, my family and friends--all that was near and dear to me in Southern California...
But, I have come into some of the nicest and most honorable Texans that one will ever encounter since my move of ~2.5 months...
Most people here in Dallas are honest hard working folks that are trying to make a living and raise their families to be upstanding citizens. This fact is shocking to me, because I hate to say it, as much as I love "the weather" on the beach in Cali, most of my fellow compatriots are rather crafty--or "fake"... Texans are nice and welcoming people, but lack including or trusting of a non-Texan into their lives. Which makes it extremely lonely for a single 30-something woman...
Even though some SoCali folks are phoney (sp.) they do include new folks into their activities... The thought is: Life's a Beach, drink it up!!! But, I think my feeling is a reaction of a Southern tradition, rather than it being Texas by itself.
2 things Texas lacks and Cali has, are 3 Strikes Violation Laws and Photo Enforced Traffic lights... I think if you guys put those laws thru your legislature, life will even be easier out here...
And Texasprincess, yeah, TAX FREE WEEKENDS are an interesting thought, but really, other than buyin' stuff for the kids, does Texas as a state really save? Just asking...