Considering moving from Minnesota to a Southern state? One of the best and most obvious options is Texas – the second largest state in the US. Famous for its barbecues, rodeos, and country music, Texas is also known as “The Lone Star State”, in memory of the time it was a sole nation-state.
And as William Blakley, a former American senator and Texas native, once said: “Texas is neither southern nor western. Texas is Texas”.
Are you ready to move towards the warmer South?
You are certainly considering this. When you move South, you get to enjoy warm weather all year around. you can forget the freezing winters and hot and humid summers of Minnesota, and start enjoying less extreme weather, where snow becomes mild and less frequent occurrence.
You also may want to get an extra pair of sunglasses, because Texas has more than half a year of sunny days. Dallas’s average is 234 sunny days a year and only one snowy day. If you are a sun lover, you will definitely enjoy this part, and may even get some good suntan.
What is the population and major cities?
Size and population are among the main differences you will encounter after moving to Texas. Minnesota has a surface area three times smaller and five times less population. If you don’t mind living in bigger and denser cities, you will find yourself at ease with these aspects of living in Texas.
Each state has its major cities, with its landmarks and attractions. Minneapolis and Saint Paul,- the capital, are Minnesota’s Twin Cities, where the population and the major activities are mostly concentrated at.
Texas’s equivalent cities are Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and Austin – the capital. The main industries, football teams, art, music, and shopping are in these cities. Hence, you might consider relocating to one of them, as they are more lively and offer more opportunities.
What is the employment scene like?
Even though the economic engine of Minnesota is located in the Twin Cities, the state remains mainly agricultural.
Texas’ economic structure is different. The most important economic sectors include retail trade, hospitality, and healthcare among other professional services.
Despite the high population density, the unemployment levels remain low, at 3.5%, comparable to Minnesota’s 3.2%.
What is the cost of living?
The cost of living in both states is also a bit different, with Texas appearing cheaper in some areas, and more expensive in others. For example, if we compare Dallas with Minneapolis, the housing costs are 20.7% lower in Dallas, but the health expenses are 19.7% higher.
Nevertheless, despite Dallas being on average less expensive, it has a 15% lower household income, which you also need to consider. And as more people are moving to Texas, the housing prices might increase, hence, the living expenses as well. All these, hopefully, will be accompanied by higher average salaries.
Getting around
Do you drive your own car or are you used to public transportation in Minnesota? In both cases, you will not encounter much of a change in Texas. There is convenient public transportation in place, which many people use. However, more than 50% of the population drives. As I’ve mentioned before, the state is vast, and less than 5% use bicycles, and even less walk.
Therefore if you like to drive, bringing your car to Texas may be a good idea. Below, I offer some important information regarding shipping and registering your car in Texas.
Shipping your car to Texas
Minnesota is 1276 miles away from Texas or a roughly 18-hour drive. This is a considerable distance, which can put unnecessary wear and tear on your car. And you, as a driver, need to be in excellent shape to traverse that long of a distance. Therefore, when a distance is longer than 200-300 miles, shipping your car between Texas and Minnesota would be the best option.
You will need to choose between open and enclosed carriers. For example, if you move in the winter, an enclosed carrier may be a better choice, as it would protect your car from any external weather conditions. Enclosed auto transport is also a good choice for sports, classic, and luxury vehicles.
Registering your vehicle
After arriving in Texas, you have 30 days to register your car with the Texas DMV. In terms of documentation, you will need your car insurance and proof of car ownership. The next step is to take your car to get a certified inspection at an approved Texas DPS station.
To apply for Texas driver’s license or the car inspection, there are online options, provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety. These options are effective and can help you manage your time efficiently.
All in all, we hope that this information has helped you get a better picture of Texas before you initiate the moving process.
Shall you have any additional questions regarding shipping your car or need a quote, our team of logistics experts will be happy to assist you via our online chat or phone call. You can connect with us at (818)850-5258.
We are here to help you relocate your vehicle and make your moving process smoother.
Thank you!
