Might be moving to Lubbock

[ancientsanskrit]

Good morning guys.

I just got admittance into Texas Tech in Lubbock for grad. studies. They're giving me in-state tuition and a few other goodies. Honestly, no other school has been able to rival what they are offering me (not even by a long shot).

Anyways, I know nothing of the area nor have I even been to TX.

Wondering how the Lubbock area is. More specifically, housing. I've always heard housing is cheap in Texas. So I'm wondering what areas are good around Lubbock. I've always been a renter, and probably will for the first year of the Master's program. However, that being said, I have been playing with the idea of picking up a condo or perhaps even foreclosed home. I just hate the fact that I'm not getting any return on renting out a place. Anyways, I haven't really delved into that, and probably is a bit far-fetched at this time.

Any places you folks can recommend is really appreciated.

Thanks for the help.

[Ray]

You've never been to Texas and you chose LUBBOCK as your first impression?



Just kidding, man.. its not bad.. I don't know anything about the housing market there, though. sorry.
Good luck with the school!

[HoustonLX]

Unfotunately Lubbock is kinda out in the middle of no where. The city pretty much built up around the university. Here is a site you can visit to check out some homes in the area to give you an idea of costs.

http://www.trulia.com/TX/Lubbock/

[IRingTwyce]

Yeah, Lubbock isn't exactly the garden spot of the State! Well, unless you like Japanese Zen gardens with all the pretty dirt raked around. Dirt, there is plenty of! Good luck with the move. Personally, I'd go with picking up a repo. No sense letting any of that money go to waste as rent.

[White99SE]

Dirt, there is plenty of!

In the spring, Lubbock is "Brown Sky Country" 'course a lot's probably changed in the 22 years since I graduated.

[Dyoel182]

You've never been to Texas and you chose LUBBOCK as your first impression?

LOL I was kinda thinking the same thing.

In the spring, Lubbock is "Brown Sky Country" 'course a lot's probably changed in the 22 years since I graduated.

Yeah the roads are probably in worse shape.

All in all Lubbock isnt a horrible place but do realize you're kinda on your own out there in the panhandle as far as other cities and places to go.

[cuda06]

The roads are actually in great shape throughout most of the panhandle. They are just wide, flat, straight, and insanely boring. And the sky really does still turn brown sometimes, though not very often though. The panhandle is not my pick of places to live but I could think of many places that are much worse. In all reality, the only reason I want to leave is because of the geography. I really miss hills, trees, mountains, and curvy roads.

In regards to your main question, even more so than most other places in Texas, the cost of living is pretty darn cheap in the panhandle. Even though we are leading most research with positive growth in housing values the state is still one of the most affordable places to live in.

[Ray]

This is true, especially when considering the panhandle against other areas of the country.

Texas is currently the nation's largest producer of wind power and will be TRIPLING its current allocation and production capabilities in the near future. Housing costs are low throughout the state (in general) and cost of living (food, utilities, etc) are quite low on a nation-wide scale.

Now, the Panhandle isn't my favorite stretch of Texas, but its still Texas and that means its alright with me! If you want mountains, we've got some.. you want plains, snow, fields, hill country, plateaus, or beaches? We've got all that, too. It just depends on where you choose to live in the state.

Good luck at the school, and make sure to make it down to another major city out of the panhandle before you decide your opinion on the state as a whole.

Enjoy!

[cuda06]

Texas is currently the nation's largest producer of wind power and will be TRIPLING its current allocation and production capabilities in the near future.

Yup, you should see the wind farms around here.

[Dyoel182]

The roads are actually in great shape throughout most of the panhandle. They are just wide, flat, straight, and insanely boring.

Its not the roads to and from Lubbock I have problems with, its the roads in the city. Last time I was up there I was worried about bending a rim there were so many lumps, cracks and holes in the roads.

And I agree about seeing other cities as well. DFW isnt that far away and is probably easier to fly into for most people than Lubbock International (Tijuana here we come!).