Moved here from the northeast and this culture shock is real
Three months in. Some observations from someone still adjusting. - Everyone drives everywhere. I asked a coworker if they wanted to walk to the restaurant across the street.
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5Laredo
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See allI genuinely don't understand how people survive summer here
This is my first full summer in Texas. It's been over 100 degrees for 12 straight days. My car steering wheel could brand cattle. I burned my hand on the seatbelt buckle.
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5What's one thing you wish you knew before moving to Texas?
Been here about a year now. There were things I expected — the heat, the big trucks, the BBQ obsession. All true.
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5Moved here from the northeast and this culture shock is real
Three months in. Some observations from someone still adjusting. - Everyone drives everywhere. I asked a coworker if they wanted to walk to the restaurant across the street.
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5I genuinely don't understand how people survive summer here
This is my first full summer in Texas. It's been over 100 degrees for 12 straight days. My car steering wheel could brand cattle. I burned my hand on the seatbelt buckle.
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5What's one thing you wish you knew before moving to Texas?
Been here about a year now. There were things I expected — the heat, the big trucks, the BBQ obsession. All true.
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5What Texas stereotype is actually 100% true?
I've been here long enough to know which stereotypes are BS and which ones are dead on. The big trucks one? Absolutely real. Every third vehicle on the highway is an F-150 or bigger.
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6Best Texas road trip you've ever taken?
Looking to plan something for a long weekend. Done the usual stuff close to home but want to go further out.
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6Brisket snobs are killing BBQ culture
BBQ is supposed to be fun. Community. Gathering around a pit with a beer and eating good food.
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5Mexican food here vs actual Mexico -- am I wrong?
Just got back from a week in Mexico City. The food was unbelievable. Came home and went to my usual Tex-Mex spot and it hit different. Not bad, just... different. Tex-Mex is its own thing.
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5Anyone else feel like their electric bill is a second mortgage?
July bill just hit: $387. For a 1,600 sq ft house. Thermostat set to 76. I'm on a fixed rate plan, my house is relatively new, and I keep the blinds closed during the day. Still getting wrecked.
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5Rent went up $400 and they didn't fix a single thing
Lease renewal came in. $400 more per month. Same unit. Same busted dishwasher I reported 6 months ago. Same stain on the ceiling from the upstairs leak they "fixed" twice.
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5Best breakfast tacos near me -- GO
I need a solid breakfast taco spot. Not a sit-down brunch place charging $16 for two tacos on a fancy plate.
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5HEB vs Kroger vs Walmart: where do you actually shop?
I know HEB is the correct answer on the internet. But I want to know what people actually do week to week. I end up at Kroger because it's closest to me.
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5Is Texas getting too expensive or are we just not keeping up?
Groceries are up. Rent is up. Insurance is up. Gas somehow went down and then right back up. I make more than I did 3 years ago and I feel like I have less money.
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6Whataburger is overrated and I'm tired of pretending
Before y'all come for me — I've eaten there plenty of times. It's fine. The patty melt is good. The honey butter chicken biscuit is legitimately great. But the regular burgers? Mid. The fries?
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6Texas drivers... let's talk about it
I've driven in a lot of states. Texas is on another level. Nobody uses turn signals. Everybody tailgates. Pickup trucks doing 90 in the right lane.
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6Is now actually a good time to buy in Texas?
Interest rates are still elevated. Prices haven't really come down. Insurance costs are through the roof — literally, because of all the hail and storm claims. But rent keeps going up too.
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5Remote work in Texas -- anyone else never going back to office?
I've been fully remote for 2 years. My company just announced a "hybrid" return — 3 days in office. Which means I now need to commute 45 minutes each way, pay for gas, buy lunch, and wear pants.
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5Best sweet tea in town?
I'm on a mission to find the best sweet tea around here. Not the bottled stuff. Not the lightly sweetened "is there even sugar in this" version.
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5Best affordable areas that aren't sketchy?
Looking for a new apartment or maybe renting a house. Budget is around $1,200-1,400 for a 1BR or small 2BR. I know that's tight. I'm not expecting luxury.
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5Moving from apartment to house: what nobody tells you in TX
Spent 6 years in apartments. Just bought a house. Here's what nobody warned me about. - Lawn care in Texas heat is a part-time job. Mowing every week in summer. Watering constantly.
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5Property tax protest -- did anyone actually get theirs lowered?
First time protesting my property tax appraisal this year. The county raised my value by $35K which makes zero sense because nothing about my house or neighborhood has changed.
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6What's a local restaurant that's been around forever and still slaps?
Every city has those spots that have been open for 20-30+ years. No rebranding, no Instagram presence, same menu since the Reagan administration. And somehow they're still packed every weekend.
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5Landlord won't fix AC in July. What are my rights?
AC has been out for 4 days. It's over 100 degrees outside and my apartment is hitting 90+ inside. I've called maintenance three times.
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5Is Buc-ee's actually good or just a tourist trap?
Every time I stop at Buc-ee's I spend $60 on stuff I don't need. The beef jerky wall is mesmerizing. The bathrooms are immaculate. The brisket sandwich is solid.
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6Teachers in Texas -- how are y'all surviving on that salary?
Genuine question, no disrespect intended. I looked up the average teacher salary in Texas. It's around $57K.
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6What's actually hiring around here that pays decent?
I've been applying for weeks. All the Indeed postings are either scams, ghost listings that have been up for 6 months, or they want 5 years of experience for $18/hour. I don't have a degree.
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5HOA sent me a violation for my trash can being visible. I'm done.
Got a letter from my HOA. Violation: "trash receptacle visible from the street." My trash can was next to my garage. Not in the yard. Not on the sidewalk. NEXT TO MY GARAGE on the side of my house.
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