Is 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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6Temple
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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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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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5Car break-ins happening every night on my street
Fourth car on our street broken into this week. They're not smashing windows — they're just checking door handles. If it's unlocked they go in, grab whatever they can, and move to the next one.
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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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6Best 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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5Just got laid off. Tech industry is brutal right now.
Got the email Wednesday morning. My entire team — 14 people — eliminated. 2 years at the company. Good performance reviews. Didn't matter. This is the second round of layoffs in 8 months.
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5Side hustles that actually work in a Texas city
I need extra income. Not passive income guru stuff. Not dropshipping. Not "invest in real estate with no money down." Real things that real people are doing to make extra money.
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5EV charging situation here is actually improving
Got an EV last year and was worried about charging infrastructure. Honestly it's gotten way better around here even in the last 12 months.
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5Catalytic converter theft: which cars are most targeted?
Neighbor's catalytic converter got cut off his truck overnight. Second one on our street in a month. Takes less than 90 seconds with a battery saw apparently.
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5Doorbell camera caught someone trying my door at 3am
Ring doorbell alert at 3:12am. Checked the footage. Guy walks up to my front door, tries the handle, it's locked, and he walks to the next house.
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5Is it just me or has shoplifting gotten way worse?
Went to get toothpaste yesterday. It was locked behind plexiglass. Had to find an employee to unlock it. Waited 10 minutes. For toothpaste. Deodorant: locked. Razors: locked.
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5Interview red flags from Texas employers
I've been job hunting for a few months and the number of sketchy interviews I've had is wild. Compiling a list so others know what to watch for.
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6How do adults actually make friends in a new city?
Moved here 8 months ago for work. Know my coworkers and that's about it. I'm in my early 30s. No kids. Don't go to church. I've tried Bumble BFF. It's weird. I've gone to a few Meetup events.
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6Trade jobs vs college degree: Texas edition
I'm 19. Everyone in my family says college. But I've been looking at the numbers and I'm not sure it makes sense anymore. A plumber or electrician apprentice starts at $18-22/hr with zero debt.
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5ERCOT is going to get someone killed one of these summers
Every summer the same thing happens. Heat wave rolls in. ERCOT issues a conservation alert. They ask everyone to set thermostats to 78+ and avoid running major appliances during peak hours.
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5Who has the worst drivers -- your city or the one next door?
Every city in Texas thinks the city next to them has the worst drivers. It's like a universal Texas experience.
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6What's the best home security system? Ring vs SimpliSafe vs ADT
Moving into a new house next month and want to set up security from day one. Done some research but there are too many options and every review site seems sponsored.
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5Is anyone else spending $400+/month on gas commuting?
My commute is 35 miles each way. That's 70 miles a day, 350 miles a week. My truck gets 20 mpg on a good day. Gas is hovering around $3.20. I did the math: roughly $420/month just in gas.
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5Best mechanic in town that won't rip you off?
I need a trustworthy mechanic. Not a dealership — they quoted me $900 for brake pads and rotors on a midsize sedan. I can buy the parts for $200.
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6Road construction has been going on for 3 years and nothing changed
There's a stretch of highway near me that has been under construction since before the pandemic. Orange barrels. Lane closures. Reduced speed limits. For THREE YEARS.
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5Texas inspection failed for the dumbest reason
Took my car for annual inspection. Everything works fine. Brakes good. Lights good. Emissions good. Failed because one of my tire pressure monitoring sensors is malfunctioning.
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5Doctor/dentist recs that take insurance and aren't booked 3 months out?
I've been trying to find a primary care doctor and a dentist for two months. Everyone is either not taking new patients, doesn't take my insurance, or has the next available appointment in August.
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6Texas heat survival tips for people who aren't from here
Your first Texas summer is going to be a shock. Here's what got me through mine. - Hydrate before you're thirsty. By the time you feel thirsty you're already dehydrated. Keep water with you always.
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5Best gym that isn't Planet Fitness?
Planet Fitness is fine for what it is but I've outgrown it. No squat racks, no deadlift platforms, the lunk alarm is embarrassing, and the gym is packed from 5-8pm every weekday.
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5Parks and outdoor spots that are actually worth going to?
I've been here a while but I feel like I've only scratched the surface of outdoor stuff to do. I default to the same two parks every weekend and I'm getting bored.
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5Dating scene here is... something else
Been single for about 6 months. Back on the apps. Some observations about dating around here.
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