- Kellee Speakman, a conservative elementary school teacher, moved from California to Texas in 2022 but returned after four and a half months due to Texas’s political obsession and unexpected living costs.
- Speakman found Texas to be not much cheaper than California, with high property taxes, expensive services, and lower wages, which contributed to her dissatisfaction.
- She returned to California, appreciating its lifestyle, public lands, and better teacher benefits, realizing that her idea of freedom involved peace and everyday adventures rather than political rhetoric.
I made the same mistake, moved from NY for a tech job in Texas during covid.
The honeymoon phase ended in the first week when I couldnt find decent quality food at restaurants. I haven’t had political issues like she mentions. I struggle with the poor infrastructure here, the frontage roads spaced everything so far apart it makes the area feel like a giant strip mall that goes forever.
By the time my lease ended the tech layoffs came. Been struggling to find jobs back home so now I feel stuck in Texas.
Its depressing, but I try to make the best of it… There’s lots of really nice greenways so when it’s not too hot I bike around. I felt way more free and happy in the Northeast corridor.
I can see the difference between California influence and original Texan culture. There’s pros and cons to both, but when both of their flaws come together it’s the worst.
I will never relocate for a job again once I get back. You either hire me as remote or I’m dodging a toxic work environment.