Growing Number of Americans Interested in Moving to Texas

According to Relocation.com, a growing number of Americans are interested in relocating to the Lone Star State. In fact, during its June survey, the Website found that 50% more people are interested in moving to Texas than when the survey was conducted in February.

Drawn by the stable real estate prices and low unemployment rate of 8.5% throughout the state and 6.9% in the capital city of Austin, Texas actually knocked California out of its number one position. Unfortunately for the Golden State, it fell to the number three position, while Florida took the second position. North Carolina finished fourth, while Georgia came in fifth.

When conducting the survey, Relocation.com tallied the responses from 1,000 participants, all of whom responded during the month of June. In addition to finding that more people are interested in moving to Texas than before, the survey also found that fewer Americans are deciding to move due to foreclosure issues. Furthermore, 4% of the respondents said they were now able to purchase a home for the first time because of the drop in real estate prices. Furthermore, 10% of respondents said they were interested in moving into a bigger home or into a home located in a better neighborhood.
Of course, for residents of Steiner Ranch, the fact that more people are interested in moving to Texas or into Austin doesn’t come as much of a surprise. In addition to the relatively steady housing market and unemployment rates, the capital city is regularly taking steps to improve upon itself and what it has to offer to its residents. For example, Austin Community College recently developed a training program specifically designed for utility line workers in an attempt to address a “growing need” within this sector.

The new program, which will result in an applied science associate’s degree, will train those who are interested in working as line workers. As such, the program will include training in how to use heavy machinery such as cranes and cherry pickers as well as how to install underground power lines, overhead power lines, streetlights and transformers. According to the Texas Workforce Commission, the need for skilled individuals in this area will increase by 20% from 2006 to 2016 and the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average hourly wage of line workers is $20.23, which amounts to about $42,080 per year. Individuals who are interested in this program need to be able to carry at least 50 pounds, have a clean driving record and be comfortable with heights.