I’ll be the first to admit it: when my husband was offered a job in Texas, he drove me here kicking and screaming. I cried for days…and it wasn’t just the fact that I was coming down with strep throat. No, I’m not THAT moody, usually. I just couldn’t fathom why we had to leave my beloved Arkansas. Most of my extended family is there, and it’s always been my home.
But move we did, and we’ve been here for several years now. Though I do still miss Arkansas dearly (after all, it’s in my blood), I’ve come to love Texas, and I’m always trying to get my extended family to move here. There are at least 6 reasons I give them.
1. People are very friendly here (with the exception of morning traffic on Loop 323). It’s true of much of the South, but the displays of kindness I have seen since we moved here never cease to blow my mind. The first day we attended church here, we were invited to a couple’s home for small group. It just seems second nature to many Texans to see a need…and fill it. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why when most people move to Texas, they don’t want to leave.
That, and the lovely roses that sell super cheap in the springtime, since we are The Rose Capital.
http://parksandrec.cityoftyler.org/ConventionTourismFacilities/RoseGardenCenter.aspx
2. Tyler is about 90 minutes east of Dallas and 90 miles west of Shreveport (which seems to be quite the gambling destination…because the Tylerites rarely speak of Shreveport, but when they do they just call it, “The Boats”). A day trip with bedtime in your own house is always a possibility, and the drive to Austin isn’t bad either. Because we’re so close to Dallas, we’ve attended some pretty cool concerts (like Lady Gaga).
3. The winters (except for the weirdness that happened this season) are usually very mild. Rarely do windows need defrosting, and usually hoodies are adequate.This is perfect weather for me–I don’t need the extra fluff heavy coats deliver.
4. We have the best Tex-Mex anywhere, hands down. I have yet to find a Mexican restaurant that rivals our restaurants here in town, and you always get all the fresh tortillas, chips and salsa, and mouth-watering sopapillias at your table for free with your meal. Geez, I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. Note to self: this could quite be one of the reasons I have so much fluff. Anyway, when my Arkansas peeps come into town, they always want to get a bite, and I always use the excuse to get one myself.
5. There are 3 hospitals in town and numerous clinics…so if you are a nurse or medical professional there’s always tons of work opportunities. The reason we moved here to begin with was because Lee graduated from the UofA with a BS in Chemical Engineering.
So, there you go.
If you decide to come visit, let me know! I’m always in the mood for some cheese enchiladas. Seriously.
http://www.tylertexas.com/http://keranews.org/post/here-are-39-things-you-should-do-texas-you-die
Tina Bausinger 
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