The 2800 sq ft semi-custom house with a pool in a great area of Plano that was $250k at purchase 2 years ago costs me about $4500 a year in property taxes.

Really? Aren’t property taxes in Plano around 2.15%? So your house appraised at $210K? That is a good deal for a great area of Plano.

Also how are your energy bills? Yard and pool maintenance?

Texas is a good value but it isn’t as cheap as you might think. It is less expensive than here on the whole.