We moved from California to Texas after a fire destroyed our home. Our income is less, but we love the state. – Business Insider

• Gerardo and Tommy Ruiz moved from San Bernardino, California, to San Antonio, Texas, in September.
• They moved with their two young sons after a fire nearly destroyed their hired home.
• The couple loves Texas because of their cheaper costs and people, but misses California’s food.

This essay for the only essay is based on a conversation with 29-year-old Gerard Ruiz and Tommy Ruiz, 26-year-old, local Californians who moved from San Bernardino, California, to San Antonio in 2024. The following was edited for length and clarity S

Gerardo: My wife Tommy and I are from San Bernardino, California. We met at a party in 2019 and married last April.

San Bernardino is not as nice as before. Many things, such as the homelessness and activity of the band, have seemed to have deteriorated in recent years.

Tommy: There were things we liked in California. I only had a family about an hour. I loved being in the snow or on the beach when I wanted.

We talked about Leaving California for a while because the cost of living is increasing dramatically. We had discussed Texas, Arizona or maybe jute, But we I was not serious about this.

Fire finally pushed us to leave

Tommy: In September, the line fire broke out in Highland, California, next to my grandparents’ house.

We rented a house on the other side of the city. The fire line did not directly threaten our house, but our neighbor’s home ignited. They said it started with Ember from the line fire.

It was horrifying. We fell asleep, and suddenly my husband woke up to what sounded like a huge explosion. I felt him push me and scream.

When I sat down, I saw flames coming out the window of our bedroom, even six feet.

Herardo: We have two children, Anthony, who is 3 years old, and Charlie, who is 1. We grabbed them and we both ran out.

Tommy: We both ran into our underwear because we didn’t have time to get clothes.

The fire destroyed about half of our house, plus everywhere there was damage to smoke.

Herardo: We lost almost everything in our bedroom and the dining area.

Tommy: We were just in shock. We were sitting outside and staring at the house for a long time.

Herardo: The Red Cross gave us some money for a hotel.

We had to restart our lives somewhere

Tommy: A few days later, the landlord told us that he must terminate the leasing, as they cannot judge how long it will take repairs and cannot put us elsewhere in the meantime. We were homeless and realized that we should start over.

We were discussing the residence in California, but the launch of a new leasing in the state is expensive with a deposit, the first month rental and all fees.

We decided that if we had to start over, it would be better to start in Texas.

Herardo: My brother has been living in San Antonio for about 10 years. We went out to visit a few years ago and just fell in love with the city.

Tommy: We picked up what left us, my husband pulled out his 401 (K) and went to Texas.

Texas is much more affordable

Herardo: Our first impression of Texas was how cheap the rent was. We paid about $ 2350 in San Bernardino for an apartment with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom. We are already in place with two bedrooms and two bathrooms in San Antonio and we pay $ 1.250.

Tommy: We first applied for a few houses, but the wait took forever. We decided to apply for an apartment and the next day we approved. We stayed at a hotel for three weeks until we were approved for the apartment.

In addition to the rent is more cheaper, the gas is much more cheaper, which is great for us because we have quite large cars.

Gerardo: The registration of cars is too.

Tommy: However, the groceries seem to be approximately the same.

Although the costs of life are more affordable here, the pay is lower.

I am a certified phlebotomist, and in California I made about $ 25 an hour. Here in Texas, I received some offers ranging from $ 16 to $ 20 an hour, and I accepted one. I do less than I was in California, but with the money we save is not too big.

Gerardo: I am a driver of a tow truck. I worked two jobs in California, doing $ 21 per hour and $ 24 an hour.

I was expecting to be able to find such a job in Texas, but after I got here, it was more difficult than I thought. The highest paid withdrawal work I could find was just over $ 15 an hour.

So far, I have kept finding a job to watch the kids, as we don’t know many people here in Texas who can have a child.

The state has exceeded our expectations

Tommy: We just fell in love with Texas. It’s so green than we expected. We thought it would be all the deserts and cowboys, but San Antonio has many nice parks and playgrounds. He feels very family -oriented.

Herardo: The environment here is great. My wife has a famous PTSR from the fire and it’s nice that it’s not so dry.

Tommy: You definitely feel the Texas heat. It was still so hot on Halloween. We are used to a breeze in October.

In addition, it has been snowy since we are here, which is rare for San Antonio. We love the snow.

There were some challenges but we made the right choice

Gerardo: The most difficult correction is food. Even McDonald’s has a different taste here. Texas Street Tacos are not like California street taco at all.

There was an incredible Hawaiian barbecue in California. Since we moved, I have not been able to find such food.

Tommy: Texas was so good at us. I had the feeling that I was at home right away. I have the feeling that I have contacted people. They are all so nice.

Gerardo: Our goal is to stay in Texas for the long run, but in the end we want to move to Amarillo, Texas. The snow there is more often and we love the cold.

Tommy: I’m so glad we moved. It was scary when we decided to do it, but we had nothing to lose and make it work.

Gerardo: The recent fires in Los Angeles were terrible and we pray for all those involved.

The reassurance that you are not worried about wild fires here, as in California, was already a huge plus.