Considering relocating to Texas

Do what your heart says to do! Some may remember that just a few months ago I accepted a job offer within my agency, US Forest Service, to be the Fire Engine Operator on the LBJ National Grassland in Decatur, TX. I am currently on a National Forest as an Assistant Fire Engine Operator in SoCal. I grew up in Oklahoma so I was excited to be just 2 hours away from home.
I ended up telling HR that I wanted to rescind the acceptance. That was due to several reasons. I accepted the offer in October and did the background check and other paperwork. I got all excited and was looking at homes between Ft Worth and Decatur. I was just waiting for a Start Date so I could start making offers. Weeks turned into months and we still hadn't heard anything. Finally, I called HR to ask " What's Up?". They said it wouldn't be till middle of summer before I heard anything because thy were backed up. The homes I was looking at in Oct. were about $250k for a 3 bd 2 ba with acreage. By the time I called HR (~6 mo) they were over $500k! The real estate agent also said there was slim pickens on the rental market.
Promotion opportunities are happening withing my engine crew because the Fire Engine Operator got cancer and is done so everyone will probably move up one. Middle of Summer is a shitty time to leave your fire crew because each person is irreplaceable in the summer and it would leave a huge hole.
Now my plan is to get my structural firefighting quals and try to get a job with the DoD and be even closer to home.
My advice is to live in a small town at least an hour away from a major city like DFW, Houston, Austin,.... When you get within that commuter distance for a major city the home prices are way overpriced. If you must be that close to a metropolis and have capital, wait a little longer for this recession to REALLY drive the home prices back to reality.
I was really excited to move there but the stars fell out of alignment. Maybe it was that God wants me to be in the right place.

Evaluate these three factors. Financial, Logistical, and Spiritual.
Spiritually, is your head telling you to move or is your heart telling you? Where is it telling you to move (finance & logistics)?
Logistics, how far do you want to be from an international airport, hospital, grocer, lake, ...? This can all be dependent on finances.
Financially, where you gonna move? Lotsa land and a modular home or in the big town on a small lot? Big house, little house? Logistics plays a big part in this factor.

Consider these three things and you will end up exactly where you need to be.