I miss: The prices

I haven't posted in a while, even though I have a lot of other things I miss. In fact, I was saving the most important things for last, so I definitely have a few more posts to go.

At the moment, I miss the prices in Texas.

I am not exaggerating when I say, everything is cheaper in Texas. The gas, the food, the booze, public utilities, meals in restaurants, clothes, cars, insurance, cell phone plans, light bulbs, aspirin, and on and on. Literally, everything.

Obviously the taxes are cheaper. Texas has no state taxes and Massachusetts is not-so-popularly known as "Taxachusetts." I have yet to feel the burden of Massachusetts state taxes. And in all honestly, I don't mind paying taxes if I feel the benefits of them. I'm not sure yet if that will be the case here. Interestingly, the place where I felt the most burdened by state taxes was Indiana (a government-hating, corporation-loving, down-home-Murican Red State).

Most recently I am disgusted by the price of natural gas. My gas bill is out of control. Much of this has to do with the ABYSMAL insulation in my apartment and my useless slumlords landlords. I cannot get the ambient temperature above 50-55 degrees in one of the rooms. The heating vents work, but after only turning my thermostat up to 70 degrees for a few days, my heating bill increased by almost 100%. That's right, $80 to $150 over only few days of use. Appalled, I maintained my thermostat at 60 degrees for the majority of December and my bill increased another 50% from $150 to $225. For a one bedroom apartment!!! And it wasn't even that cold! Are you fucking kidding me? Sorry this has turned into a rant about my apartment. I am in battle with my landlord right now.

End of story, I miss the prices in Texas. Everything is 20-50% cheaper, on average. Money goes farther in Texas. Thank your lucky, big, bright stars in the heart of Texas.