Blog | Considering Austin

Central Texas: A Strategic Move Towards Financial Freedom

Written by Kent Kopen | April 06, 2024

Are you tired of feeling squeezed by high taxes and a rising cost of living? Many Americans are making the strategic move to Central Texas, a region experiencing explosive growth fueled by an influx of businesses and talent. Renowned investor Kyle Bass and tech giant Elon Musk are just two names betting big on this dynamic market. Could Central Texas be the key to unlocking your financial potential?

Kyle Bass: A Macroeconomic Perspective

Kyle Bass, founder of Hayman Capital Management, L.P., isn't just following the crowd. His investment philosophy is rooted in understanding fundamental economic trends and demographics. In a recent podcast, he shared his insights on the rise of Central Texas:

"When you think about the U.S., you look at the coastal region, the West Coast and the Northeast being very high cost, very high tax, one could say mismanaged jurisdictions. And where are the population movements happening in America? They're moving to pro-business, lower cost, lower or no tax jurisdictions."

The Exodus from High-Cost, High-Tax Cities

This trend of people leaving high-cost cities is driven by several factors, as Kyle Bass highlights:

"You see movements, massive population movements...to places like Florida, Tennessee and Texas. And I say, rich people can go to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and Aspen and this and that. You can’t move real companies to places like that. You have to move real companies where there’s affordability, where there’s expansive activity, where there are natural resources to accommodate those movements."

Safety concerns and a high cost of living are pushing families to seek alternatives, making Central Texas an attractive destination. Beyond economic considerations, many people simply don't feel safe in major cities anymore.

Real Estate: A Strategic Investment for Building Wealth

Real estate stands out as a favored asset class in Central Texas, offering unique tax benefits and long-term appreciation potential according to Kyle Bass:

"I want to buy real estate in front of that macro movement. And I actually want to be levered to that real estate. And I want to use a prudent amount of leverage."

Hedging Against Inflation

Bass emphasizes land and real estate as a way to hedge against inflation, fueled by substantial government spending and deficits. He warns that even if reported inflation remains low, the actual cost of living continues to rise significantly. Owning assets that appreciate over time can help protect against this erosion of purchasing power:

"The rich own the assets and are levered to the assets that have gone up in price. How many rich people do you know that are less rich today than they were in 2020? I don't know one."

Building Wealth Through Strategic Investment

Building wealth through real estate ownership goes beyond simple appreciation. Home equity represents a significant portion of most Americans' wealth according to the Federal Reserve, making real estate ownership a cornerstone of financial stability.

Financial Clarity: The Key to Success

Financial clarity and literacy plays a crucial role in capitalizing on investment opportunities. Educating yourself on debt management, investment principles, and risk mitigation is essential for making informed financial decisions, especially with major life decisions like relocation. 

An article in Forbes, titled Financial Literacy is More Essential than Ever, recently reported that only one-third of adults could answer at least four of five financial literacy questions on fundamental concepts such as interest rates, inflation, and risk.

People work an entire lifetime without learning the rules of the game when it comes to money. Do they teach it in high school? No. Even colleges don’t teach the basics. Instead, they teach students how to be good employees. Not how to escape the rate race by accumulating enough income-producing assets to make work optional.

Financial literacy is the bridge between today’s relocation opportunity (demographic changes) and building wealth. Those who live in a high-cost, high-tax city cannot get ahead by working harder. Most of them are already working an unhealthy amount. But think about what is possible by dramatically lowering cost of living. Maybe an opportunity to actually build freedom-producing wealth.

Taking Action: Relocating for Financial Gain

Relocating to the Greater Austin Metropolitan Area in Central Texas presents an opportunity to lower living expenses and reduce taxes so families can improve their financial outlook and achieve greater financial security. Remember, Texas has no state income tax, which is relevant to both workers and those taking required distributions from IRAs and rollover IRAs.

Central Texas: More Than Just an Investment

Central Texas offers more than just economic potential; it provides a pathway to financial freedom for families seeking to improve their well-being. By leveraging demographic trends, understanding inflation dynamics, and embracing financial literacy, individuals can navigate today's economic landscape with confidence.

Central Texas isn't just an investment destination; it's a strategic move towards greater financial prosperity for middle-class and high-net-worth families.

Considering Austin: Your Partner in Strategic Relocation

Considering Austin's mission revolves around empowering families to capitalize on demographic shifts and build wealth through strategic relocation. The first two steps in our unique process involve gaining clarity around relocating and how it will affect short- and long-term cashflow and net worth.

Relocation from a high-cost, high-tax city is an opportunity to start over. Because housing, energy, and utilities are much less expensive, most families net enough money when selling their existing home to buy a new home and still have enough money left over to pay off debt and to catch up on deferred financial priorities, like setting up a trust, buying life insurance, funding retirement, or setting money aside for college or wedding expenses. That is what is driving the huge demographic changes.

Lowering the cost of living and freeing up cash flow is the cornerstone to having more money to invest. Saving for retirement and capturing investment opportunities is much easier when taxes are reduced. This can be done without sacrificing lifestyle priorities or supporting important causes.

Ready to unlock your financial potential? Take the first step today and explore the exciting opportunities that Central Texas offers. If you'd like to discuss your unique situation, visit our website and click "Start Planning" for a complimentary consultation.