[jyl]

TX is too bloody hot for my taste. In fact, the whole Southwest is too hot. And consider that over the next 20 to 40 years, temperatures in that area are likely to rise by 3 F to 6 F. Instead of typical summer days in the high 90s F, a typical summer day will be in the low 100s F. Heat waves will not be 110 F, they will be 115 F. With related change in rainfall, drought frequency, groundwater levels. So 115 F, ranchers going bust, water rationing, gravel front yards . . .

The story of the past few decades has been migration from cold North to warm South. I wonder if the story of the next few decades will be migration from hot South to cool North.

Maybe not so far fetched. The migration out of core city to suburbs appears to be reversing or at least stopping.

Wonder if you can short land in TX/AZ/OK and long land in WA/OR/CT/MA . . .

Anyway, for the OP, this is neither here nor there. Just don't plan go spend a summer in TX with your new GF. I know you're in Australia, but at least most of the population centers there are near the coast.