Try following the public transportation extensions and the big name retailers.

@ Nicole Frawley  You said car payments high and I know you need reliable transportation for work but what about trading your cars in for ones with lower payments and lower price but still relatively new.

Find someone doing some dirt work local , transportation of the dirt is the big expense 

It was my understanding as long as the county allows transport and approval of the home its okay.

.• On any lot with an existing single-family dwelling unit, where regardless of zoning, the lot has any of the following General Plan Land Use/Transportation designations:- Residential Neighborhood- Mixed-Use Neighborhood- Urban Village or Urban Residential- Transit Residential or Rural Residential- Downtown- Mixed-Use Commercial• On two-family (duplex) lots and on multifamily properties• In a low-density cluster development if it conforms to development standards of the R-1 zoning district, and the development and use standards of the low-density cluster permit.Minimum Lot Size3,000 square feetNo minimum lot sizeMinimum Setbacks from Rear and Side Property Lines0 feet for 1-story conversions and new construction.5 feet for second-story ADUs constructed above a garage or accessory structure.0 feet for 1-story conversions and new construction.4 feet for second-story ADUs constructed above a garage or accessory structure4 feet minimum rear and side setbacks required for detached ADU in multifamily developments.Maximum HeightFor detached ADUs:Single story – 18 feet maximumSecond story – 24 feet maximumAttached ADUs are subject to the height limits of the main home.Single-family properties - No change in height requirements.Multifamily properties - 16 feet maximum height for detached ADUs.Rear Yard CoverageArea covered by the ADU, accessory buildings, and accessory structures, except pools, shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of the rear yard.Area covered shall not exceed forty percent (40%) of the rear yard or up to 800 square feet, whichever is greater.Detached ADU Allowed LocationsRear yard only, at least 6 feet away from primary dwelling.May be attached to a detached garage or other existing accessory structure.Must meet minimum setbacks for an accessory building in accordance with Section 20.30.500.No changes except that ADUs that exceed forty percent (40%) of the rear yard must maintain minimum 4 foot side and rear setbacks.

Texas is growing in jobs, population, and transportation. 

Most of these areas are near transportation corridors and inner Portland.

Forget public transportation.

Regarding transportation, without a doubt, you will need a car to get around the area, especially for dining and grocery shopping.  

My suggestions from this point forward ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Do not mention you played professional sports anymore( gold diggers / con artist / etc )Do not put “professional athlete” in your online bio( maybe mention the college you attended )Attend your local rei clubs meetings as average joe (do not be flashy at all while working with realtors and investors – clothes ,jewelry, costly meals, transportation )If you can play another season or two go ahead– offset your initial real estate investing costsMaybe consider being a real estate agent near your local college “Shaq” move -> local popularity to sell propertiesWatch ESPN “Broke” Directed by Billy CorbenAct & talk like your average joe when working with agents / investorsStart out at a small modest rate when investing avoid friends/family members looking for hand outs - jobs , cash , etcAvoid real estate gurus– Do not go all or nothing attitude when you start out investingGo through Bigger pockets threads during your down timeTeam up with people you can trust and get alone with Use other people money when possible (private money)– local and overseas connections- stay away from hard money loans , if possibleReally know your local market your investing inMaybe hire a property management to work with tenants (tenants might act stupid,, if they think you already have money)(property mgmt - always double check their numbers)(do not be afraid to fire someone when need )Real Estate investing is a business ( you can be ahead or down really fast )Good luck