Energy is a huge industry in Texas but the states economy has diversified significantly since the 80's oil bust. 2.

If you do go retail, stick with businesses that will always be around like oil change centers, convenience stores, gas stations (for now), and hospitality (restaurants, hotels, etc).If you haven't already, listen to Grant Cardone's podcast here on BP.

If oil rebounds, and the Texas Central Railway is built, I'd expect massive growth over the next ten years.

The couple I worked for started investing with siblings and their father after their dad had retired from being a miner for years. 

These areas have had good rental appreciation in the last few years.Hoping that oil stabilizes in a profitable range so the oil companies keep hiring keeping rental demand high!

There is bound to be an increase in oil prices shortly which will further escalate and skyrocket the prices of everything.

It is shame that all the guru snake-oil salesmen ripping of hard-working people.Joe Gore

The drop in oil prices is is having a dramatic impact on this market and virtually all industries in it have been and may continue to be negatively impacted (see article below).I'm not sure if and if so when these oil companies will be able to transition to clean energy production, but it would be something I would be very concerned with when considering investing in Houston.www.houstonchronicle.com/business/economy/amp/The-deceptive-diversity-of-Houston-beyond-oil-8325303.php?

Austin has a lot of growth and isn't so connected to oil. 

I walked away from that deal because the inspection found a leaking underground oil tank.