First and foremost, I have to finish my education. I have about 6 months left until I graduate, then I can apply for my massage therapist license. To work in Texas I still need to take a class on CPR and one additional test, but otherwise I'm good and dandy as far as the legal requirements go.
While going through all this, I'm also researching cities in Texas that I might find ideal. I understand I need to visit them first, but I also understand I need to go where work will take me, and that's where I confuse myself on "what do I do first?"
Do I seek out jobs first and if one shows interest, I visit, THEN proceed with plans? Or do I seek out comfortable-sounding cities, visit them, and then apply to jobs?
The latter is what I was planning to try first. Makes the most sense with timing but I also end up spending more money travelling to see places that may never end up with a job opportunity.
I also currently think a lot about how hard would it be for a massage therapist to get a job from out of state. What makes me more worthy than someone local, that they would wait the amount of time it might take to get approved for a home (Last time I got an apartment it took them a month to let me move in)? Or do I have to move at the speed of light, or stay at a hotel and hope all works out. Timing makes me paranoid, but that is something I can ask my mother for advice on as well, since she's done this a million times.

Also while I'm researching and saving, my bf is also waiting to graduate with his welding degree in April, next year. We are a little worried though, since a lot of welding jobs require you to have about 5 years of experience and his schooling only provides him with 2. It's a good option if he can get into something but he also has a lot of experience with landscaping and that gives him another decent-paying job to look for. He enjoys it possibly more than welding anyway.

All of our job options we will be looking for work within our current area (as soon as we graduate) for more experience and more money saving while we await the opportunity to move anywhere. Especially me since I graduate in September, so a lot sooner.

The idea that I would move before him and set things up is insanely hypothetical. Its something my mom always recommends that we do since that's how they handle their big moves. Like if I got a job offer and I run down to accept it, and he helps me pay for the home with his job here in colorado, until he gets accepted in a job down there too. But there's so much risk with this one, like if he never found a job and we ended up living separately for an entire lease. I doubt that'd happen with landscaping/welding work but, you never know lol The more I think about it the more I'm not sure if it's the best move.

Not sure if I mentioned saving but... yeah, still got to do a lot of that. I already calculated how much money it'd possibly take to travel there initially, with deposits, fees and all that good ol' fun stuff. I currently have enough for that (although that may change in a year), but I still have to save more. I gotta make flight tickets and airbnb/hotels for scouting out places and also have a good bit of emergency funds. Also, for if I did get settled, funds for changing out my license and plates. All the little things. And yes, the always-forgotten food funds.