not all good, not all bad...50/50.
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7/6/2014
Dallas is a business city. Please keep that in mind if you plan to move here, because everything here revolves around business, which is okay however, the city doesn't offer much beyond a diverse corporate business climate. After living here 4 years, I now see why the cost of living is lower than most major cities, which is its main selling point besides tax breaks for corporate businesses. Its not terribly boring nor is it very exciting either. Let me explain...
Scenario: Okay, you get the great job here, you look at housing and say, "Wow, i can get a 3,000+ square foot home for X amount of $, which is so much lower than other places." *Note: Property tax and insurance add a nice chunk to your mortgage* You take the job, make the move, buy stuff (fancy cars, homes clothing, & "stuff" you never needed to begin with) because now you have extra money. Your in a relatively safe neighborhood and your kids are in a decent school. You shop and eat out to your hearts desire. You show off the things you have purchased or leased, to your family/friends. Good friends/family company always makes life fun, so you hope they will move here also.
After about a year, you now realize that you've done most of the stuff that the area offers (museums, shopping, eating out, sports, bars, visit the few parks which everyone claims are so great, etc...). Activities are somewhat limited here. So, you visit other Texas cities such as Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Palo Duro Canyon, Big Bend, South Padre Island. Then, you start hopping flights on weekends to more desirable places because the Texas summer weather isn't the best, no secret. Most activities around here are good for one to two visits and then its done.
Then it hits you...BOREDOM. Even eating out and the movies gets boring, surrounding neighborhoods become homogenous looking, weekend crowds of children/minivans everywhere, valet parking and major events worth attending are few. There's a good reason why drunk driving rates are very high here in the DFW. Boredom. Not much to do, and very few places to go that are noteworthy. I feel i can say this because I've combed through more streets/activities of the DFW area (and the State) than most people who've been here their entire lives.
All this to say: In my opinion, Dallas has everything you need (food, shelter, clothing, decent schools), but very, very few of the things that you really want (pretty scenery, outdoor activities, really nice beaches, good weather just to name a few). Sure, it has all the basic stuff that every big city has, but I haven't been amazed by anything thus far. (except for maybe the Cattle Baron's Ball) So, as I've stated before, if you decide to move here, you need to really consider the things your giving up to move here. I get the home affordability factor but remember, Dallas is "cheap" for good reason. And I also know that sometimes, you don't have much choice in the matter, and your stuck here. Its up to you to decide if its really, truly worth it.
I also noticed that lots of people here always want to point out how wonderful Texas is, proudly displaying bumper stickers boasting their roots are here for life. That's cool, no problem, but everything ain't for everybody.
I swear, I meet someone new, every week from Cali or wherever who moved here to buy a home/job relocation and later wishes they could move back because they realize the things that I mentioned above...OR they can't move back because they know they can never afford the same lifestyle in their previous location and/or they can't afford to give up their job that their company snake oiled them into taking here in Dallas.
So, Dallas ain't all bad, but it surely isn't all what people seem to be pumping it up to be. If your from a vibrant, exciting place you'll find it to be, "a nice place to be". If your from a small town with little to offer, then Dallas may be overwhelming exciting.
Just sayin'.
P | Dallas, TX