Dallas or Austin??? (Houston, Center: low crime, good schools, college)

[melbon7462]

Can you help me out and give me a few positive things about Dallas and Austin, and a few negative...Thanks!!

[love roses]

I'd say people are friendly in both places. Dallas has little enclaves that are cool to see, like Deep Ellum. Austin has a little better music scene, but there is good music out of Dallas as well. I would say that Austin is a more relaxed and outdoor type atmosphere. Dallas is a little more polished and somewhat pretentious.

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by love roses

I'd say people are friendly in both places. Dallas has little enclaves that are cool to see, like Deep Ellum. Austin has a little better music scene, but there is good music out of Dallas as well. I would say that Austin is a more relaxed and outdoor type atmosphere. Dallas is a little more polished and somewhat pretentious.

Given how trendy Austin has become over the last decade, I think Austin is now more pretentious than Dallas because of the smug attitude of people who live in Austin. I'm not talking about people here, I'm just talking in generalities. People who live in Austin seem to think they're part of something "great" when really all they're doing is living in a hilly, humid city in central Texas.

[love roses]

That's too funny!! But I've noticed in some cases that you are exactly right. And by Dallas being somewhat pretentious, I mean that people are more put together as far as clothing, makeup, and hair. Also flaunting their money. There are also more "socialites" there as well. Houston has its share of socialites too, so it's not just Dallas.

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by love roses

That's too funny!! But I've noticed in some cases that you are exactly right. And by Dallas being somewhat pretentious, I mean that people are more put together as far as clothing, makeup, and hair. Also flaunting their money. There are also more "socialites" there as well. Houston has its share of socialites too, so it's not just Dallas.

Sure, but Dallas also has a very large population of exceedingly wealthy people...Austin doesn't even come close.

I don't see a lot of the snooty Dallas 'tude because I don't live in a rich part of Dallas; you don't have to see it if you don't want to.

[love roses]

Austin has a very large population of exceedingly wealthy people too, albeit most are "new money". I imagine it's more "in your face" here due to Austin being much smaller than Dallas. But, same as you, don't see it (except when we go to the Lake now).

[achtungpv]

Originally Posted by nativeDallasite

People who live in Austin seem to think they're part of something "great" when really all they're doing is living in a hilly, humid city in central Texas.

As opposed to a flat hot city in north Texas?

[nativeDallasite]

Originally Posted by achtungpv

As opposed to a flat hot city in north Texas?

I've lived in both cities and for me, Dallas beats Austin in every category except one: scenery. YMMV.

[texastea]

I've lived in both cities, too and frequently visit the Dallas area now. Which city is better for you? It depends on what you like to DO, how you like to live. Here's my comparisons:

High-end decorating, fabric, furniture, clothing shopping: DFW
Funky, ecclectic shops or chains: Austin
Pro-sports games: DFW
Minor league or college games: Austin
Eating out at a LARGE variety of nice restaurants: DFW
Eating out at a variety of restaurants: Austin
Major music acts in large venues: DFW
Outdoor concerts, music festivals and a music culture: Austin
World class ballets, plays, orchestra concerts: DFW
Smaller venues for ballet, plays and a rare orchestra concert: Austin
Major, touring art exhibits: DFW
Art exhibits: Austin
Boating or fishing on lakes: DFW
Boating, fishing, sailing, swimming on scenic, clear lakes; tubing, rafting, swimming on clear rivers: Austin
Jogging on paths in parks and around a small lake: DFW
Jogging, hiking, biking, climbing around lakes, creeks and hills: Austin
Big city with big city crime rate: DFW
Medium city with low crime rate: Austin
Good schools with large student poplulations that limit student participation: DFW
Good schools that in general, encourage student participation: Austin
Good people that tend to be church-going conservatives: DFW
Good people that tend to be liberal and eco-conscious: Austin
(Yes, I know both types are in both places )

And when I say Austin has a music culture I mean that music is EVERYWHERE: Grand opening of a grocery store? Bands play inside. Grand opening of a shopping center? Bands play in the parking lot. Opening day of a new tollway? Bands play on the roadway. Bands play in the airport. Bands play for small town festivals and street dances. Kids concerts are everywhere, too: in the schools, at the Wildflower Center, at the music festivals, at the libraries. This is one of our favorite things about!

[melbon7462]

Oh man this post was so helpful in making my desicison...Dallas seems nice but austin seems to fit my life better thanks again!!!