AUSTIN vs. DALLAS? (San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Plano: loft, how much, homes)

[jenwong1]

Hello,

I may be moving to Texas from Los Angeles, California and wanted to know which city would better suit me. I am a single, 35 year old, working professional female with a very good income. I would be moving to Texas for a major job promotion/job opportunity.

I have two dogs that I often exercise with. I am very active and love all outdoor activities such as hiking, running, etc.. I also live for the water but I know Austin is nowhere near the coast. What about any lakes?? I'm conservative but am pretty laid back and am pretty social. I like the option of going to cool restaurants/bars but also do not mind being low key and staying in. Would Austin or Dallas be a better fit for me? Thanks!

[AustinLover512]

Sorry to say but you wouldn't be the only one moving here from that area. I would recommend Dallas if anything. Have you ever been to Texas? It is so strange nowadays where everyone wants to move to a place that they have never been to before. It's a bit absurd. Just a warning some people do look down upon that. I wish you the best of luck.

[jenwong1]

I'd would be moving because I'm being offered a huge promotion/job opportunity not because for the fluke of it.

[Mckellyb]

+1 for AustinLover512's comments.

We're originally from Dallas, I lived there for my first 28 years. Dallas and Austin are such different places, they are very difficult to compare on a fair basis.

Dallas is much more "cosmopolitan", city-like, and "professional"-oriented than Austin, which has the school, UT, as a huge base and what I consider the primary driver for places like the 'party area' downtown...this is the 6th street 'hood. A college student's dream. Well, some students.... Some of us worked three jobs to afford tuition.

Thinking about it more, and having lived in Vegas for the past three years, Portland, OR for 4 years before that, and for 3 years in Denver as my first relocation from my hometown of Dallas (and my wife's)...don't even try Austin. As it is, my wife and have have actually mentioned how there are certain, very limited aspects of Vegas we tend to miss having access to. This is almost embarrassing, as we truly disliked living there.

To put it another way. The Austin 'metro' area has around 1.2 million people. Dallas-Ft. Worth? It's gotta be close to 8 million, by now. I know it was over 5 million 12 years ago, and I just found out Plano, of all places, has more than 700K residents.

!!!!!!!!!!!

This freaks those of use who remember Plano being a day-trip to the country, out.

[Alatex]

I am very active and love all outdoor activities such as hiking, running, etc.. I also live for the water but I know Austin is nowhere near the coast. What about any lakes??

By all means, check out the Austin hike & bike trail and Zilker Park.

Central Texas has a lot of spring-fed waterways that are great for tubing, including nearby towns San Marcos and New Braunfels.

[jread]

Originally Posted by jenwong1

Hello,

I may be moving to Texas from Los Angeles, California and wanted to know which city would better suit me. I am a single, 35 year old, working professional female with a very good income. I would be moving to Texas for a major job promotion/job opportunity.

I have two dogs that I often exercise with. I am very active and love all outdoor activities such as hiking, running, etc.. I also live for the water but I know Austin is nowhere near the coast. What about any lakes?? I'm conservative but am pretty laid back and am pretty social. I like the option of going to cool restaurants/bars but also do not mind being low key and staying in. Would Austin or Dallas be a better fit for me? Thanks!

If you're into climbing the corporate ladder and consider yourself conservative, then Dallas is going to be a much better fit for you.

[jenkirk]

There are many conservative people in Austin. It just matters on your definition of conservative and your tolerance level for the very liberal media.

Based on your love of outdoors, I would vote for Austin. There are lakes in both cities, but many of the people in Dallas would love to move to Austin for its more "laid back" feel.

To compare in your city, go to a BMW dealer (this would be Dallas) and a Supra boat dealer (this would be Austin). Both luxury items, but with a totally different feel.

[SharonL]

I have been to both and lived in Corpus Christi for 4 years (military). I will actually be making a more permanent move from Virginia to Texas next summer. I am originally from Southern California and I will be choosing Dallas - most likely Grapevine or Keller. If you are conservative and like the "California" feel, then Plano would probably be a good choice for you. Newer homes, shopping, and I have heard it has a little more of the conservative view. Of course, where you are working plays a big part -definitely check out the Dallas boards for more info on that - I wouldn't suggest living too far from where you work. Honestly, if it was me, and I was single, no children, I would go for a cool loft near the downtown area ! Both cities are very cool - have a lot to offer. When I visited Dallas, it just felt like home. It actually reminded me of California in some ways. I was there in late July and it was hot ! But, a dry heat. I am sure it gets more humid in August or September, but Austin is definitely far more humid, and Corpus Christi is off the charts humid ! I would definitely recommend flying out there and checking it out. By the way, I was not thrilled about Corpus Christi - the jobs, area, etc. (although Rockport and Port A are pretty cool), but I was amazed at how much I enjoyed Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio.

My husband and I both have family in Texas - that is the reason for our planned permanent move, but I can surely see why Californian's move to Austin and Dallas. Sorry for the invasion Texan's !

[AustinTexan]

Originally Posted by SharonL

...but I can surely see why Californian's move to Austin and Dallas. Sorry for the invasion Texan's !

Yeah, we're sorry too. Do you think we like half the state moving here? NO! It's like being on a winning team, all of a sudden EVERYONE wants to be on your team, even people that were your biggest rivals. If the economy was really good in California and the housing prices were equivalent to those in Texas, 90% of you coming here would stay there. When Texas gets too expensive because the whole state of California has moved here and ruined it for us, you'll move on to another state and do the same there.

[AustinTexan]

Oh, Dallas is a better choice for you and it's not even close.