Dallas or Houston (Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Missouri City: insurance, house, neighborhoods)

[CaliFamily2Texas :)]

Hi Everyone,

I am what seems to be one of many who are relocating to Texas. I currently live in San Diego CA. I have read many of the posting and I must say they have been very helpful. I really appreciate all the kind people that take the time to post responses.

Here's a little info on my family...me and my husband are 25 yrs old and have a 7 yr old son. We are moving to Texas because we will be able to live comfortable and provide our son with a wonderful home without breaking the bank. I have my Insurance License for the State of California and my position is a Commercial Account Manager for an insurance agency. My husband wants to join the policy academy. Also, my sister-in-law and her family will be moving too and she is a Nurse and her husband also wants to join the policy academy. They have 3 kids, ages 9 yrs, 6 yrs, 5 yrs old.

I have a question...Dallas or Houston?? What is exactly the difference? Pro's and Con's? I have heard that Houston was extremely humid and I also here that Dallas is humid?

I have visited Houston and loved it there. It is very green and full of trees, which I loved. I have not been to Dallas before but I am seriously considering it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time!

[momof2dfw]

Cali,

Yep, it seems a lot of people from California have discovered our part of the world. We've had two families from California move into our small neighborhood this year.

Both cities have their fair share of large corporations and you probably won't have any trouble getting a job. As for your husband joining the police, they are BEGGING for more officers around here. This is from a recent article in the Dallas Morning News (dallasnews) about one local pd trying to get more officers:

Quote:
Rowlett is sweetening the pot to win some high-quality police officers.

Facing the challenge of adding 10 officers in the budget year starting Oct. 1, the city is offering applicants with no law enforcement experience a $1,000 bonus if they complete 20 weeks of basic police training and 17 weeks in the field. Starting pay for a rookie officer is $47,466.


I also remember something about Dallas trying to recruit more officers. I think all of the area cities are actively pursuing more officers/recruits.

Yes, Dallas does get humid but not near as bad as Houston. The joke is that everyday there is chance of rain in Houston. But it is near the gulf so that is why. Yes parts of Houston have more trees. The Woodlands and Kingwood do. But these areas have the same soils that come from that part of East Texas so the pine trees are abundant. There are several drawbacks for me in Houston, one being the issue of zoning or lack thereof. In the city of Houston there is no true zoning for development. So you can have a house next to a gas station, bar, restaurant, etc. The other being the huge influx of Hurricane Katrina refugees. I don't know if the area has been able to completely absorb all of them. There was a report just this week about the numbers that came and the numbers still there. Houston got the brunt of it and I know last year there were issues w/ available housing and school overcrowding. No there are some areas of the greater Houston area that are not going to be affected by that because they did not have refugees in their town/city. But it is something to consider.

There are parts of Dallas that have some trees and they have not been clearcut. If you look at nothing but the suburbs where it is tract upon tract of cookie cutter subdivisions you are not going to see lots of trees. Good luck and if you pin down a couple of areas that you are interested in I am sure everyone can help you fill in some details.

[CaliFamily2Texas :)]

Wow, that is great. I wonder why there is lack of police officers??

Thank you for the pros and cons on Houston and Dallas. We are leaning more torwards Dallas. Your always so helpful...thanks!

We are hoping to move out there by December. If my husband gets into the acadamy sooner, then we would move at that time. We are very excited and can't wait. We will definately miss our family but are ready for the new chapter in our lives.

[socketz]

If your looking at Houston (lots of humidity), then check out Sugarland.

Money magazine just ranked it one of the niciest places in the US....

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2006/

[Steel Man]

I have been in both cities many times (Houston more) and I would have to go with Dallas. Houston reminds me of living in southern California (LA area), while I feel like I am still in Texas when visiting Dallas. This is subjective and not objective as both cities offer the same things.

[CaliFamily2Texas :)]

Thanks Steel Man! I appreciate your input. I am from So. Cali but if there is one place I don't look forward to going is LA!! Traffic is no joke over there. Is this what you mean when you say it reminds you of LA?

[AK123]

I have visited Houston and loved it there. It is very green and full of trees, which I loved. I have not been to Dallas before but I am seriously considering it. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time!

Houston gets more rainfall and so is much more lush and green compared to Dallas. It has fewer extremes in temperatures (both summer and winter) but is more humid.

There won't be many other huge differences, but a few are:

1. Location. Houston is close to the coast... beaches, boardwalks, water recreation etc. Dallas is inland.

2. Culture/population. Houston is a little more ethnically diverse. The culture is also a bit more laid-back and down-to-earth as compared to Dallas.

[CaliFamily2Texas :)]

Hi JJP,

I appreciate your feedback on both cities. At first I was leaning more on Dallas, but living in San Diego...I think I want to remain closer to the coast. San Diego is wonderful, but I grew up in the Imperial Valley here in California which has highs over 110 so I think I could handle either cities heat.

I'm a little scared as to where to live in Houston...there are soo many options. I love the suburbs especially Friendswood and Cinco Ranch. At the same time I would like in the inner loop 610 area, but not sure if there are any family oriented neighborhoods there (my 7 year old) that are not too pricey. If you have anymore feedback for me....lemme know!!

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by CaliFamily2Texas :)

...but I grew up in the Imperial Valley here in...

I lived in Pomona Valley (just below Route 66) 1965-1972. BTW, when did the "Inland Empire" phrase come about and what area does that encompass?

As for Houston, it seems many people are living in the burbs like Katy and beyond. Check other Houston threads.

[AK123]

I'm a little scared as to where to live in Houston...there are soo many options. I love the suburbs especially Friendswood and Cinco Ranch. At the same time I would like in the inner loop 610 area, but not sure if there are any family oriented neighborhoods there (my 7 year old) that are not too pricey. If you have anymore feedback for me....lemme know!!

Friendswood/Clear Lake is okay. It is very close to the water, which is nice, but could be problematic if a hurricane hit. It's a trade-off.

Cinco Ranch is nice too. It's in west Houston, so you're going to be a lot further from the water there.

If you want a nice suburb that also has reasonable access to the coast, I'd look at Sugar Land or Sienna Plantation (Missouri City). Especially Sugar Land, which was recently named the 3rd best place to live in the country by Money Magazine. It's a very nice and diverse suburb town, and you could hop on Highway 6 and be at the beach in an hour or less.

There are some very nice neighborhoods inside Loop 610, like West University and River Oaks. They are expensive by Houston/Texas standards, but coming from San Diego they may not be expensive as compared to what you're used to.